Spring 2023
Sixth Form Diploma Newsletter Welcome to highlights from our recent Sixth Form Diploma sessions Lower Sixth Diploma The spring term, whilst shorter than the autumn term, was equally busy for our Sixth Formers during their Diploma sessions. During the first half term all Lower Sixth students had lessons to prepare for their academic project. They were taught how to structure a report, use references and citations correctly, and how to prepare an academic presentation. Following this, they have all continued to embark on their independent research and writing. In order to allow all Lower Sixth students a chance to complete an external five week community service placement, the year group was split up over two half terms: •
The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification - the examined academic project route) students completed their volunteering placements this half term, during their Tuesday Diploma sessions.
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Meanwhile, the SFP (Sixth Form Project - our internal academic project) students completed their academic projects. This involved them finishing their essay write up, and presenting their findings to their groups.
Sixth Form Project reflections
“I have loved doing the SFP for several reasons: 1) It gave me the opportunity to complete an independent academic research project without the pressures exerted by the EPQ, particularly as I have continued with four A Levels. 2) It gave me the opportunity to increase my knowledge in the medical industry and has given me something I can talk about in my personal statement. 3) From this, I have been able to develop skills in research, writing, organisation, and presentation. I would encourage all future Lower Sixth Formers to be active participants with the SFP!”
Sejan Vigneswaralingam
Volunteering Reflections “Volunteering at a care hope gave me an insight into the lives and experiences of the elderly where I learnt about their unique perspectives in life. I learnt how to arrange activities for others and it was a fulfilling experience, giving me a chance to make a positive impact on other people’s lives.”
Ronak De “I have really enjoyed volunteering at Haling Park Primary School this half term. From organising PE lessons to helping out with arts and crafts in the classroom, it has been lovely to see the enthusiasm of the students and teachers alike.” Gabriella Thomas
“For my SFP I wanted to do something related to medical ethics as I am interested in a career in medicine. I decided on the title of ‘Should the
creation of saviour siblings be banned in the UK?’. I have focused on whether it is ethical for parents to create a baby through IVF and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) purely for the purpose of acting as a stem cell donor for their sibling with a rare, terminal disease. Although research took time, I enjoyed the fact that it allowed me to read around a topic I am interested in studying in the future and think it helped me to understand some of
“My SFP looks at whether animal
the ethical dilemmas that medical
organs can be as effective in reducing
professionals face in their work.”
organ shortage worldwide.
Rachel Timm
“Overall I have found my volunteering placement to be a positive experience, as it allowed for a certain degree of freedom when solving the problem and organising myself. It therefore helped improve my efficiency and time management, trying to complete the task in the quickest way without sacrificing any of the content. Throughout each placement, I found that I was able to complete more sections of the task, due to the method of going about it slowly evolving and changing based on experience.”
Joseph Anderson