Curriculum

Our mission is simple: to provide a curriculum which facilitates all students to achieve genuine excellence and aspire to the very best Universities and Apprenticeships in the country.

We want our curriculum to provide students with the best of what has been thought and written throughout the ages. In addition, we ask our teachers to consider what the very best Historians know at the end of Year 13, what can the very best Biologist understand and ensure the curriculum scaffolds them to these uniquely high expectations. The curriculum at Sixth Form should also build and develop what students have been learning from Year 7 so that students are ready for the challenges ahead.

At KS5 students will continue to follow our 12 week cycle system ensuring that they can approach subjects in depth, gaining the cultural capital needed to succeed and that we have the time built in to ensure any gaps in knowledge are filled before we move forwards.

Daily tutorials, mentoring and enrichment are also compulsory aspects of our curriculum. Exceptional students will have 20 hours a year to work on their EPQ (extended project qualification). All students will hold a leadership role in the school including on Student Council, as House Captains and producing and presenting the unique OSA Broadcast.

Every Sixth Form subject produces an Independent Study Guide for students each cycle. This ensure students have clear, productive and supported route through their independent study hours, as well as providing students with exceptional opportunities for wider reading and greater depth of engagement with their subjects. In addition our Maths and Science students use UpLearn for independent study - an innovative online learning platform that provides reteaching, testing and live feedback to enable outstanding progress for our students.

Curriculum Overview

All students funded through the 16 to 19 funding methodology are enroled on-a A Level or BTEC two year study programme which combines A Level qualifications and other activities and is tailored to each student’s prior attainment and career goals.
All study programmes have a core aim. This is tailored to the needs of the individual and includes 3 or 4 A Level qualifications in a wider range of subjects.
All study programmes include two additional hours of Personal Development per week to ensure that students are supported in their applications to universities and degree level apprenticeships. Students also learn how to navigate the challenges of the 21st century maturely and safely. In addition, students continue to develop their understanding of RSHE topics that are age appropriate and deepen their understanding of citizenship and British Values.
All students are strongly encouraged to apply to the Migrant Leaders programme, where they receive bespoke mentoring from someone at CEO level or above in a FTSE 100 company. This is a key way in which work experience is organised for our students.
Our careers advisor supports students undertaking work experience as a part of their 16-19 study programme.

Qualification (585+ hours)

Year 12: up to 4 AS Levels (195 hours x 3 AS Levels = 585 hours or 195 x 4 AS Levels = 780 hours)
Year 13: 3 A Levels (195 hours x 3 = 585 hours)

Non-Qualification (80+ hours)

Tutor time or assembly every morning (30 minutes per day, 2 hour 30 minutes per week x 40 weeks)
Support with UCAS applications and progression planning
Skills lessons (1 hour per week x 40 weeks)
Volunteering (1 hour per week x 40 weeks)
Additional intervention in subjects every week
Visiting speaker programme
Student Council
Sports clubs and societies (minimum 1 hour per week x 40 weeks)

Subject Overview

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The Oxford Spires Sixth Form Independent Study Guides

The Oxford Spires Sixth Form Independent Study Guides are our way of communicating an additional 5 hours of independent study for each subject every week. Our guides support a deep and thorough understanding of the taught curriculums at Oxford Spires.

Sixth Form Independent Study Guides are checked regularly by our Sixth Form team.