Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about
Bolton School Girls' Division's Sixth Form.
Why should I join Bolton School's Sixth
Form?
If you are a bright, enthusiastic and dedicated student you
should give the Sixth Form at Bolton School some serious
consideration. We have everything in place here to help you achieve
your dreams - a tradition of academic excellence, wonderful
facilities and an amazing portfolio of extra-curricular and social
events that will allow you to build leadership, team-working and
interpersonal skills. Our Higher Education and Careers Guidance is
second-to-none and there are numerous opportunities to listen to
experts in their field and to visit HE institutions.
The Sixth Form is small enough to allow our highly qualified
teachers to really focus on your individual needs - we don't just
get you to where you want to go, we equip you with the knowledge,
skills and attributes that you will carry with you throughout your
life.
What sort of GCSE grades will I need?
You should expect A grade passes in the subjects that you wish
to follow at Advanced Level, or the nearest equivalent in the case
of subjects not being taken at GCSE. You should also expect a
minimum of 6 good grades (A/B) at GCSE. External candidates will
also be interviewed and references sought. Find out more about the
Girls' Division Sixth Form Admissions.
As a new student to Bolton School, will I feel left out?
I assume all the other students will already know one another and
will be in their own friendship groups?
Each year, 5-10% of our Sixth Form is made up of students new to
Bolton School. They are always quick to settle into life at the
School. Yes, 90% or so of the students will be moving up from
Bolton School's own Year 11 but these young women are very aware of
the arrival of new students and they will go out of their way to
befriend you. I think they appreciate some new faces around the
place! Don't worry, you will be warmly welcomed into the fold. The
size of our Sixth Form means that all girls get to know each other
very quickly.
You will be invited to an Introductory Morning when you will
meet some of your year group and sample lessons in your chosen
subjects.
What will the classes be like?
You will certainly notice a difference from your GCSE studies.
Classes will be smaller and although each teacher has their own
style, you will appreciate that the learning process has become
much more of a partnership between you and the lecturer as you work
together to reach your full potential. Rather than studying a broad
range of subjects like you did at GCSE, you will now study just a
few subjects but in much greater depth. You will not just be
spoon-fed the information, you will be encouraged to ask more
questions, to pursue your own research and to think independently.
There is a great deal of work to get through and you will have to
be disciplined and organised in your approach to learning both in
and out of the classroom.
Can I come and have a look around the
School?
Yes, of course. In many ways the best way to see the Sixth Form
is to come and visit us. During term time you can always contact
the Headmistress's Secretary and arrange a mutually convenient time
to come in and visit the School. You might want to come along to
our Sixth Form Open Evening, which
is held in November each year.
How many new students do you take on each
year?
Numbers vary slightly each year but we usually admit about 110
students into each year of the Sixth Form, of whom anything from 5
to 20 will be new to the School.
Are there any opportunities to mix with the Boys'
Division?
We like to think we have the best of both worlds here. The
Girls' Division and Boys' Division are right next to each other and
there is a lot of social interaction with the boys. You have access
to their Sixth Form Common Room and they have access to yours.
There is opportunity to meet with boys at break and at lunchtimes
as well as on the coaches to and from school. There will be joint
events with the boys, particularly in drama and music. However, you
will be taught in single sex classes.
I'd like to come but there's no way I'd be able to
afford the fees.
We aim to offer an education for all, irrespective of the
ability to pay. More and more bursaries are becoming available and
we have a small number of Ogden Trust Scholarships for those
students wishing to undertake Science A Levels and each year a good
number of girls receive bursary-assistance
with their fees.
Where do people go afterwards and what sorts of careers
do they follow?
We have been sending Old Girls into the world for 130 years and
they have made quite an impact!
Upon completion of A Level study, the vast majority of our
students (well over 95%) go onto Higher Education; most of them to
their first choice university.
We have a global network of Old Girls and Old Boys working in a
wide variety of different careers, many rising to the very top of
their profession. The list of former pupils is a prestigious one
and includes many captains of industry and household names - learn
more about the Old
Girls' Association (OGA). Particularly active branches of the
OGA can be found in London, Oxford, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cumbria
and, of course, Bolton.
If you have any further questions or you would like to arrange a
visit to the School, you can contact the Headmistress's Secretary
by email, lgraham@boltonschool.org.uk
or by calling 01204 840201.