Sixth Form Testimonials

I started Spalding Grammar School in Year 7 and from a trembling kid who often got lost in the corridors, I became a Sixth Former, one of those ‘cool grown ups’, at least in the eyes of Year 7’s. I don’t know if I’m cool but I did grow up, thanks to the Grammar School, which helped me develop emotionally and intellectually. The School’s ethos “Inspire, Challenge, Enrich” has shaped my growth. Inspiration came from the teachers and from the school’s strong extracurricular provision which pushes us beyond our comfort zones; we meet challenges and are enriched with the support to overcome them. The SGS mission is to build well-rounded, ambitious and determined young adults. As an aspiring student of Medicine, SGS offered me opportunities to realise my academic potential. In how many other schools would students create their own Medical Society? The Year 12 Enrichment Programme is unlike anything offered anywhere else with its range of options: for instance, Young Enterprise or the Extended Project Qualification. Record numbers of students volunteer to befriend elderly people in residential care. Others compete in election hustings, and one joined the European Youth Parliament. And the Student Balls. The glamour, the suits and dresses, the music, the excited build-up, the embarrassing memories for some the next morning. The sporting achievements at Spalding Grammar School are exceptional: team spirit and mutual care characterize the school’s culture. Being Senior Student with my two deputies, Spencer DeRouen and Ben Futter has been a rewarding experience and I actively encourage students to involve themselves in the Prefecture when they join the Sixth Form. SGS is a fantastic place. I am confident that you will enjoy this wonderful school as I have. You won’t regret a moment of it.

The SGS Sixth Form is a vibrant community of students and staff who work tirelessly for academic and personal development. I chose to stay at the school for Sixth Form because of its reputation for academic success but also the chance to broaden my experience of school life. Staff here are dedicated to student achievement and wellbeing, choosing modules in their subjects to spark student interest, meaning you will be taught by experienced professionals who are experts in their field. Furthermore, the outstanding enrichment subjects such as the Extended Project Qualification allow you to broaden your horizons and build vital skills for life beyond school.

On top of studying, there are so many enriching aspects to Sixth Form life. Sixth Formers often take on leading roles in our annual school musical: recent examples include ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘Chess’, which I’ve had the pleasure of directing.  Also, the music department hold three concerts a year, which has allowed me to play with friends and gain valuable performance experience. Sixth Formers take on other leading roles as part of our prefecture. Prefects are either ambassadors, mentoring younger students, or ministers, working on whole-school committees such as the equality committee which has focussed on the White Ribbon campaign to encourage boys to end violence against women and girls. As a senior student team, my two deputies and I lead the Prefecture, organise public events such as the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party and, with the House Captains, lead positive change on the school council.

Facilities here are excellent, with a quiet Sixth Form Study Centre and recreational Coffee Lounge, which combine with structured Private Study and Free periods to gain rewarding independence. The support offered at SGS cannot be understated, with dedicated form tutors on hand to assist with all pastoral needs including post-18 options and a dedicated careers advice service. If you choose to join the Sixth Form at Spalding Grammar School, you will join a hard-working and friendly community of peers and teachers who will encourage you to strive towards your full potential.

I have no regrets transferring to Spalding Grammar. As an external student, deciding to join SGS's Sixth Form due to its strong reputation in offering high-quality teaching has been a great decision for me. Although i was nervous joining a new school, the friendly and uplifting environment and support from teachers/ peers helped me transition smoothly into Sixth Form. Through all my subjects I have been given a lot of help and resources, not only to help me in my subjects but future careers as well. With Art being one of my passions and my favourite A level subject, SGS has been able to accommodate and build my passion through the great teaching and freedom given.  The Art department at SGS is known for providing excellent support and fostering creativity, offering students the opportunity to explore different artistic techniques and mediums. I was impressed by the school’s commitment to encouraging independent thinking and personal expression, which aligns perfectly with my passion for Art. The collaborative environment and the chance to work alongside like-minded peers also drew me in. This focus on creative development, combined with the academic structure, made it the ideal place to pursue my A Levels.

Originally, I chose the SGS Sixth Form to study Economics, a subject which is not offered at other schools locally; however, there were so many other factors that made me realise I’d made the right decision once I joined the school. I have made so many amazing friends and have thoroughly enjoyed studying my three subjects alongside my EPQ enrichment. The support given by my teachers made the jump from GCSE to A-level so much easier, and they made it clear they would always be available to help with anything, whether that be subject-related or not. Alongside A-levels, I was offered a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to participate in to enhance my university application. I joined the Editorial Board which I became the editor-in-chief of and volunteered to be the Chair of the Charity Committee which has provided me with valuable experience. 

Joining Spalding Grammar Sixth Form as one of four people from my secondary school initially felt strange due to a much smaller sense of familiarity. However, I knew I was ready to progress into a unique area, concentrating on the subjects I am most interested in. Aside from the work at hand, I’d previously enjoyed my relationships with my past teachers during my secondary years and was hoping I’d be able to maintain this throughout the change in location. Now, I am confident that I’ll soon regain that within Sixth Form at Spalding Grammar. The staff in the school offer a variety of subject choices and extra-curricular activities, opening all students up to inviting opportunities from diverse bases with new, character-building experiences. Sixth Form at Spalding Grammar is challenging but welcomes you with support in all areas possible. After the initial change, it’s somewhere you’ll know you will soon be able to settle into and furthermore enjoy!

I chose Spalding Grammar School having come to the Sixth Form open evening in November and looked at my subjects (Latin, German and Sociology); I immediately knew that everything, from subject teachers to the Sixth Form facilities, was right for me.

Spalding Grammar School provides a multitude of enrichment subjects and it is mandatory to do one, lasting only one year. I decided to do Sports Leaders. Personally, I was looking for an enrichment that got me outside of the classroom and was engaging, since A levels can be stressful; Sports Leaders gave me a balance of indoor and outdoor learning. I would recommend this for anyone who is interested in pursuing a profession in teaching, sports or any social sector career.  It gave me valuable communication and confidence skills, as well as giving me the opportunity to get involved in whole school events such as sports day and hosting tag rugby tournaments for primary schools.

We have a designated area for private study time, with opportunities for individual and group study. Private Study (PS) is a vital part of Sixth Form, as it allows you to study in silence without distractions and revise effectively. You are expected to take control of your own learning, read and explore themes beyond the classroom, and Private Study is the perfect time to do this. I would say that Spalding Grammar School has some of the best facilities for independent learning that I’ve seen and this is so important for the development of learning.

As a student who has attended Spalding Grammar School for my whole schooling experience, I can confidently say that the access provided to all kinds of sporting opportunities has allowed me to enter into lots of new experiences and learn many new skills. By giving out so many chances to participate in alternative sports, the PE department reaches every target audience in terms of their provision for sports like rugby, basketball, cricket and so many more. It was one of the main reasons for me to continue my pathway at SGS into Sixth Form.

I chose to continue at SGS because from year 7 through to year 11 the school really suited me, and I knew it would for the next couple of years as well. I think one of the most attractive features of the school is that it’s very inclusive; there is something for everyone in the Sixth Form from PE to Spanish and Economics and everything in between.

Another thing that I think drew me to coming back was how helpful and supportive the teachers and form tutors are - you can really tell that they want the best and expect the best of you every day when you come in. The facilities for private study are second to none: the pods for working in groups are great when you’ve got a project due and there’s more than enough space to work individually and not become distracted as well. The coffee lounge is also something you don’t see in many sixth forms, a designated area for sixth formers to relax during frees or socialise during break and lunch.

SGS has been a pillar of support to me since I transitioned from London to Lincolnshire. They recognised the challenges I might face when trying to adapt to my change in the environment and offered immense support to also help me bridge the gap between GCSEs and A-levels. The staff nurture the success of all students beyond A-levels and support all career-orientated decisions accompanied by their own professional advice. When I found myself contemplating my career choices, I appreciated the fact that the staff welcomed my worries and offered a wide range of alternative pathways for me to choose from, going above and beyond to reach out to past students who had been in similar situations. Every student at SGS has a story, one that can inspire future students who may also be navigating their way through 6^th form.