Headmaster's Bulletin (36)

We were pleased to welcome over thirty new visitors for our Entry to Sixth Form evening on Wednesday, attracted to the school by our consistently strong academic results and our reputation for nurturing well-rounded young adults in a warm and dynamic environment.

Students enjoyed listening to presentations by Heads of Department and Sixth Formers, as they extolled the virtues of their subjects and the joy of academic discovery and more independent learning. Some no doubt came away from the evening with their options confirmed, whilst others were probably further bewildered by the dazzling array of possibilities! Nicky Morgan, our new Secretary of State for Education spoke recently at a conference designed to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, concerned that so few girls nationally are studying such useful disciplines at A level. Fortunately at Bablake we have very healthy numbers of both boys and girls taking these subjects, and they go on to exciting courses at top universities. Earlier this week the managing director of Royal Bank of Scotland spoke about the need for more arts graduates to put humanity back into business and to avoid excessively linear thinking: “We still need the mathematicians and economists, we still need those disciplines, but what we need to do is leaven it, we need an input from people who have left-field, blue-sky creative thinking, who can bring the ability to ask the tough questions.” As far as we are concerned at Bablake, there is no hierarchy of subjects: the priority for our students is to choose options which they enjoy and in which they will excel, whilst ensuring a cohesive ‘package’ which will prepare them well for university and life in a rapidly changing world.

Over the next few weeks our Fifth Formers will receive guidance interviews with Mr Woodward, Head of Careers, and they will also have the opportunity to visit the Sixth Form Centre and speak to Sixth Formers about their experiences. As they visit they will be asked for their ideas for next summer’s remodelling and refurbishment of their common room. Our Sixth Form leads the way at the top of the school, and is an integral and happy part of our whole school community. It enables our students to stay ahead and stand out from the crowd!