It was a pleasure to welcome the Upper Fifth (Year 11s) back to School in the last week of term, freed up from GCSE stress! We also welcomed some students who are joining the School in September, so they could get to know the current students and the School better.
The week was a mixture of subject sessions to help the students prepare for Sixth Form study and to confirm their subject choices and sessions on aspects of Benenden’s award-winning Sixth Form life. These have included the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ – several are getting started on this now), a session with the Careers department, Director of Partnerships Nick Rendall talking to them about volunteering and an interactive session on effective study with the Head of Academic Support.
Importantly, they have been down to the Sixth Form Houses, Founders, to spend time with the House staff and the current Six Ones, and completed some challenges set by Head of Sixth Form Simon Cullen. Some of the ‘Benenden A-Z’, efforts where originality and creativity was credited, were fantastic! Thirteen Upper Fifth are also now qualified to teach English as a foreign language and Mr Cullen has run sessions on driving theory, as many will be looking to learn to drive soon!
The students were really positive and we hope the week will help make the transition to A Levels and Sixth Form feel easier in September.