Sandwell Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. You can read accounts of previous extra-curricular activities here.
We expect students to demonstrate a high level of motivation and have the capacity for hard work. Sixth Form work is demanding and students are encouraged to take increased responsibility for their own progress through independent learning.
For a proportion of the week students have the opportunity to work independently on carefully planned work as part of their course in the Library and Learning Centres. This method of learning is part of our strategy to prepare our students to be able to cope successfully in Higher Education and adult life.
The Head Boy and Head Girl head up the Sixth Form Leadership Team. The Head Boy and Head Girl are elected each year by their year group after delivering a speech at the hustings. It is an incredibly important role as they represent Sixth Form students, the rest of the students, they also represent the Head of Sixth Form, the Head and everything Sandwell Academy stands for. They will be responsible for ensuring the Prom is a success and will at times present to large groups of people on our behalf such as on Achievement Evening or on Sixth Form Information Evenings.
Students in Sixth Form can volunteer to peer mentor students in lower school. Following a comprehensive induction students meet once a week and are able to discuss many topics, for instance: Academy life, core subjects and friendship groups. It also ensures a stable transition to the Academy for Year 7 students.
The mentoring programme allows students to engage and communicate effectively with someone near to their age. Students work together and use their initiative to build confidence, resilience and support for each other.
On completion all students receive a certificate and an acknowledgement letter.
As part of the Sixth Form timetable students have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities every Wednesday afternoon. As an Academy with a Sports Specialism we encourage students to take part in sports and exercise activities which include recreational or team training, fixtures and the use of our high specification Fitness Suite. It is an expectation that any A Level PE or BTEC Sport student must participate in a physical activity on a Wednesday afternoon or represent the Academy in a competitive fixture. Alternatively, students may choose to leave the Academy to conduct their own independent study time away from the Academy site.
Every Wednesday afternoon there is the opportunity be a part of an Academy sports team, which include football, basketball, netball and cricket. If being in a sports team isn't for you but you still enjoy being physically active then there will also be an opportunity to use the Academy's Fitness Suite during this session. The Fitness Suite is also available for Sixth Form to attend every day after school between 3.40pm and 5.10pm.
The Sports Leadership Award helps develop essential life skills such as organisation, motivation, communication and working with others, all of which enable Sports Leaders to inspire their community to live more active and healthy lifestyles. The award is mostly practical and students learn by doing rather than through written work. There are no exams and assessment is through the ability to lead and demonstrate leadership skills for a certain period of time, within a specific setting. The Award will provide opportunities to coach in different environments including, disability sport, primary and secondary schools.
As part of the BTEC Sport course students are offered the FA Referee Course, where they have the opportunity to gain the official recognised FA qualification. In addition to acquiring valuable experience refereeing lower school matches, many students have taken up paid work refereeing in local leagues outside of the Academy, enhancing their CV. There are also a vast number of opportunities to gain experience of coaching including primary school sports days and other sports events alongside the knowledge, skills and experience gained through the Sports Leadership Award.
Our Sixth Form Cadets benefit from many opportunities, being increasingly responsible for assisting the younger Cadets in different areas from ensuring their uniform is presented in a suitable manner, to supporting with skills including Field Craft, First Aid and Shooting. Sixth Form Cadets are able to gain a First Aid at Work qualification and attend trips abroad. A recent visit to Arnhem enabled students to visit the landing zones, drop zones and locations of the World War II battle, furthermore they were able to see the equipment that was used for both sides of the battle.
The Academy is committed to developing a good reputation in this area of work. Dance, Music and Drama work will culminate in Performing Arts nights and whole school productions. If you have an interest in this area of work you will be able to have an audition.
We also have Music School where students can work in a band learning instruments or singing covers of popular songs. These are then performed in music events or as whole school performances.
The Rank Foundation School Leadership Award encourages the development of leadership and provides awards for students who show outstanding leadership potential.
Students who are nominated for this award will complete two weeks of community work in each of their two years in the Sixth Form. All students find these placements incredibly rewarding and are able to develop their leadership skills in a new environment. Students also attend the annual Rank Leadership day in London and can go on to do further work with the Foundation, mentoring or participating in work experience. Students will also benefit from support with university tuition fees.
Students considering an Oxbridge application will be supported in a range of ways including:
Should you have any queries or comments please contact Miss Duncombe (Sixth Form Admissions Officer) by either:
Email: sixthformadmissions@sandwellacademy.com
Or by post:
Sixth Form Admissions Officer,Sandwell Academy,Halfords Lane,West Bromwich,West Midlands,B71 4LG.
Please ensure that the correct postage is paid for the size of envelope used.