Sixth Form Curriculum
Students at DGGS follow a typical Sixth Form Programme of Study, which is 3 A Levels / Vocational subjects. Students then personalise their programme through our Employment, Enrichment and Pastoral programme - The Optima Programme. The Optima Programme has two strands: Optima-core and Optima-plus.
Our curriculum is designed to provide students with the flexibility to build their own personalised two-year programme which is tailored to their individual interests and aspirations.
A-level Options:
- Art
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Classical Civilisation
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Diploma in Criminology
- Drama
- Economics
- English Literature
- French
- Film Studies
- Further Maths
- Geography
- German
- BTEC Health and Social Care
- History
- Maths
- Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
- BTEC Music Performance
- Philosophy, Theology and Ethics
- Photography
- Physics
- Politics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- BTEC Travel and Tourism
If there are insufficient applications for a specific subject then the course may not be available.
OPTIMA-core
The OPTIMA-core part of the programme includes a range of personal development opportunities which all students participate in.
- Self-Defence
- First Aid
- Cooking
- Finance
- Maintenance
OPTIMA-plus
The OPTIMA-plus part of the programme is where students can tailor their activies to match their intended career aspirations or subject interest.
- Weekly Work Experience / Volunteering
- Additional qualification (a 4th A Level / AS Level, EPQ or a MOOC)
- DGGS community engagement (KS3 lessons, running a club, Masterclasses for Year 5 student etc.)
- Leadership position (Head/Deputy Head Prefect, Lead Prefect, House Captain or Subject Ambassador)
- STEM Access for students requiring this as part of their Science curriculum
AS Subjects:
Examples:
Student A
Studies Biology, Geography and Psychology
Wants to be a Primary School Teacher
Optima-core: Self-Defence, First Aid, Cooking, Finance and Maintenance.
Optima+: weekly work experience in a local Primary School, completing an EPQ on Childhood Development, supports in a Year 7 Science class once a week, runs a Year 8 Forensics club at lunch and is a House Official
Student B
Studies English Literature, History and Politics
Wants to be a Solicitor
Optima-core: Self-Defence, First Aid, Cooking, Finance and Maintenance.
Optima+: weekly work experience with a local Solicitor, completing an EPQ on Family Law, supports in a Year 9 English class once a week, runs a Law Society at lunch and is a History Subject Ambassador
Student C
Studies Travel & Tourism, German and Politics
Wants to study International Relations at University
Optima-core: Self-Defence, First Aid, Cooking, Finance and Maintenance.
Optima+: weekly volunteering at The Samphire Project, completing a MOOC on International Relations, teaches German to Year 6 students once a term in a local primary school, runs a German help club at lunch for KS3 and is a Lead Prefect
Student D
Studies Biology, Psychology and Health & Social Care
Wants to be a Physiotherapist
Optima-core: Self-Defence, First Aid, Cooking, Finance and Maintenance.
Optima+: [time back to support studies due to weekly sports volunteering outside of school], completing an EPQ on Kinesiology Sports Tape, supports in a Year 7 PE lesson each week, runs fitness club each week and is a House Official.
Additional information:
Kind Minds Programme
A Sixth Form led programme with an aim of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing. Students will work as a team and have the freedom to choose topics/issues that they feel are relevant to our school and create workshops, clubs, awareness campaigns, events etc.
Most importantly you will have fun whilst learning more about yourself and having a positive impact on the life of other students.
STEM Access
A programme aimed at easing the transition between GCSE and A Level Science (primarily for students entering on a grade 6 for GCSE Science, but also available for students identified as in need of extra support at the start of Year 12)
Optima Magazine
Optima Magazine is a pathway aimed at aspiring journalists. Through team-based projects, students will work to complete termly newsletters, event coverage, advertising and tutor time resources as well as a yearly journal –Optima Magazine. This will be planned, edited and produced by the Optima team and includes articles, reviews, news stories and photography – all of which are student led. It is the perfect accompaniment for any students of English, Art, Photography or Film and is a fantastic opportunity to hone key academic skills in a creative setting.
For Life Skills and Super-Curricular
Students are given an opportunity to broaden their horizons by signing up and completing a huge variety of online courses that range from qualifications in touch typing and sign language to fiction writing and Psychology. These courses are free and students are given designated time to complete courses across the academic year.
