ChallengingEnriching &Fun CulfordSixth Form

Culford

Sixth Form life at Culford is different. We givestudents the freedom to be themselves, to followtheir passions and discover new ones, within asafe, caring and supportive community.

Joining the Sixth Form at Culford is anexciting and defining moment. You areentering the final phase of your secondaryeducation and the choices you make herewill be crucial to your success in later life.

At Culford we believe strongly thateducation should be challenging,enriching and fun, and that there are threekey elements to success in the Sixth Form:

• Academic excellence• Outstanding pastoral care• Personal development

The Sixth Form is not just a chance toachieve vital academic grades. It is alsoabout developing human qualities that arearguably even more important in thelonger term. A good Sixth Form educationwill give you the pastoral care to makeacademic excellence possible. It willprovide you with the ability not only to

make a competitive application touniversity, but also to present yourself toothers as a well-rounded, impressive andarticulate candidate in the employmentmarket, with the social and personal skillsnecessary to make the most of youracademic talents.

This is the added value of the Sixth Formthat you will experience at Culford: astage of your education that will lookoutwards beyond the academic to the fullengagement of you as an individual. Welook forward to welcoming you to theCulford Sixth Form. The challenges aregreat but the rewards are greater.

Julian Johnson-Munday MA MBA

Headmaster

Welcome to all prospectiveSixth Form students andtheir parents

The opportunities at Culford are huge; it isthese experiences that will set you apartwhen you are applying to university, or foryour first job, and that will help you shapeyour future.

Culford aims to prepare you, not just foruniversity, but also for life beyond it. SixthFormers are given a high level ofindependence and are expected to makethe most not only of their lessons andprivate study, but also of all the sporting,music, drama and the many otheropportunities on offer. Life in the Sixth Formwill be demanding but it should also be fun!

We expect you to get fully involved in theschool; what you achieve outside theclassroom will be just as important as whatyou achieve inside it. This is a time for youto develop yourself as an individual, withyour own personal interests, capable ofexpressing your points of view and beliefswith confidence.

Culford’s Sixth Form is limited to around 170students each year. Many are continuingtheir studies after taking their GCSEs at

Culford but a considerable number, typicallyat least one-third of the year group, will joinfrom other schools, both in the U.K. andfrom overseas. More than two-thirds ofSixth Formers are boarders and everyone,whether they are boarding or not, belongsto a House which is a special communitywhere everyone gets to know each othervery well. There is a strong support networkmade up of teachers, personal tutors,Housemasters and Housemistresses andstudents across all year groups.

The huge range of opportunities on offer,combined with Culford’s focused andsupportive approach towards academicstudies, produces students who areconfident, creative and capable, have ahealthy work-life balance and who, by theend of two years, are ready for thechallenges of both university andemployment.

Challenging, Enriching & Fun

Compared to lower years, the differencewith the freedom and choice we are givenat Sixth Form is noticeable straight away.Josh, Lower Sixth

The access to leisure facilities is fantastic. You can go tothe gym, play tennis, have a swim or meet up with a fewfriends to play football, and the great thing is, it’s alljust next door. Elliot, Upper Sixth, Sports Scholar and England U18 Hockey Player

There are state-of-the-art facilities for allsubjects including a superb ScienceCentre. Departments have good specialistlibraries for further study and the mainschool library offers a broad range ofacademic texts and ICT resources. Plans fora stunning new Learning Resource Centre,located at the academic heart of theschool, are underway. There is a wirelessnetwork covering virtually the entire siteand each Sixth Former is equipped withtheir own laptop.

If you enjoy sport then Culford’s Sportsand Tennis Centre boasts exceptionalfacilities with six outdoor tennis courts,four championship-standard indoor courtsand a 25m heated indoor swimming pool,as well as an indoor climbing wall, squashcourts, dance studio and a fitness suite.There are a huge range of activities onoffer covering everything from scubadiving, roller blading and dance through toacademic societies, sailing and horseriding.

Sixth Formers have two dedicated spacesseparate from the rest of the schoollocated at the Sports Centre and at AshbyDining Hall. These social meeting spaceshave comfortable sofas and flat screentelevisions while the Sixth Form Centrealso offers a coffee-shop style lunch andsnack bar.

Cultural activities abound with dramaproductions in Centenary Hall, our 400seat auditorium, or in our professionallyequipped Studio Theatre, as well as arefurbished Music School and RehearsalStudio.

The careers library is well stocked withuniversity and college prospectuses,together with information about careeropportunities and the Head of Careers andthe Head of UCAS are always on hand tooffer advice and support.

The Facilities

The freedom and responsibilities offeredby Sixth Form boarding at Culford areperfect for giving you a head start inpreparation for independent living atuniversity, all in a safe, friendly and caringenvironment. The school is situated in 480acres of beautiful Suffolk parkland, closeto the bustling market town of Bury StEdmunds and over two-thirds of SixthFormers are boarders.

Four modern boarding Houses are run byfriendly and experienced Housemastersand Housemistresses who take a genuineinterest in your life. You will also have yourown personal tutor, available to help youwith your academic work, support you withmanaging your time efficiently andencourage you with your extra-curricularactivities, ambitions and passions.

Be prepared to make good friends atCulford quickly because this is awelcoming school, and there is no fasterway to make friends for life than to board.The study bedrooms are a mix of twin andsingle rooms in the Lower Sixth; in the

Upper Sixth each student has their ownroom. Keeping in touch with home is easyas all rooms have internet access.Living at Culford, you can really getinvolved in everything: and it all happensjust outside your front door! There is apacked weekend activities programme,from outings to London and trips to thetheatre or cinema, through to mountainbiking and go-karting. If you decide to stayin, there are plenty of social areas to meetwith friends, play pool or watch TV in oneof the cosy and inviting Common Rooms.All the Houses have kitchen areas whereyou can make snacks and hot drinks whileall your meals are taken either in AshbyDining Room or in the coffee-shop styleSixth Form Centre.

Culford offers flexible arrangements forboarders where possible and if you choosenot to board, it is usually possible to do sofor an occasional night or two if you want.Although the majority of boarders stay atschool for the whole week, students maychoose to go home or stay with friends atthe weekend.

Boarding

I love the independence, the structured routine, andwaking up with everything you want and need to do allaround you. It’s exceeded all my expectations!Annabel, Lower Sixth, new to Culford Sixth Form and boarding

Rated Outstanding by ISI and Ofsted

Whether you are a day student or a boarderyou will still belong to one of the four Housesat Culford and have the support of aHousemaster or Housemistress and apersonal tutor. All Sixth Formers have accessto study areas within the Houses and canuse all of the social facilities too.

If you have passed your driving test and haveyour parents’ permission you may choose todrive to school. The day starts at 8.25am andfinishes at 5.20pm, once activities are over,although students are welcome to stay on forsupper if they are in a school play, rehearsingfor a concert or attending an eveningacademic or social event. There is school onSaturday mornings with major gamesfixtures taking place on Saturday afternoonsas well as, occasionally, during the week.

All day students are also welcome to join inall the social events and any of the weekendoutings such as ski trips to the snow dome ordays out in London and Cambridge.

Culford is a Christian School with aMethodist tradition. Methodism is rooted insocial justice, inclusivity and tolerance. Intoday's world they are values whose humanexpression is needed more than ever and ourclear moral values remain beacons ofcertainty in a confusing world.

Our ethos is discovered in conscious andovert ways such as services, discussiongroups and lessons; and also in the inclusivenature of school life, where the talents thateach student possesses are nurtured.

Day and Pastoral Care

Culford is a tight-knit community whereeveryone knows everyone. Tristan, Lower Sixth Day Pupil and England U16Rugby Player

In the Sixth Form we step up a gearacademically. You will choose subjects youwant to study; and your teachers will bemore like mentors as you explore yourinterest in their subjects. Small class sizesmean individual attention and a focus onpersonalised, differentiated andsupportive learning.

We also try to offer a full range of learningactivities and students will take a moreactive part in lessons; which willsometimes lead them into unexpectedareas. If you help us get this right yourlearning will be an interesting journey,offering you the chance to develop a realpassion for your subjects. Particularlystrong and keen students can becomesubject ambassadors, advising youngerpupils and helping us to improve coursesstill further.

We will support you fully whatever yourlevel of academic ability. We providerigorous assessment, feedback and advice,to help you get the grades you need.Students who work hard, listen to ourfeedback and take our advice often exceednot only our expectations, but also theirown.

While providing stretch and challenge forthe most able, for students findingelements of courses tough, we offeracademic clinics and revision sessionsthroughout the year. At Culford, teachersare always available for one-to-one help:our students tell us they really value thisand we know it makes a real difference tothem.

Academic Choices

At Culford I discovered that not only could I do the work of an'academic', but I could do it well. The confidence I developedthroughout the course of my A Level studies in English, History,Religious Studies and Theatre Studies helped me believe that Icould excel at university, and so it proved. Louie, gained a first class degree in Modern History and Politics atuniversity and has begun his career as a journalist

At Sixth Form I am studying the subjects I really want to.Louisiana, Lower Sixth, Academic and Drama Scholar

The Sixth Form programme at Culford offers youcombinations of A Level subjects to study which willprepare you for just about any degree course. Youwill have a considerable amount of freedom todecide which subjects you would like to study fromthe broad range on offer.

A Level Courses may be taken in:

Art and DesignBusiness StudiesClassicsDesign and TechnologyEconomicsEnglish LiteratureGeographyHistoryLatinMathematicsModern Languages: French, German, SpanishMusicMusic TechnologyPhysical EducationPsychologyReligious StudiesSciences: Biology, Chemistry, PhysicsTheatre Studies

English as an Additional Language is also available.

Other subjects may be offered from time to time.Please contact the Admissions Office on +44 (0)1284 385308.

A Level Subjects

A level results matter so you must choosewisely, right from the start. While somestudents enter Sixth Form with a decidedcareer path, you may be unsure at themoment what career you would like topursue in the future. If this is the case,then do take the time to talk to peoplebefore you decide; and choose subjectswhich you already enjoy and have clearreasons for studying.

Most pupils will study four subjects at ASlevel in the Lower Sixth and then continuewith three in the Upper Sixth. It is possibleto take five AS Levels and four A Levels;pupils considering this should discusstheir options with the Deputy Head. Eachsubject also has a student subjectambassador who leads pupils andsupports the Head of Department for thatsubject.

Culford teachers have an abundance ofexperience in advising people on the bestcombination of subjects to take. Of course,if you already attend Culford then you willhave plenty of opportunity to discuss yoursubject choices in detail. However, thosenew to Culford will be able to explore theirpreferred subject options as part of theinterview process.

Choosing your A Levels

Everyone wants to be here, which makesfor a great learning environment. Katie, Lower Sixth, Jubilee Scholar

Entry requirements

You will need a minimum of seven GCSEs atGrade C or above, including English andMathematics, for entry to Culford’s SixthForm. You will usually be expected to haveGrade A or B in the subjects you wish tostudy at AS Level, although requirementsvary according to the demands of the coursespecification.

International students are accepted on thebasis of school grades and references,together with entrance examinations inMathematics and English and an interview.

Scholarship exams take place in November,prior to the year of entry.

In the Sixth Form, your learning will extendfar beyond the classroom. The skills youlearn in our dedicated EnrichmentProgramme will support your studies andwell-being, as well as help to prepare youfor life after school. The programme iscomplementary to your A level studies andincludes a host of activities, seminars andevents, including many that you will beinvolved with organising.

Your first week in Lower Sixth will bepacked with activities to enable you tosettle in quickly and make friends, startingwith a team-building day and an adventuretrip to the Peak District. Here you will havethe chance to try out everything from raftbuilding and abseiling to pitching a tentand cooking dinner over the camp fire. Theaim is to learn to work as a team and havelots of fun along the way.

Back at school, termly seminars covervaluable life skills, including: financialmanagement, cookery, CV writing, self-defence, and presentation and interviewskills. There are courses in managing yourwork-life balance and learning to deal withstress through a variety of techniquesincluding, for example, yoga and tai chi.

All students are welcome to access theannual Scholars’ Programme wherespeakers from the academic, cultural andsporting worlds come to inspire andchallenge us. Recent visitors to Culfordinclude the BBC newsreader GeorgeAlagiah and Olympic swimmer andmedallist, Nick Gillingham.

Enrichment Programme

to enrich; to improve orenhance the quality orvalue of

After Fresher’s Week, it felt like we had knowneach other for years. Maisie, Lower Sixth, new to Culford

Culford offers an extensive array of tripsand expeditions throughout the year.Some will support your studies such asBiology and Geography field trips,exchange visits to France and excursionsto art galleries, museums and universities.Others will be cultural tours such as arecent trip to New York.

Perhaps the most exciting and challengingexpedition we offer is a three week trip toMalawi every summer for students in theLower Sixth.

This is truly a life changing experience. Students who sign up to go to Malawi areexpected to fundraise the money theyneed to cover the cost of their trip: in thepast this has involved everything fromsponsored car washes and hosted dinner

parties to babysitting, jam making,calendar sales and a sponsored London toParis bicycle ride.

The group meet regularly throughout theyear preceding departure to ensure theyare prepared for an exciting andchallenging three weeks where they willhelp with a variety of projects which, todate have included: building schoolrooms;teaching English; painting youth centresand orphanages; and donating blood.Students gain a real insight into therealities of third world life, are pushedbeyond their comfort zones and, above all,experience the world from a totallydifferent perspective. The last few days ofthe trip are spent relaxing on the beautifulshores of Lake Malawi.

Trips and Travel

Culford’s Malawi expedition opened my eyes to a newculture, a different way of looking at the world, and thelives of people who have so much less than us.Freddie, Upper Sixth

If you work at it, the CCF is probably one ofthe most rewarding experiences you willhave at the school.Tom, Upper Sixth, Culford CCF Senior Cadet

Leadership

Academic leadership is important, but sotoo is leadership in other fields. Whetheryou are chosen as a prefect, act as a tourguide for prospective parents and theirchildren, contribute to the School Councilor the Combined Cadet Force, become amentor for new pupils or choose to be partof one of the many committees or societiesat school, Culford expects you tocontribute to its success and your own bypositive leadership.

Students can also get involved with Schooland House Councils as well as the SixthForm Committee.

All of these opportunities will help todevelop your leadership andorganisational skills and we positivelyencourage all our students to seek newchallenges and get new ideas off theground.

We organise Culford’s charity fashion show everyyear, from the set design, video production andAV, through to liaising with retailers andrehearsing the models, everything is down to thestudents. It’s really hard work but amazing funand we raise lots of money for charity. I can’twait for the next one!

At Culford students truly discover how tolearn independently. Using study skillsseminars and workshops you will be helpedto manage your work effectively, participatein lively discussion, work within teams andreflect on successes and failures. Skills willbe learnt that will help you not just at schoolbut also when you reach university and thework place. These skills include independentenquiry, creative thinking, reflective learning,team work, self-management, effectiveparticipation and tenacity.

The programme also encourages students totake an Extended Project Qualification andOpen University degree modules.

The Extended Project Qualification

The EPQ has proved to be a popular courseas it provides an opportunity to extendabilities beyond the confines of the A levelspecification.

The EPQ is a self-directed project wherestudents take responsibility for the choiceand design of their individual project, and aretherefore free to choose subjects that theyare passionate about. It can be an essay, afilm, a composition, or something created in

the Design & Technology workshop. As wellas gaining extra UCAS points (the EPQ isworth 50% of an A level), the EPQ is popularwith universities as it exemplifies theinitiative, creativity and confidentindependence of the learner. Students aresupported by a designated tutor, the schoollibrarian and by the EPQ co-ordinator.

Culford students have chosen a great varietyof projects over the last few years: How dobirds fly? Can music help in the healingprocess? Can children be evil? How doanimals survive in extreme environments?

The Open University

Talented Culford students may choose totake The Open University’s degree-style shortcourses in the Sciences. Nuclear energy;living without oil; galaxies, stars and planets;human genetics; and health issues are justsome of the topics on offer and demonstratethe wide range of opportunities that areavailable.

These courses are designed to extendstudents’ knowledge, help with theiruniversity applications and create individualswho are confident, independent learners.

Guided Independent Learning

Harriet, Upper Sixth, ArtScholar, working on her EPQ‘Does a change in culture lead toa change in happiness?’

If you show a breadth of strong talents orhave an exceptional ability in academicsubjects, Art, Design and Technology,Drama, Music or Sport then you may applyfor a Scholarship or Exhibition, which areawarded openly as an honour on the basisof merit. Scholarships are worth a 25%reduction in tuition fees and Exhibitions10%.

As well as the above, specialistScholarships are available in Hockey,Rugby, Swimming and Tennis. Scholarshipexams take place in the November prior toentry, so you need to apply in good time.

More details are available in theScholarships, Exhibitions & Bursariesbrochure; there is also a booklet publisheddetailing the Scholars and Gifted &Talented Programme.

Please contact the Admissions Office, +44 (0)1284 385308,admissions@culford.co.uk or visit ourwebsite: www.culford.co.uk, for moreinformation and how to apply.

BursariesFinancial assistance, in the form ofbursaries, is available to help pupils whosefamily financial circumstances wouldotherwise prevent them from joining orremaining at Culford. All Culford Bursariesare means-tested and reviewed annually inan entirely confidential process. A bursaryapplication may be made to augment thevalue of a scholarship or exhibition incases of financial need. For moreinformation about bursaries, pleasecontact the Admissions Office.

Forces AllowancesCulford’s Forces Allowances are normallyawarded automatically to parents who areserving in the UK Armed Forces. For moreinformation, please contact the FinanceDepartment, +44 (0)1284 385345 or email finance@culford.co.uk

Scholarships and Exhibitions

What I really noticed coming from outsideCulford is that the coaching is excellent. Barry, Upper Sixth Rugby Scholar and Captain of Rugby

While Oxford or Cambridge are theuniversity destinations for some ofthe most able Culford students, youwill also be supported with the samelevel of interest and attention if youwish to attend other Universities,Drama School, Art College or join theForces.

Destinations of recent leavers arevaried, including: Veterinary Scienceat Cambridge; Psychology at Cardiff;Law at Durham; Medicine at Hull;Physics at King’s College, London;Politics, Philosophy and Economics atOxford; Mechanical Engineering atSouthampton; Art Foundation atUniversity College, Falmouth; Historyat UEA; and Mathematics at Warwick.

Our flagship event each year is theCareers Convention, where you candiscuss a variety of careers with anumber of professionals fromdifferent areas; we also provide helpwith work experience placements.Advice and support is alwaysavailable from the Head of Careersand Head of UCAS.

You will be given ample informationand advice about careers togetherwith practical help to prepare forhigher education and the workplace.Seminars cover topics such as UCASapplications, work experiencechoices, CV writing and studentfinance. We also work withCambridge Occupational Analystswho run Centigrade, a HigherEducation course finderquestionnaire, and students alsohave access to an online careersdevelopment programme.

Life after Culford

I have been lucky enough to have had many chances toenjoy and challenge myself and I have Culford to thankfor helping me access these opportunities.Emma, who is studying Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford University

Tucked away in the Suffolk countrysideand set in 480 acres of beautiful Suffolkparkland, with an 18th century mansion atits centre, Culford School is just 10 minutesaway from the historic town of Bury StEdmunds and 40 minutes from Cambridge.

Bury St EdmundsA unique and historic gem, Bury StEdmunds was once the capital of EastAnglia and is now a bustling market town.The striking combination of medievalarchitecture, elegant Georgian squares andglorious Cathedral and Abbey gardensprovide a wonderful setting. There areshops galore with a mix of high-streetlabels as well as independent boutiques,delicatessens and an award-winningmarket.

Dozens of cafes, restaurants and pubsoffer the visitor an endless choice ofrefreshments and there is a multi-screencinema and bowling alley. Cultural venuesinclude the Apex concert hall where avariety of artistes, musicians and bandsperform and the Theatre Royal, the onlysurviving example of a Regency theatre inthis country. The Theatre presents avibrant, year-round programme of drama,music, dance and light entertainment,featuring many of this country's leadingcompanies and performers.

There is a school mini-bus service to BurySt Edmunds during the week and onSaturday afternoons. At weekendsstudents may go into town with theirHousemaster’s or Housemistress’spermission.

Living in Suffolk

Culford from the sky

This prospectus describes the broad principles on which Culford School is run and the informationwithin it may be subject to change. The prospectus does not form part of any contractual agreementbetween parents or guardians and the School.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP28 6TX Tel: 01284 728615 www.culford.co.uk

Registered Charity No: 310486 Administered by Culford School Trustee Company Ltd No: 5609905

Culford Sixth FormChallenging Enriching & Fun

Culford