St Edmund's Catholic Academy

Our curriculum offer is broad: ranging from traditional facilitating subjects to prepare for Oxbridge and other Russell Group Universities to contemporary vocational subjects leading to exciting careers such as Architecture, Engineering, Business and Health and Social Care. Collaboration with our local sixth forms ensures all of the students benefit from the best quality teaching and learning at all times. We have a thriving Sixth Form community which offers the stimulus of academic excellence, coupled with the security of a familiar social environment. The distinct Catholic ethos within St Edmund's is readily recognisable to the onlooker. Supported by our Bishops and Directors, we strive to create a Christian centre of excellence in which approximately 160 young people are able to fulfil their potential. Teaching in sixth form is innovative and challenging and productive independent study lies at the heart of our success. Great emphasis is placed upon the suitability of students for the wide range of courses on offer, which leads to valuable qualifications under the A Level and BTEC Level 3 pathways. Work or volunteer placements can also be offered, either as an essential part of the assessed work leading to a vocational qualification, or as a chance for students to gain first-hand experience of an area in which they have a career interest. Effective group sizes are geared to foster teamwork and co-operation, whilst also offering an atmosphere of academic rigour, competition and debate. Relationships with staff have more in common with the student/tutor model within Higher Education establishments than the pupil/teacher experience through their first five years of secondary education. A team of highly qualified and experienced staff, committed to the value of the Sixth Form, offers excellent tuition within a curriculum which is extensive, courses which are demanding and a learning atmosphere which is exciting. Expert careers guidance, stimulating Personal, Social, Health and Moral Education, and Enrichment combine to complete this picture of a successful and forward-looking environment of which so many young people want to be a part.