Looking OutwardsA good school makes pupils look outwards so that they also learn

through the experience of others in their national community and even

further afield.

In order to prepare them for active citizenship and an understanding

of the benefits of diversity and choice, Trent College operates a highly

acclaimed Whole School Lecture and Events Programme. The programme

is designed to enrich every aspect of life and includes keynote lectures by

eminent speakers (this year's speakers include: distinguished Historian

and Programme Writer Dr David Starkey CBE, Beverly Aspinall, Managing

Director of Fortnum and Mason, Dr Simon Fishel, Fertility Specialist,

Martin Bell OBE, War Correspondent and Former MP and the Rt Hon Geoff

Hoon, Cabinet Member and Government Chief Whip), stimulating topical

debates and inspiring presentations by inspirational students.

As part of our relationship with the wider community we also have close

partnerships with many local employers. For example we have a student

run branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland in our Business Centre.

BoardingAbout half of our Sixth Form students choose to board with us for

two years in the Sixth Form. A useful bridge between school and

university, boarding allows young people to adjust to the challenges

of living away from home and to develop skills such as self-reliance

and independence.

Trent provides a style of boarding which complements family life, enabling

students to board during the week and to go home at weekends, if they

so wish. The accommodation is modern and well furnished, with each

study bedroom having filtered, direct access to the internet.

Boarding at Trent helps to develop maturity and self confidence in an

atmosphere of friendliness and support which is a distinctive feature of

the College. It also enables students to have time to play a full part in a

wide variety of school based activities, meet their work commitments

and have time to socialise; all within one secure environment.

For more information about Boarding options please contact the registrar

Mrs. Sue Christie on 0115 8494950 or at sue.christie@trentcollege.net

Pastoral CareWe place a high degree of emphasis on individual care – each student is

allocated to a personal tutor for the two years of the Sixth Form. Tutor

groups (between 10-12 students) meet each morning at the beginning

of the school day, which gives important regular contact with the tutor,

allowing speedy communication of any concerns or queries. In addition,

students can arrange an individual meeting with their personal tutor

who also acts as a mentor. The tutor, along with other members of the

Sixth Form Management Team, will also be able to give personal advice

in areas such as university applications, career choices and Gap Year

opportunities.

We operate a strong teacher support network at Sixth Form level with

The Head of Sixth Form (Assistant Head) and the Heads of Year 12 and

Year 13 working closely with the tutors to ensure each student is meeting

their personal targets, while fully immersing themselves in the busy and

exciting Trent Sixth Form community.

LeadershipOur students play a major role in the effective management of school

life and there are many Student Leaders within the Sixth Form – Head

of Wortley, Head of Blake House, Head of Martin House, Head of Shuker

House, Head of Bates House, Chair of the Sixth Form Extension Programme,

Sixth Form Committee Members, School Prefects, Senior Prefects, Head

of Trent Leadership, Head of CCF, Sports Team Captains, School Bank

Manager and Head of Paragon Trust. These positions allow students to

experience the challenge of leadership in action.

The seeds of leadership are sown at an early stage and again, our students

play a pivotal part in this. All of Trent’s students follow a leadership

skills education programme that is directly linked to higher education,

employability and academic needs as well as fulfilling a pastoral role within

school. Our specially designed Aspects of Leadership course is taught

by our Year 13 students to all pupils as part of a structured programme

across the whole school under the watchful eye of their teachers. The

students are encouraged to play a full part in the development of this

programme as well as the delivery – this helps ensure they feel ownership

over the content whilst still delivering the key transferable skills.

Wortley Sixth Form CentreWe have specially dedicated facilities for our Sixth Form. The refurbished

Wortley Centre is the focal point of the Sixth Form community. The building

is modelled on those found at universities and provides exceptional

facilities for both study and social contact. There is a Resources Centre

with around 30 computers, a fully stocked reference library, a UCAS

library and private study facilities.

A recreation area includes a coffee bar, common room, TV lounge with

DVD/Video, a games room and individual lockers for storing personal

belongings and games kit. Outdoor seating in Wortley’s attractive gardens

further enhances the community atmosphere.

“I believe that the Sixth Form at Trent offers each student the very best

opportunity to achieve academic excellence and personal development

in an environment which is positive, friendly, dynamic and supportive.

The breadth of our curriculum, alongside the expertise of our

academic staff and the experience of our pastoral team enables

students to fulfil their potential, whilst outside the classroom the

range of opportunities for students is exciting and rewarding.

We have an impressive record of equipping our students with the

skills to succeed in the world beyond Trent, and look forward to

welcoming new Sixth Form students whose determination to take every

opportunity and rise to every challenge matches our own.”

- Lucy Matthews, Head of Sixth Form (Assistant Head)

A Trent education is not an end in itself, but rather the foundation for

a fulfilled life. By the time each student leaves Trent, we expect that

they will have acquired the knowledge they need to build their own

future, that they will have learned arts and habits that will stay with

them throughout their lives, and that they will have a better and deeper

understanding of their own selves and an awareness of the complex

responsibilities that their world demands.

The Sixth Form at Trent College

Academic SuccessMost students select 4 AS subjects to study in Year 12 from a broad range

of 23 subjects, with the majority then specialising in 3 subjects during

their second year.

In addition, students follow a General Studies Programme, which provides

the opportunity to prepare for the next stage of education or work, at

the same time as being introduced to a wide range of general topics and

also learning important skills for the future.

Students are also encouraged to set realistic but challenging academic

targets and make effective use of all the support provided at Trent.

One of the benefits of a large Sixth Form is that we are able to offer a

wide and varied range of A level subjects. Students may select from the

following subjects:

Art, Business Studies, Biology,

Chemistry, Design & Technology,

Economics, Combined English,

English Literature, French,

Geography, German, History,

Mathematics, Further Mathematics,

Music, Music Technology,

Physical Education, Physics, Politics,

Psychology, Religious Studies,

Spanish and Theatre Studies.

Details of each subject can be found in our Sixth Form Curriculum Booklet

which is available from the Registrar.

We enjoyed our best ever results for student examinations in 2008

as follows:

Pass rate at A level: 99.3% with 74.0% A/Bs

At Trent we achieve such impressive results by meeting the needs

of every individual. This is done by providing highly qualified staff,

small class sizes, excellent resources for teaching and learning,

comprehensive library facilities, individual tutoring and top quality ICT

hardware and software.

ActivitiesAt Trent, everyone is encouraged to try new activities through the

abundant opportunities on offer so that each may discover and develop

personal qualities such as perseverance, determination, forbearance,

communication, resourcefulness and self belief. In addition to a first

class academic education, students will have the opportunity to broaden

their interests through a variety of societies and activities exclusive to

the Sixth Form, enabling development of life-skills such as leadership

and enterprise.

Students from Trent College regularly achieve national and regional

success including: the Shares4Schools Finance Competition, ESU Debating

Competitions, Crest Science and Technology Award, the Engineering

Education Scheme and Young Enterprise.

The opportunities for involvement in school trips and expeditions are

considerable: recent trips included, Mongolia, Egypt, Turkey, Berlin, Australia

and New Zealand. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme helps develop self

sufficiency, service to the community and greater awareness of the outside

world. The CCF helps to encourage self confidence and initiative, offering

an impressive programme of activities from flying to caving.

Our students have every opportunity to find out what they are best at and

to engage in a variety of activities which challenge and excite them.

Drama & MusicDrama at Trent is a focal point for creativity and self-expression. We have

three well-equipped drama areas and employ our own Stage Manager.

Many of our performers have gained membership of the National Youth

Theatre whilst at Trent.

The school has a very strong musical tradition and there are orchestras,

bands, choirs and ensembles at all levels. We regularly stage musicals

together with the drama department and every year our renowned

Strawberries and Wine Event allows Sixth Formers a free rein to express

themselves through performance, with the emphasis firmly on enjoyment.

Recent highlights have included jazz, classical and rock performances.

Our aim is to encourage and foster the individual talents of each pupil,

and to engender a sense of enjoyment and fun in participating in drama

and music both in the classroom and beyond.

SportTrent College has excellent resources to provide a wide range of

sporting activities. We provide the opportunity for students to play

regular competitive sport. We offer an enormous variety of sports, from

the traditional Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Athletics and Tennis to

Canoeing, Climbing, Golf and Aerobics. Badminton, Squash, Swimming

and Weights prove especially popular with Sixth Form students, who are

able to benefit from the wide range of facilities in activity time as well

as in games sessions.

We encourage all pupils to strive for excellence. Many students are

selected to represent their county and several have risen to international

level in Cricket, Hockey, Rugby, Athletics and Tennis.

We also take students on overseas tours – the 1st XI Cricket team recently

toured Cyprus while the Girls’ Hockey and Netball squads recently toured

Australia and New Zealand.

Beyond Sixth FormAt Trent we are committed to supporting students as they decide where

they will go after the Sixth Form. For the majority of students this means

pursuing a degree course at university, and our Applications support

service gives comprehensive guidance through every stage of the

process. We take all Year 12 students to a successful local university as

well as running our own two-day applications conference led by visiting

speakers and our own experienced staff.

Our Careers department provides comprehensive careers advice to

Sixth Form students. We assess each student's particular skills, interests

and knowledge in the context of career choices and higher education

opportunities and encourage students to explore the many career

possibilities using a range of careers software and paper resources.

A Careers Convention is organised biennially for Years 11, 12 and 13

where students are given the opportunity to meet and discuss with

30 - 35 delegates from their various areas of expertise.

Fostering Curiosity and a Love of LearningThe Sixth Form at Trent College provides an excellent opportunity for

personal development and is an ideal bridge from school life to university.

Students are encouraged to manage their own time and responsibilities, an

essential feature in acquiring life skills for success in the world. Business

dress is worn instead of uniform and the Sixth Form has its own common

rooms, coffee bar and study rooms for boarders and day pupils.

At Trent, we encourage students to seek out challenges in a wide variety

of aspects of school life. They are challenged in the classroom, on the

sports fields, in their music lessons, on the stage, and in the wealth of

additional activities they choose to pursue. There is full support provided

so individuals believe they can succeed - and they do.

At Trent, everyone can find their niche and get satisfaction and reward from

their own achievements. The confidence this nurtures helps develop

students who are happy in themselves and well prepared for the

challenges facing them in later life.