ST BRIGID'S UPPER SCHOOL
Ages 14 - 19
Welcome to the Upper School information page. In Year 10 and 11 the GCSE courses begin and pupils have opportunity to seek careers advice and to focus on the choices available to them post 16, whether that be returning to sixth form or looking at possible college courses. Historically St Brigid’s GCSE results have been the best in the area, these excellent results are attained through first class teaching and the good working relationships that the school fosters between pupils and their teachers.
At St. Brigid’s we also aim to provide a supportive and exciting sixth form experience, which gives students the opportunity to pursue academic interests whilst being guided by a team of excellent specialist teachers. Our school’s friendly and positive ethos enables young people to grow into adulthood with confidence and whilst cementing friendships.
The Sixth Form at St. Brigid’s is a time for students to develop a broader awareness and understanding of the world around them and how they play a part in shaping it. As a school with a strong faith tradition and ethos, we hold the concept of service in high regard and are deeply committed to helping our students to become compassionate and resilient leaders; we believe that young people have the potential to bring about positive change both within the local and global community. Our sixth formers are role models for the rest of the school and a particularly rewarding aspect of this is interacting with the younger pupils, further developing St. Brigid’s strong sense of community.
GCSE LEARNING
Students at St Brigid’s can study up to 12 subjects at GCSE. In designing the curriculum, the school aims to foster a broad and balanced choice of subjects to give our students the best possible range of qualifications at GCSE.
Year 9 is where learners begin to make decisions about their future. They are asked to select from a range of subject options that they wish to pursue. These learning pathways allow students to specify areas of learning that interest them and may be important for their future careers.
Click the Learning Pathways tab to find out about what we offer out pupils.
EXAMINATIONS
We aim to offer comprehensive support to your child with examinations. Click the links to download our revision guides and tips for those pupils taking exams.
Take a look at the presentations delivered at our Parents and Carers Workshop 'Help your child prepare for their exams' in April 2023.
ST BRIGIDS SIXTH FORM
Small teaching groups mean students learn to listen and present their ideas with thought and coherence, preparing them for university learning. Teachers also have flexibility to personalise learning, whilst nurturing students’ individual interests within an atmosphere of support and challenge.
We enjoy an academic tradition, with our students regularly accessing high calibre universities such as Oxford and Cambridge and the institutions within the highly competitive Russell Group. Alongside this, we also have a strong culture of creativity and enquiry, as well as a track-record of developing students as independent learners and as leaders. Many of our students go on to pursue careers in the creative arts and attend highly regarded courses, more recently at The Central School of Speech and Drama and The Arts Educational School, London, for example. All students are valued at St. Brigid’s and we are proud of all of our students fostering an atmosphere where everyone is valued for their individual strengths and talents. This is celebrated at the end of every year with our annual Prizegiving ceremonies.
As part of the Denbigh Consortium, we work closely with our neighbours, Denbigh High School in particular, as well as Coleg Llandrillo and Coleg Llysfasi. This is an extremely positive aspect of our sixth form experience as it enables students to access a broader curriculum offer as well as to make new friends. Our students enjoy the opportunity to take a subject at another centre and this is an ideal step towards preparing for Higher Education.
A TYPICAL DAY
A Typical Day:
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The school day starts at 8.50am with registration.
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Registration period is used for assemblies on some days, which might be spiritual form time or whole school assemblies.
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Clubs and activities take place at lunch time and after school.
Here is an example of a timetable for a Upper School student.
Years 7 - 11
Time | Activity |
|---|---|
8:50 | Start of School Day |
8:50 - 9:15 | Registration |
9:15 - 10:15 | Lesson 1 |
10:20 - 11:20 | Lesson 2 |
10:20 - 11:35 | Break |
11:35 - 12:35 | Lesson 3 |
12:35 - 1:15 | Lunch |
1:15 - 2:15 | Lesson 4 |
2:15 - 3:20 | Lesson 5 |
3:20 | End of Day |
Sixth Form
Activity | Time |
|---|---|
Registration | 8:50 - 9:15 |
Travel Time/ Self Study | 9:15 - 9:45 |
Lesson 1 | 9:45 - 11:20 |
Registration | 8:50 - 9:15 |
Break/Travel Time | 11:20 -11:35 |
Lesson 2 | 11:35 - 12:35 |
Lunch/Travel Time | 12:35 - 1:20 |
Lesson 4 | 1:20 - 2:20 |
Lesson 5 | 2:20 - 3:20 |
End of Day | 3:20 |
ALL THE EXTRAS
All pupils in Upper School are given opportunity if they choose to join the Combined Cadet Force and through this they can take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Learners can have music and singing lessons delivered by specialist teachers and often have leading roles in the annual school production.
There is an annual end of term trip in the summer term which is a reward for good behaviour and effort throughout the school day.
The Upper School have opportunity to take part in the School Sport’s day.
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At St. Brigid’s we aim to provide a supportive and exciting sixth form experience, which gives students the opportunity to pursue academic interests whilst being guided by a team of excellent specialist teachers. Our school’s friendly and positive ethos enables young people to grow into adulthood with confidence and whilst cementing friendships.The Sixth Form at St. Brigid’s is a time for students to develop a broader awareness and understanding of the world around them and how they play a part in shaping it. As a school with a strong faith tradition and ethos, we hold the concept of service in high regard and are deeply committed to helping our students to become compassionate and resilient leaders; we believe that young people have the potential to bring about positive change both within the local and global community. Our sixth formers are role models for the rest of the school and a particularly rewarding aspect of this is interacting with the younger pupils, further developing St. Brigid’s strong sense of community.
APPLY
Applications for September 2024 from students in at St Brigid’s School or Denbigh High School will be made via the students’ current school. For any prospective candidates wishing to apply from other schools, they should do so through the school that hosts the majority of their preferred option subjects above (i.e. If two of the three chosen options from columns A to D are taught at St. Brigid’s School, the application should be made through St. Brigid’s School and vice versa.)
All initial applications or declarations of interest must be submitted for initial planning by the end of Friday 24th March 2023.
** Level 3 Public Services Double Award - This Subject must be chosen in both columns A
and B.
Coleg Cambria Llysfasi - A Small number of full-time land based qualifications are available as part of the consortium. Please contact Coleg Llysfasi directly for details.
All candidates must choose 3 options from columns A to D, with the core-studies (Skills Challenge Certificate) representing the fourth AS level subject. Candidates wishing to study four options would only be able to do so if they achieved exceptional GCSE grades and with the agreement of the Senior Leadership Team. This is in the interest of student wellbeing and due to the significant workload this would present. Under normal circumstances candidates must attain a B grade at GCSE in the subject that they wish to study in the
6th form. In the case of subjects that may not have a preceding GCSE or Level 2 qualification (e.g. Psychology), candidates would be expected to have attained a B grade in GCSE English and a C grade in GCSE Mathematics.
