West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre
IntroductionWest Cumbria's Catholic Sixth Form, on the grounds of Saint Benedict's High School, provides a warm and friendly atmosphere. We have great facilities which include a common room for socialising, a canteen and dining area and a study room in the Sixth Form block as well as the Independent Study Centre containing over eighty computers with internet facilities that we share with the lower school. We also have a Student Support Officer on the school grounds each week day, who is responsible for the well being of the students. Pupils can speak with her about both educational and personal matters.
Education
The Sixth Form offers a wide range of A-Level courses from academic subjects such as Maths, French and English to more vocational courses like Food Technology, Psychology and Sociology. We also run a General Studies course, which only requires pupils to attend one lesson a week in exchange for an A-Level qualification. This is beneficial to both students who wish to go onto higher education as it increases the amount of UCAS points as well as students who plan to go straight into the world of work, as an extra A-Level looks great on a CV. This year we have had several Year 13 pupils partake in interviews with the prestigious universities Oxford and Cambridge, who are considering offering places.
Spiritual
Although we are fundamentally a Catholic school, we welcome students of all belief systems. We have a chapel on site and hold weekly masses every Friday lunchtime. All Students, except those who take Religious Studies, are timetabled a fifty minute lesson of Religious Education every week in which they can discuss issues arising from moral decisions and learn about a diverse range of other religions. We also have a school Chaplin, Dave Skillen, who is on hand to have a chat with any of our students if they are going through a hard time.
Sporting
Sports are a big part of our Sixth Form. We have a highly successful rugby team, founded by students, who have gone on to win several accolades. If pupils feel there is an area of sports we have left uncovered, they are able to form a team with other students which will be supported by the school. Over the years we have supported various charities through sports. Last year we had a teachers versus students netball match in aid of Breast Cancer Research with male Sixth formers getting their legs waxed in half time!
Social
Sixth Form is not just a place to learn, it's also a great place to make friends and have a good time. West Cumbria's Catholic Sixth Form has a social council who are in charge of organising charity events and evenings out. The council annually organises a Christmas party for the region's elderly, which involves students providing the entertainment and also serving food and cups of tea and coffee. It's always successful and everyone has a great time. As well as that, there is also an annual Christmas party for all Sixth Form students which this year will include a buffet, karaoke and disco.
Words by Katie Moore, year 13 student.
