At St Helen’s Sixth Form, students are encouraged to explore their interests beyond the classroom, regardless of the subject they study. We aim to provide the best possible opportunities for this with our Beyond programme which offers a multitude of thriving extracurricular clubs and societies.
Sixth Form students play a leading role in these clubs and societies, by organising activities and inspiring younger students, as well as following their own interests and pursuits. Sport, drama, music and art all play a significant role in the lives of Sixth Form students, with space for competitive aspirations, individual ambitions and enjoyment of non-classroom activities.
Students can explore topics that are not on the examination curriculum to expand their knowledge and can grow their confidence through The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, essay writing competitions or Model United Nations.
Our joint debates and conferences with Abingdon School and Radley College bring students together to share ideas, whilst other clubs allow you to discuss subject-related topics through regular meetings of our Joint Literary Society, Politics Club, Senior History Society, the Darwinian Society and Geography Society.
Students can also develop their own clubs and societies such as the student-led ‘Tea and Talk’ club where peers are invited to discuss a passion and then open the floor to discussions. Recently, the cross-school Abingdon Working Group was set up by St Helen’s and Abingdon students to work together on projects that tackle toxic masculinity and have been inspiring both in their commitment to making change and coaching younger students to engage in social issues outside the classroom.
Students have access to all our brilliant creative arts and sporting facilities – including our state-of-the-art Fitness Suite and Sports Centre, housing national-league-standard netball and badminton courts, a basketball court, 3-lane cricket nets, a group cycling room, an ergo suite and a gymnasium. Our Head of Athletic Development works with individuals and groups to support our goal of creating a fitness culture that will stay with you long after your time at St Helen’s.
During your studies, you may find yourself travelling to a wide variety of subject-related destinations including Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, the Pembrokeshire coast, Bath’s rich literary scene and galleries and museums across the UK. Trips abroad to Iceland, Spain, the USA, Kenya and Swaziland also offer outstanding opportunities to broaden your horizons.
