FAQs

Penglais Sixth Form is a friendly co-educational sixth form of approximately 250 students offering a wide range of A levels and excellent pastoral care. Students have a tutorial programme taught through assemblies and drop-down days and a wide range of supra and extracurricular activities, trips and visits that will set our students apart when applying for university. Penglais Sixth Form students have their own building but they have many opportunities to work with other years in the school and to take on leadership roles that will help them prepare for their next steps.

Ysgol Penglais School has a reputation for excellent teaching, care and guidance for our current students and for students who join us from other schools. Teachers are highly qualified subject specialists who get to know and inspire their students. The wider experiences and enrichment activities on offer is central to our ethos. We want our students to work hard and play hard because they should enjoy learning, feel empowered and achieve great results. There is a dedicated Sixth Form block with a coffee machine where students feel a part of a smaller community within the school. They are looked after by a dedicated team of 5 Sixth Form specialist staff.

Students will choose three or four A levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate across two years of study. Students have 7/8 hours of teaching per subject, per cycle, along with supervised study sessions where students are expected to develop their independent learning. The Sixth Form building will be open from 8am-6pm Monday- Friday for study support and use of the IT facilities.

There are many additional opportunities for students in the Sixth Form which include university visits, master classes, debating society, charity and community projects. University related activities and opportunities to UK and US universities are available, as well as dedicated study groups for Oxbridge and Medicine/veterinary/dentistry.  SEREN students are encouraged to get involved in all available opportunities. There are ample opportunities to develop leadership skills through involvement with the rest of the school.

Planning for successful progression to university, training or employment form the backbone of the sixth form experience. Additional coaching is provided for applications to competitive universities such as Oxbridge and the Russell Group and courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. Students are supported through this process so that they can make informed decisions and prepare for the next step. Each student has a Unifrog log in, providing a wealth of information for different career pathways post 16. The school careers advisor is Wyn Davies and he can be contacted at

wyn.davies@careerswales.gov.wales

There are PCs in the Sixth form study area for use by students in and out of lessons. Students are allowed to bring their own devices to school. There are also ipads available that can be signed out from Miss Thomas the Sixth Form Manager.

There are admissions criteria of 5 GCSEs at a C grade or above, along with excellent attendance and behaviour, a cooperative attitude and a willingness to work.

Mrs Elgood is Head of Sixth Form and leads a team of Learning Coaches (Dr Lewis, Miss Homer and Miss H Yates), a Year Manager (Miss Thomas) and Sixth Form Support (Miss Asukile).

Yes, but they may only be used in the Sixth Form Centre and only for study in the upstairs study room.

There is a dedicated Sixth Form car park near the Sixth Form Centre.

Yes, there is a Sixth Form uniform. Sixth formers are expected to wear full school uniform while on campus; whether in lessons or in the Sixth Form Centre.

Uniform is available from our uniform suppliers:

Alison Jones, Ffigar, Custom Cymru

Years 12 & 13

• White shirt or blouse of a traditional design which can accommodate the wearing of a tie. The top button must be done up. Long or short sleeved – but not mid length sleeved
• School Sixth form tie is a traditional tie. Should students be awarded school colours in Year 11, students may commence wearing them immediately
• Penglais School jumper with logo – black for the Sixth Form. This is a Rowlinson “Performa 50” jumper in black with a two-tone blue band around the neckline
• Black school trousers of a traditional, tailored, full length design. No jeggings, leggings, chinos or jean-type trouser. Tailored black knee length shorts may be worn in the summer term only.  Neither the shorts nor the trousers should have combat-style pockets on the leg
• Formal, knee length school skirt with logo. One of two styles available from school uniform suppliers.
• Hoodies are not allowed in school. Cardigans are not allowed in school
• Footwear must be suitable for school – flat and plain black with no other colour (including stitching). For safety reasons these should be flat or low heeled.  Trainers, canvas shoes, heeled shoes and boots are not allowed
• Coats and jackets are not allowed to be worn in the canteen or in classrooms. Coats should be traditional – not denim, leather or jersey jackets
• Religious headwear should be grey or black, or white in the summer
• Tights should be black opaque. Ankle socks should be in a black

Jewellery, Hair & Make-Up

• One stud earring per ear is allowed
• No necklaces are allowed
• No bracelets are allowed
• Only one ring is allowed
• Jewellery worn for religious purposes will be allowed
• Facial and tongue piercings are not allowed (transparent retainers are permitted when necessary)
• Minimal make up may be worn which is not obvious
• Hair must be of a natural shade and no extreme hairstyles are permitted. Hair should not be dyed to a colour that is artificial

Driving lessons can only be booked during non-contact lessons (not during supervised study sessions).

No, we do not allow staff or sixth form students to smoke on site.

Please see the application section of the Sixth Form section of the website.