Sixth Form

      

Sixth Form Students make a major contribution to the quality of life at OHS. They run clubs for younger girls and they have been the moving spirits in founding new societies such as junior Amnesty International. Some lend their business acumen to the annual Young Enterprise Company, which regularly gains local and national successes. There are ample outlets for those with sporting talent and interest. Many girls achieve the Gold and Silver Awards of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. Girls give excellent service in local community schemes such as helping with reading in primary schools and working with the elderly and disabled.

Sixth Formers give informal guidance and support to younger girls and invaluable help to staff, assisting with forms or with lunch or library duties. There are 15 Prefects, including the Head Girl and two Deputies, all elected by their peers and by the staff, and four elected Heads of House. All work closely with the Deputy Headmistress and the Headmistress as an energetic and resourceful team helping to run school functions and events.

Combinations of subjects are very flexible. Academically, 4 AS level subjects in Year 12 followed by 3 A2 level subjects are the norm, although up to 5 subjects (at both levels) are possible. Teaching groups are intimate and relaxed: numbers may be as few as two and are not more than sixteen. Students have a very close working relationship with their teachers and benefit from individual consultations about work and prospects. Form Tutors and the Head of Sixth Form also help them to make the best use of their opportunities.

Some time is devoted to General Studies, which is unexamined. Courses offered in Year 12 include discussion of current affairs, language, science and society, ethics and higher education. All sixth formers may also choose from a wide variety of sporting, academic, artistic or drama options such as rock climbing, philosophy, textiles and a national sports leadership coaching award.

Baroness Warnock Lecture at Oxford High School

On 12th June Year 12 students enjoyed a lecture delivered by Baroness Warnock, moral philosopher, current chair of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s advisory committee on medical ethics and former Headmistress of Oxford High School. 

Speaking after the government’s recent Embryology Bill had made its passage through both Houses of Parliament, Baroness Warnock considered the obstacles faced by those engaged in embryology and stem cell research and the ethical issues which such research raises.

The lecture was fascinating and covered a wide range of topics, producing many thought provoking questions from Year 12 students at the end.