We are delighted that our Sixth Form has been Highly Commended as an ‘Awesome Sixth Form’ in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2025.
We were recognised for the way we build a culture of Student Leadership in the Sixth Form and particularly how we have embedded a cohesive and considered Leadership Programme, providing students with the opportunity to give back to the School and wider community, whilst also building their individual leadership skills.
With Holly Webb starting in September 2025 as our new Head of Sixth, we are excited for our Sixth Form to continue going from strength to strength.
We firmly believe in affording students the opportunity to explore their passions outside the classroom and our Sixth Formers embody this wholeheartedly, with over 100 co-curricular clubs offered weekly.
Our fully student-led and run publication, Unconquered Peaks, was first launched in February 2015 and is entirely managed by students, showcasing their creativity and perspectives. The magazine covers a wide range of topics, including school life, current affairs, culture, and humour. It provides a platform for students to express their opinions, share insights, and document their experiences at WHS. The name “Unconquered Peaks” is inspired by the school’s song, which includes the phrase “forward to the unconquered peaks above”.
Sixth Fit gives students the chance to try out different sport and physical activities outside those traditionally undertaken at school. Options this year have included yoga, street dance, squash, golf, martial arts and Pilates.
Open Minds, our programme of academic enrichment, puts playful scholarship at the heart of learning. Students explore a breadth of academic skills and learning alongside A Level study, choosing between one of these electives:
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – a deep dive into independent research. It is enriching university-style learning, done under the guidance of an EPQ mentor.
- London School of Economics (LSE) entrepreneurship programme – working in a group to come up with a business idea, take on a role – ranging from CEO to Marketing Officer – and develop a business plan.
- Big Data – WHS scientists have the opportunity to undertake independent research under the guidance of research scientist mentors in fields such as Bioinformatics, Astronomy and Sport Science.
- Space Technology Diploma – equivalent to an undergraduate university module, this exciting programme teaches skills of stratospheric data analysis and Python coding within an exciting exploration of planetary science.
- Beginners Mandarin – The opportunity to learn the basics of Mandarin.
- Film Studies – Nurture filmmaking skills with hands-on workshops, and develop a critical eye to analysing films through a historical and theoretical context.
Our Futures syllabus hosts sessions on Employability and Lifeskills, providing students with bespoke support in CV and cover letter writing, job applications, interview skills and financial literacy. Our biennial Futures Fair took place in March 2025, seeing more than 60 professionals from industries ranging from cyber-security, sound engineering and astrophysics to sustainability, textile design and digital marketing, come together to share one-to-one advice with students.
Last summer we saw our best ever A Level results, with A*s accounting for half of all grades and 31% of students achieving 3 A* grades or more. The vast majority of students secured places at their first choice of university, art college or degree apprenticeship, with 14 students heading to Oxford or Cambridge, including three choral scholars, and four to the US (two on sports scholarships). Students were accepted on a vast array of degree courses, from Medicine and Veterinary science to Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies, Astrophysics, Economics and Sustainable Development.
Why not find out for yourself what makes our Sixth Form so awesome? Our next open event is taking place on Thursday 18 September 2025 – click here to register.