Norwich High School for Girls Sixth Form offers vocational routes to success as well as academic ones.

Mrs Hazel Packer, Director of Sixth Form, said: “At Norwich High we offer a bespoke Sixth Form curriculum. Many of our students study traditional A Levels and go on to university. Some have extraordinary practical skills and some are itching to get into the world of work as soon as they leave school. Today’s degree apprenticeships are now a great option for those who wish to gain tertiary qualifications and get into the workplace. There is the added benefit that these students will ‘earn whilst they learn’.”

Our BTEC Performing Arts programme is popular with students. BTECs are practical and project based courses recognised by universities: one Level 3 BTEC is equivalent to one A Level.

BTEC Performing Arts assesses students in drama, dance and musical theatre. The course emphasises practical skills and prepares students for working in the performance industry.

Norwich High School for Girls Sixth Former Amy Skepelhorn, who played the lead role in last year’s school performance of “Made in Dagenham”, said: “I love the Performing Arts BTEC because it focuses on practical work. Unlike the A Level, I am able to study musical theatre, singing and dance along with drama: all of my favourite subjects in one course!”

BTEC Sport has a learner-centred approach which is tailored to the strengths of the individual. We focus on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required for success in areas such as Education, Physiotherapy and Sport Management.

Eve Glover, who studies BTEC Sport, enjoys the different style of learning offered by her courses. Eve said: “We’re assessed through multiple smaller assignments throughout the course rather than a big exam at the end of Upper 6.”

Norwich High School for Girls’ Careers and Higher Education programme enables our Sixth Form students to access paid training opportunities as soon as they leave school.

Our Lower 6 Higher Education programme, which runs every Monday afternoon from April to July, includes sessions on CV writing, interview skills and apprenticeships. Students receive a series of talks from the Norfolk Apprenticeship Team and various apprenticeship providers. Norwich High School for Girls will be running the annual GDST Apprenticeships Insight Event later this year.

Mrs Packer, Director of Sixth Form, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic option for post-18 education. Employers fund your training, often to degree level, whilst simultaneously offering you salaried work experience in industry. This year a representative from an accounting firm spoke to us about their apprenticeship offer. Previous Norwich High School for Girls students are now completing apprenticeships with companies like Aviva, Rolls Royce and Pacific Finance.”