With just two years to cover an intensive curriculum, it might seem counterintuitive to add more to Sixth Form students’ timetables. However, our Beyond programme is designed to provide exactly what young people need to flourish both at school and beyond. Through activities such as creative writing, spoken word performance, community service and mock crime scene investigations, Beyond empowers students to develop skills that will serve them in every aspect of their lives.

So, why add this extra layer to an already busy schedule? Because Beyond takes learning a step further, encouraging students to expand their horizons in ways that a traditional academic programme can’t. Working collaboratively, solving problems and cultivating empathy are crucial skills that no single subject can impart on its own. By venturing outside their comfort zones, students build resilience and flexibility, essential qualities for tackling complex tasks and adapting to the inevitable changes in their personal and professional lives.

Studies consistently show that skills such as teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving are highly valued by employers. For example, research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) ranks communication, teamwork, and problem-solving among the core competencies that define career readiness. Additionally, the World Economic Forum has highlighted the importance of cognitive skills like problem-solving and reasoning as critical for future job markets. In Beyond, we aim to nurture these exact capabilities, equipping our students to step confidently into any situation.

Whether they are analysing a mock crime scene or navigating a complex geopolitical role-play, our students are encouraged to think across disciplines. Beyond pushes them to integrate knowledge from diverse fields, helping them to build a well-rounded perspective that enhances their ability to solve problems creatively. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial for employability, as students must learn to organise, analyse and innovate by drawing on a broad base of knowledge.

By fostering an environment where students can reflect, learn and grow in a low-stakes setting, Beyond teaches students how to respond to failure as a stepping stone to success. This ability to regroup, rethink and go again with greater insight is invaluable and forms the foundation for confident, capable and resilient individuals.