• Welcome back and happy new year. This is a shorter term than the last two but still a very busy one with highlights including the Y13 mocks (WK 12 and WK 19 January), the external UCAS deadline for Y13s applying this year (Wed 14 January), a Y13 Parental Briefing (Wed 28 January), a Y12 Parental Briefing (Wed 4 February) and the Y13 Parents/Carers Subject Evening (Tue 10 February). We also have an extended tutor session (Thursday 22 January) when Y12 will hear about a variety of different career options and Y13 will hear tips/advice from ex-Redcliffe students, and our Sixth Form Culture Day (Wednesday 4 February).

• As you will know from my email this week, the last few days for our Sixth Form community have been extremely challenging following Diane's sudden passing away. Diane was an amazing colleague/receptionist and friend to so many at SMRT after working here for 12 years and previously being a parent at SMRT and even worked in the building before it was a Sixth Form. So someone who has been connected to this community for a long time. She will be greatly missed. 

• We know the weather at this time of the year can be very temperamental. Weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office and I imagine this will continue this term.  We have a process for informing students and parents/carers if the school opening is affected by the weather.  All parents/carers and students will receive a text and/or email by 6.30am if school opening is affected. We will also update the school and Bristol City Council Website by 6.30 am.

• Y12 and Y13 need to be alert to potential room changes over the next 2 weeks due to the Y13 mocks. Bromcom has been updated to reflect this so students need to go off their Bromcom timetable.

• All Y12 and Y13 were emailed on Thursday to explain what they need to do if they would like to sit a GCSE, AS or extra A Level in the summer.

• Y13s will automatically be entered for the external summer exams for subjects on their timetable, and Y12 students will be this time next year. But if Y13s or Y12s would like to sit an extra qualification most often a language like for example Polish A Level that is not on their timetable, although there is no expectation that any Y13 or Y12 would sit anything additional, action is needed by Friday 30 January. Please let me know asap and complete the form on the school website: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Exams . The website also provides the exam board private entry fees.

• Y12- Y12s might decide to sit an AS (equivalent of half an A Level and a standalone qualification, so no value in doing this if sitting the full A Level) in May/June, in a 4^th subject if still studying 4 subjects and also the subject offers the AS as not all do. But there is no expectation and most people won't. Here is a document that explains our approach to the AS: AS-Level-Options-at-SMRT-Sixth-Form-040925v2.pdf Again if you are wanting to do this please can you let me know asap and also then complete the form on the website: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Exams again by Friday 30 January.

• The IT team have been working on improving the student experience on sharepoint with a new 'student hub'. This will bring all the subject sites together in one place for students, making it easier for them to find subject sites and move between them. It's been designed to show students only their timetabled subjects using very simple and clear navigation. It will also provide links to student timetables, emails and homework. For more information now see here: Sharepoint update information but it will be something we go through during tutor registration this week.

• On Wednesday 4 February we have our Sixth Form Culture Day. If any student would like to help with the planning of the day please meet Ella in G10 at 10am on Tuesday 13 January.

• We are looking for students to start planning LGBT+ History Month in Sixth Form. If you would like to be involved please email Mrs Apps and attend a meeting in G10 at 10am on Tuesday 20 January.

• Model United Nations- This has been moved to Wednesday this week due to an event in the common room on Thursday for staff to remember Diane. Thank you for your understanding.

• An update on the progress of our Robotics students... Adil and Kacper attended the Birmingham Regional Championship at the weekend. They won the tournament and became the Regional Champions for that area of the country, receiving two other awards: Skills Champion and the Judges Award. As a result, their national ranking has now moved up to #3 in the UK. What a fantastic achievement with the UK Nationals to come in late February (see photo below).

• An updated enrichment timetable- Final Enrichment Timetable 2025.pdf

• Please remember that if students are ill or absent we do expect parents/carers to phone or email and tell us or leave a message BEFORE the start of the school day where possible. Have the 6th form number (0117 3532073) and the attendance officer direct line (0117 3773465) on your phone. Also call if you are significantly delayed in traffic. If it is easier then email 6thform@smrt.bristol.sch.uk . Absences known in advance require a form to be completed which is available from reception.

         

• Y12 have tutor registration on Monday for Group 1 and Tuesday for Group 2. They then have assembly on Wednesday when the plan for the second half of Y12 including mocks, progression planning etc. will be shared.

• There is a folder check week this week for Y12. Students should expect their teachers to ask to review their folders to check that they are keeping organised. 

• Y12 Student Committee Meeting- There is a meeting on Thursday 15 January at 12.30pm in Room 202. Students can pass on anything they would like to be raised at the committee meeting either to the tutor reps or they are welcome to attend themselves.

• Please note we are moving the second Y12 Parental Briefing from Wednesday 18 March to Wednesday 4 February (5pm-6pm) as I think parents/carers would appreciate having this information earlier in the year to help with post-18 progression planning. This talk will be finished by 6pm for those that have children in Y9 at SMRT as I am aware that there is also a Y9 options talk that evening starting at 6pm. I will send all the details very soon and for those not able to attend there will be a recording shared after the event.

• For those considering sitting an AS in the spring/summer of Y12 this document explains our approach: AS-Level-Options-at-SMRT-Sixth-Form-040925v2.pdf Students should only sit an AS if they are currently studying 4 subjects and wanting to come away with a qualification in the subject they drop at the end of Y12. As explained in the link above, not all subjects offer the AS and not all exam board subject specifications make it easy to deliver alongside the A Level. Any problems/questions though please see Mr. Shaw. The form that students need to complete for AS entry is now on the school website and the deadline for completing this is Friday 30 January. A-Level ENTRY FORM - Summer 2026 (Page 1 of 4) The school covers the cost of an AS entry as explained in the link above.

• Y12 Careers Event- On the morning of Thursday 22 January between 8.30am and 10am, Y12 have a careers event. All students would have completed a survey in tutor registration to select specific sessions to attend or would have been emailed with a link if they have not completed it yet. The point is not just to give you information on your specific career plan (if you have one), so don't worry if you have to choose or receive options which are not your personal plan, we hope you will hear some real stories of how people in your position find their way into areas of work which were often not what they expected. If students haven’t already completed this survey in registration or ViP then please can they go to the link in their emails and complete this now.

• Students and parents/carers should have received this letter on Friday with information on a week in July when students are off-timetable for work experience, the Geneva trip or Geography field work: Sixth-Form-Work-Experience-Week letter

• Y13 have registration on Wednesday for Group 1 and Thursday for Group 2. 

• For the next two weeks Y13 have their mocks. Students should know where they need to go and when by reviewing their exam timetable that they have been emailed. Monday-Thursday- Morning sessions begin at the start of Period 2 (10.20am), and afternoon sessions at the start of Period 4 (1.10pm) and all exams are in the Sports Hall unless there is a specific exam access requirement. On Fridays, morning sessions begin at the start of Period 1 (9am) and run through P2. Bags can be left in the Sports Hall changing rooms.  Students must attend all their lessons which don’t fall at the same time as a mock as students cannot afford not to have regular contact with their teachers at this key time. And students need to make sure they leave lots of extra time to get to school and to the room ready for the start of the exam. Teachers will know if students are missing their lesson to sit a mock in another subject. 

• We have reassured students that it is unlikely that these mock exams will go perfectly for students and that more important than the actual result is the experience of sitting exams in a very similar way to the external exams and the constructive feedback they will receive from teachers, to help prepare for the summer.

• Students and parents/carers will then receive an updated grade-sheet following the mocks. There is then an online subject parents/carers evening on Tuesday 10 February. Parents/carers will receive a letter with the details very soon. 

• Good luck to those who are sitting the Health and Social Care external exam on Monday.

• Please remember that the UCAS external deadline is 14 January 2026.  This is the external deadline and all students applying should be 'paying and sending' asap and comfortably before then. 

• On Wednesday 28 January we have the second Y13 Parental Briefing at 5pm. Parents/carers will receive all the details early in January.

• Y13 Ball- This will be on Wednesday 24 June. I am just waiting for finance to set up on Scopay but then all the information will be shared including details on how to pay the £10 deposit. Following the payment of the deposit and therefore confirmation of numbers, I will be able to confirm the overall cost for a ticket expected to be £35-£40. The more people that attend the lower the cost.

Positive Outlook! 

Alain de Botton says “The difference between hope and despair is a different way of telling stories from the same facts.” Ever wonder why some people don’t get as stressed as you about the same stuff? We all look at things differently, some manage to see there might be various positives in what looks difficult, while others are more attuned to the negative. Even when you feel like something or some situation is all bad, try and look for the element of good or a different way of seeing it in a more positive light. If, for all your trying, you cannot see one, then maybe talk to someone about it - a friend, family member, pastoral staff here - sometimes saying things out loud can help us to review our stance. Looking for the positives in a situation promotes good mental health. 

All of our live progression opportunities from the Newsletter are accessible in our Progression Site at www.6thformprog.blogspot.com, including more detail on the items below, and if you would like an appointment with Steve James, our careers advisor, then please contact reception or speak to your tutor to book a slot.

 

Year 13 - any remaining applications must be submitted before the 14^th Jan. Info on all parts of your UCAS application can be found on the progression website. When you submit your application on UCAS it goes to Mr. Jones for review before being sent back to you for correction or sent to your 5 universities.

 

Year 12 - Please spend time researching Work Experience opportunities! Make sure you've signed up for sessions on the Careers Morning as this is the first of a series of events to help you decide your future. Next term we will be hearing from different post-6th Form routes & we will be visiting the University & Apprenticeships Fair.

 

Opportunities:

Gap Year:

• TEFL - Teach English as a Foreign Language and earn as you travel

Apprenticeships:

NEW Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships have been added: https://www.amazingapprenticeships.com/resources/higher-and-degree-listing/

Latest Apprenticeships on the blog (a full list can be found here):

• Law Apprenticeships

• Banking Apprenticeship

• Audit Apprenticeship

Interview Practice:

We are looking to run practice interviews relevant to anyone considering an apprenticeship, work, or another option after 6^th Form. To register your interest, please sign up here. 

University Taster Sessions & Support:

• Pathway to Bath - free academic programme

• Exeter Plus Programme - for high-achieving Year 12s

• STEM Learning Online Mentoring

• Subject-Specific taster sessions w/ Bristol University (online)

Work Experience & Insight Events:

• Careers in Psychology

• Aerospace Engineering Event

• SS Great Britain - Volunteer!

 

• Super-curricular is different from extra-curricular (hobbies and activities) in that it is about stretching yourself academically beyond the narrow A Level syllabus, and it is something all the best A Level students will be doing. You can find our recommended reading list on our website at: St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School - Study Links (smrt.bristol.sch.uk) 

• If you are a science A Level student you should absolutely be flipping through the New Scientist magazine every week to keep up with research. We have a hard copy in the library and a login you can access with the email address 6thformlibrary@smrt.bristol.sch.uk and the password Redcliffe.  

• Bristol University have produced lots of resources, including online lectures, to support students in exploring HE options or super-curricular research, You can sign up for access to these at Virtual resources for students | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol 

• Bristol Festival of Ideas rumbles on, which the full index of talks at https://www.bristolideas.co.uk/attend/?pageNumber=1  

• Another fantastic reservoir of free on-line lectures to add power to your University personal statement can be found through Gresham College at https://www.gresham.ac.uk/  

• Swansea University has a great range of webinars related to the full range of Uni course they offer and wider issues at https://www.swansea.ac.uk/study/webinar-series/  

• Speakers for Schools run an excellent series of online talks relating to particular areas of work through the year. The full list is at Upcoming Broadcasts - Speakers for Schools.  

Key support information 

• Mental Health support page on our website - Health-and-Wellbeing-Sources-of-Support.pdf (smrt.bristol.sch.uk) 

• For really well pitched advice on mental health for young people check out this podcast, recommended by the Senior Students - https://linktr.ee/unboxedpodcast  

• Another great resource on Self-Care with loads of suggestions and ideas to try out to help build new habits which can support our wellbeing is here: https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/  

• The Centre has sanitary products available if you ever need them. We try and keep a stock in toilets, with mentors and Millie and at reception if you need anything. 

• Condom Cards: Redcliffe Sixth Form have now been linked onto the C-Card scheme because practising SAFE sex is important. C-Card is a free and confidential condom distribution scheme for young people aged 13-25 living in Bristol. Once signed up you can collect condoms and lube for free from several outlets. Millie will be your C-Card representative in the Sixth Form, and you can collect them from her at any time during the day. Collecting condoms will be private, free, and completely confidential. Please drop her an email at feldmanm@smrt.bristol.sch.uk  or just pop by the office opposite G10 to have a private chat.  

• Remember you can always speak to our learning mentors, and Millie, for help or visit the Brook website for more information about sexual health, contraception, pregnancies, counselling, PREP (help with HIV) and more. https://www.brook.org.uk/