• Well done to Y13 for a smooth start to the first week of mocks and the Health and Social Care exam, and also to Y12 for a successful folder check week.

• The key event happening this week is the extended tutor session on Thursday morning. This is when Y12 have their careers sessions morning and Y13 are meeting with lots of ex-students who will be sharing advice about tackling the coming months and also what life after Redcliffe is like. 

• We have some very important upcoming events. If students would like to help plan Culture Day see Ella or events for LGBTQ+ History month please come to a planning meeting on Tuesday at 10am in Room G10.

• For those that would like to attend, there will be a student opportunity to remember Diane. This will be on Thursday 22 January in Room 102 at 3.15pm. Students will also have the opportunity to write in Diane's book of memories that I will then share with the family. If students can't make Thursday but would like to write in the book they will then have the opportunity during the week beginning 26 January.

• Once again Y12 and Y13 need to be alert to lots of room changes over this last week of Y13 mocks. Bromcom has been updated to reflect this so students need to go off their Bromcom timetable.

• Again, all Y12 and Y13 were emailed last week 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 he 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.

• A student in Y13 has asked me to share this survey for her EPQ research and would really appreciate as many students and parents/carers completing it as possible.

• 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. 

• Y12 Careers Event- All students will soon receive their specific details for Thursday’s careers morning. All Y12 have to be in the common room for a very brief assembly starting at 8.30am before students attend their two allocated sessions. Lessons continue as normal from P2.  

• 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)

• Students and parents/carers should have received this letter last 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

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

• Y13 do NOT have registration on Wednesday for Group 1 and Thursday for Group 2 or assembly on Tuesday.

• This is because on Thursday group 1 (Wednesday tutor) students are in the common room for 8.45am and then group 2 (Thursday tutor) arrive for 9.25am. We have lots of ex-students coming in to share their experiences. 

• Best of luck to all those waiting to hear back from university applications or who have interviews coming up. We sent off over 300 applications this year before Wednesday's deadline. Well done Mr Jones and the tutor and progression team.

• There is the second Parental briefing for Y13 on Wednesday 28 January at 5pm. The focus during this in-person talk will be about preparing for summer exams and progression support including student finance. Here is the letter again: Y13 Parental Briefing- 28 January 2026.pdf

Practical Steps to GMH: Writing 

Thoughts and ideas get stuck in our heads, like an echo chamber, where they go round and round. Writing helps us to externalise things and make sense of scattered thoughts by forcing them into sentences or any structure; or it might help us see them in a new light – less terrifying, or more useful.  Write in whatever way suits you, it could be a journal, a poem, a song or just random thoughts; even to-do lists and revision schedules could count as writing for self-care!  Writing can promote 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 - 311 applications sent! Well done! When you've heard back from all 5 places you'll need to respond. Here is a guide on what to do: https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/types-of-undergraduate-offers/replying-to-your-offers

Year 12 - Keep an eye on the blog as there are lots of opportunities for you: university taster sessions, summer schools, work experience, extra courses, etc. Keep checking it!

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):

• Solicitor Apprenticeship

• Turner & Townsend Apprenticeship

• Banking & Finance 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:

• Bath University Summer School

• Cambridge University Essay Masterclass

• University Taster Lectures

• Support for Black and Caribbean students @ Bath Uni

• Online Law Conference

• Women in Computer Science programme w/ Cambridge Uni

Work Experience & Insight Events:

• Museum Work Experience

• Property Industry Careers

• Hospitality & Catering WEX

• Dental & Medical Work Experience

• 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/