All Sixth Form students will follow a structured Enrichment Programme which is inclusive in nature and encourages all students to take an active role in their own personal development

The underpinning approach and philosophy we use is based on theoretical programmes such as the A level mindset programme.

There are three strands to our Enrichment Programme:

Led Enrichment

Assemblies
There is one formal assembly each week which all Sixth Form students must attend. Assemblies are planned to support the themes covered in tutorial and aim to encourage our students to reflects on many issues beyond the curriculum.
Guest Speakers

Sixth Form students have a programme of guest speakers from a variety of disciplines who support our Sixth Form Enrichment Programme. Visitors may be from local businesses, universities, charities, sport, politics and world-wide companies. The speaker programme is designed give students an insight into life beyond education and enable them to reflect on the world around them.

Tutorials

Students meet their tutors each week for tutorial and a PSHE session. All Sixth Form tutors are very experienced and have been trained in the A Level Mindset Programme. Tutorial gives the tutors the opportunity to have mentoring conversations with their mentees, to assist with employment plans, to discuss their learning and to support the UCAS process.

Seminars A programme of seminars is offered each term which aims to enrich the students’ knowledge and understanding, provoke discussion and provide invaluable life skills and career opportunities. These are run by volunteers (staff/parents, etc) after school on a Wednesday at 3pm. Students can opt into these sessions by signing up in advance on epraise. This year we have had speakers representing careers in physiotherapy, law, costume and design, museum curating, accountancy and health care.


Group Enrichment

Debate club
The Sixth Form Debate Club meets every two weeks to debate a topic chosen by the Debate Committee and/or the wider sixth-form. There are two speakers both for and against the proposed motion and a chair person who makes sure that all those who want to speak get the chance. Recent topics that have been successfully tackled are: "All drugs should be legalised”, "This house holds that the Burka should be banned in public spaces” and "This house holds that there are more than two genders”.

Debate club offers the opportunity for student to practise their presentation, flex their argumentative muscles and consider a different point of view.
Committees

Our Sixth Form are encouraged to engage fully in all decisions which affect Sixth Form life. As such we have a number of student–led committees which students may volunteer to be part of.

  • Prom Committee
  • Charity Committee
  • Coffee Shop Committee
  • Social and Wellbeing Committee
  • Debate Committee
  • Extrav Committee
  • Eco Committee
  • Student Voice Committee

Students can also run their own club if they find that their interests are not represented here. This year we have a thriving student-led Dungeons and Dragons Club.

Student Voice is an important part of Sixth Form life and we encourage students to engage with the student surveys which take place throughout the year and also volunteer for any focus groups on key issues.

Tutor Challenges

Throughout the year there are a series of tutor group challenges in which the tutor groups compete against each other in sports events, quizzes and problem solving tasks.

Charity Challenge

Year 12 students have the opportunity to take part in the One World Centre’s Charity Challenge. The aim of the challenge is to create a multimedia presentation depicting the work of a charity and how it impacts upon the life of a young person in the developing world. It gives students the opportunity to speak out for people in developing countries while raising money for a charity providing direct support for those people. There is an internal competition between all groups, the winner of which will represent St. Ninian's in the Charity Challenge Island Final.

Duke of Edinburgh

Students at St Ninians’s have the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are 3 levels to the award: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level consists of 4 sections; volunteering, physical, skill and expedition. There is also a residential section for the Gold award.

Sports Leaders

The Sports Leaders UK Level 3 Award in Higher Sports Leadership is a nationally recognised qualification. This course gives students the opportunity to learn the skills needed to plan and deliver sessions for specialist community groups and schools, and to develop their knowledge on leading sport and physical activity sessions. The Higher Sports Leadership Award helps to develop confidence and the ability to communicate effectively with other people and peers.On the successful completion, students attain 16 UCAS points.

Junior Achievement

Students choosing to take part in the Junior Achievement Company Programme are able to set up and run their own company over the course of one academic year. They raise share capital, develop, market and finance a product or service of their choice. Students gain experience of the real world, taking responsibility and being accountable to their shareholders for the running of the business. At the end of the programme companies from all over the Island have the opportunity to compete in the National Finals to select the company that will represent the Isle of Man at the European Company of the Year Competition.


Individual Enrichment

EPQ The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) involves choosing a topic, carrying out some fairly extensive research into that particular area, then creating either a 5,000 word report or a 'product' plus a 1,000 word report. After that, students must deliver a small presentation to a group of non-specialists about their chosen topic, lasting from 10 - 15 mins. Students chose their own topic and as such, is is a great opportunity to extend their learning in an area of personal interest.
Mentoring and Coaching Students have the opportunity to mentor younger students in a variety of subjects to support and coach them in their learning. This has proved to be particularly popular with those students hoping to embark on a career in teaching or education. Students who have an interest in sport may also pursue a qualification in coaching.
Work Experience

In Year 12, students intending on going on to employment will have the opportunity to attend a work placement whilst the Universities Visit takes place. This will enable them to make connections, develop their employability skills and support them with their future career pathways.

Career Opportunities Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to participate in a range of Open Days and events designed to support their future pathways. These may include the Employment and Skills Event, the Graduate Fair, the UCM Open Day, Law Insight Days, and additional open days hosted by individual firms.
Competitions Students will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of academic competitions. Examples of this are:

  • MANSAT - the winners attend United Space School in Houston, Texas.
  • Simcocks - an essay competition, the winner will have a work experience placement and money towards a laptop.
  • IOM Advocacy Competition - a chance to take part in a bail hearing held with case studies at the court.