Academic

At the core of the Sixth Form experience at Walthamstow Hall is an academic programme characterised by breadth and flexibility which enables each student to follow her own tailored path of academic study.  Students are given the freedom to choose the subjects which they want to pursue at A Level.  Unusually, their choices are not constrained by pre-determined ‘blocks’ and the availability of courses is not determined according to how many students wish to study them.  Instead, students are free to select the subjects which play to their strengths, the subjects which will open the doors to their desired university destination and the subjects which they love.  It is possible either to specialise in Arts or Sciences or to diversify, depending on where individual strengths and interests lie.

Students can choose from 26 subjects that are offered at A Level, and the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification).  Students can choose to study three A Level subjects, three A Level subjects and an EPQ, or four A Level subjects, bearing in mind what suits them best and any future career aspirations.

Walthamstow Hall students achieve outstanding results by working closely with committed specialist Teachers in seminar-sized groups.  These groups encourage discussion, build confidence, allow students to make optimum progress and equip them with the skills they need to thrive in the environment of independent work which lies ahead at university or on higher level apprenticeship schemes.

Sixth Form Subject Choices and Curriculum 2025-6

Curriculum - Sixth Form Courses

EPQ

The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), has proved to be a very popular addition to the roster of subject choices available to Walthamstow Hall Sixth Formers.  The EPQ is an independent piece of work which means that most of the project is self-guided.  This makes the EPQ both challenging and rewarding.

What is the EPQ?

The AQA Extended Project Qualification is a standalone level 3 (A level standard) qualification designed to develop students’ skills in independent research and project management.  It involves choosing a topic, carrying out some research, keeping a production log, and then creating either a 5,000 word report or an ‘artefact’ and a 1000 word report.  Students also deliver a 10-15 minute presentation to a group of non-specialists about their topic.  Students can choose topics linked directly to their other A level subjects or they can explore an area of personal interest or linked to an area of potential study at Higher Education level.

What are the benefits of taking an EPQ?

The EPQ helps students to demonstrate, to both Universities and future employers, that they able to work independently.  It also further develops  essential skills required for study at a higher level. These include:

• Working to deadlines
• Working with others
• Project planning and management
• Decision making and problem solving
• Presentation and communication skills

The EPQ is proving very popular with universities, with some leading and Russell Group establishments making reduced offers to students achieving a high EPQ grade.

How is the EPQ organised?

The EPQ consists of two parts, a taught element and independent work.  The taught element includes instruction on all the skills necessary to complete the project well and comprises 30 hours of teaching.  The remaining 90 hours of the project is spent on individual work producing, recording and presenting the EPQ.  Students have a supervisor to guide them through this process.

Students start planning their EPQ at the beginning of Year 12 and develop it throughout the coming academic year.  Reports and/or artefacts are completed during the summer and presentations delivered at the beginning of Year 13.

More information on the AQA EPQ

Q

Q is a diverse Study and Personal Skills Programme created by Walthamstow Hall to complement the curricular programme at every stage of a student’s development.  It is a weekly timetabled session for every year group throughout the School.  In the Sixth Form Q focusses on the individual and others with the aim of increasing the chance of academic success through achieving balance and wellbeing.

Each week, Sixth Form students take time to reflect, take risks, develop a growth mindset, build resilience, set goals, collaborate with peers and the wider community, fostering an attitude of gratitude.

Enrichment

Lectures, visits to galleries, productions, museums and residential courses are organised to support Sixth Form courses and all students are encouraged to take a lively interest in current and world affairs.  There are regular opportunities to travel within the UK and abroad.