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FIRST-YEAR HONOURS PROGRAMME STUDENTS CELEBRATE LAUNCH AND VISIT GO APE

FIRST-YEAR HONOURS PROGRAMME STUDENTS CELEBRATE LAUNCH AND VISIT GO APE

A group of the Honours Programme students enjoying Go Ape

This term our first-year Honours Programme group have had a wonderful time settling into sixth form life and finding out more about the fabulous Honours Programme.

The Sixth Form Honours Programme is a bespoke programme designed for the most able students who are aspiring to attend the very best universities. The programme is exclusively for students who have achieved at least six GCSEs at grade 7.  Its aim is to work with students to boost their skills and confidence, give them early access to university style learning and enable them to make a more informed decision about applying for their chosen university course. It also gives the students the option to study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

In this term’s launch event, the group of over 80 new students were welcomed to the programme by Senior Leader, Simon Christian and Stefan Siwiak-Jaszek who is responsible for the STEM component of the Honours programme. They were also introduced to Jill Whitham, Head of Careers and Employability.

Following the staff introductions, B6 Alumni Sannah Adam spoke to the students about her experience of the  Honours Programme and gave some great advice on how to approach the EPQ. Sannah is an extremely successful member of our alumni and, since leaving B6 with fantastic A Levels in A Level English Literature, Religious Studies and Law, has graduated from The University of Law, qualified as a boxing coach and visited Lebanon with Human Appeal to help deliver humanitarian aid.

B6 and Honours Programme Almni, Sannah Adam

Our current second-year Honours Programme students then took to the stage to share some of their top tips for completing the Honours Programme with a large focus on the EPQ. For the EPQ, students get to plan and carry out research on a topic that they have chosen and isn’t covered by their other qualifications. They then use this research to produce a written report and, in the case of practical projects, an artefact or a production. The EPQ is worth half an A-level (28 UCAS points) and it is recognised by universities and employers.

Second-year Honours Programme student, Philippa Lloyd

Second-year Honours Programme students, Megan Haslam and Ella Rivers

The first-year Honours Programme group then took part in an engaging and challenging teamworking task where they needed to build a bridge using only newspaper and sticky tape faced with changing challenges including working in the dark, without speaking and with loud music on in the background. This was a great opportunity for them to work closely with students that they may not have met before.

Some of the first-year Honours Programme group working on the team-working task at the Launch and Activity Afternoon

Honours Programme Go Ape Trip

As part of the Honours Programme, the group are given the opportunity to go on many enriching trips to prestigious universities, places of cultural significance and places which can stretch and challenge their academic skills,  leadership and self-confidence. The first trip for the new Honours group was to Go Ape in Rivington. The students were encouraged to go out of their comfort-zones and they all took part in exhilarating activities on the zip wires and high ropes in addition to a fun teamworking challenge.

Honours Programme students getting to grips with their harnesses and ropes

Sixty students were excited to attend this trip and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

The trip to Go Ape was an incredible experience. It was fully funded by the college and lasted more than 6 hours. We worked together, as a team, to tackle our strongest fears as we scaled trees, crossed rope bridges, and rode zip lines across the woodlands. The view was breath-taking! When we weren’t up in the trees, we competed against each other in teams of 7, in a Go Ape exclusive board game. It was fun, interactive, and a great way to unwind after the college induction period! I’m 100% satisfied with my choice to pursue the Honours Programme, and I can’t wait to see what other new experiences The Sixth Form, Bolton has in store for us. Ebony Hayhurst

I have no regrets about going to Go Ape. It was a great day out! I learnt whilst I was there that I am in fact still afraid of heights, and I don’t think I will be getting over them anytime soon! Nonetheless, I had an amazing time speaking to other people, including Mr Howard who gives great encouragement! Alex Stones

We’re delighted that the students had such as good time on their first Honours Programme trip and look forward to following their progress and watching them flourish as they continue their journey at B6. 

Find out more about the Honours Programme here.