Sixth Form Pastoral Care

At Leweston, Sixth Form pastoral care is designed for young adults who are ready to take the next step in their journey. Whether you are moving up from Year 11 or joining us from another school, our dedicated team is here to help you succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Your Tutor, Your Support

Each Sixth Former is paired with a personal tutor who truly gets to know you. Your tutor is your first point of contact for:

• Academic mentoring and tracking your progress
• UCAS and career planning
• Emotional wellbeing and stress management
• Guidance on making choices and handling change

Our tutor teams regularly check in on both your academic and emotional wellbeing, allowing us to offer support quickly when needed. Tutors meet with you often, but also give you space to make your own decisions, offering support that respects your growing independence.

Sixth Form tutor groups at Leweston are kept small to build strong relationships and ensure every student gets regular one-to-one support. Each group has at least two tutors, so you’ll have frequent opportunities for personal guidance each term.

Whenever possible, your tutor group will stay together for both years of Sixth Form, supporting a sense of continuity and community. Our horizontal tutor system means your tutors can focus fully on what matters most in each year—transition and induction for Year 12, and university applications and exam preparation for Year 13. Whole-cohort activities, like enrichment sessions and assemblies, bring the Sixth Form together. New students also benefit from a dedicated induction programme after GCSEs, making it easy to settle in and get to know your peers.

Here are some of the ways that tutors and the Head of Sixth Form can help: 

• Advise on the right subject mix
• Encourage in taking on new challenges
• Help to balance the demands of work and extra-curricular activities
• Suggest study skills to help work more effectively
• Suggest time-management strategies especially around coursework deadlines and exams
• Support at study reviews and disciplinary meetings
• Help to set realistic goals
• Contribute to and collate school reports and be available at Parents' Evenings
• Help with CVs, personal statements, references and planning next steps
• Write references for university or job applications 
• Encourage the development of ideas and opinions
• Offer a sympathetic ear
  

Our Sixth Form wellbeing programme focuses on real-life challenges and giving you practical skills for daily life:

• Managing stress and pressure

• Building resilience and confidence

• Balancing study, social life, and self-care

You’ll have support from our pastoral lead, school counsellor, and a caring team of staff. 

All Sixth Form students take part in regular PSHRE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) sessions. These cover important topics like relationships, mental health, money, and making life choices, giving you practical knowledge for adult life. We also invite specialist speakers to share expert advice and help build valuable life skills.

There are safe spaces throughout the school where you can talk, reflect, or simply take a break. Every staff member is ready to listen, support, and guide you as needed. Tutor teams in each year group regularly check in on both your emotional wellbeing and academic progress, so we can offer early help when it’s needed.

The Well-Being Hub is at the heart of our support network. Staffed by two experienced nurses, and with weekly on-site clinics run by local doctors, it’s a welcoming space for all students. The nurses not only care for students when they are unwell but also encourage healthy habits and provide a friendly ear. Our school counsellor, Mrs Megahey, is available every week for walk-in visits or pre-booked appointments. 

Sixth Formers have their own identity at Leweston. That means:

• A dedicated Sixth Form Common Room and Library for quiet study, access to the café and gym. 
• Privileges like dress down Friday, independent study time, the opportunity to leave campus during the school day and leadership roles
• Events and socials just for Sixth Form—because friendships matter