Kate Adie presents Upper Sixth with their Baccalaureate Certificates of Achievement
The achievements of the Upper Sixth (Year 13) girls were celebrated today as they received their Sixth Form Baccalaureate Certificate of Achievements from veteran journalist Kate Adie – a very special day for the girls as they start their final term at Sherborne Girls.
David Banks, Head of Sixth Form, reflected on the many achievements of this year group, many of whom have been at Sherborne Girls for the past seven years. The Sixth Form Baccalaureate programme aims to encourage pupils to take up as many of the myriad of extra-curricular opportunities available to them at school, alongside their academic studies.
Each girl records their journey in an individual Digital Record of Achievement, which is then assessed, with many girls gaining Distinction or Merits. David says, “Certificates of Achievements become a testimony of the girls’ time at school, a record of all that they have achieved, and the challenges and new activities they have embraced. This all helps shape their next steps, whether it is to a top UK university, an exciting apprenticeship scheme or study abroad.”
Kate Adie, the former BBC Chief News Correspondent, gave an inspiring speech explaining how throughout her career she benefitted from having exposure to many opportunities and congratulated the girls for their positive attitudes, courage and determination in tackling so many new areas, usually for the first time. Kate told the girls how wonderful it was to see young minds broadened by all the opportunities the Baccalaureate offers. She encouraged the girls to take the new skills and interests they have gained on into the next stage of their lives, adding, “Try to be adaptable, think logically but always keep things simple and do something you feel is worthwhile.”
At Sherborne Girls our vibrant Sixth Form community of around 180 girls (known as Lower Sixth (L6) and Upper Sixth (U6)) offers the perfect environment for personal growth, academic stretch and preparation for life beyond school.
It’s a time of increasing independence: a bridge between the carefully structured routine of school life and preparation for university and/or the world of work.
Imi B-W said of the programme, "From the start, the Baccalaureate encouraged me to reflect on what I value most, whether mentoring younger students, engaging in discussions and debates, or furthering my subject interests and to set clear, meaningful goals around those priorities."
Living in a separate boarding house, the Upper Sixth enjoy greater independence; they are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, helped to manage their time wisely, and engage deeply with the subjects and ideas that inspire them. There’s a strong focus on self-motivation, intellectual curiosity and building confidence, all within a warm and supportive environment. The Sixth Form Baccalaureate is a natural extension of this.
Dr Ruth Sullivan, Head of Sherborne Girls, said, “Unlike traditional academic programmes that focus solely on exam outcomes, our Sixth Form Baccalaureate recognises that success in today’s world demands more: breadth of experience, depth of reflection and the flexibility to pursue individual passions. The programme is structured around a simple but powerful idea: young people flourish when they can connect their achievements to a clear sense of self-knowledge and purpose.”
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