The sixth form phase is entering a period of change and uncertainty with a number of government policies which will impact in the short and medium term.

Apart from the immediate issues around this summer’s exams, there are major changes to the vocational curriculum (including T Levels and the Transition Year, and the defunding of BTECs), and reforms to university offers and applications.

Meanwhile, what is happening to inspections, accountability, performance tables and what will timetabling look like with the extra 40 hours from September 2022?

From a curriculum perspective, the potential changes to vocational curriculum are a once-in-a-generation event.

Destinations and progression outcomes for sixth formers have taken on more significance than ever with the return of performance tables and a rise in technical destination options such as T Levels, apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships and new higher technical programmes. Schools are being expected to fully inform their pupils about these alternative sixth form options and the Baker Clause is increasingly relevant.

Running a successful sixth form is consequently more complex than ever, without even considering the added pressures arising from lost learning and the return to an external summer exams series.

Understanding the present landscape and the competing government policies in the near future must be the first step towards being able to plan successfully for the future.

Participants will:
• get up to date with the latest government policies and thinking which are impacting on the sixth form sector this year
• be aware of the planned government policies that will affect sixth forms in 2021-22 and over the following couple of years
• engage in ‘crystal ball-gazing’ about what the sixth form landscape might look like in the longer term.

There will also be the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas with other attendees.