Academic Extension

We believe that every child, no matter their academic profile, should aspire to become an independent learner and thinker.

We begin this process in First Year and continue to foster this spirit of enquiry in lessons and co-curricular activities as pupils move up the school.

Lesson activities are designed to offer stretch and challenge to pupils as they develop their ability to think and apply their understanding with increasing independence. Subject teachers work closely with individual pupils to offer further support, with our small class sizes providing the flexibility to tailor learning experiences.

Whilst a core part of our academic extension is provided through timetabled lessons, pupils will also find a wide range of lunchtime and afterschool activities which provide opportunities to enrich and extend their intellectual skills and creative talents. In addition, academic departments run a range of internal events and extern al trips and competitions designed to complement pupils’ academic studies. These include visits to historical locations, theatrical and musical productions, external lectures, in-house cross-curricular learning days, and participation in Mathematics and Science Challenges and Olympiads .

The school offers the HPQ (Higher Project Qualification) for Third/Fourth Year pupils and EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) for Lower Sixth pupils, in which they work closely with a supervisor (usually a member of staff who does not teach them) to research, plan and deliver a 'product' of their choice.  The skills developed in these project qualifications - independence, critical thinking and reflection - support pupils with their wider academic programmes as well as being highly valued by universities and employers.

 

 

Professor David Crystal OBE with Pocklington School Upper Sixth Form students, following his lecture at the school

 

 

Pupils interested in applying for competitive courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Physiotherapy are strongly supported in the Sixth Form with university choices, personal statements, work experience opportunities and interview practice.  We are involved in Problem Based Learning Facilitator training at Hull York Medical School and clinical work experience at Hull Royal Infirmary (particularly relevant for Medicine).  In addition, we welcome visiting professionals to offer advice and support with mock interviews (both traditional and Multi Mini Interview).

Our Oxbridge and Academic Scholar Co-ordinator identifies and supports potential applicants to Oxford and Cambridge throughout the school.  We invite speakers from both universities to visit school to address pupils.  We also travel to Oxford and Cambridge in February and June of the Lower Sixth year, staying in college accommodation where possible, meeting current students and attending subject-specific talks.

In Upper Sixth, Oxbridge applicants benefit from an extensive programme of mock interviews, personal statement sessions and activities that support their preparation for both applications and Oxbridge study.  We are also fortunate to have a number of Old Pocklingtonians who attended Oxford or Cambridge and willingly come back to advise current pupils.