Welcome to Post-16 at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy

Welcome to Post-16

Post 16 is a thriving aspect of the life of Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, led by a dedicated team of staff, all sharing the same determination to open doors for the young adults in our care. We believe that our role is to help students to become thebest versions of themselves and, in so doing, to ensure that they are ready to enter further education, an apprenticeship or employment. We also provide one of the widest choices of courses of any school in the area. We offer a variety of academic and vocational programmes in the form of International Baccalaureate Diplomas, BTEC and T Levels. Students can combine qualification types in a way that few schools allow but which provide students the opportunity to demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills and behaviours valued by universities and employers.

Attenborough College sits at the heart of Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, where students have access to exclusive study spaces and kitchen facilities. As a member of Attenborough College, students receive pastoral support, via form tutors, dedicated student support managers and a coordinator of learning, led by the Director of Post 16. 

Students have regular access to careers and further education guidance to support them in making future decisions beyond Attenborough College: ‘UPP’ (University PreparationProgramme) and ‘PEAP’ (Preparing for Employment andApprenticeships Programme), which combine face to face guidance sessions, visits to higher education and employment fairs, and guided support.

Our unique and versatile curriculum is designed to facilitate students onto their next steps: university, apprenticeships or employment, whilst appreciating the local, national and international contexts. Students will gain work experience and can undertake paid part time work around their studies. We encourage students to find balance between the different aspects of their lives by teaching them the personal and professional skills they need for future success. Our students are supported to develop an open-minded, flexible and adaptable mindset that enables them to embrace challenges positively. All of our Post 16 students are provided with Chromebooks to use at home and in school throughout their two-year programmes. 

It is our ambition for all students to become leaders who contribute to academy life. Our Student Leadership Team guides the direction and provision for students throughout the academy, leading on key themes of equality, diversity and inclusion. These positions of responsibility make a significant difference to the lives of others within the academy, help our students stand out from the crowd prepare them to be ready for the future.

In everything we do, our mission is simple, to “open minds to success”.