Our Lady's Abingdon - A Day in the Life of an OLA Sixth Student

A Day in the Life of an OLA Sixth Student

Our Lady’s Abingdon (OLA) Sixth Form includes a daily routine of academics and extracurricular activities. We are committed to the growth of wholesome individuals. Our Sixth Form provides an all-inclusive curriculum that harmonises academic prowess, self-growth, and community engagement. Whether your aim is to achieve the highest A-level grades or discover new passions via extracurricular pursuits, OLA is the perfect platform for your advancement. Read more about the Sixth Form daily routine.

Sixth Form Daily Routine

The OLA Sixth Form daily routine starts at 8:35 AM. The day is structured to help students maximise learning and personal development. The typical daily schedule of a Sixth Form student includes the following:

  • 8:35 – 9:20 am: First Lesson
  • 9:20am – 10:05am: Second Lesson
  • 10:05am – 10:25am: Morning Break
  • 10:25am – 11:10am: Third Lesson
  • 11:10am – 11:55am: Fourth Lesson
  • 11:55 am – 12:40 pm: Fifth Lesson
  • 12:40 pm – 1:50 pm: Lunch Break
  • 1:50 pm – 2:35 pm: Sixth Lesson
  • 2:35 pm – 3:20 pm: Seventh Lesson

Academic Life Lessons

The lessons of the day include A-level subjects. Our students can tailor their academic studies to meet their unique interests. Each lesson includes lessons from the following choices:

  • Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, Physics
  • Humanities – History, Geography, Religious Studies
  • Social Sciences – Psychology, Sociology, Economics
  • Languages – French, Spanish, German, Latin
  • Arts – Art, Drama, Music
  • Mathematics – Pure Mathematics, Further Mathematics
  • Technology – Information Technology, Computer Science, BTech Level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition, BTech Sport

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are an essential part of the OLA experience, offering students the chance to explore new interests, develop talents, and build friendships. Participating in these activities helps students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication while also providing a well-deserved break from academic work.

Break Times

Students have a morning and lunch break for extracurricular activities. Our lunchtime clubs are held during the daily 70-minute lunch break. After the seventh lesson of the day, students can attend after-school activities. Some of our clubs include:

  • Football, Basketball, Tennis, Swimming, Athletics
  • French Club, Spanish Conversation Group
  • Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Music Theory Classes
  • Theatre Productions, Script Writing, Acting Workshops
  • Debate Club, Public Speaking Competitions
  • Art Club, Pottery

Additional Lessons

Each student receives 24 face-to-face lessons weekly with three A-levels. They partner PE Lessons with these lessons to promote physical and mental health and Enrichment lessons specially designed to help develop new skills. The unique structure allows students to have 11 lessons of independent study weekly. We encourage students to study outside of class for about 15 hours.

Educational Support

A day in the life of a Sixth Form student includes educational support in all areas. Some ways we provide support daily include:

  • Private Mentoring – All students receive a mentor who provides direction and assistance during their Sixth Form journey.
  • Discipline-Specific Sessions – We provide additional help in subjects where learners require additional insight.
  • Learning Techniques Seminars – We offer tutorials in proficient learning methods, managing time effectively, and preparing for exams.

Enriched Sixth Form Curriculum

A Sixth Form curriculum typically comprises three A-levels and the optional Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). However, we strongly advise our Lower Sixth scholars to pursue the EPQ, which fosters autonomous thinking and efficient learning habits. We suggest students select an EPQ topic they are genuinely interested in. This could align with their A-level subjects or could be a unique topic. The EPQ provides a brilliant chance to delve into a subject matter they did not wish to carry forward to A-level or for which an A-level equivalent isn’t available.

OLA 6th Open Events

If you’d like to learn more about a day in the life of a Sixth Former, we offer Sixth Form Open Evenings yearly. We encourage students and parents to learn more about our OLA 6th and our A-level courses. We also offer Open Mornings, which allows visitors to tour the school and meet our staff.

Contact OLA Today

OLA is excited to welcome you into our family. If you want to learn more about the OLA Sixth Form day, we’re here for you. We’re proud of our holistic education, which helps students soar. Our rigorous academic offerings and balanced daily routine provide the perfect opportunity for students to learn and grow in a positive environment. OLA’s daily routine for each student nurtures learning, wisdom, and independent thinking. We invite you to join our OLA community. Contact us today to schedule a meeting with our team.