The link between attendance and attainment is proven. Therefore, the highest standards of attendance and punctuality are expected from our Sixth Form students. All students are expected to attend school full time, whether they have a timetabled lesson or not, arriving at the school site by 8:30am each morning. A continued inability to meet attendance requirements will lead to a review of the student’s future at the school.

All students will be issued with a lanyard when they begin Sixth Form. This must be worn at all times while on the school site. Students who forget their lanyard will be issued with a temporary replacement. However, repeated failure by a student to remember their lanyard will be sanctioned. Replacement lanyards are available but will be charged.

At Birchwood Sixth Form, we want our students to feel professional, confident and comfortable whilst studying. Our Sixth Form dress code is therefore based on smart business wear, reflecting the standards and expectations of a professional working environment.

As Sixth Form students, you are senior members of the Birchwood community and role models to the rest of the school. The way you present yourself should reflect the maturity, responsibility and high aspirations expected of a Birchwood Sixth Former.

We want our students to take pride in their appearance, pride in themselves and pride in being part of Birchwood Sixth Form.

The expectation is simple: Dress professionally, look smart and feel comfortable.

What does smart business wear mean?

Students should choose clothing that would be appropriate for a professional workplace, interview, university visit or business meeting. There is flexibility within this expectation, allowing students to develop their own personal style whilst maintaining a smart and professional appearance.

Appropriate Dress

• Smart suit or tailored jacket and trousers.
• Smart trousers, chinos or tailored skirts, skirt length should be much closer to the knee than the hip.
• Smart business dresses.
• Shirts or blouses.
• Smart jumpers or cardigans.
• Ties must be worn, except when the dress code is relaxed during warmer weather.
• Smart shoes or boots.

Not Appropriate

• Jeans or denim.
• Tracksuits, sportswear or leggings worn as trousers.
• Hoodies or sweatshirts.
• Casual T-shirts or tops with large slogans/logos.
• Shorts or excessively revealing clothing.
• Trainers, flip-flops or beach footwear.
• Ripped or excessively distressed clothing.
• Hats or caps inside school buildings.

Personal Presentation

Students are encouraged to express their individuality through their choice of appropriate clothing, accessories and personal style. However, presentation should always remain smart, professional and appropriate for a school environment.

Jewellery and make-up should be discreet and appropriate for school. Hairstyles should be suitable for a professional environment.

We are committed to preparing our students to manage their future education and career path by offering a planned programme of career and work-related education and timely information, advice and guidance (CEIAG).

This includes opportunities to engage with a variety of businesses, employers and apprenticeship providers, as well as work experience, university and college talks, careers and apprenticeship fairs and other opportunities. This careers education aims to encourage our students to carefully consider their individual progression pathways, with the belief that every individual matters, and should receive equal access to provision, advice and guidance. For some, this will mean encouragement and mentoring for applications to universities. For others, it will mean similar encouragement for a career-related path. All academic and vocational paths are covered fairly and impartially.

Students have access to one-to-one guidance and support through Mrs Crimes who is a fully qualified Careers Adviser based in the Sixth Form.

More information on our Careers provision can be found here. 

Birchwood is extremely proud of the support offered to the students. This all starts with a Personal Tutor. Tutors are the first point of contact for students and parents & carers. They see the form every day at morning registration. The Personal Tutor will be with your child for their two years at Birchwood, they will guide them through induction into the Sixth Form and then help with settling into courses and any changes that need to be made. They will be a point of call for any issues academically, socially or emotionally.

They will support with work experience placement, university, apprenticeship, and job applications and will be a central point in the students’ lives for their time at Birchwood.