The Ballakermeen Sixth Form remains an outstanding environment for learning. Alongside our two ‘hot desk’ style study areas, we now have 10 individual study booths, 3 soundproof study pods, a lecture theatre/cinema room, two kitchen-diner areas and a more relaxed ‘lounge-style’ reading room.
Over the past five years, we have invested each summer on developing our Sixth Form Centre so that it reflects the ‘modern learner’. With increased charger points, a more comprehensive provision of technology, ‘zoom rooms’ and ‘seminar spaces’, our facilities have evolved with the changing landscape of education.
As a Sixth Form, we offer a broad and balanced academic curriculum. Students have the opportunity to follow a variety of pathways and we place a huge importance on finding each of them the most suitable programme of study. We do not buy into the ‘one size fits all’ philosophy and we aim to offer real choice.
Whilst any school would find it hard to contextualise their exam performance over the past two years, we are safe in the knowledge that our students are improving each year, learning from the excellent example from those who go before them. This Sixth Form is going from strength to strength and we are very excited to receive a new set of ambitious learners in September.
Sixth Form Team
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Richard Karran - Director of Sixth Form
My name is Richard Karran and I am the Director of Sixth Form at Ballakermeen. After beginning my teaching career in 2006, I spent time at both Manchester Academy and Chellaston Academy (Derby), working as a French teacher and then progressing to Head of Year 10 and 11. I moved to Ballakermeen in 2017 to take up my current role. Within the sixth form, I am lead of curriculum and discipline, as well as running the Oxbridge, Medical and Veterinary programmes. At present, I am also responsible for the community liaison work that we do and the independent study programme. My interests in life include my love of Manchester City, and my fondness for travelling, especially in Africa. |
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Ashley Hall - Deputy Head of Sixth Form
As the Deputy Head of Sixth Form, my role is to support Mr Karran and take over the running of the centre if he is out of school. Having worked in the Sixth Form for 9 years, I have a lot of experience with writing Sixth Form policies and making sure that Assistant Heads of Sixth Form have everything they need to support the students. I am also responsible for organising the provision for students that need slightly different timetable arrangements and making sure that students are supported in their learning. In keeping with my role as a PE teacher, I keep an eye on the sport going on in the sixth form. |
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Gill Kirk - Sixth Form Education Support Officer
Within the sixth form I support the team in a variety of ways. I am responsible for attendance and punctuality, timetable and curriculum changes, data collection and organising the Higher Education Fair. I am also the first point of contact for queries from parents and students |
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Sharon Lewin - Assistant Head of Sixth Form
My role is to help students with career planning, help organise work experience, assist students with university, UCM and other applicatins, provide careers information and CV writing. I also connect students with agencies and employers and try to help and encourage them to think about their next steps beyond school. |
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Danielle Cummins - Assistant Head of Sixth Form –
Pastoral Care My my role is to support the Pastoral Care of the students in sixth form. I am delighted to be in this new role and working in such a large and talented team. My job is to look after the needs of the students which are not academic. This may involve a range of areas including Special Educational Needs, support with personal difficulties, mental or physical health issues and wellbeing. I also oversee the PSHE programme for sixth form students which addresses many vital areas in preparation for moving on and leaving home. |
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Alison
McMahon-Boyd - Assistant Head of Sixth Form – UCAS I am delighted to have joined the Sixth Form team this year and to be working in Higher Education applications, a very exciting stage of a Sixth Form student’s journey in our school. After launching the Unifrog programme to the students and the parents, I guide our students through their personal statements and co-ordinate the writing of the academic references by our brilliant staff members. |
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James
McDonald - Assistant Head of Sixth Form – Raising Standards I have joined the Sixth Form Team to lead on the Tracking and Reporting in the Sixth Form. I am working on making sure that students are aware of their current performance and how much work needs to be done to achieve their desire grades. |