Video Transcript
What’s it like being a Ryburn Sixth Student?

CHARLOTTE

Hi, I’m Charlotte. I started Ryburn Sixth just a few weeks ago, studying Drama, Maths and Sport, and I’m really happy with my choice and with the induction programme here - I feel at home already.

Here, I’m not one of 300 on a course, but part of a small class, so I get much more support. The teachers’ doors are always open for help, and they have made extra effort to get to know me as a new student.

Don’t underestimate the difference that the location of your sixth form will make to your life. I looked at colleges in Huddersfield and Leeds, but it could have taken me two hours to get there on public transport. Added up daily over two years, that’s a lot of time!

When choosing your sixth form, don’t just follow where your friends go. Look for the place where you can push yourself, be supported and excel. Your future is what you make it.

RAVI

Hi, I’m Ravi and I’m studying Biology, Chemistry and History.

For me, the great thing about Ryburn Sixth is how it still gives you the college lifestyle in a smaller package, combined with the nurture, the support, and the great relationships with teachers who know you. You do feel like you’ve moved on. You’re independent - in your own clothes, free time and spaces, taking responsibility for yourself. There’s a really positive and happy atmosphere among the students, we’re like a big family.

In my classes, all the most academic students from our year group have stayed on, because they know the teaching is really excellent here and you can achieve well. The small class sizes and 1:1 support make a big difference.

I’m taking part in the Excel programme which has been brilliant. I’ve found out about so many great opportunities that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, like a work experience programme with the major trauma centre at Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital. I want to study medicine and become a paramedic, so it’s amazing to get to work with doctors and consultants. I’ve loved it.

Above all, my advice is to do what you enjoy. Follow your passions and find people you can laugh with. What’s the point otherwise?

ZARA

Hi, I’m Zara. I went to Halifax High, and started Ryburn Sixth just a few weeks ago, studying English Language, Biology and Product Design.

When we looked around sixth forms, we really liked the feeling at Ryburn Sixth. It’s a very open minded place. There’s a diverse mixture of people here, and you can feel comfortable to be yourself and not like you are being judged. It doesn’t feel competitive, you know? You’re all treated as individuals.

I’ve found everyone here to be really friendly and relatable. The staff spend time chasing up students and making sure you’re doing ok - much more than I’m used to. They really care.

Feeling supported, safe and comfortable to be yourself is so important - how can you do your best if you don’t have that?

OLIVER

Hello there, my name is Oliver Clarke. I’m studying Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science in Year 13.

I’m also a Senior Student. The reason I became a senior student was to find people like my who had a similar viewpoint to me; helping others. As a senior student you represent Ryburn Sixth at events, and you help to make it a better place for students, organising social events and activities.

You will also learn loads of new skills, such as leadership, working in groups, organisational skills and so on. There are lots of opportunities to learn new things, and meet new people, and it's a really useful experience for university or job applications.

I hope you endeavour to enjoy sixth form as best you can and make the most of your opportunities. Remember, you will only learn as much as you are willing to.

ARBAB

Hi, I’m Arbab, and I’m in Year 13 studying Biology, Chemistry and Business.

For me, the most important thing about Ryburn Sixth is the staff. They know how to get you to achieve my potential - not by being pushy or putting pressure on, but by supporting and motivating you. The teachers can have a joke with you, there’s a mutual respect there and it means you feel happy to do more. I can achieve my academic potential here, but I feel like they really care about me doing well for myself rather than just about my grades.

JESS

Hi, I’m Jess and I’m studying Biology, Chemistry, Health and Social Care, and the Extended Project.

I actually left after my GCSEs and started at college in Huddersfield, before quickly realising I’d made a big mistake and coming back to Ryburn Sixth after just a couple of days . A big college seemed an exciting step forward, but it wasn’t like that for me at all - I felt like I was a number , and my commute took hours out of my week.

I thought Ryburn was going to be the same environment it was in high school, and I wanted a change, but I was wrong. It feels very different from school. I’m so busy with representing students, organising fundraising events, and looking forward to continuing being a member of the music department. We’re a really close knit year, and there’s always someone to talk to in the common spaces.

I’d recommend the Extended Project to anyone who wants to push themselves. You can choose basically any topic that interests you, ideally something that links to what you want to do at university or in your career. I’m researching the impact of early intervention on autistic children. It's challenging because you have to be so independent and organised, but that’s why it develops such useful skills for the future.

With the support, the great teachers and the opportunities on offer at Ryburn Sixth, I feel confident of succeeding in what I want to do. I don’t know why I ever left!