By today, the majority of young people are choosing to continue with their education after the age of sixteen. They can see that there are increasing advantages in gaining further qualifications :-
A Levels/AS/BTEC/CACHE/Welsh Baccalaureate that can lead eventually to university degrees.

Most of the pupils in Year 11 decide to return to the Sixth Form in this school. What are the advantages?

• The school has a very good reputation for the excellence of its examination results. The vast majority of all students gain places at unversities or at institutes of Higher Education or in the world of work.
• Personal support and advice is essential for the welfare of all students. In the Sixth Form, as in the rest of the school, we emphasise the need to take an active interest in the students, and to provide them with continuous support and advice.
• We provide the students and their parents with constant feedback regarding their progress in their chosen studies.
• As a school, strong emphasis is placed on the full development of the individual. This embraces not only academic sucess, but also the social progress of each individudal. The school is well known for the success of its social, cultural and sporting life; it is hardly surprising, therefore, that students at this school have much to gain from returning to the Sixth Form.

What Courses to Take?

The school offers a wide range of courses- AS, A Level. BTEC, CACHE and Welsh Baccalaureate courses.

A Level: A levels are divided into two parts: During the first year, (Year 12) students follow Additional Subsidiary or AS courses which are examined externally at the end of the year. During the second year (Year 13), students go on to specialise, completing the full A level course with examinations at the end of the second year.

The Welsh Baccalaureate: The students also follow the Welsh Baccalaureate.

Vocational Transition Pathway/BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma: These vocational courses are available at two levels and provide students with a more practical, approach to learning, alongside a key, theoretical background. Both courses are mainly assignment based and prepare students equally for direct entry into employment or progression to higher education.

CACHE Child Care, Learning and Development: During Year 12 students spend 1 day a week studying at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni and 4 days training and gaining experience at a local Welsh primary school. At the end of the year some students decide to apply for posts as teaching assistants while others decide to stay on for the level 3 qualification in Year 13.

These courses reflect a broadening in the scope of post 16 education whilst retaining the depth and academic rigour of the full A level courses.

Student Guidelines

As senior students at the school Sixth Formers are given greater freedom and privileges than the younger pupils and are also be expected to assume certain responsibilities.

The Promotion of the School’s Values

The values of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni are embodied in the Welsh-medium character of the school - the only Welsh medium secondary school in Caerphilly County Borough. All pupils are encouraged strongly to communicate with each other in Welsh, and to enjoy extra curricular events that celebrate the use of the language. They are also encouraged to lead Welsh language activities.

The Sixth Form, can play a vital part in this respect.

Regular contact with younger pupils in informal situations has an important part to play in the promotion of the meaningful use of Welsh at school. It is extremely important that Sixth Form students develop contact with younger pupils, engaging them in conversation and offering general support and encouragement.

In addition, participation in extra-curricular activities is a further means of liaising with the younger pupils. These are held during the lunch hour and at the end of the school day. A branch of Urdd Gobath Cymru has been set up in the school, and full time officers of the Urdd are based at the school. By taking part in these activities, students will gain added maturity and personal enrichment.

Students will be expected to maintain an appropriate balance between formal lessons and personal study sessions. Regular attendance and punctuality both at school and in lessons are required of all students. At specific times during the day they will be expected to undertake particular duties especially during the lunch break. They may also supervise behaviour on the buses, and report any incidents that cause concern to senior members of staff.