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Life Outside of the Classroom

Being a Sixth Form student isn't all about being in a classroom. Our students are involved in a wide range of activities and societies. They also have the opportunity to get involved in helping others and volunteering, both at home and away!

One of the main benefits of being part of such a large and vibrant Sixth Form is the opportunities that can be offered. These are there on an optional basis for students to select the opportunities that they feel they will enjoy or benefit from. The list of activities changes every year, to fit the needs of the students involved. Below are the activities/ society’s currently on offer.

World Challenge

World Challenge

Each year our students participate in a World Challenge expedition to countries such as Uganda, Northern Thailand, Belize, and Cambodia. While there, our students complete community projects such as helping to construct classrooms in orphanages. There is an expectation that students raise the money to fund their expedition, which helps our students to be responsible and resourceful. Completing a World Challenge expedition can be very demanding. Students develop skills in problem solving, teamwork and communication. They need to display understanding, resilience and leadership. On the other hand, it is a very rewarding experience and, for many, a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience different places and cultures.
Duke of Edinburgh

Duke of Edinburgh Award

We enable students to complete this award at silver level.

You’ll find yourself helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in residential activity. You choose your programme and along the way you’ll pick up experiences, friends and talents that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
helping and volunteering

Helping and Volunteering

Here at Gosforth Academy there is a real sense of community spirit. Students’ efforts in working in the community are rewarded through our Community Award Scheme.

We encourage all students to become involved in helping the lower school and wider community. We also offer a variety of opportunities for the budding volunteer within school.
Medicine Society

Medicine Society

This was set up originally by successful applicants
for medicine degrees at universities.

The society supplements our formal support for exams and interviews by involving alumni to offer informal advice and tips. This includes mini medical mock interviews and counselling sessions to help prepare you for university applications and entry interviews.
Peer Mentoring

Peer Mentoring

Every year, over 100 Sixth Form students take part in
one of the mentoring schemes operating in lower school.

The largest element (Peer Mentoring) involves students working with GCSE Maths, Science and English students who need assistance in reaching their target grades at GCSE. Other types of mentoring include groups with a focus on reading, effort or behaviour. In all cases, full training is provided.
Feminist society

Feminist society

The Feminist Society (FemSoc) meet once at a week at lunchtime to discuss a range of different topics in an open and friendly environment. The sessions are led by the Year 12 and 13 students, and topics have included: tribal markings, honour killings, the beauty industry and women in STEM. Everyone is welcome! Come along on a Thursday (week A) to room 53.
Islamic Society

Islamic society

The Islamic Society is a religious society catering non-exclusively to Muslim students through a wide range of activities and events.
One of the main aims of the Islamic society is to provide Muslim students with the necessary means to develop spiritually and learn more about their religion. Through this, we aim to raise awareness of Islam, teaching non-Muslim students about Islam and dispelling misconceptions that have arisen in the current climate. We meet every Friday (week B) in room 6.
Debate Club

Debate club

Meets every Thursday at 1.15pm in room 065. Debate topics cover a wide range of issues from climate change, the use of genetics, drugs in sport to whether or not Britain should still have a Monarch. Members of the debating society compete in national debating competitions, where in recent years Gosforth Academy has reached the finals.

All post 16 students are welcome to attend and there is no obligation to debate, listening is a good way to learn.