Helen new head of sixth form at North independent school

Oct 10 2008 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

HELEN Notman has been appointed head of sixth form at Longridge Towers school near Berwick. Head of sixth form is a key role as Longridge Towers is the only independent school in the Borders and Northumberland offering sixth form education.

Helen not only aims to further advance academic study within the sixth form, but also to encourage deeper thinking through subjects such as general studies as well as critical thinking, extended project qualifications, and independent learning.

Another part of her sixth form agenda is to involve students in more community work as well as organising more social activities and off site school trips.

In her new role, one of Helen’s initial responsibilities is to conduct the sixth form open evenings, the first of which was yesterday.

Helen is very excited about her new role, which she knows brings with it a number of challenges. She said: “My key aim as the head of sixth form is to provide a happy and academically appropriate setting.

“I am aware that the next step for many of the older students is university or possibly a gap year, and I want them to be fully prepared for that, as well as encouraging learning for all.”

Being the only independent sixth form platform in Northumberland and the Borders, Longridge Towers attracts students from Alnwick in the south and Kelso in the west, and many future students are expected to attend the evening.