ACADEMIC CURRICULUM

Art, Biology, BTEC Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, History, Maths, Further Maths, Music, Photography, BTEC Sport, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Spanish, Textiles. 

Latin (by prior agreement).

We can only guarantee that a course will run if sufficient numbers sign up.

A LEVELS PLUS ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME

The Sixth Form at Battle Abbey is a memorable place to study and it gives students a launch pad to university and beyond.​ 

We offer what we call an A Levels+ Programme whereby students study the normal A Level subjects then have the chance to develop a range of additional and, so-called, ‘soft’ skills. By the time that students leave the Abbey they will have developed their academic skills as well as their public speaking, leadership, teamwork and people skills. This ​combination prepares them well for the challenges that lie ahead.​

The enrichment opportunities at the Abbey are enviable. Students have the chance to participate in and lead over 50 different clubs and societies and also have additional enrichment provision including the following:​

• A lecture series with guest speakers​
• Careers and university advice clinics​
• Community service and volunteering​
• Work experience​
• Study skills and support​
• Sport​
• Leadership​
• Current Affairs​
• Employability​
• Character Education & extensive Tutorial Programme​
• Wellbeing ​
• Peer Mentoring and Restorative Practice​
• The opportunity to study for an EPQ
• A Bespoke tutor program and a one to one mentor for Year 13

Being based in the middle of Battle Town Centre means that students have access to all the local amenities and potential employers and the school has fantastic relationships with local businesses, charities and organisations. In addition, we have developed both national and international links in order to help prepare our students for life in a fast changing globalised world. 

To further support student development we run supra-curricular activities through our Societies Programme. There are a broad range of Societies led by Sixth Form subject ‘Bronzes’ under the supervision of academic staff.

• James Joyce (English) Society
• Ophelia (Arts) Society
• Walter De Luci (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) Society
• Science Society
• Rossetta (Languages) Society
• Phrontisteron (Maths) Society
• Hippolytus Sports Society
• Leviathan Humanities Society

These Societies run activities during Societies Hour. Some of the current activities include Forensics, Rocketry, Invertebrate Diversity, Philosophy, The Battle Broadcasting Club, World Literature, Maths Olympiads and Engineering. In addition to this Societies put on a series of events such as our inaugural Science Lectures.

We also provide supra-curricular activities including enhanced reading lists, essay competitions, and weekly academic challenges coordinated by our Head of Supra Curricular Mr Smallman.

THE GATEWAY ACADEMIC JOURNAL

The Gateway is an in-house, student led publication in the form of an academic journal, inviting students to contribute ideas from an array of disciplines and themes of interest that go well beyond the school curriculum, encompassing the arts, politics, economics, global issues, STEAM and current affairs. 

Representatives of the school, primarily students but also staff members and in some cases parents, produce content for this academic journal. Championing student leadership, our students proudly manage the design, edit and production of the journal, making for a truly original and diverse publication. 

This annual publication is professionally printed and released at a specific launch event in the summer term, again organised by The Gateway team. Last year’s launch event at the Abbey saw parents, staff and governors come together to celebrate this wonderful achievement.

We believe that a truly outstanding sixth form education extends well beyond exam preparation. While academic excellence remains a corner stone of our provision, we recognise that the world our students will step into demands more than just grades—it calls for adaptability, emotional intelligence, leadership, and the ability to collaborate, communicate and think critically. You could say that the focus is on qualities as much as it is on qualifications.

Soft skills are the personal and interpersonal attributes that enable individuals to thrive in the workplace, in further study, and in life. Qualities such as resilience, empathy, initiative, and creativity are harder to asses than academic results, but they are consistently cited by universities and employers as highly desirable if not essential.
In an ever-evolving global landscape, where we are training pupil for jobs that may not yet exist, our sixth formers need to be more than just knowledgeable—they need to be confident, articulate, and socially aware. These qualities are nurtured through a carefully structured and enriching wider curriculum.

Our sixth form experience offers a wide range of opportunities designed to foster these attributes:

• Leadership Roles: Whether through Guardian or Head of House roles, subject bronzes, or as part of our pupil mentoring scheme, students are encouraged to take initiative, buy in to the school community, be kind and lead with integrity.
• Public Speaking & Debate: From formal debates and external competitions to TED-style talks as part of our EPQ programme, our pupils develop the confidence to speak with clarity and conviction.
• Enrichment Programme: Weekly sessions cover everything from personal finance to philosophy, from sustainability to digital literacy. Pupils will often suggest additions to the programme via the weekly student voice feedback sessions and as part of our annual pupil survey schedule.
• Work Experience & Volunteering: We support placements and outreach work that goes well beyond the volunteering aspect of our Duke of Edinburgh programme. Campus Battle gives the school, and pupils, access to a wide array of local businesses.
• Clubs and Societies: Our student-led societies foster teamwork, planning, and innovation—skills just as critical as academic knowledge.
• Creative and Performing Arts: Through drama, music, art, and media, students express themselves, work collaboratively, and develop emotional intelligence.