Developing you beyond the classroom is important to us.

We recognise how vital it is to develop skills for the future. Opportunities for enrichment include:

  • Personal and Professional Development sessions preparing for university, apprenticeships and employment including help and guidance with making choices, studying abroad and applying through UCAS
  • Opportunities to volunteer locally and take part in career focused work experience
  • Activity days
  • Reflection days

Get involved with ‘The Arts’ at EMS6

Whether you study one of these subjects or not, we welcome the involvement of our Sixth Form in the range of activities that are available.

Art

As one of a limited number of colleges to offer specialist art provision, we feel that we offer a significant opportunity for our students.

As well as the specialist, highly skilled staff, who teach these subjects, we have purpose built art areas which includes individual studio spaces, a large photography suite, darkroom, portrait studio, canvas printer, 3D printer, aerial drones, a class set of iPad Pros, and an art gallery where students and professional artists exhibit their work.

Work is regularly submitted, and successful, in competing in national and local competitions.

Music

Our Music department offers a multitude of opportunities for those studying Music and for all of the students in our college – regardless of your standard, grade, or area of interest.

Whether you see music as a career in the future or just a hobby you would like to pursue, we have something for you.

Students can make use of the purpose built recording studio which was opened by the Iron Maiden guitarist and former English Martyrs student, Janick Gers. The studio contains state of the art equipment which enables students to write, produce, record and perform their own pieces in a professional environment.

We have an orchestra, a ‘Big Band’, a training band and several choirs. We host opportunities for students to perform such as musical soirées and school performances such as EMS Live, musicals and concerts.

Dance and Performing Arts

Students interested in pursuing a career as a performer can enhance existing skills and acquire new skills during their time at EMS6.

We are constantly improving our provision and opportunities for aspiring young performers. You may have seen our success stories in the local press which include students going on to secure places with top London performing arts schools, Young Americans, the National Youth Theatre, Got To Dance, Britain’s Got Talent and National Youth Musical Theatre. Students have secured unconditional offers at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Our programme of study and extracurricular provision aims to ensure that students are prepared for auditions, interviews and performances.

There are many opportunities to perform throughout the year both inside and outside of college. This has included: the School Musical, EMS Live, NT Connections and the Shakespeare Youth Festival.

Our purpose built performance studios ensure that students can develop in professional surroundings that are equipped for lessons and small scale productions. The space is also available after college for rehearsals. Resources include: a lighting rig, sprung dance floor, dance mirrors, studio black curtains, sound system and iPads with projector.

More examples of the enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities at EMS6 can be found on the tabs below.

Charity, Volunteering & Fundraising

Want to work within the community? Develop transferable skills whilst making a contribution to a worthy cause.

Charity events, volunteering and fundraising are an integral part of life at our college. Opportunities include:

  • Working with local community groups and projects
  • Competing to raise money in our annual ‘£5 Challenge’
  • Mentoring within the school community
  • Supporting our college nominated charity – CAFOD
  • John Paul II Award

“Leadership roles such as being student ambassadors or supporting younger pupils, alongside fundraising for local, national and international charities, build students’ confidence and skills.”

OFSTED Report 2019

Our college is proud to have a working partnership with EDF Energy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for STEM students to become involved with a local business and market leader.

The process involves a launch evening followed by a competative application and interview process.

Successful candidates participate in a two year mentoring programme which includes contact sessions with the EDF Energy Mentors and training days at the power plant in Hartlepool. This scheme provides high quality work experience, employment preparation and work based skills. Students who have fully participated in the programme have been put forward by EDF for sponsorship at university.

All of our students are offered the chance to undertake the Extended Project Qualification.

This is a stand-alone qualification that carries up to 28 UCAS points. With the support of a Supervisor, students choose a topic which extends beyond the parameters of their A Level courses.

Universities and employers value the skills that it develops, such as independent research, project management, reflection, self-directed learning, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Here at EMS6 we offer students the chance to experience the world outside the college walls.

We provide many opportunities to travel to enhance your studies or purely for fun!

Some highlights include:

  • A trip to New York where Art and Photography students have a chance to complement their A Level studies.
  • Trip to Barcelona
  • Annual Ski Trip
  • Trips to France and Germany
  • Residential visits to Oxford and Cambridge
  • Visits to universities throughout the country for open & information days
  • Subject field trips

At EMS6 we have a wide range of sports and sporting facilities for both competition and leisure.

Students have free access to a multi gym to keep in shape and there is an all-weather football pitch which can be booked for competitions and recreational use. We often organise 5-a-side football tournaments which are very popular with our students, particularly when our college staff enter a team. Sixth Form students frequently join the staff for a kick around on a Friday after college too.

The college are very supportive of any elite athlete that enrols here. Past students with heavy training schedules such as Hannah Picknett (GB Rowing Start Programme) and Claire Brown (U21 England Netball) were able to manage their studies effectively with the help and support of our college staff.

More experienced performers are welcome to come along and help coach at school clubs, which are held after 3pm.