Dear Parents/Carers,
As we approach examination season, we are reaching out to seek your support in helping your daughter/son prioritise their academic commitments. Achieving the grades necessary for university, apprenticeships, and future employment opportunities requires focus and careful time management.
The Sixth Form Student Guide highlights the impact of part-time work on academic performance:
“Sixth Formers whose part-time jobs take up more than eight hours a week are risking the grades they need for university and apprenticeships. Research shows that teenagers working up to seven or eight hours a week marginally improve on their predicted Level 3 performance; however, results suffer when hours rise above this. Those putting in 15+ hours are scoring, on average, 36 UCAS points below their potential (that is four grades lower) — the equivalent of dropping from BBB to CCD.”
While we recognise and support the value of part-time work in providing students with extra income and valuable skills, it is important that these commitments do not interfere with their studies. Part-time work during college hours is not permitted, and we strongly recommend limiting work commitments to a maximum of eight hours per week.
Excessive working hours can significantly impact academic results, and your guidance and support in helping your daughter/son manage their time effectively will be invaluable. Mock examination results provide an important indicator of progress and should be used to create a focused plan to achieve target grades.
By reducing work commitments where possible, your daughter/son will be in the strongest position to secure their future goals, whether that is university, an apprenticeship, or employment.
If you would like to discuss this further or require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact your daughter/son’s subject and performance and development tutor.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in ensuring your daughter/son’s success.
Yours sincerely
Danny Watkins
Head of Sixth Form
