St. Bees School - School Structure

School Structure

The lower half of the school consists of the "1st Form" to the "4th Form", corresponding to years 7-10 in the English state school system and to ages roughly 11-14. The senior half of the school is made up of the 5th Form, the Lower 6th and the Upper 6th - years 11-13 and ages 15–18. However, since the establishment of the Preparatory Department, the school caters for pupils from age 4-11, which corresponds to primary school in the British school system. While a large proportion of pupils enter the school at age 11 (or year 3, age 7), many enter in the 4th form, which marks the start of GCSE study, or the Lower 6th, the start of A-Level study. After GCSE study, when a pupil moves from the lower school to the senior school at the start of 5th Form, they become members of a different house.

The school is run by a Headmaster/Headmistress appointed by the Board of Governors, which is presided over by a chairman elected by the body of governors. Each year, School Prefects are chosen, along with a Head Boy and a Head Girl, all of whom are members of the Upper 6th. Lower 6th Pupils apply for these positions in the summer term, after the Upper 6th( and current prefect team) has left - the Headmaster and senior staff select pupils of good character and academic achievement who will act as an example to younger pupils and enforce discipline.