St Edward's School, Oxford - Year Groups

Year Groups

The school has five year groups. Pupils typically arrive at the school at 13 years old, having taken their Common Entrance Examination to gain a place at the school, or they can take the School's Scholarship entrance examination. Pupils at the school are aged between 13 and 18 years old. The year groups are as follows:

Shells

The bottom year of the school. The pupils are known as Shells (as they are at Radley College and Harrow School) because when the school first started pupils would be made to sit in a shell-shaped formation around the edge of the Old Library. Once the Shells were deemed clever enough to change years, they left the shell-shaped formation and joined other pupils sat in small groups in the centre of the Old Library. Today the name Shell remains. Pupils in this year are 13–14 years old. They undertake a wide ranging curriculum and at the end of the first year they pick the subjects they wish to undertake to GCSE level. During the Shells pupils get to try out all the extracurricular activities on offer at the school in Shell Circus. Activities include clay pigeon shooting, diving, swimming and rowing.

4th Form

The 4th Form is the first year of the GCSE course proper. Pupils undertake the GCSE courses in English Literature, English Language, Maths and Science. Pupils are allowed to select the other subjects they study from a list that includes French, Spanish, German, Latin, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Physical Education, Geography and History. Pupils must do at least one foreign language. Pupils can undertake non-examined Religious Studies or the Religious Studies GCSE. During the Fourth Form pupils also undertake a compulsory year in the Combined Cadet Force or a year undertaking community service projects.

5th Form

The 5th Form is the final year of the GCSE course. It is also the most senior year in the lower school. Pupils take mock GCSE examinations in December before undertaking their public GCSE exams in the summer.

Lower Sixth

The Lower Sixth is regarded as one of the best years in the school. Traditionally being in the Sixth Form meant extra privileges in the school. For example male pupils used to be able to wear a much more relaxed school uniform of a dark coloured suit. During this year pupils begin their A Level studies. In the Lower Sixth pupil numbers increase as new pupils arrive to undertake their A Level studies at the school. Pupils take their A/S Level examinations in the summer term before starting their applications to university.

Upper Sixth

The final year in the school. Pupils in this year are undertaking the final year of their A Level studies. Pupils are normally at least a House Prefect, which means they are in charge of performing certain house duties. At the end of the year the pupils take their final A Level or IB exams. Upper Sixth boys and girls are given a bit more freedom than the lower years; for example they are allowed into Oxford without Housemaster/mistress permission and a chit.