The Maynard Sixth Form
Students' Perspective
Sixth Form Life
Describing an average day in the Sixth Form is almost impossible - every girl has their own interests, friendships and habits that all come together to make The Maynard the wonderfully diverse and exciting place that it is. If you're curious to know what our students get up to, here are some things that happen in The Maynard Sixth Form.
"High aspirations are always encouraged, never hindered, so I feel like you really do reach your full potential at this Sixth Form."
Welcome to Sixth Form...
Our newly refurbished Sixth Form Centre is a versatile space - comfortable, practical and beautiful with places for both silent and social studying with friends.
Leadership & Mentoring
In the Sixth Form there are many opportunities for leadership and mentoring younger students to improve confidence and to make an impact in the school.
- Head Girl team: The group of six girls meet weekly and each have specific roles including Head Girl, Environmental, and Extra-Curricular Leaders.
- Student Heads of House: The Student Heads of House run and create different house competitions including the House Song, charity events and Sports Day.
- School Council: Sixth Formers lead this and give lots of suggestions for the school.
- Running an assembly: Every Friday a member of the Sixth Form will give an interesting assembly about something they are passionate about!
- Mentoring: Our inter-school mentoring program builds friendships and also valuable leadership and communication skills.
- Junior School volunteering: Sixth Formers can help with the Junior School Clubs and activities, e.g. reading and sport.
- Clubs in the Senior School: As well as the Junior School, Sixth Formers can help run clubs for Upper 3 to Upper 5 (Years 7-11)… Or you can just start your own!
- Buddy system: Sixth Formers are encouraged to become a buddy for the Upper 3s (Year 7s), meeting up with them and helping them to feel confident.
"Ultimately I love The Maynard and I can't imagine any other school offering me such an academically stimulating, yet fun and emotionally supportive Sixth Form experience."
Interviews
Meet The Teachers
Mrs Smart - SENCO
What do you love about the teaching at The Maynard? "Teaching at The Maynard is individualised and rooted in understanding the strengths and needs of every girl. Our small class sizes mean that teachers can truly get to know each student, tailoring their approach to challenge, inspire, and support them in equal measure. This creates a positive, inclusive atmosphere where every girl, regardless of their learning profile, can flourish and feel empowered to reach her full potential."
What is so good about the learning support here? "At The Maynard, we offer support within a nurturing environment, ensuring that each pupil has resources and strategies to thrive academically and emotionally. I work with students and parents to provide bespoke support plans that reflect the girls’ needs."
What do you love about The Maynard community? "The Maynard community is truly special. Being a small, all-girls’ school in the leafy heart of Exeter, there is a genuine sense of warmth and belonging. This strong community spirit enables girls to form deep friendships, feel confident to take risks, and strive to achieve their personal best."
What do you love about the student/teacher relationship at The Maynard? "Being a small school allows us to develop close, meaningful connections with each girl and they feel seen, heard and supported in all aspects of their development. Our teachers are not just educators but mentors who guide and inspire, creating a safe and trusting environment where students feel comfortable to ask questions, seek advice, and take on new challenges."
Mrs Bean - English
What do you love about teaching? "I love sharing my own understanding and love of my subject with students, but I love hearing students’ ideas about texts. It is wonderful to see students develop over several months and years. This is a real joy and reward."
What do you love about your subject? "English explores human emotions and reactions to the wider world and to each other. There is also a real joy in exploring words and images themselves. Understanding how others interpret the world, including in different cultures and times – is a privilege."
What do you love about The Maynard community? "There’s a genuine sense of affection, protection and fun."
Mrs Wood - Chemistry
What do you love about teaching? "I love helping students understand new things - seeing the "ah ha!" moments, and "oh, wow!" moments is really special, and it is a privilege to be able to share them with girls at The Maynard."
What do you love about your subject? "Chemistry explains so much of the world around us, from the air we breathe, to how our DNA molecules wind up in their double helix, to why it's important to recycle the resources our planet has."
What do you love about The Maynard community? "Everyone helps each other out at The Maynard: the students and the staff."
What do you love about the student/teacher relationship at The Maynard? "It feels like we're all on the same team and enjoy each other's company! There is a trust that goes both ways: staff trust students to do the right thing, and students trust the staff to have their best interests at heart. That is a rare thing in schools."
Academic Options
Click the subject to view its information booklet.
ESP is an option along side all A-levels .
Mrs Harland - History
What's your favourite thing about teaching at the Maynard? "When you see students engaging with the excitement about a topic. Also, I love seeing students when they master a particular skill and then they realise, they can actually do it!"
What do you think about the small classes? "Small classes mean that teachers can understand where the students are, what level they're at and how we can help them personally. It gives the class a sense of fun and confidence."
What's the benefit of an all girls school? "I think the students here feel more confident in this really friendly environment. Many students might arrive quiet, but will then put up their hands and get really involved in the activities."
Miss York - Biology
What do you like about teaching your subject? "I love that Biology is really relevant to everyday life and everything around us and also love to teach the practical aspects in Biology."
What do you like about the Maynard community? "I like the fact we have really small classes and everyone's really friendly. I feel like everyone, students and teachers are working together. I also like that everybody works really hard but also has fun at the same time."
Sport
We aim to create an environment where all young people feel confident and can thrive. Ultimately, our overarching goal is to instill a love for physical activity that lasts long after any final whistle for both the elite and beginners.
Facilities on site
- Our impressive sports hall, Bradley Hall, is a versatile space used by girls throughout the school.
- The Health and Fitness Suite is a facility used by our Sixth Formers in both timetabled lessons and in their free periods, as well as to train and condition sports teams and elite athletes.
- Our double courts provide a versatile space for pupils to use for a range of sports including netball and tennis.
- Our gymnasium transforms into a space used for dance shows, dance lessons, yoga, body pump and Pilates.
Choices
With one sports afternoon per week and a full option system, Sixth Formers are empowered to choose from a diverse range of activities each term. From traditional sports like netball and hockey to emerging favourites like football, rugby or even water sports at Haven Banks, the choices are always incredibly varied.
Experiences
There are many amazing opportunities offered through sport for our girls...
- Girls Go Gold: A one of its kind sports conference offered to our elite athletes, where they can experience talks and masterclasses from famous women in sport.
- 1st team matches are played by Sixth Form girls, providing elite sporting experience.
Why Maynard?
What makes The Maynard Sixth Form the exceptional place that it is?
"Our Sixth Form is a completely different educational experience to anything else you have encountered; housed in its own specific building, it has its own very different vibe with a lot more freedom and independence, but at the same time plentiful support and opportunity."
The support provided for Sixth Formers here is unparalleled. The smaller class sizes mean that students receive personalised, focused learning but don't get lost in the hubbub of classes.
Sixth Formers are trusted with much more freedom and independence than most other schools. Students can pop to town or Magdalen Road to grab a coffee in their free time. The relaxed dress code allows students to feel comfortable and express themselves while at school.
There is an abundant range of opportunities available to students in the Sixth Form, allowing them to expand their knowledge, develop confidence and prepare themselves for the wider world.
UCAS and life after Maynard
"UCAS is actually a really nice process and I've enjoyed it very much because the teachers, especially Mr Hibberd, are very helpful."
Applying for university via UCAS or considering alternative next steps beyond the school gates is a stressful time for anybody, but the help students receive from start to finish could not be more bespoke.
From aiming for Oxbridge to following a love for the arts, jet-setting abroad on a sports scholarship or striving for a practical apprenticeship, teachers are right there to guide Sixth Formers on whatever path they choose.
Invaluable one-to-one guidance, practice interviews, dedicated UCAS support, and so much more, is readily available to all of the Upper Sixth (Year 13): this pays off with a wealth of happy tears and accepted ‘first choice’ options on Results Day!
"The Maynard is the full package; fun, academic success, and guaranteed friends and support for life."
Contact us
The Maynard School, Denmark Road, Exeter, Devon, EX1 1SJ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1392 273417
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