SIXTH FORM

Great Baddow High School is proud to have been recognised with a prestigious award for its commitment to supporting students who are young carers. Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who help care for a family member affected by illness, disability, mental health challenges or addiction. Balancing these responsibilities alongside school life can be particularly challenging without the right support. The award has been presented as part of the Young Carers in Schools programme, delivered by national charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. This initiative provides schools across England with practical guidance and resources to help staff identify and support young carers effectively. GBHS achieved this recognition by demonstrating a strong and proactive approach to supporting this group of students. The school offers dedicated homework clubs and regular drop-in sessions led by a member of staff responsible for young carers, ensuring pupils have access to consistent support and guidance. Research from Carers Trust highlights the importance of this work, showing that 40% of young carers feel they do not receive enough support to balance their education with caring responsibilities. In addition, The Children’s Society reports that young carers typically achieve one grade lower at GCSE than their peers and may experience reduced confidence and wellbeing. National guidance emphasises the importance of schools identifying young carers early and putting support in place. Programmes such as Young Carers in Schools play a key role in helping schools meet this responsibility. Vicky Morgan, Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers at Carers Trust, said: “We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to Great Baddow High School. There are around two young carers in every classroom, and balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without support. By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. This award reflects the vital work being done by staff at the school.” Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society, added: “School census data suggests many schools report having no young carers, but we know this group is often hidden. We are thrilled that GBHS has achieved this award, demonstrating its commitment to identifying young carers and ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed both at school and beyond.” The Young Carers in Schools programme is open to all schools in England. For more information, visit: www.youngcarersinschools.com

We were delighted to welcome Michael Goodridge, Director of Clerking & Business Development at Deka Chambers, to speak with our Sixth Form students about careers in Law and Criminology. Deka Chambers is a nationally and internationally recognised set of barristers’ chambers, and Mr Goodridge brought a valuable real‑world perspective that complemented students’ academic studies. Drawing on his extensive experience in the legal sector, Mr Goodridge offered an engaging overview of: Routes into legal careers, including the pathways to becoming a solicitor or barrister, and the key differences between these roles. The work of a modern 21st-century barristers’ chambers, highlighting how legal practice operates today as both a professional service and a business. The range of specialisms within law, including criminal law, family law, civil litigation, and commercial work, and the unique “nuances” that define each area. The importance of transferable skills such as communication, organisation, resilience, and analytical thinking. Students particularly benefited from understanding how the legal profession has evolved, including the business and operational side of legal services—an area not always covered in traditional curricula. Student Interests & Curriculum Links In preparation for the visit, students shared questions aligned with their criminology studies. These demonstrated strong engagement with the justice system and included topics such as: The criminal trial process, including pre-trial procedures, bail, plea bargaining, and appeals. The structure of the UK court system, covering different courts and the roles of professionals working within them. The rules of evidence in criminal cases, including admissibility, relevance, disclosure, and the use of hearsay. External influences on trials, such as media coverage, witnesses, expert evidence, politics, and the role of the judiciary and legal teams. Mr Goodridge acknowledged these thoughtful questions and outlined how they connect directly to real-life legal practice. While some of the more complex procedural topics will be explored further by specialist criminal advocates, his session provided an excellent foundation and context. A Broader Perspective One of the highlights of the session was Mr Goodridge’s discussion of: The day-to-day reality of legal work, beyond what is often portrayed in the media. The collaborative network behind legal cases, including clerks, chambers staff, and legal teams. The balance between legal expertise and business management, particularly relevant in chambers such as Deka. This gave students a holistic understanding of how the legal industry operates and the variety of roles available within it—not just as a lawyer, but in supporting and strategic positions too. A Valuable Experience The visit was an enriching experience for our students, helping them to: Connect their academic studies to real-world applications. Gain first-hand career advice from a senior professional in the field. Develop a clearer understanding of the diverse opportunities within law and criminology. We are extremely grateful to Mr Goodridge for his time, insight, and enthusiasm. Opportunities like this are invaluable in helping students make informed decisions about their futures and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals. If your child is interested in pursuing a career in law or criminology, we encourage continued discussion at home and exploration of further reading, work experience, and enrichment opportunities.

Our Year 13 students marked the beginning of their final weeks at GBHS in fantastic style with their annual fancy dress charity day, raising much‑needed funds for Teenage Cancer Trust. As always, the year group fully embraced the occasion, arriving in an impressive range of creative costumes and bringing energy, humour and enthusiasm to the day. Students organised and ran a variety of charity stalls, which were enjoyed by Sixth Form students and staff alike, helping to make the event a real community effort. The celebrations continue on Friday with the Year 13 celebration lunch - a special opportunity to come together and say goodbye to those students who have been completing vocational qualifications and therefore have now finished their time with us, with no exams still to sit. This event perfectly reflects the spirit of this fantastic year group: supportive, generous and determined to make the most of their time together. As exams begin for many in the coming weeks, we are incredibly proud of how our Year 13s have approached their final days at GBHS – celebrating friendships, giving back to charity and creating memories that will last well beyond the exam hall. "We would like to wish all of our Year 13 students the very best of luck as they move into the next stage of their journey." Mrs J Ferguson, Head of Sixth Form VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE DAY IN OUR SCHOOL GALLERY HERE