“Children need powerful knowledge to understand and interpret the world. Without it they remain dependent upon those who have it or misuse it.”

Micheal Young

“University staff want to teach interesting, and interested, students. Giving them evidence of a time when you have enthusiastically approached academic challenges in the past will help to do this.”​

Momentum Careers Advice: ​UCAS personal statements

In 2023 we launched the WeST Supra Curriculum: an academic enrichment programme collaboratively designed across all WeST Sixth Forms to give our students additional opportunities to develop their critical thinking and understanding of the complexities of the world around them, and build their confidence to challenge ideas and perspectives. Our aim is to provide all our students with access to powerful knowledge and academic experiences beyond the limitations of their own experience and beyond their course specifications. We hope to help to give our students the ‘edge’ through additional academic enrichment so that they are able to manage the demands of Higher Education and Training, and compete successfully locally, nationally and globally for the best Higher Education and Training opportunities and future employment. Supra opportunities in school include live lectures both in school and at partner schools from members of WeST staff and visiting speakers, digital opportunities such as webinars and virtual lectures and the Summer Conference, involving all WeST Post 16 Students and a number of WeST staff.

June 2024 saw the second WeST Sixth Form Summer Conference, hosted by Plymouth University.  The conference, fully funded by the schools, took place on Friday 14th June.  After a brief welcome from Emma Osborn, Leader of Post 16 at Coombe Dean, who organised this year's event, the programme for the day included a choice of three out of a possible  twelve seminar sessions or lectures. Students chose from a range of options in each session, delivered by guest speakers, specialists from within our WeST schools and University lecturers.  The seminar sessions ranged across a variety of topics from politics and philosophy to finance and sustainability.  Alongside the seminars, Student Ambassadors and Support Services from Plymouth University were on hand to give optional campus tours and answer any questions students may have at this crucial time about university life.   

We look forward to running the event again in summer 2025!