We began with two fantastic guest speakers who shared their personal journeys and professional insights:

• Joanne Morton – Nuclear Decommissioning Authority
  Joanne gave students a fascinating look into the world of nuclear safety and sustainability. She spoke about her career pathway, the challenges and rewards of working in such a critical sector, and the importance of STEM skills in shaping the future.
• Marissa Lucci – Barclays
  Marissa introduced students to the world of degree apprenticeships, explaining how they combine academic study with hands-on experience. Her story at Barclays highlighted the benefits of earning while learning and the exciting career prospects this route offers.

Marissa Lucci from Barclays speaking to students at a sixth form taster day in South Manchester.

Laurus Launchpad Sessions

Students then split into two groups for interactive sessions that pushed their thinking beyond the classroom:

• Professor Dr Paul Dark – University of Manchester
  In his session, Man vs Bugs, Professor Dark explored how humanity tackles global health crises and disasters. Students were challenged to think critically about resilience, science, and the role of innovation in saving lives.
• Umit Seven – Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute
  Umit’s talk focused on humanitarian work in conflict zones, giving students a powerful insight into global issues and the importance of empathy, diplomacy, and international cooperation.

Umit Seven from University of Manchester discussing his humanitarian work in conflict zones.

Sixth Form A Level Classes

Throughout the day, students sampled a range of A Level subjects, including History of Art, Media, Economics, Psychology, Politics, and Philosophy. These sessions allowed them to experience the depth and challenge of Sixth Form study, helping them discover new passions and interests. Students will also be invited to explore more of their chosen A Level classes at our Induction Day in June 2026.

Ms Semper, History of Art A Level, showcasing Henry Moore’s “Falling Warrior”  and the artist’s interest in ancient Greek sculpture while alluding to the suffering caused by the Second World War.

93% Club

The day concluded with an inspiring session from the 93% Club, a national network supporting state-educated students. Students began by mapping out their current networks including friends, family, teachers and mentors, and learned that these relationships can play a vital role in supporting them through GCSEs, university, and beyond. The session emphasised that networking isn’t about collecting contacts but about building meaningful relationships that offer guidance and opportunities.

The 93% Club’s message echo’s that of Didsbury Sixth Form: background should never be a barrier to success.

Immie from 93% Club talking with students about what it means to be state-educated at a sixth form in the UK.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students for embracing the day with enthusiasm and curiosity. Thank you to all our guest speakers for making the day such a success.

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An impressive 100% of students passed their A Levels, marking a hugely successful debut year for the Sixth Form. A third of all grades were A or A*, with 93% of students achieving high grades (A*-B). In total, almost two-thirds of all grades awarded were A*-B, and the average grade across all entries was a B.

These results are a testament to the hard work, perseverance and aspiration of the students, as well as the dedication of the teaching and support staff who have guided them throughout their Sixth Form journey.

Katie Houghton, Head of School, passed on her congratulations to the students and remarked:

“A Levels are such a crucial stepping stone to access the future of choice; seeing our students achieve such outstanding results and go on to such aspirational destinations makes me immensely proud of them and our staff.�

Student success has seen confirmed places to study subjects such as Medicine, Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology, History and Spanish.

Students are going on to top universities like St Andrews, York, Newcastle, Manchester, Lancaster and Nottingham to name just a few.

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