NORTHGATE Sixth Formers prepared themselves for life after education at the school's inaugural Real World Day.The whole of Year 13 got the chance to choose from numerous sessions to attend with the focus on giving them skills and experiences that the A-level curriculum doesn't always offer.

NORTHGATE Sixth Formers prepared themselves for life after education at the school's inaugural Real World Day.

The whole of Year 13 got the chance to choose from numerous sessions to attend with the focus on giving them skills and experiences that the A-level curriculum doesn't always offer.

Students picked from topics as diverse as living on a budget, car maintenance, self-defence, planning a gap year and finding a home.

They also enjoyed sessions based around alternative forms of exercise such as yoga, street dance, Tai Chi and even Morris Dancing.

John Alexander, head of Media and Communications, said: “The students really enjoyed trying something different and thinking about their time beyond full time education. The self defence classes in particular gave them some food for thought.”

Northgate recently achieved the highest grade possible in an Ofsted inspection and was complimented on the way in which pupils and students are prepared for each stage of their schooling and life beyond school.

The Real World Day was part of the school's ongoing commitment to make sure that everyone is given the best opportunities to flourish when they leave.

Andrea Hope, head of sixth form at Northgate and organiser of the event, said: “I am a firm believer that we have an integral role in preparing students for a future life and days such as this give them an all round education which will help them when they leave the school's gates for the last time.”

The school hope that the day of alternative curriculum will be the first in an annual tradition and already plan another Real World experience for next year.