OPPORTUNITY ACHIEVEMENT EXCELLENCE

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1 OPPORTUNITY ACHIEVEMENT EXCELLENCE SIXTH FORM HANDBOOK 2017

2 Achievement in the Sixth Form is good. Students in the Sixth Form are now making good progress and the vast majority are on track to reach their targets. This is because of strong leadership and the outstanding care, guidance and support students receive. Students in the Sixth Form have very positive attitudes to their studies and a confidence in their ability to succeed. OFSTED

3 Message from the Head of Sixth Form: Mr Lee Huckle The Samuel Whitbread Sixth Form ethos can best be summarised in four words: Believe Achieve Succeed Exceed. Every student in our Sixth Form is encouraged to believe in their abilities and to achieve and succeed with a positive mental attitude. We believe that successful Sixth Form students aim for more than just good academic results, they strive to work effectively as part of a team, to lead, listen and to be creative. The Sixth Form is consistently in the top 20% of Sixth Forms in the country for progress and this is testament to the hard work of both students and staff. The success of all of our students both personally and socially is of vital importance to our Sixth Form team and we are very proud of our students academic achievements. As Head of Sixth Form my aim is to ensure that your son/daughter leaves Samuel Whitbread with the best possible set of qualifications and range of skills to compete in the modern world, as well as the strength of character to thrive under pressure and the selfbelief to be a leader. Along with my dedicated Sixth Form team, including tutors and Progress Leaders, we aim to support our students dreams whatever they may be! I believe passionately in the importance of a vibrant, dynamic learning environment and our highly qualified staff offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities which ensure students are individually challenged and stretched in academic study and beyond. Students in the Sixth Form need to feel comfortable to learn from their mistakes and should have no fear of failure. They need to have a respect for and desire to push their learning boundaries, so they can challenge themselves and define their own set of values. On the school website you will find a flavour of what is on offer at Samuel Whitbread. If you would like to arrange a visit to see for yourself what life is like in the Sixth Form then please contact Mrs Pateman on vpateman@bestacademies.org.uk We look forward to welcoming you. 3

4 WHY SWA Sixth Form? This year our students gained the highest ever A Level results with 53% gaining A*- B grades. This success has allowed students to progress on to universities and into careers pursuing professional qualifications. This year nearly all of the upper sixth who applied went to their first choice university. Other students went onto some amazing apprenticeships, further education and degree programmes. We have a wide range of academic and vocational courses to suit students individual learning needs and a comprehensive range of enrichment and extra curricular activities, ranging from university based study to Sports Leader s qualification (Please see enrichment booklet on the website). We encourage our students to get involved and play a productive role in our community. Student Voice In the Sixth Form there is a range of opportunities for students to become involved in academy life and the wider community, which we call Student Voice. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for improving the academy learning environment - Student Voice is an excellent platform for this type of activity. Leadership roles include; Students as Researchers, Students as Interviewers, Student Leadership Group, House Captains, Senior Student Prefects, Head Boy and Head Girl team. The Head Boy & Head Girl Team and Prefects Student Prefects promote the academy as ambassadors and are role models for fellow students at all times. Dedication, confidence and flexibility are important qualities for these Prefects and they are involved in many areas of the academy including frequent liaison with the Principal, Vice Principals and the Head of Sixth Form. The Head Boy and Head Girl team lead the Student Leadership Group and the School Council meetings, attend Governors meetings and make public speeches at public events. Prefects also assist staff with the organisation of academy charity and house events and school tours. All students are encouraged to apply for these positions to enrich their learning, confidence and personal development. Everyone is friendly and the social cohesion promotes diversity in our Sixth Form. You really get treated like an adult and you are respected as an individual and a learner. LUCY AND AKEISHA (YEAR 13 STUDENTS) A LEVEL RESULTS (YEAR 13): % A*-A A*-B A*-C A*-E AS RESULTS (YEAR 12): % A A-B A-C A-E

5 MONEY MATTERS BURSARY FUND The Bursary Fund is a scheme to help young people facing financial hardship to stay in full time education. Full details, including the Sixth Form Bursary Fund application form, can be found on the Samuel Whitbread Academy website. CARE TO LEARN & CHILDCARE If you are a young parent, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and related travel costs while you are learning. Samuel Whitbread Academy has an excellent nursery with outstanding facilities onsite offering safe, caring and stimulating childcare and first-class early years education for children from two to five years old. Further information can be obtained by calling BEST Nursery on WHAT NEXT? Please contact a member of the Sixth Form team for further advice. QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED A LEVEL (REFORMED) The new reformed Advanced Level qualification consists of modules studied over two years. At the end of Year 13 the reformed A Level courses are examined. A levels are awarded pass grades A* to E. BTEC QUALIFICATIONS - LEVEL 3 BTEC qualifications are work-related qualifications equivalent to A levels, and are also studied over 2 years. These courses are predominately assessed by coursework. We offer the following qualifications: BTEC Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma and Extended Diploma. They are awarded Pass, Merit and Distinction grades. You cannot study a BTEC course for one year. We offer the following subjects: Sport Engineering ICT Health and Social Care Please see our Sixth Form Subject Handbook for full details on our courses. Students in the Sixth Form have very positive attitudes to their studies and a confidence in their ability to succeed. OFSTED

6 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS LEVEL 3 COURSES To have unrestricted access to Level 3 courses (A levels and Level 3 BTEC), a student must have A*-C passes in 6 separate subjects at GCSE or equivalent. (A grade 4 in English or maths will be considered equivalent to a grade C). At least one of these subjects must be English. In some cases we expect students to have at least a grade 5 in maths. Students who achieve A*-C passes in 5 separate subjects at GCSE or equivalent will be offered a specific list of Level 3 courses. Please see specific minimum entry requirements and APS for further guidance. These are on pages 8 and 9. Please Note Any students who have not achieved their Maths and/or English GCSE at grade 4 will be expected to resit these in the Sixth Form until a grade 4 is achieved. ENRICHMENT STUDIES All students are expected to take an additional course to enrich their Sixth Form experience. For September 2017 we plan to offer: Extended Project Qualification, AS Core Maths and the Northampton Saints Rugby Development Programme. Enrichment opportunities on top of the usual timetable include: MOOC s Massive Open Online courses Teachers 4 tomorrow Duke of Edinburgh Award Sports Leaders Please note that these opportunities may be subject to change. Working with Cambridge University, to improve teaching and learning, has been a real privilege. It s great to hear what other schools are doing around the country and our student presentations at the university have gone down really well. MR GOODE

7 YEAR 11 SIXTH FORM APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE September Start of Year 11 Ongoing careers advice available October November PREDICT 4 December Sixth Form Open Evening and 2017 Prospectus available online. Sixth Form Applications due, last day of term. January PREDICT 5 February March April May June July August September Student choices collated and given to KS5 leaders / Sixth Form liaise with the Year 11 Team about suitability. Suitability concerns flagged to Sixth Form Team by Half Term. Between Half Term and Easter student discussions to take place. (Tutor, CEIAG, Sixth Form Team, parents, including Pre-Sixth Form Contract). Conditional Offer Letters out to students. Check with KS5 Leaders for updated grades. Compulsory Sixth Form Induction and Expectations Day. Please note subjects with entry exams should be completed on this day. (Friday 30th June 2017) Results out - major concerns see Sixth Form Team Year 12 Tutor day checking process (Training Day). Check Point 1 Check Point 2 Check Point 3 Check Point 4 October Start of Year 12 PLEASE NOTE THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RUN COURSES WITH VERY LOW DEMAND 7

8 Sixth Form Minimum Entry Requirements Subject/Course Average Points Score Entry Requirement Minimum Entry Requirements Applied Science Level 3 Certificate 4.4 C in GCSE Science (Core and Additional OR Applied OR CCC in Triple). Grade 4 in GCSE Maths. Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Fine Art 4.9 C in GCSE Art or Merit & above in Level 2 BTEC Art & Design. Biology B grades in Core and Double Science. In Triple Science at least 2 B grades one of which must be in Biology. Must pass the entry exam at start of year 12. Business Studies 4.5 Grade 4 in GCSE Maths. Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. If Business Studies is taken at GCSE a C grade is needed. Chemistry B grades in Core and Double Science. In Triple Science at least 2 B grades one of which must be in Chemistry. Must pass the entry exam at start of year 12. Computer Science 5.7 Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. Studying GCSE Computer Science is an advantage. Drama & Theatre Studies 4.4 Grade C in GCSE Drama. Grade 4 in English Language or Literature. Economics 5.1 Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. BTEC Engineering Diploma (Double Award) Compulsory elements of this course: 1) EPQ AS Core Maths OR Maths A Level BTEC Engineering Extended Diploma (Triple Award) Compulsory elements of this course: 2) EPQ 3) AS Core Maths OR Maths A Level 5.7 C Grade in GCSE Engineering. Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. Grade C in GCSE Science OR Level 2 diploma/gcse in Engineering. 5.7 C Grade in GCSE Engineering. Grade 5 in GCSE Maths. Grade C in GCSE Science OR Level 2 diploma/gcse in Engineering. English Language/Literature 4.9 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language. Grade 4 in GCSE English Literature. English Literature 4.9 Grade 5 in GCSE English Language. Grade 5 in GCSE English Literature. Film Studies 4.4 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language. Grade 4 in GCSE English Literature. French 5.1 B grade in GCSE French. Geography 5.1 C grade in GCSE Geography. Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Grade 4 in Maths. Please note that a grade 4 in English and Maths is equivalent to a C grade and a grade 5 in English and Maths is equivalent to a B grade 8

9 Subject/Course Average Points Score Entry Requirement Minimum Entry Requirements Graphic Communications 4.4 C grade in GCSE Art, Graphic Communications or DT Graphics. Health & Social Care BTEC (Single) 4.5 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. History 5.1 C grade in GCSE History. Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. ICT BTEC 4.4 Grade 4 in GCSE Maths. Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Mathematics 5.7 Grade 6 in GCSE Maths. Must pass the entry exam. Further Mathematics 6.7 Grade 7 in GCSE Maths. Must pass the entry exam. Interview with department will need to take place. Music 5.0 B grade in GCSE Music. Music Technology 5.2 C grade in GCSE Music or Music Technology. Physical Education 4.9 B grade in GCSE PE. B grade in Core Science. Must play a competitive sport at a high level. BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sport 4.4 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science 4.4 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. 4.4 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Physics 5.8 B grade in GCSE Science. Must pass the entry exam at start of year 12. Psychology 5.0 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. C grade in GCSE Science. Philosophy & Ethics (Religious Studies) 5.1 Grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature. Product Design 4.4 C grade in GCSE Resistant Materials, Graphics or Product Design. Sociology 4.5 Grade 4 in English Language or Literature. Spanish 5.1 B grade in GCSE Spanish. Textiles 4.4 C grade in GCSE Textiles or Applied Art & Design. Please note that at Samuel Whitbread Academy all courses are offered subject to demand. On rare occasions we may have to withdraw a course if sufficient numbers do not opt for it. You will be notified at the earliest convenience and asked to speak to Sixth Form Admissions about alternative options if this situation applies to you. 9

10 GCSE Grade Points Score A** (9) 9 A* (8) 8 A (7) 7 B (6) 6 C+ (5) 5 C-/D (4) 4 E (3) 3 F (2) 2 G (1) 1 U (0) 0 Subject Predicted Grade Total Points Score English Language 6 6 English Literature 6 6 Mathematics 7 7 Biology B 6 Chemistry C 5 Physics A 6 Food Technology C 5 Art A 7 Geography C 5 French B 6 GCSE AVERAGE POINT SCORES (APS) EXPLAINED By now you will be used to seeing GCSE grades being predicted by teachers for each subject. However, behind each grade is a number and we use these numbers to work out a GCSE APS which gives an indication of a student s overall performance. To the left is a list of GCSE grades and associated numbers. We have also included a worked example. EXAMPLE How predicted GCSE Average Points Score (APS) is worked out This GCSE Average Points Score can be used as a guide when looking at Sixth Form choices. At the front of the Sixth Form prospectus is a list of subjects and the GCSE APS that has been the minimum requirement over the last 7 years to achieve at least an E grade in those subject areas. If you have not met the minimum GCSE APS, you will need to talk to the subject leader as soon as possible to work out the next steps. Total Points Score 59 Total Number of GCSE Subjects 10 Total Points Score

11 HOW TO APPLY Once you have read the Sixth Form Handbook and online prospectus, selected your choices and checked the entry requirements, you are ready to apply! An application form can be found online or by contacting the Sixth Form Office. Once completed either talk to the Academy Reception, Sixth Form Office or send by post to: Sixth Form Admissions Samuel Whitbread Academy Shefford Road Clifton Shefford Bedfordshire SG17 5QS CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 16 DECEMBER Interviews Once we have received your application form, full consideration will be given to every applicant. We will invite all external applicants for an interview and a tour of the school in February/March and will write to all successful applicants with conditional offer letters in April. All offers are subject to students achieving the minimum entry requirements for each of their subjects. A member of the Sixth Form team may contact you to discuss your course choices and to ensure you are making the best possible decision about your future pathway. Further interviews may also take place after the GCSE results day in August. Entry Exam Some subjects may require an entry exam - these will take place during the Sixth Form induction day or within the first week of the new term. For Further Information please contact our Sixth Form Admissions Officer Mrs Victoria Pateman Call: vpateman@bestacademies.org.uk Visit: samuelwhitbread.org.uk 11

12 Samuel Whitbread Academy Shefford Road Clifton Shefford Bedfordshire SG17 5QS Telephone: SamWhitAcademy SamWhitAcademy A Northampton Saints Rugby Development School B EST NORTHAMPTONSAINTS rugbydevelopment school engineering