The Cherwell School Sixth Form. Essential Information for Applicants and Course Details

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1 The Cherwell School Sixth Form Essential Information for Applicants and Course Details For entry September 2011

2 CONTACTS School Address The Cherwell School North Site Marston Ferry Road Oxford OX2 7EE Telephone Number Fax Number: School s Address office.cherwell@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk Mr James Headteacher head@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk Mr Lawfull Acting Director of Sixth Form clawfull@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk Dr Ryan Core Programme Manager kryan@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk Mrs Surrage Sixth Form PA tsurrage@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk

3 Key Dates for Applicants Thursday 13 th January: Cherwell School Sixth Form Options and Information Evening, pm All students intending to join the sixth form from September 2011 should attend this evening. It is an opportunity to talk to staff about the different subjects that are on offer. Alison Robb Webb from the Oxford City Learning Partnership will be here to talk about different subjects on offer through our consortium and a representative from Brookes University and Connexions will be here to provide advice relevant to careers and degree courses. Monday 7 th February: Deadline for applications. All Application forms for 2011 entry must be handed in by this date. Internal candidates should hand their application forms to their Form Tutor. External candidates should send their form to Mrs Surrage, Sixth Form PA, at the address given in the contact information. The form can be sent in earlier than this date. Please note that offers will be made according to the Admission Policy. If there are subject combinations you would rather take please indicate in the space provided. Whilst it is unlikely any changes to the grid will be made, we will investigate if we can accommodate these. Failure to meet this deadline may jeopardise an offer of a place in the sixth form. Saturday 5 th February: Oxford and Cherwell Valley College Open Day, pm. Information on all courses will be offered and staff will be there to give advice. If you are thinking of taking one course at the College next year, it is important that you attend this event and find out more about the College and the course. Tuesday 28 th June until Thursday 30 th June: Cherwell Sixth Form Induction Course. This course is essential for students who have been offered a place in the sixth form. It will enable students to meet their new form group and experience lessons in the subjects they have chosen to study. Students will be introduced to the realities of changing from GCSE courses to A levels, and BTEC qualifications and general studies. All prospective sixth formers are expected to attend this course. If for any reason this is impossible, please put this in writing to Mrs Surrage. Should a student fail to do so the school reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place in the sixth form. Thursday 25 th August: Cherwell GCSE Results Available Cherwell School results are available from the school between am and 12 noon. Friday 26 th August: GCSE Clinic 9.00 until noon If a student s GCSE results are not as predicted or if they wish to change their subject choice, it is essential that he/she attend the clinic. Students and parents/carers will be able to discuss options with members of the Sixth Form Management Team and Connexions in the sixth form common room. If parents, carers and students are unable to attend, they will only be able to talk to staff by appointment once the school term has started. Sixth Form Enrolment Morning: September 2011 All students joining Cherwell Sixth Form must register for their chosen courses. This will take place before the official start of term. Students will have an opportunity to discuss options with their form tutor, faculty leaders or the sixth form management team. Unfortunately, due to time constraints these meetings will be brief and staff will not be able to meets parents. Further details regarding this and the start of term will be given during the sixth form induction course.

4 Guidance and Support A key feature of our sixth form is the strong system of pastoral support and guidance. This begins right now as students consider the courses and opportunities available to them. All prospective students are invited to attend an options evening where they can talk directly to teaching staff about their courses. Once students have been offered a place they are invited to attend a three-day induction course in June of Year 11. Over these three days students experience what life in the sixth form is like, by attending lessons, meeting other students and their Form Tutor. As a member of the sixth form, each student has the support of a Form Tutor, Student Support Assistant, Year Leader and Director of Sixth Form. We encourage all students to be aware of our expectations and to be responsible for their own learning. To this end, all students are required to sign a Sixth Form Agreement which focuses on making the most of their opportunities, being courteous and considerate, and contributing positively to the school community. Whilst encouraging our students to be independent, we recognise the huge support given by parents and carers. Our aim therefore is to work closely with parents and carers, informing and including them in all decisions made about a student s progress. Grade cards and Parents Consultation Evenings provide information about each student s progress and if we are concerned about an individual, parents are contacted so that we can work together to provide the necessary support. All parents of Year 12 students are invited to a sixth form information evening where they are provided with details about the nature of the sixth form and how it runs. In addition, a regular newsletter is distributed to parents, and invitations to school events and letters about particular issues are sent throughout the school year. They are also displayed on our website which is updated regularly. Our Commitment The Cherwell School welcomes and values all members of the school community in an atmosphere of learning which is friendly, supportive, and challenging. We aim to motivate and enable pupils: - to work hard and to achieve their best - to value learning as a lifetime activity - to behave responsibly, courteously and with consideration for the needs and rights of others - to become involved in the life of the school and of the wider community and by so doing to become a responsible and successful citizens - to mature in self-confidence, self-discipline, and their understanding of others - to take pride in what they do and to gain satisfaction and enjoyment from their achievements

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6 Courses offered for September 2011 Please note that it is unlikely that all courses listed at Cherwell School will run and they will be subject to student uptake. Institution Cherwell School Oxford City Learning Partnership Oxford and Cherwell Valley College Subjects Art & Design Art & Design (Double Award) Art (Photography National Award, 2 years) Art & Design (Double Award) Business (Applied) Art & Design Biology Computing Biology Business Studies Economics Business Studies Chemistry Engineering BTEC Chemistry Citizenship German Computing Computing Government and Politics Dance (National Award, 2 years) Design Technology - Resistant Materials Information Technology (Applied) Drama Economics Italian Economics Engineering BTEC Latin English Language and Literature English Literature Music English Literature French Music Technology Film Studies Further Mathematics Performing Studies Government and Politics General Studies Philosophy History Geography Psychology Law German Public Services BTEC Mathematics Government and Politics Sociology Further Mathematics History Spanish Media Studies Mathematics Sport BTEC Physics Media Studies Textiles Psychology Music WorkSkills BTEC Sociology Physical Education Philosophy & Ethics (Religious Studies) Physics Photography Psychology Public Service BTEC Science in Society Sociology Spanish Sport BTEC (Double Award) Theatre Studies (Drama) Use of Mathematics (Part or Full AS only) WorkSkills BTEC GCSE Maths and English Language resits

7 How to make subject choices Students should use the grid over on the next page, the information in the main pages of the prospectus, and the UCAS tariff to make their subject choices. Please consider the following when making your choices: A,B,C,D and E are combines which are the timetable slots. All subjects listed in combine B take place at the same time as each other the same is true for combine C and so on. Students should choose one subject per combine. To create as much choice as possible, some subjects are available in more than one combine. All students take complementary studies in combine A. All students must take general studies in combine A also, unless they take further maths (and no additional courses required) or they began the AS citizenship course at Cherwell in Year 11 and wish to continue in Year 12. These students can choose to complete the AS citizenship qualification instead of general studies and should indicate this on the application form. Other subjects are offered in this combine which students could take in addition to courses chosen in A,B,C,D and E. Science in society, use of maths, and English and maths GCSE can be taken instead of, or as well as a subjects in combines B E. Students who expect to comfortably make the entrance requirements should choose 4 AS courses or a combination of AS courses and Applied Award A level or BTEC qualifications in combines B,C,D,E. Students can make additional/alternative choices in combine A. Where students feel that they may just make the entry requirements and may struggle with 4 AS levels, there are other options. Students could choose to take 2 or 3 AS levels in the subjects they feel most confident in and should consider taking work skills, BTEC first national diploma. This is a level 2 course which is equivalent of A* to C GCSE passes, the number of which is determined b the number of units submitted. Students will then have the option to continue this to level 3 in Year 13 (equivalent to AS and A2 levels). Applied Art and Design double award and BTEC sport double award, must be taken in the 2 combines in which they appear. Our new courses, Engineering and Photography, are yet to be placed in combines and will be allocated according to student choices. Where a combination of subjects is not available it is unlikely that the timetable will change to alter this. However, we will do our best to accommodate students where possible, so please indicate alternative preferences. We have increased the number of subjects offered this year and courses will only run if student uptake indicates that these are viable. We are investigating opportunities to offer students who achieve grade D on average at GCSE, a package of courses at Cherwell sixth form in partnership with other post 16 providers in the city. These will be level 2 courses (equivalent to 4 GCSEs grade C or above) with opportunities to retake English/Maths GCSE and tutorial work on careers and further education. Students could then go onto employment or further education. Students who are interested in this offer should indicate this to their year leader.

8 Examples of Student choices Student A Student A gained 8 GCSE results of grades A C. He has a real interest in art and wants to pursue this as a career. He chose to take a double award A level in art and design as this would make up half of his sixth form course and offered him the opportunity to experiment in many different media. He enjoyed geography at GCSE and continued this to A level. He also chose to take English Literature as he performed particularly well in this subject at GCSE. Student B Student B gained 9 GCSE results, 6 of which were grade A*. She feels she would like to become a doctor and has, therefore, chosen chemistry as this is a requirement for all medicine courses. From her research she has found out that some institutions also require AS biology, so has decided to take this as well. In addition she will take mathematics, since another A level science subject is a necessity and she only intends to take biology to AS level. She is a good linguist so will take Spanish as this will broaden her choice of subjects and will demonstrate a different skill, which institutions value. Student C Student C is unsure about his future career path and wants to keep his options open for university courses. He gained 8 GCSE results of grade A C in both arts and science subjects. He has decided to take physics, mathematics, history and English. He hopes that this will enable him to make a choice between an arts or science based degree at a later date when he has more knowledge and experience of the courses. Two science A levels are normally required for a science based degree. Student D Student D gained 6 GCSE results of grades B and C but did not pass English Language. She must retake this subject since it is a university entry requirement and highly desirable for future employment. She performed well in science so decided to take AS biology and chemistry and she must choose 2 BTEC options. Student E Student E wants to study BTEC sport and has got 6 GCSE results B C. She will need to choose at least one additional AS course or she could choose Level 2 workskills. She hopes to pick up an AS level in sociology in Year 13 because she feels that this could be useful when she applies for courses in Occupational Therapy.

9 THE UCAS TARIFF University and College Admissions Service Each full A Level = Grade A* Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D Grade E 140 UCAS Points 120 UCAS Points 100 UCAS Point 80 UCAS Points 60 UCAS Points 40 UCAS Points Applied Double A level (12 units) BTEC National Certificate Grade A*A* Grade A* A Grade AA Grade AB Grade BB Grade BC Grade CC Grade CD Grade DD Grade DE Grade EE 280 UCAS Points 260 UCAS Points 240 UCAS Points 220 UCAS Points 200 UCAS Points 180 UCAS Points 160 UCAS Points 140 UCAS Points 120 UCAS Points 100 UCAS Points 80 UCAS Points Subsidary Diploma Grade D 120 UCAS Points Grade M 80 UCAS Points Grade P 40 UCAS Points D = Distinction M = Merit P = Pass BTEC National Certificate Double Award/Diploma Grade DD Grade DM Grade MM Grade MP Grade PP 240 UCAS Points 200 UCAS Points 160 UCAS Points 120 UCAS Points 80 UCAS Points D = Distinction M = Merit P = Pass

10 How to Apply Entry Requirements Students taking four AS subjects require 344 GCSE points in their highest 8 GCSEs (this equates to an average of 4Bs and 4Cs or an average of 43 points). Students achieving a total of 332 points over their highest 8 GCSEs (this equates to 2Bs and 6Cs or an average of 41.5 points) are able to take four AS subjects only on the grounds they seek agreement with the school. Alternatively they may take three AS levels and one BTEC course.students achieving a total of 320 points over their highest 8 GCSEs (this equates to 8Cs or an average of 40 points) must choose a mixture of BTEC and AS programmes (a minimum of one BTEC course. Students achieving a total of 240 points over their best 6 GCSEs (this equates to 6 Cs or an average of 40 points over 6 GCSEs) must choose at least two BTEC courses in their options. GCSE Grade Points Awarded A* 58 A 52 B 46 C 40 D 34 E 28 F 22 G 16 U 0 All students wishing to attend Cherwell Sixth Form must complete an application form by the date shown in the Essential Information Booklet. Students should indicate the subjects they wish to take at AS level/btec and particular attention should be paid to the Year 12 options grid. All application information can be found in the Essential Information for Applicants and Course Details booklet. All prospective students will be asked to attend a guidance meeting, which will take place in February or March. References will be requested for all external applicants and offers cannot be made until these have been received. We offer a number of external students places in the sixth form but these are limited. Students who are entitled to extra time in exams, have Educational Psychologist assessments, or have special educational needs should indicate this on their application form. This will not affect their application but will help us to provide for their needs should they be offered a place. All parents and students should note the key dates when making an application.

11 Year 12 Options Grid September 2011 A B C D E CHERWELL SCHOOL YEAR 12 Compulsory Complementary Studies General Studies or Citizenship AS to A2 (latter option only available to students who have started this course in Year 11) Optional Further Mathematics Science in Society Use of Mathematics (part or full AS only) GCSE English & Maths Re-sits Biology Art & Design Biology Art & Design Chemistry Biology Business Studies Business Studies Design Technology (RM) Chemistry Computing Chemistry English Literature Economics French Citizenship French English Literature Geography Economics Geography History Government & Politics English Literature History Mathematics History German Music Psychology Mathematics Mathematics Physical Education Spanish Media Studies Media Studies Physics WorkSkills BTEC Philosophy & Ethics Philosophy & Ethics Sociology Physics Photography Theatre Studies Theatre Studies Psychology Public Services BTEC Art & Design (Double Award Applied) Art & Design (Double Award Applied) Engineering BTEC Sport BTEC (Double Award) Sport BTEC (Double Award) A B C D E Oxford City Learning Textiles Business (Applied) Italian Economics Government and Politics Performance Studies Music Technology Latin Information Technology (Applied) Public Services BTEC WorkSkills BTEC Philosophy Engineering BTEC Art & Design (Double Award Applied) Art & Design (Double Award Applied) Sport BTEC (Double Award) Sport BTEC (Double Award) Students may be able to access other subjects being offered through Oxford City Learning at other institutions. This will be dictated by subject combinations and availability of places at partner institutions. This will be managed on an individual basis as required. A B C D E Art & Design Mathematics English Language and Literature Further Mathematics Biology OXFORD AND CHERWELL VALLEY COLLEGE Biology Media Studies Film Studies Sociology Computing Chemistry Photography Government and Politics Dance Economics Psychology Physics English Language and Literature Law Sociology These courses will be dependent upon student uptake and staffing Please indicate on the application form if the current options grid does not allow you to choose your preferred combination of subject

12 Student Achievement Examination Results In February 2008, the Cherwell School Sixth Form was judged to be outstanding in all aspects by OFSTED. We consistently achieve some of the highest results of state schools nationwide with our students making outstanding progress. Information on our 2010 AS and A2 results as well as destinations of 2010 leavers follows in this booklet. Please note that the results shown are raw scores and not value added data. They will therefore reflect the nature of students as well as other aspects such as teaching. Student Destinations Generally the majority of students leaving the Cherwell Sixth Form enter higher education, although an increasing number defer their entry to allow for a gap year. Approximately 12 students enter Oxbridge annually. A smaller number of students enter the workplace.

13 Cherwell School Summer 2010 Examination Results Summary A2 Passes at A-B 58.7% Passes at A-E 98.3% Average UCAS Points Score per student AS Passes at A-B 43.6% Passes at A-E 91.7% Examination Results AS 2006 A AS 2007 A AS 2008 A AS 2009 A2 Passes A B 57.4% 68.4% 46.9% 65.1% 44.4% 60.5% 39.7% 58.2% Passes A E 95.4% 98.8% 90.1% 98.4% 93.1% 98.2% 90.6% 96.4% Average UCAS Point Score

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