A very warm welcome to Post 16 at The Rodillian Academy

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2 A very warm welcome to Post 16 at The Rodillian Academy Dear Students, Parents and Carers The Rodillian Academy is delighted to welcome you to the range of opportunities that our Post-16 provision has to offer. At The Rodillian Academy we recognise the importance of our Post-16 provision and are proud of the significant strides it has made in recent years. As an institution, we are inclusive. Our Post 16 curriculum structure contains a number of key routes that are suitable for all abilities. The Post 16 team has vast experience and together, they will ensure that all students receive first class guidance, support and opportunities that will allow them to flourish. This guidance is essential at this important stage of their schooling as they move into higher education, training or employment. We have fantastic facilities for our Post-16 students. We have invested heavily to ensure that our work and social areas provide the facilities necessary for academic progression. We are proud of the resources, the technology and our tremendously committed staff that we have who support learners in their studies. We promise to value your opinion and ensure that your transition from Year 11 to post 16 life is a smooth one. We do have high expectations and standards. We value and encourage effort, commitment, dedication and motivation from all of our students. These are attributes which will allow you to become firmly independent as you strive to achieve your undoubted potential over the next two years. The Post-16 team Consistently in the last 4 years, our value added has been among the top 10% of schools nationally for student performance. 01

3 Our mission Our core purpose at The Rodillian Academy is to help our students realise their academic potential. We believe every young person can succeed and we devote ourselves to improving student achievement, through high quality teaching and student support. We have a culture of high expectations and ambition. We aim at all times to build aspiration, to inspire and motivate our students so they have the opportunity for greater choice in life. What you can expect from Post 16 at The Rodillian Academy? You will be cared for in a supportive and challenging educational environment with a long history of impressive results. You will be treated as an emerging adult. Our curriculum offer is extensive and varied. We have a traditional route that offers many of the facilitating subjects for Russell Group universities, a comprehensive range of non facilitating subjects as well as a vocational route that will allow you to explore and develop your knowledge, understanding and skills required by the vocational sector, including essential employability skills Behaviour in lessons is never less than exemplary. Teachers are experts in their field who will challenge you to succeed and will never accept second best. Leadership and management of Post 16 is very strong Ofsted Students will be carefully matched to courses and their performance will be constantly tracked. We will recognise the individual needs of all students. Our vision We aim to develop confident, articulate, empathetic and respectful students who are capable of independent and critical thought so that they are appropriately prepared for higher-level achievement. We expect a positive attitude to learning. We expect you to be organised and insist on excellent attendance. In return, we promise to reward, value and recognise your diligence. We recognise the stress of post 16 study and can offer a very experienced pastoral team who will help willingly. You will be supported and guided through your preparation towards higher education, training or employment. You will receive careers guidance and many opportunities to strengthen your employability. You will be a significant role model for all our Key Stage 3 & 4 students and so there is an expectation that you will maintain our high standards. You will have study periods allocated on your timetable. We have a large rewards budget which we use to celebrate your success. You will be allowed to sign out in the afternoon if you have independent study time

4 Making the right choice At The Rodillian Academy, we are proud of the wide range of subjects and qualifications we are able to offer our Post 16 students. Students have considerable choice in both the type of qualification they choose to study and the extensive range of subjects they can choose from. A particular feature of Post 16 lessons is the way that students work maturely and independentlty. Ofsted When choosing the subjects which will make up your Year 12 Programme of Study, it is clearly important that you opt for subjects that you enjoy. You should consider subjects which you are good at and which relate to your future aspirations. If you already have a particular university course or job in mind, you should select subjects which will support those ambitions. There will be Post 16 courses available which you have never studied before and it is important to research these carefully before you make your final choices. We currently offer 4 routes through our post 16 provision and students are encouraged to choose carefully in order to provide themselves with a programme which best meets their needs. Study support Post 16 accommodation is extensive. As part of your study programme, you will be expected to spend some lessons in study support staffed by a member of the Post 16 team. This is a silent working area where you can access superb ICT provision to enable you to get on with your studies. In addition, all subjects offer extended study time after school and during the school holidays to help with your progress. During unmanaged time, students can enjoy the relaxation of the common room. 05

5 Our Curriculum structure AS/A2 LEVEL COURSE AS/A2 LEVEL COURSE AS/A2 LEVEL COURSE APPLIED AS/A2 LEVEL COURSE Traditional route Our traditional route offers all of the facilitating subjects required for Russell Group universities. In addition, the range of non facilitating subjects on offer is truly impressive. Students have the flexibility to opt for the combination of facilitating and non facilitating subjects according to their strengths and preference. Vocational route Our vocational route allows you the opportunity to study a number of BTEC Level 3 courses in a number of specialised fields. BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA BTEC LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA BTEC LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE APPLIED AS/A2 LEVEL COURSE BTEC LEVEL 3 AS/A2 LEVEL COURSE Combined route For those who may wish to combine A-levels with a level 3 BTEC course. Foundation route There is an opportunity for students to re-sit GCSE Maths and English combined with level 2 BTEC qualifications in Workskills and Money & Finance. All students are welcome to progress onto level 3 study following the successful completion of the level 2 foundation provided they fulfil the academic criteria specified. GCSE ENGLISH BTEC WORKSKILLS GCSE ENGLISH BTEC MONEY & FINANCE 07 08

6 NON FACILITATING SUBJECTS Art & Design Drama Film Studies Media Music Graphics Photography Textiles English Language English Literature RE Sociology Psychology Applied Business Economics Health & Social Business Govt & Politics Law Applied IT Product Design Physical Education Food Technology Dance Students may wish to follow any combination of facilitating and non facilitating subjects AS Product Design & BTEC Engineering & BTEC Applied Science AS Criminology & BTEC Law BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport + (Work Placement) BTEC Extended Diploma in Children s Care, Learning & Development + (Work Placement) BTEC Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care + GCSE Biology BTEC Extended Diploma in Dance GCSE Maths GCSE English BTEC Workskills BTEC Money & Finance BTEC Business & IT FACILITATING SUBJECTS Maths Further Maths Chemistry Biology Physics Geography History English Literature Modern Foreign Languages BTEC Diploma in UPS & Sport BTEC Extended Diploma in Crewing TRADITIONAL COMBINED VOCATIONAL FOUNDATION 09 10

7 High standards for all students The Rodillian Academy continues to pioneer the use of the nationwide ALPS (Advanced Level Performance System) scheme as a tool for raising student achievement and ensuring that every student fulfils his or her potential. The system sets students challenging but achievable targets based on their GCSE scores and teachers and Personal Tutors use these to monitor students progress, comparing performance grades against target grades at regular intervals through the year. These grades form the basis of Post 16 assessment reports to monitor your progress at key times throughout the year. Pastoral care and guidance Our pastoral system is designed to give you support and professional guidance throughout your time at The Rodillian Academy. You will receive the very best advice to support university, apprenticeship and employment applications. The pastoral team operate an open door policy and you are welcome at any time. Information, advice and guidance As part of your study programme, The Rodillian Academy arranges for guest speakers from a number of fields to give key advice and information to students. This has included representatives from different universities, the Armed Forces, the NHS, business, industry and commerce. In addition, all Year 12 & 13 students will be interviewed by an independent careers advisor to ensure that students are fully supported in their future career planning. The Career Academy The Career Academy in Post 16 is a curriculum enrichment programme that is available to selected students from different subject fields. The Career Academy at Rodillian is supported by key employers at both local and national level. Students who are selected to join The Career Academy at Rodillian will benefit from Specialist business-led lectures, seminars and company visits. A six week paid internship with a major employer during the summer of Year 12. Mentoring delivered by business professionals who can support the development of employability skills, CV writing, interview techniques, time management and problem solving. Annual trips to London to take part in business conferences and other events. Networking opportunities with other Career Academy students around the UK. An opportunity to increase personal confidence through dealing with professionals and workplace situations. The chance to widen your aspirations and gain a greater insight into the world of work. 12

8 Supporting your journey Support at The Rodillian Academy begins the moment a student starts in Year 11. Information about Post 16 and beyond is made available through assemblies and the UCAS progress evening that allows the opportunity for students, parents and carers to explore the range of opportunities available following Year 11. Year 12 and 13 speak enthusiastically of the support, care and guidnace they receive. Ofsted The Post 16 Options Evening in November gives parents and students a chance to tour Post 16 facilities, hear about Post 16 life, and visit each subject to find out more about the courses on offer. After this evening, students who are interested will be invited with parents or carers, to an individual Post 16 Interview with a member of leadership to discuss course choices and routes. External students will be given the opportunity to revisit us to ensure that The Rodillian Academy is the right place for them. Throughout the spring term, students are kept informed of their option choices and informal interviews are arranged on a regular basis to discuss option choices and the suitably of courses given the progress that students are making throughout Year 11. In July of Year 11 students will be invited to a Post 16 Taster Week. During this week students hoping to begin Post 16 at The Rodillian Academy come into school to take part in subject choices and study support. This is an ideal time to ensure that your course selection is right for you and meets your expectations. Students will receive work from subject teachers that is expected to be completed over the summer break. On Enrolment Day students are invited to Post 16 to formally register for their courses. This may be very straightforward for some, while others may wish to make changes and may need more time to discuss their options. Year 12 will begin with an Induction Day and the chance for students to meet their Personal Tutor. During this day students will discuss their aims for the future and will begin to set their targets for the year. During the first week there will be an arranged carousel of activities based on Higher Education trips and team building and leadership tasks that will take place on and off site. We are fully aware of how important it is to have the support of parents and carers and try hard to keep them as involved as much as possible. Parents and Carers will be invited to a Meet the Tutor evening in the first half term of Year 12. Any worries or concerns can be directed to any member of the Post 16 team throughout the year. Alongside parental evenings and regular progress reports, the Post 16 team will ensure that students are guided to achieve their undoubted potential as they head towards university, training or employment

9 What next? The application process The Post 16 team welcomes all applications from current Year 11 students at The Rodillian Academy as well as those students who have been educated at another institution. Key to selection and entry into Post 16 provision is conditional on all applicants fulfilling the specified academic criteria for individual courses. Make a list of all the questions you might have about any particular aspect of Post 16. Following the Open Evening you may wish to approach any member of the Post 16 team to answer your query. Take time to research future jobs and careers to ensure that the option choices that you have selected are compatible with your intended career. You may find it useful to look at the Universities website on to see what courses at Post 18 are most suited to the course you may wish to follow at university. Apply and make your application to The Rodillian Academy through ucasprogress.com. Your application will be acknowledged. Try to attend the Post 16 interview with your parent/carer. Your subject choices will be confirmed by March of the spring term. Attend Post 16 Taster Week in July of the summer term. Collect your GCSE results in August and attend enrolment day at the end of August to formally register for Post 16 at The Rodillian Academy. For students applying from The Rodillian Academy, and other schools and academies in the Leeds and Wakefield area, all applications must be made online directly through This can be accessed on the The Rodillian Academy website. Once applications are sent, students will receive an acknowledgement that their application is being considered and secondly, a conditional offer based on their performance at GCSE to undertake level 3 study. 15

10 Both of my children have gone onto university having stayed on at Rodillian. There was only one destination when it came to post 16. The staff are remarkably generous with their time. Parent

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