The Axe Valley Community College & Sixth Form Centre Sixth Form Prospectus
We had the best results ever in 2013 seeing an increase of 5% on the previous year The Axe Valley Community College & Sixth Form Centre Chard Street, Axminster, Devon EX13 5EA Tel: 01297 32146 Fax: 01297 35851 Email: admin@axevalley.devon.sch.uk Website: axevalley.devon.sch.uk Sixth Form Office Greg Horn, Head of Sixth Form: ghorn@axevalley.devon.sch.uk Liz Slade, Sixth Form Assistant: lslade@axevalley.devon.sch.uk 2
Welcome to The Axe Valley Sixth Form. We are committed to offering the best education possible and a rounded college experience. We are looking for students to join our Sixth Form who are highly committed to both their own personal success and making a significant contribution to the college and wider community. We believe that every student matters and aim to meet the needs of every individual. We are able to offer a wide range of advanced courses, small class sizes, individual mentoring and private study support. We have invested considerably in improving the accommodation and facilities, and the new-look Sixth Form Centre demonstrates that we value our sixth formers and are committed to enabling them to thrive, academically and personally. Our Sixth Form aims to provide a structured and supportive environment where students flourish and develop the skills needed to go on to be successful in their chosen careers, training and/or higher education. We place great emphasis on academic achievement. We offer a full range of qualifications including traditional A levels such as Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, English Literature, Geography, History as well as more vocational qualifications including BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas in Sport, Child Care, Health and Social Care, Law and more. We also encourage students to broaden their experiences, to involve themselves in the community and to enjoy learning in its broadest context. During the first term of Year 12, students will have the opportunity to attend a residential at an Outward Bounds Centre to develop team building skills. We also have a team of Sixth Form tutors who are skilled at offering invaluable support to enable students to become independent learners and help them meet the challenges set by Sixth Form courses. This prospectus sets out some ways we plan to achieve these goals. We look forward to meeting you to discuss your post 16 options. Martin Smith Headteacher 3
4 Over 85% of students applied to University and 65% ended up accepting places on HE courses
Our values and purpose Core Values Our core values capture what matters most to us and how we treat one another. Working cooperatively, with consideration, with commitment and with candour is best illustrated at Sixth Form by the establishment of a Student Union. The Axe Student Union AxeUS - represents sixth formers views on a wide range of issues from developing their learning and social spaces, to learning and teaching within sixth form lessons, to extra curricular activities and wider community participation. AxeUS has already been instrumental in the re-design of the Sixth Form Centre, the recruitment of Sixth Form staff and will continue to play a key role in the decision making process in Sixth Form provision. When we consider making improvements to the Sixth Form we ask ourselves how this will advance our core purposes. Achieving a balance between the four areas is very important to us because they are all interrelated. Improved exam results (success) can only be achieved if students are motivated (rapture) and equipped with the skills to succeed (learning); only then can students graduate to Higher Education, training or work with confidence (livelihood). Core Purpose Success Achieve well beyond expectations; no one falls behind. Rapture Contagious excitement and deep sense of fulfilment generated by college life. Learning Create adaptive, responsible and creative learners; remove barriers to learning. Livelihood Transform people s lives for the better. Consideration Polite and courteous at all times; responsive to other people s feelings, needs and rights. Cooperation Work as a team; support others; play an active role in shaping college and community life. Commitment Take pride in what we do; perform our roles to the highest possible standards. Candour Be honest and straightforward with ourselves and others. 5
A different approach We decided that we wanted to create a distinctive Sixth Form that was not just a bolt-on to the college but something that had its own separate identity. At the same time we did not want to isolate the Sixth Form from the rest of the college. The way we achieve these aims is to give the Sixth Form its own identity and systems. For example, students don t register with their tutor every day. They register once a week (they decide which day). During tutor time, students are guided through a PSHE programme aimed at preparing them for life after school. We have modules on Driver Safety, Money Matters, UCAS and Job Hunting. Tutors also teach Independent Learning Skills such as how to construct an argument and critically evaluate evidence. Sixth From students don t wear uniform. This was voted on by members of the Sixth Form Student Union (AxeUS). They are ambassadors for the school helping out in a range of ways such as guiding younger students in the Accelerated Reader Programme, gaining valuable work experience in local Primary Schools and helping out a various sports events. Another distinctive feature of the Sixth Form is that we push the importance of hard work and encourage students to engage in the extra curricula opportunities. Recently our students have attended trips to the Houses of Parliament, Cern in Switzerland to see the Hadron Collider, a Manchester United European Football match and various trips to performances at theatres around the country. Visitors regularly speak to students about a range of issues. This year experts we will be giving a talk on the situation in the Middle East and as always a range of inputs centred around university and apprenticeships. We expect students in the sixth form to be hard working, active members of the College, to be role models to younger students and to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. 6
Academic and pastoral support Your tutor will be central to your progress in the Sixth Form. This person will be the member of staff who best knows your needs and aspirations and who is best placed to guide, inform and support your academic progress. As with a university tutor, your tutor will meet with you on a one-to-one basis and be the first point of contact for teachers, students and parents. In addition your tutor will advise and guide you in order for you to make progress and succeed, as well as help you to overcome any difficulties or problems. Crucially, this person will help you make informed choices about your future. Mr Horn is Head of Sixth Form and has responsibility for managing all aspects of students experiences, including student well-being, and acts as another level of support and advice for students, parents and teachers. The Head of Sixth Form is also responsible for enriching a student s experience at college, organising visits to universities such as Exeter and Plymouth, and putting together a higher education programme that supports and advises students university applications. Mrs Slade is the Sixth Form support manager. She deals with many administrative systems such as the 16-19 Learner Support Bursary and attendance. She oversees private study arrangements and can help students with mock interviews in preparation for university and job applications. Encourage students to make effective use of private study 7
The Curriculum Our curriculum is designed with flexibility in mind. We recognise that students have different strengths and needs and we work to ensure our students are enrolled onto the right courses for them. Level 3 Courses These courses consist of traditional A Levels such as Maths and English Literature and also BTEC qualifications at Level 3 standard such as Sport and Child Care. The full list of courses on offer this year can be seen in our course booklet. Students wishing to study level 3 courses must have a minimum of 5 A*-C grades. Maths and Science A Level students are required to have achieved at least a B grade at GCSE level. Level 2 Courses We offer a full English and Maths GCSE resit programme. It is compulsory for students who do not have a minimum of a C grade in these subjects to resit them. Enrichment Courses At the end of Year 12, students will complete either the Extended Project Qualification or the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE). These courses are designed to equip students with skills that are transferable to university or the work place. Both courses offer students the opportunity to gain up to 70 more UCAS points. 8
Wider learning All students have opportunities in the creative arts, sport and community involvement. Throughout the year there are visits to universities, theatres, concerts, local court rooms, businesses, the cinema and art galleries. In addition, there is a wide range of music and drama productions that are performed at college and in the local area. There are numerous opportunities to undertake overseas trips such as visits to France, Germany and Austria. These enhance both the curriculum and provide students with important cultural experiences. We have strong links to Plymouth University who work with us closely, ensuring student applications are as strong as they possibly can be, and we regularly work with Exeter University as well. AxeUS is the Sixth Form Student Union. Its members help organise social events such as the end of year party and also feedback the views of the Sixth Form students to the Sixth Form Management Team. They are also used as part of the interview process for new members of staff. PSHE days play an important part of Wider Learning in the Sixth Form. Our challenge days have ranged from working with charities and developing assemblies for lower school to working with local employers and improving job related skills and interview techniques. To support students with job applications, we hold an annual Recruitment Day where local employers come in and speak to students about job opportunities and hold mock interviews with each student. 9
What makes our Sixth Form different? The level of one to one support we can offer our students sets us apart from other Sixth Forms. We work closely with Year 11 students to help them make the right decisions. They attend interviews, taster days and study skills days before they join the Sixth Form. On a day to day basis, the Sixth Form team is always on hand to support students. We host information evenings for parents including an introduction the Sixth Form and an introduction to University and the UCAS system. Each student has a tutor. Tutors play a key role in supporting the students. Students can expect to have an individual meeting every half term along with group sessions every week. Parents are welcome to attend ALM meetings. Gifted and talented students can enjoy the many benefits of being in the Aspire programme. We encourage students with strong GCSE results to apply for places on the Sutton Trust Summer Schools programme and the Access to Bristol Scheme so they can aspire to attend some of the best universities in the country. In response to the number of high calibre students choosing our Sixth Form the AQA Baccalaureate is being offered for the first time next year. Furthermore, gifted and talented students can enjoy the many benefits of being in the ASPIRE programme. We hope you agree that this is an excellent time to join a thriving and successful Sixth Form College 10
We like being in the Axe Valley Sixth Form because I arrived at the Sixth Form having completed Year 12 at a large 6th form in Dorset. I find staff accessible, supportive and the teaching is fantastic. With fewer students, I really feel part of the community Simon I spent two years at a College in Devon and was pleased to return to Axe Valley to improve my grades. The quiet study facilities are great and the smaller class sizes mean you get more support with your studies. Emily I started the Sixth Form after moving from the Midlands. It s a friendly environment and everyone is easy to get on with. Shelby 11
Destinations Harry Bailey GKN Aerospace Higher Level Apprenticeship Oliver Bond Reading Economics Josie Chipperfield Oxford Brookes Japanese Studies Jessica Davies UWE Sociology Alice Doherty Cardiff Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging Kelly Gould Exeter Economics Megan Griffiths Chichester Sports Coaching Science Marshall Hammond UWE Bioveterinary Science Emily Hayward Middlesex Nursing (Child) Lucy Highet Plymouth College of Art Film Will Jacobs UWE Geography and Environmental Management Russell Kennedy UWE Economics Georgina Lamprill Bournemouth Interior Architecture and Design Joe Lomax Plymouth Mathematics Ella Marsh Bournemouth Photography James Morbey Oxford Brookes Biology Matthew Morbey Plymouth Geography Sophie Newbery UWE Early Childhood Hannah Ogden Marjon Children and Young People Jordan Parsons Bath Spa Music Production Steven Peach Winchester English Bethany Richards Exeter Mathematics Mark Ricketts UWE Economics Megan Ruddy Bournemouth Public Relations James Sibley Aberystwyth Human Geography Lucy Stone UWE Animal Behaviour and Welfare Jonathan Sweetland Cardiff Physics Emily Tredrea Hammnet Associates Accountancy Apprenticeship Rowena Trott Southampton Healthcare Science (Audiology) Rosie Underdown Plymouth Theatre & Performance James Vaughan Winchester Criminology Jack Ward Yeovil Sports Development and Coaching Evangeline White UWE Integrated Wildlife Conservation Chloe Williams Birmingham American & Canadian Studies with Year Abroad The Axe Valley Community College & Sixth Form Centre We would like to thank Axminster Tool Centre for their help in producing this prospectus.