Year 12 Parents Information Evening An Introduction to Sixth Form
Aims Supporting your son/daughter to be successful Introduction to Oldbury Wells School Sixth Form Our policies, procedures and other key information Changes to A-Levels and what this means Study Programmes Beyond Sixth Form
Points of contact Mrs Bishell -Acting Head of Sixth Form Mrs Fyfe & Mrs Brown - Sixth form support April.Bishell@oldburywells.com Tracy.Fyfe@oldburywells.com
Supporting your child
How can you help? Show an interest Ask them to explain what and how they are doing Try to provide the right environment at home for study Discuss future career / university goals Revision guides can be useful Stay in touch Be sympathetic Encourage them to aim high
How well are they working? Signs to look out for Are they working well? Have they put their phones away? Are they doing work at the same time as responding to texts and social media?
Transition GCSE to A-level Learning to Learn The Challenge Academic Enquiry Increased depth of knowledge and understanding More abstract concepts Sophisticated analysis and evaluation Longer answers Analytical ability Organisational Ability Research and reading Extended tasks, longer deadlines Paper overload Study periods Revision of a lot of content
Changes to A-Levels
A-Level Reform Now linear examinations All examinations will be taken for the A- Level at the end of two years.
BTEC Reform Now includes at least one unit which is externally assessed through an exam unit At least one unit which is controlled assessment under high-level control
What does this mean for my son/daughter? Assessment will be predominantly external through external examinations. There will be a reduction in the amount of coursework, from 40% to 20% in English and History, for example The practical work in Science will be a practical endorsement, which must be passed but will not contribute to the final A-Level grades awarded Question types will be improved there will be more focus on synoptic questions which explore students overall knowledge on a subject rather than just focus on individual elements
What does this mean for my son/daughter? AS qualifications will no longer count towards the final A-Level grades they are separate qualifications in their own right There will therefore be three distinct qualifications: GCSE, AS and A-Level grades given for each will be separate Grade systems will remain as present: A* to E for A-Level A*-E is pass at A-Level, not A*-C.
What makes a successful post 16 Attitudes Organisation Time management student? Balance between academic work, leisure and part-time work Excellent attendance
What should my son/daughter be Prepare revision summaries doing? Read appropriate sections of textbooks Read around your subjects generally Supplement your notes from lessons Revise as you go along; make note summaries or postcards Learn as-you-go Look at past examination papers to see how questions relate to the topics you learn Identify weaker areas and take positive steps to conquer them Use libraries and watch suitable and relevant TV programmes as well as reading quality, broadsheet newspapers
Being a Sixth Form Student is a full time job Should treat time in school as such They should be using time in school to complete homework Time at home to do some additional independent study Aim for an hour in addition to every hour in lesson time as a minimum at home
Paid Work Important and often useful However research shows that students working over 10 hours per week are likely to under perform by 1 grade per subject
Level 3 students must write! Note taking is essential to successful outcomes Students should supplement their learning by making their own notes They should be reading widely around their subjects
Study Programmes
Individual Study Programme Students will be requested to sign their study programme Students have allocated study sessions on their timetable. We require them to be in school These are registered. They can study in the library, the quiet room, Art room
Introduction to OWS Sixth Form
The role of the Form Tutor/Mentor All students are allocated a form tutor The form tutor is their mentor in school who will aim to: monitor progress offer tailored support and guidance work closely with parents, if required oversee their reference for University or employment attendance in registration
CORE Enrichment Every Monday Team building activities Charity work Careers advice and guidance Outside speakers from Universities, Apprenticeship providers, Year in Industry local employers and Businesses, the armed forces. Personal and Health issues
Work Experience Last week of the summer term Essential for all medical courses, veterinary medicine, teaching Desirable for many like engineering or accountancy Students to organise and give information of placements to Jen Brown Sets them apart on their references
Core Maths & EPQ Demands of new A-Levels and Btecs More mathematical content EPQ Independent approach Student led Same UCAS points as AS Resits
My son/daughter has a day without lessons, can they study at home? NO - not in year 12 Year 13 on an individual basis
Attendance Good attendance is vital to success Book appointments outside school time where possible. Driving lessons should not be booked in the school day. If your son/daughter is absent please ring to let the school know Students should email or see teachers to collect work missed straight away
Important Dates January Mock Internal examinations First 2 weeks after Christmas. Revision for these should begin at least 6 weeks before. Should be revising throughout the year Results will be reported in the full report issued early February Mock results will be given to students Really important that they work hard
Tracking and Monitoring Progress Targets will be set shortly discussed and negotiated with teachers Based on GCSE Point Average Minimum Expected Progress. In class assessments Very important Data capture monitoring each half term Discussions with form tutors/mentors Intervention through teachers/tutors/mentors/sixth Form support team
Beyond Sixth Form
What next? University Apprenticeship Employment College Gap year Internship
University Applications through UCAS Choices of universities Personal statement Reference written by subject teachers and form tutors On-line Last year 63% of students gained a place at their first choice university
University Expectations What are your expectations? What are the expectations of universities? What should you be doing now?
Russell Group Universities 24 leading universities committed to the best research and teaching Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Durham Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Imperial - London King s London Belfast Leeds Sheffield Liverpool Southampton LSE London UCL London Manchester Warwick Newcastle York Nottingham Oxford Queen Mary s London
Unofficial Top 20 Ranked Universities 1. Cambridge 2. Oxford 3. London School of Economics 4. Imperial College London 5. St Andrews 6. Durham 7. Loughborough 8. Warwick 9. Lancaster 10. University College London 11. Surrey 12. Bath 13. Exeter 14. East Anglia (UEA) 15. Birmingham 16. Leeds 17. Southampton 18. Sussex 19. Edinburgh 20. York The Complete University Guide 2016 World Rankings 2016 Oxford University (1) Cambridge (4) Imperial College London (8) LSE (23) Edinburgh (24) Kings College London (27) Bristol (69) Warwick (80) Glasgow (76) Durham (70) These are unofficial rankings and are not subject specific.
Universities Its a good university if it offers the right course for you
University Start research into potential courses now Book on open days Oxbridge Candidates Cambridge Shadowing Scheme Oxbridge Conference Start looking at undergraduate reading list do additional reading to supplement and develop knowledge beyond level 3.
Further Education at college Art and Design Foundation Degree NVQs University qualifications
Apprenticeships
Successful Apprentices Luke: BBC Belinda: Ricoh
Gap Year Year in Industry
www.cascaid.co.uk Student log in is their surname and initial and their OW number E.g. bishella0064 Password is P4ssword
www.icould.com Careers
Some useful websites www.opendays.com www.notgoingtouni.com www.gov.uk/topic/furthereducation-skills/apprenticeship http://www.thecompleteuniversit yguide.co.uk/leaguetables/rankings http://new.shropshire.gov.uk/cou www.push.co.uk nty-training/ www.studential.com www.thestudentroom.co.uk www.ucas.com http://icould.com/ www.cascaid.co.uk www.ucasconnect.com www.uni4me.com
Common Goal Happy Confident Academically successful Equipped to take the next step We always welcome parents input!
Thank you for your time Any Questions.?