STUDYING AT CBA SIXTH FORM CORBY BUSINESS ACADEMY SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS

STUDYING AT CBA SIXTH FORM CORBY BUSINESS ACADEMY SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS

CONTENTS Welcome to our Academy................................................3 Life at CBA s Sixth Form................................................. 4 Choosing your course.................................................... 6 Every student matters: Support and moving on..................... 8 Enrichment................................................................ 10 What our students think................................................. 12 Destinations of former students....................................... 14 Welcome to our Academy The rapid improvements in attainment, attendance and behaviour are a consequence of outstanding care, guidance and support 2 3 / Dear Student Thank you very much for your interest in Sixth Form life at CBA. The choice of Sixth Form is incredibly important and not a decision to be taken lightly. Finding a course that matches your aspirations in a school that supports you to achieve is ultimately what every student wants when entering a Sixth Form. I am confident that Corby Business Academy provides the supportive, aspirational environment that ensures that our Sixth Form students become the best they can be. The CBA Sixth Form Promise In addition to offering you a wide range of A Level and vocational subjects to choose from, we promise that: Your future really matters to us and we will take great pride in helping you succeed. Whatever your goals, we re with you all the way. You will be taught in small classes and you will receive individual support and academic mentoring to help you be successful. You will have exciting opportunities to meet new people, make new friends, and take on new challenges. You will be certain to develop new skills outside the classroom which will be valued by employers and universities alike. You will benefit from excellent study and sports facilities with continued investment into Sixth Form opportunities in the coming years. Ultimately the subject choices you make must be right for you. As you begin to consider which subjects you may wish to study, it is very important that you seek advice from a variety of different sources including the information in this prospectus. There are a number of people available within the Academy that can also offer you advice and I would strongly recommend that you use their expertise to ensure that you are applying onto the correct courses. What will we expect from you? We will expect anyone joining the Sixth Form at CBA to work hard, dress in a businesslike manner and be punctual. We expect you to take full advantage of the support offered by our dedicated and experienced staff. We also hope you will take advantage of our varied extra curricular activities. We will provide you with everything you need to make your Sixth Form years an excellent academic and social experience. You just need to make sure you commit to the courses you choose and work to the best of your ability. In the pages that follow you will find further information about life in the Sixth Form at CBA. The prospectus also includes the views of existing students, which I hope you find useful. I look forward to you joining us in September. John Henrys, Principal

Life at CBA s Sixth Form The Sixth Form is characterised by: Ambitious leadership and management which embodies the Academy s aim that everyone will have a positive can do attitude. High levels of achievement for all students. Courses which reflect our business and enterprise specialism and which are appropriate to the needs of students. Rigorous standards of learning, teaching and assessment. Dress code and hours of attendance Many students will be working alongside employers both in and outside the Academy so smart office wear must be worn jacket, shirt and tie, a suit or skirt is acceptable. Structured support to enable all students to achieve their maximum potential. Career education and guidance so that students are encouraged to aim high. A range of enrichment opportunities to promote personal, spiritual and cultural development. Excellent accommodation and access to local, national and international business environments. Students are expected to attend for the full Academy day which means they can take advantage of the facilities, resources and help on offer throughout the day. At Corby Business Academy our aim is to give students the opportunities, skills and qualifications needed to make the best possible transition to the world of work or further education. An exciting curriculum and a dedicated team of experienced teachers promote the enjoyment of learning and ensure students get the most out of their time at CBA. We are passionate about providing quality support and mentoring and the Sixth Form team provide extensive guidance to ensure all students meet their true potential. As well as the academic aspect of life in the Sixth Form, there is also a considerable emphasis on extracurricular activities. Schemes including Young Enterprise, Community Sports Leadership Award and work placements ensure CBA students develop essential life skills, build strong relationships and experience a whole host of exciting opportunities to prepare them for their futures. By embracing the opportunities here at CBA our Sixth Formers are the students of choice for many universities and employers. As a Sixth Form student you will be expected to work hard, show commitment and achieve. In return we guarantee you an enjoyable and rewarding two years filled with challenge and success. Kim Isaksen, Head of Sixth Form The Sixth Form is good. In the fourth year of its operation, teaching and learning are good and improving. It offers an increasingly wide choice of subjects to its students, who are making good progress 4 5 /

Choosing your course Post-16 education is a crucial time in your life. What you decide to do now will have an impact on your opportunities in education and employment for many years to come. The best general advice is to choose subjects which you enjoy and feel that you can do well at. It is very important that you choose courses at an appropriate level for you. At CBA we offer a range of academic and vocational courses, from Entry Level to Level 3. Entry to the Sixth Form will depend on a number of factors including performance in GCSEs and equivalent examinations. All potential Sixth Form students are invited for an interview with the Head of Sixth Form or Key Stage 5 Progress Manager where choices are confirmed and a formal offer is made, subject to predicted GCSE grades being achieved. On GCSE results day a second interview takes place looking at each student s option choices and results and confirmation of a place is given. As an expanding Sixth Form our courses are changing and a personal discussion with Head of Sixth Form Kim Isaksen or Key Stage 5 Progress Manager Dan Arnold, will help with your decision making. Teaching in the Sixth Form is good overall and the use of assessment is rigorous. Class sizes are generally small and teachers take advantage of this to provide personal interventions and challenge wherever possible 6 7 /

Every student matters: Support and moving on Sixth Formers receive external help with interview techniques from business professionals and benefit from visits to universities. Personal Tutorial Support Sixth Form students are allocated a Personal Tutor who they meet daily for a formal discussion. They review their targets, attendance and discuss career aspirations as well as any concerns. Tracking Performance Key Stage 5 Progress Manager Dan Arnold oversees student progress. The ALPS reports data is used to help set students challenging but achievable targets. Progress reports are sent out four times a year which are discussed with Personal Tutors and the Head of Sixth Form when appropriate. Parents are encouraged to make contact following the report to discuss individual progress. Formal consultation evenings and email contact are used if further contact is required. Business Links Our business specialism means we can offer unique opportunities to Sixth Formers to gain a better insight into the world of work and develop the skills that employers value. For example, we have strong links with major international businesses such as RS Components, Roquette and Rockingham Speedway. Guidance and Careers Service We have a robust system of advice and guidance throughout the Academy to when Sixth Formers leave. All Year 11 students are asked to complete a Future Plans questionnaire which informs the planning of the curriculum. In the Sixth Form all students have access to external employers and universities. In Year 13, students are given additional advice and guidance regarding future aspirations and career progression. Tutorial sessions are provided to help with the UCAS application process or transfer to a job with further training. Sixth Form students say they receive well focused information, support and guidance. They note that their teachers are always willing to give individual help CBA meets the needs of a wide range of Sixth Form students We have facilities within the Unit for students with profound and multiple learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties. The students have a range of facilities which supports independent living and transition. The facilities include a life skills room where students can learn to carry out day-to-day living activities. The courses followed include modules in creative and cultural studies, sports and leisure, citizenship and community activity. As a Business Academy there is also a strong focus on developing enterprise skills throughout all the modules of study. 8 9 /

Enrichment Students in the Sixth Form have good opportunities to contribute to the Academy, for example on the Academy Senate, as sports leaders, or as mentors to younger students Head Boy and Head Girl Our Head Boy and Head Girl are proud ambassadors of CBA and represent the Academy at events and open evenings. The roles are appointed following applications and rigorous interviews. The Head Boy and Head Girl lead the Senior Student Team. Senior Student Team This is a select group of Sixth Formers who take a proactive role in Academy life, such as chairing the various sub committees in our Student Senate. Senate and Forum The Sixth Form Forum provides an excellent opportunity for students views to be heard and help bring about change. A number of Forum representatives are then chosen for the Academy Senate. In addition, Sixth Formers can get involved in Academy events by joining one of the committees, which include; promotions, fundraising, site committee and social committee. These groups of senior students help to shape many aspects of Academy life. Peer Mentoring Sixth Formers are regarded as role models for younger students and are expected to make a positive contribution to Academy life. They support younger students in tutorial sessions, assemblies and a reading support programme. Business and Enterprise Sixth Form students can develop their entrepreneurial spirit through activities such as Dragons Den-style competitions, the Young Chamber, business challenges and mock law court trials. An exciting project that is developing year on year is the Young Enterprise Project. Our Sixth Form students have created their own companies and have learned in real life business situations. Working with mentors from local companies, this is the perfect opportunity to see an entrepreneurial dream become reality. Community Involvement As a Business Academy we are asked to support local organisations and activities taking place in the community. Sports Leadership Award This award can help Sixth Formers develop life skills such as organisation, motivation, communication and working with others. Work Placement As part of the Sixth Form enrichment programme students are able to make use of our business links to undertake periods of work experience. Work placements in school also help student to develop invaluable skills to support their personal and professional development. At CBA we believe in offering our Sixth Formers a host of different experiences to help them develop as confident, able young people who manage the transition between school life and adulthood with ease. Widening Experiences The Academy supports the Discovery Centre in Uganda, an education and residential centre set up for young people. Each year, two Sixth Formers are selected to visit an international conference at the centre and experience a different culture and way of life. They are responsible for fundraising to pay for the trip. Each student is expected to be involved with extra-curricular activities and the opportunities on offer at CBA can help students to stand out from the crowd when it comes to university applications or putting a CV together. Paid Work at CBA There are opportunities for paid employment at the Academy, with Sixth Form students working as reception staff, sports co-ordinators and supporting site staff. 10 11 /

What our students think Arzad Chaudhury, Year 12 Studying A Level Business Studies, A Level ICT and BTEC Travel and Tourism. Ambition after CBA To study Business at university. Career ambition Accountancy. I came to CBA for Sixth Form from another school because I was told by a relative that I would do well here. When I came to CBA I thought everyone was very different, more focused, and the teachers were easy to get along with. because the teachers are always pushing me and making sure I m on task but I also get treated like an adult, I feel respected. I am enjoying my courses. In Business we have been looking at franchising and organisations, in IT we ve been doing work on logos and in travel and tourism we re about to start our coursework. I would recommend to others to come to Sixth Form at CBA based on my experience. It s good learning here. I am enjoying Sixth Form. I get treated as a student David Graham, Year 12 Studying A Level Psychology, A Level ICT, A Level English literature. Role at CBA Head Boy Ambition after CBA To go to university to study History or Psychology. Career ambition A career in Law or Telecoms. I like Sixth Form here because everyone is really friendly and willing to help each other out. We get a lot of help from the teachers with our coursework and on improving our exam technique. I would recommend Sixth Form at CBA. The teaching is good and we have all the resources we need. I m enjoying my courses and I think the lessons are well structured we are told from the start about the exams we will sit and how the exams will be set out so we know what we are doing. I m enjoying being Head Boy this year and was really pleased to be chosen. I applied because I wanted the opportunity to represent the school and to show what I can do. Ellie Mae Moore, Year 12 Studying A Level Media Studies, A Level Business Studies, A Level Dance and BTEC Travel and Tourism. Role at CBA Head Girl, Chair of Fundraising Committee. Ambition after CBA To go to university to study Events Management. Career ambition To become an events manager, starting off working for a popular organisation and then hopefully having my own business in this sector. I started at CBA as a Year 8 in the first year it opened and have stayed on for Sixth Form. In Sixth Form I like the fact that you have more one to one tuition and any of your teachers are willing to help you at any time. I like that all the teachers are here for support and they help you make the right decisions and lead you in a direction you want to follow. I chose to be part of the CBA Sixth Form because not only do the teachers help you academically, there are so many extracurricular opportunities available and these will help when building up my CV. The good thing about Sixth Form is that you get treated like an adult if you act like one and you have more time with teachers so you have more support in the lessons. I would recommend to others to come to Sixth Form at CBA based on my experience. It s good learning here. Chelsea Taylor, Year 12 Studying A Level English Literature, A Level Maths, A Level Media Studies and A Level Art. Ambition after CBA Either to go to university or to try to join the police force. Career ambition To work in the police force as a PC. I moved to CBA at the end of Year 8 from another secondary school and decided to stay on for Sixth Form. I really do get so much support here. Even if I am not with a teacher that day I can knock on their door and get some help. It s a good academic environment. The facilities are always accessible, there are lots of computers and we have the Apple Macs for media. In art we have lots of equipment too. I would recommend the Sixth Form here. It s very different at CBA to other secondary schools I have been to. The staff and teachers are always willing to help every student and each student is considered as an individual it s not just about what s best for us as a class, it s about what s best for each student. 12 13 /

Destinations of former students Learning and progress in the Sixth Form are good. Carefully chosen and varied activities promote independent thinking and enquiry well. All the students who applied, gained places at their first choice universities Alice Hill The former Head Girl studied A Level Maths and Business Studies, BTEC Public Services, Higher Sports Leadership Award and left CBA Sixth Form in June 2012. Alice is now employed by a national retailer. I thought the environment in Sixth Form was really good because it was very businesslike and it prepares students for the world of work. I was Head Girl when I was in Year 12 and I really enjoyed it. Some of my jobs would include showing people around and holding various meetings. I gained a lot of experience and met a lot of new people, it definitely helped a lot with my confidence. I m currently working for a major high street retailer, in an administrative role. I think my Business course definitely helped me to secure the position and gave me an edge. I took an Accountancy module so I had a good background knowledge when I started employment. Long term, I would like to work in an accountancy firm and I m hoping to go back to college next year full time to work towards this. Chris Usher The former Head Boy left CBA Sixth Form in June 2011. Now studying BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing at the University of Lincoln. I m really enjoying university, we have fantastic lecturers and tutors who are really experienced. I m in my second year now. When I was in Sixth Form I studied Travel and Tourism, Public Services and Business Studies. I was Head Boy when I was in Year 12 and I feel that gave me valuable experience because at university I m now president of the Christian Union. CBA was great for teaching leadership. It was brilliant having all the staff invested in us for the long term. I find I m taking things I learned at CBA and using them in my university life, so Sixth Form definitely helped me in that sense. The CBA Sixth Form is really dynamic. I felt the staff were really on hand all the time to help us, there was no ifs or buts, even if they had a class they would still see us. The staff are really proud to see you succeed, they are so invested in everyone. I thought the facilities were great too. Dajana Vucenovic Left CBA Sixth Form in July 2012. In her first year studying BA (Hons) Business Management at the University of Leicester. I m really enjoying university and my course is a really good mix there are modules on Economics, Marketing and Accountancy. At Sixth Form I studied A Level English Literature, Media Studies and Business Studies, and I definitely think the experience of doing my A Levels at CBA prepared me for my degree. The essay writing skills I learned as part of my English Literature A Level prepared me for writing essays at university we have had a few assignments where I ve known what approach to take straight away because of what I learned in Sixth Form. My Business Studies A Level also gave me a taste of what my degree would be like. The best thing about CBA Sixth Form was the extent that the teachers would go to to help. The small classes were also really good there were just four of us in my English Literature class. 14 15 /

COME AND JOIN US WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU Academy Way, Gretton Road, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 5EB t: 01536 303120 e: principal@corbybusinessacademy.org