Bradfield School Sixth Form Prospectus 2019 entry

Bradfield School Sixth Form Prospectus 2019 entry

Opening Statement Our ambition is for our students to be the best they can so that they can progress to the top Universities and Companies to maximise their employment and career prospects. We work hard, in partnership with Universities and Higher Education providers, to realise this ambition and to ensure that, as well as excellent teaching, our students receive the correct guidance and support needed to make successful applications to Higher Education. We are very proud of the achievements made by the students who have recently left our Sixth Form. Last year our students made above average progress, when compared with the National results, in what was our best year of A-Level results. The pass rate for our A-Levels was 96% with 90% of our students gaining 3 or more A-Levels. 43% of the grades were A*-B. The vast majority of students who wanted to progress to a University Degree were able to do so. We look forward to building on this success with the students who choose to join us in the future. We offer a range of 23 different A-Level subjects, as well as Core Maths and the Extended Project, enabling students to choose subject combinations to progress to all available Higher Education courses. All of our courses are taught by subject specialists, with strong track records in A-Level teaching. Students are encouraged and supported to integrate work experience placements with their studies in order to gain the practical and transferable skills required for many careers. Students have the choice of taking three or four A-Level subjects. We expect that most students will specialise to three subjects by the time they enter Y13. In addition, all students are given the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification over the two years - we are increasingly finding that this improves the quality of applications to University and access to employment opportunities. Sixth Form is not solely about the study of the academic subjects. Students are involved in a range of enrichment opportunities, enjoy improved social facilities and privileges so that they can enjoy life as a Sixth Form student both inside and outside of the classroom, and that they can play a leading role in helping to develop the school. We run several popular trips and visits, including a Sixth form activity weekend in the first term of Y12. By providing these opportunities alongside a strong curriculum, we believe that Bradfield Sixth Form is an environment where people thrive by making the most of their talents and realising their potential. We hope that this prospectus helps provide you with the information you require to help you decide whether you would like to study your chosen subjects at A-Level at Bradfield School Sixth Form. Dr I.Gilbert Headteacher Mr P.Beaumont Head of Sixth Form

Entry Requirements In terms of student attributes, we would expect students to have an excellent attitude to learning in school, be working at or above their target grades and to have excellent attendance. The minimum requirements for general entry into the Sixth Form is subject to students achieving 5 good GCSE passes (grade 4 or above) including English and Maths. Additionally, each A-Level subject has a separate entry requirement. This is usually a grade 5 in the subject at GCSE. Where this subject has not been studied or is not available at GCSE level, a grade 5 in an equivalent subject is required. The final page of this prospectus tabulates the requirements for each subject offered. Pastoral Support All students are allocated to a Tutor who meets with the students daily. The tutor will be the first point of contact for home-school communication and will monitor academic achievement. Tutors will also advise students and work to resolve any problems they may be encountering. Our team of tutors have successful track records in helping young people take advantage of the opportunities in Sixth Form and to progress to Higher Education, training or employment. Students who wish to apply to University will be guided through the UCAS application process to Higher Education, where they will be helped to make competitive applications.

Study Facilities Sixth Form students at Bradfield enjoy exclusive use of the Sixth Form Study Area, the Learning Resource Centre and a separate Social Area during their study periods. Students have access to ICT during these study periods as well as the freedom to purchase food and drinks in the Social Area. Students have the freedom to plan their use of private study time around their commitments. The skills developed in planning their time and meeting deadlines are an excellent preparation for University and professional life and we encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. Students can also work in their subject areas during their study periods in order to access specialist equipment and facilities.

Work Experience For many professions, and particularly for law, medicine and teaching, some experience of the workplace will significantly enhance a students application to University courses and it is therefore important to provide this opportunity as part of the Sixth Form curriculum. Students are supported in finding and accessing suitable placements and experience to help improve the quality of their UCAS applications. They are also encouraged to set up their own placements if they have contacts in a particular profession or a strong desire to gain experience in a particular area. We integrate this experience into each student s studies by devoting a week of curriculum time to a work experience placement, so that their academic progress is being supplemented by experience and skills gained in the workplace. The school has close links with a range of local employers and these links and contacts are used to help set up placements.

University Links We enjoy strong partnerships with several Universities, notably Sheffield, York, Oxford and Cambridge. These institutions are often involved in the tutorial programme and our students benefit from these partnerships as they help prepare our students for entry into Universities. As well as encouraging students to attend University open days, and training them on the UCAS application process, students will have access to bespoke advice and support for entry into specific careers and undergraduate courses such as medicine, law and dentistry, including support to help pass specific university entrance tests such as LNAT (Law) and UKCAT (Dentistry, Medicine). University of Sheffield: University of York: University of Oxford: University of Cambridge: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ http://www.york.ac.uk/ http://www.ox.ac.uk/ http://www.cam.ac.uk/ Oxbridge We support students who have the ambition and the potential to make applications to Oxford or Cambridge. Students are assisted in the Oxbridge application process through a bespoke programme, supported by staff with experience of preparing students for these institutions and through our strong links both with Magdalen and Hertford Colleges at Oxford and Emmanuel College at Cambridge. We explain the mechanics of the collegiate entry system for these Universities, help prepare students for specific subject entry tests and develop interview technique depending on their chosen degree subject. We also support students who wish to visit these Universities to better understand them.

Enrichment Sixth Form is not all about the subjects you choose. It is a preparation for a more independent life at University and beyond. We aim to foster this preparation at Bradfield through a range of opportunities. In addition to their subjects, students also have the opportunity to study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which gives them the opportunity to get deeply involved in a subject that interests them, to develop research and critical thinking skills, to pull together learning from other subjects and to develop extended writing skills - all of which are hugely valuable preparation for University study as well as providing an excellent starting point for University admissions interviews. There will be opportunities to become involved in extra curricular activities. In the past these have included Duke of Edinburgh; Young Enterprise; fundraising work for charity; working with younger students at the school; First Aid training; sports teams; being part of and assisting with school productions and performances and becoming involved in the leadership of the Sixth Form.

Careers Support Expert and impartial careers advice and guidance for entry into Higher Education is provided and we continue to use the strong University partnerships for supplementary guidance and support for students. Additionally the work experience programme is strongly linked to students aspirations in order to improve the quality of UCAS applications. The Careers Library and Sixth Form Study Area is well-stocked with all the current prospectuses for Higher Education courses in the UK. In addition to this, students are trained to use the UCAS website to narrow down their choice of courses for their application. Financial Support Students that would ordinarily receive support for school meals may be eligible for a bursary award, which is dependent on attendance and performance on post-16 courses. All students who join Y12 at Bradfield will be given the relevant information explaining whether they are eligible, and if so how they can claim this award. There are two areas of funding that can be applied for: Priority Groups The following students will be eligible to receive a bursary of 1,200 per year, if agreed standards of behaviour and attendance are met: - Young people who are looked after (in care) - Care leavers - Those young people who receive Income Support (or Universal Credit) - Disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payments). Bursaries for other Young People Sheffield does provide some financial assistance for students and the school works together with families to apply for this support. These awards will be targeted towards young people facing financial barriers to participation in post-16 education. Agreed standards of behaviour and attendance must be met. Essentially students in households where income is at or below the Free School Meals threshold (currently 16,190) will be eligible to apply. Passing the eligibility test does not guarantee funds.

Dress Code Bradfield Sixth Form imposes no formal dress code on students. However, there are some requirements listed below: Dress should conform to the current majority view in our society of what constitutes decency and must be suitable for a school environment. Revealing clothing such as crop tops or clothes made of transparent materials, would not be appropriate. Health and safety requirements may mean that for certain tasks, specific items of clothing such as overalls, protective clothing, etc. must be worn. Where wearing such items conflicts with a religion or belief, the issue will be sympathetically considered with the aim of finding a satisfactory and safe solution. Wearing clothing with pictures or slogans which are considered discriminatory or offensive is not permitted. These restrictions are in place as some articles of clothing may be regarded as offensive to some staff or students and be regarded as discriminatory in terms of sex or sexual orientation, religious beliefs, racial or ethnic origins, or any other discriminatory grounds.

Sixth Form Entry Requirements for entry in September 2019 General entry into the Sixth Form is subject to students achieving 5 good GCSE passes (Grade 4 or above) including English and Maths at grade 4. Each A-Level subject has additional criteria listed below: Subject Entry Requirement Alternative Requirement (if GCSE not taken) Art 5 in GCSE Art Evidence of artistic ability Biology 5 in GCSE Biology 5 in GCSE Combined Science Business Studies 5 in GCSE Business Studies 5 in GCSE English Chemistry 5 in GCSE Chemistry 5 in GCSE Combined Science 5 in GCSE Maths Computer Science 5 in GCSE Computing 5 in GCSE Maths 5 in GCSE Maths Core Maths (AS level) 4 in GCSE Maths Design & Technology B in GCSE Engineering / Product Interview with Head of Subject Design Drama 5 in GCSE Drama English Language 5 in GCSE English Language English Literature 5 in GCSE English Language 5 in GCSE English Literature Extended Project Qualification N/A French 5 in GCSE French fluency in language Further Maths 6 in GCSE Maths Geography 5 in GCSE Geography 5 in GCSE English History 5 in GCSE History 5 in GCSE English Law 5 in GCSE English Maths 5 in GCSE Maths Music 5 in GCSE Music Grade 5 in instrument/voice Philosophy & Ethics 5 in GCSE Religious Studies PE 5 in GCSE PE Evidence of sporting ability Evidence of sporting ability Physics 5 in GCSE Physics 5 in GCSE Combined Science 5 in GCSE Maths Psychology 5 in GCSE English 4 in GCSE Biology Politics 5 in GCSE Citizenship 5 in GCSE English 5 in GCSE English Sociology 5 in GCSE English Spanish 5 in GCSE Spanish fluency in language