To Quote... The Sixth Form is an extremely safe environment for students to learn. Students whereabouts are known at all times due to the electronic system for entering and leaving the building. Attendance is high. Pupils have high aspirations for their studies and future employment. They enjoy coming to school and work extremely hard. Their conduct is impeccable. The 16 to 19 study programmes offer a range of appropriate courses taught in a professional and stimulating environment. The majority of students go on to chosen universities. Leaders commission tuition for those sixth-form students who are either applying to prestigious universities or need more challenge with their critical thinking, particularly the most able. Students are ambitious and extremely hard working. They receive excellent guidance on future employment, training and further study at university. Staff provide individual support to students as they apply, write their personal statements and prepare for entrance examinations. Ofsted Report 2016 CFGS has fulfilled its motto of educating and empowering tomorrow s women. Amina 1
Message from P16 Directors... As a large and vibrant Sixth Form we are able to offer a wide range of Level 2 and 3 courses all of which have clear progression routes beyond Year 13. At the heart of all that we do is a constant focus on high quality teaching and learning. This is matched by our high quality tutoring. Together this translates in our students achieving very well - in 2018, 42% of our students were offered places at Russell Group universities. Our Sixth Form is based in its own building Aspire. Here you will enjoy and benefit from excellent teaching facilities including dedicated Sixth Form ICT suites, a library, a quiet study room (The Hub), your own dining areas and rooftop garden. The majority of Key Stage 5 teaching takes place in the Aspire Building and all Sciences are taught in our new science laboratories. You will be joining a school with a tradition of high expectations which over the years have translated into excellent outcomes for all our students. You can expect to be set challenging target grades that you will need to work hard to achieve. Our expectations are that every day and in every lesson and tutorial you will: Be curious, constantly asking questions, reading around your subject, keeping up to date with current affairs and enjoying your learning. Challenge yourself to be the very best that you can, making the most of every opportunity experiencing something new every half term, and challenging your own opinions and views as well as those held by others. Show real independence, working hard when no-one is watching, showing high levels of initiative and ensuring that you are always fully prepared for every lesson. I m an external student, and so pleased that I came to Central. It has provided me with a lot of opportunities to take part in, and the environment is so supportive. Maha 2
Be determined to overcome any difficulties that may happen and readily ask for help if and when it is needed. In return for this high level of commitment, we can assure you that our teachers, tutors, mentors and support staff at Central Foundation Girls School will be just as dedicated in supporting you to achieve your very best. Our aim is that when you leave our Sixth Form, you are confident and fully equipped to take on the many challenges in your chosen new pathway. Reading this prospectus will give you a clear idea of what it is like to study and achieve high grades in our Sixth Form. That said, we would very much encourage you to attend our Open Evening in November. Here you will have the opportunity to meet teachers and see first-hand the facilities on offer at Central Foundation Girls School. If you think you have what it takes to be a student at Central Foundation then we would be delighted to receive your application. With best wishes for your future. Mrs Richards - Head of the Sixth Form Ms Conway - Assistant Head of Sixth Form The work experience provided by the school allowed me to see the realities of working in a hospital. Suraiya 3
16+ During my time at CFGS I was selected to participate in the K+ programme which was directed by King s College London. This was a two-year course which ranged from cultural trips to academic workshops preparing me to study at an undergraduate level. The particular stream I engaged in was Healthcare and I met many nurses, medics, clinicians who shared their clinical experiences, and this further motivated my ambition to become a nurse. I am now studying Adult Nursing at King s. My advice to future students would be to take on every opportunity you are presented with because it will benefit only you in the future and no one else! Nazrin I was offered a work experience placement at a GP and with HealthWatch which I am grateful for as finding a healthcare work experience can be extremely difficult. I am also employed by the school as a Central+ Junior Assistant. The job involves organising activities, advertising them in assemblies and taking students on trips. This is something I will be talking a lot about in my personal statement as I have gained many valuable skills such as responsibility, communication and team work. It s been an amazing experience so far and possibly the most fun job I ll ever have. Apart from this, half term and after school activities organised by Central such as ice skating can be a great way to reward yourself after a stressful day (or term!). It is also something to talk about when they ask you about your hobbies (other than watching Netflix) at interviews. Grasp every opportunity you get. It will help you develop your personal skills and make you stand out amongst thousands of other applicants who will be applying for the same university course or job as you. Sunai 4
Central 16+ is a unique programme that encompasses all aspects of learning outside the classroom, designed to develop students cultural capital and provide opportunities that they may not otherwise have access too. The sessions are designed to give our students a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves and the world around them. The programme is developed and evaluated by the school s Community Manager Mr. Matt Walsh alongside a student panel, made up of Year 12 and 13 students. As a Rights Respecting School we have ensured that we provide a range of interesting and challenging activities which have been designed by students. The programme has been specifically designed to challenge our Sixth Form students and provide new and interesting activities that take the girls outside of their comfort zone. In order to provide students an extended skill set and access to a variety of enrichment schemes we have devised a programme where by students are to complete 4 competencies over the year; Enrichment, Community, Leadership and Employability. Throughout these 4 competencies students would embody the ethos of the Sixth Form to be curious, independent, determined and challenged. Activities range from innovative sports such as climbing, horse riding, ice skating, stand up paddle boarding & zorbing to residential trips, debating, educational visits and accredited courses including First Aid, Sports Leadership Awards, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, driving lessons and many more. Central Foundation Sixth Form students are also encouraged to show willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings including volunteering in their local community through the Community Action Group. In addition to students can volunteer to working with local Primary Schools as part of the Reading Buddies Programme and become an in-school Reading Mentor with Year 7 students with the prospect of working in local Primary Schools in Year 13 in promoting literacy and holding reading sessions. We encourage students to become community leaders through raising awareness for charities as well as becoming Subject Mentors to support departments and inspire other students. Students can take part in volunteer programmes across the school as well as volunteering to work with Years 7-10 students in the Central Plus offer and in the Learning Lounge. Central + has helped me build up my confidence and allowed me to gain new experiences Maha Duke of Edinburgh has strengthened our resilience and made us appreciate our surroundings more Maymunah, Completed Silver Award in 2016 5
Leadership There are numerous leadership opportunities available to all students in Years 12 & 13. These include: Head Girl and Deputy Head Girls Senior Prefects There are many reasons why these include: Meeting new people in the Sixth Form and lower down the school Supporting younger students in their learning and social development Developing new skills such as leadership, communication, time management and interpersonal skills Being involved in a new experience Giving something back to your school Stretching and challenging yourself That all important evidence for UCAS applications and other Post 18 applications The Hub The Hub is a dedicated quiet study space where students can fully concentrate on their independent learning. As well as containing a bank of PCs, the Hub is staffed at all times by teachers who can offer support or guidance in their subject area. Study skills workshops and support for writing UCAS personal statements are also available in the Hub. Students in need of additional support are offered additional tuition or mentoring, delivered by a team of tutors from top London universities, including SOAS and Queen Mary University of London. Additional support is not just for students struggling to get to grips with course content but also for those who need an extra push to achieve a top grade. We are proud to offer subject-specific support, academic writing tuition and mentoring in study skills and stress management. Last year, 40 plus tutors worked with the school to support 149 students. 6
Student Aspirations We offer our students a whole-school progressive programme of careers learning and aspirational activities. These enable students to develop the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to make well-informed and considered choices at key transition points. Our programme aims to: Support achievement Increase participation Improve social mobility and Raise students aspirations Throughout Years 12 and 13, careers education activities focus on a wide range of transition activities which include: 1:1 careers interviews with an independent Careers Adviser The Living in the Wider World careers focused PSHEE module Practice interview with professionals Mentoring with business professionals (current partners: Bird and Bird and The Girls Network) On and off-site employability skills workshops Work Experience (this is via a scheduled school programme as well as students being able to take advantage of advertised opportunities either via our partner companies or from other sources) Post 18 Pathway event; one week of timetabled events all linked with opportunities available to students once they finish at CFGS The school s programme of activities is further supplemented by opportunities that are advertised throughout the school year, e.g. with Further & Higher Education institutions and a range of commercial and charitable organisations. 7 Careers, Education, Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) Our students have access to individual or small group impartial CEIAG, either via a structured interview with our allocated Careers Adviser, through weekly drop-in sessions with the Aspirations Manager or through Career In-sight sessions, whereby professionals talk to students about their education and career trajectory. Students have access to a wide range of career resources in the library / study area, as well as through work-shops and our PSHEE program.
From Central to Oxford My application to the University of Oxford stemmed from my time at a residential summer camp which came up through the careers advisor at Central. The two weeks at the camp was funded by the school and my teachers encouraged me to go. Without this support I would not have thought about venturing out of my comfort zone. The camp enabled me to find out a lot more about Law as a subject. I worked with lawyers and attended introductory lectures. Central then supported me in my university application through one-to-one mentoring sessions with former university students and interview practice. The focused UCAS preparation week was very useful in finding out what and where I wanted to study, and what it would entail. The support and advice from my subject teachers and the Academic Learning Coordinator helped shaped my application to the University of Oxford to read Law. After my initial offer, the school further aided me with preparation in what I would be expecting for the whole process. The continuous support at Central Foundation has been amazing, from Year 7 right until the end of Year 13 and even after leaving. The whole school environment is very friendly, safe and extremely supportive and my time at Central is one I will never forget. Nahida, 2017 cohort Studying Health and Social Care has helped me develop many life skills. The course is both challenging and enjoyable. The teachers are very supportive and make sure that you get your desired grade. Kadija 8