AL YASMINA SCHOOL POST-16 HANDOOK 2014/2015 AL YASMINA SCHOOL STRIVES TO E AN OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL, MAXIMISING THE LEARNING POTENTIAL OF ALL
CONTENTS WELCOME APPLICATION PROCESS ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY CAREERS/HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDANCE CHANGE OF ADDRESS/EMERGENCY CONTACTS COMMUNICATION COURSES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS CURRICULUM DRESS CODE ENRICHMENT EXPECTATIONS EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (ECA) INDEPENDENT LEARNING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT MONITORING/REPORTING MEDICAL PROGRESSION INTO YEAR 13 RESULTS SCHOOL DAY TIMINGS TEACHER ASENCE TECHNOLOGY TRIPS AND VISITS WHERE TO STUDY WORK EXPERIENCE/COMMUNITY SERVICE WORLD CHALLENGE
WELCOME Head f Pst-16: Miss N Fenning (nfenning@alyasmina.sch.ae) Careers Crdinatr - Miss Y Ariff (yariff@alyasmina.sch.ae) Advisr - Mrs Hwell (ahwell@alyasmina.sch.ae) Year 12 Learning Mentrs: Khalifa: Mr McIntyre (mmcintyre@alyasmina.sch.ae) Sultan: Miss Waggett (ewaggett@alyasmina.sch.ae) Zayed: Mr Mallen (gmallen@alyasmina.sch.ae) Year 13 Learning Mentrs: Maktum: Miss Stephensn (cstephensn@alyasmina.sch. ae) Nayhan: Mrs S Wd (sarahwd@alyasmina.sch.ae) APPLICATION PROCESS December: Pst-16 Optins Evening February: Students submit their ptin chices February/March: Students meet with Year 11 and Head f Pst-16 t review their ptin chices March: cnditinal ffers made ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY Attendance is directly linked t academic attainment and absence frm schl has an adverse effect n students learning. Evidence suggests that perfrmance at A Level/ TEC can fall by half a grade each year if attendance falls belw 90%. Any student whse attendance falls belw 92% withut a valid reasn will receive a warning letter. Any student with less than 85% attendance will receive a letter hme and parents will be invited int schl. Students register with their Learning Mentr each mrning (7.45am). During this time the Natinal Anthem is played and students receive ntificatin f imprtant events. It is essential that all students are punctual t registratin. It is vital that attendance is recrded accurately fr health and safety purpses. Students must arrive t registratin at 7.45am, failure t d s will result in a late. Fr absences knwn in advance students shuld gain authrisatin frm their Learning Mentr in the first instance. Fr unplanned absences students shuld infrm the schl n the mrning f the absence. Parents shuld prvide a nte explaining the absence r cntact receptin by email/telephne. Overview f the Academic Year Year 12 September Octber Nvember December January Parent Infrmatin Meeting Team uilding Event, Al Frsan PTC Milestne Marking/ Prgress Review CSA begins University Fair Abu Dhabi Art Exhibitin Milestne Marking/ Prgress Review February March April May June Milestne Marking/ Prgress Review Year 13 Mck Exams PTC Subject Reprts CSA ends AS examinatins Study Leave AS/A2 examinatins End f Study Leave: Careers/University preparatin Wrk Experience r Wrld Challenge September Octber Nvember December January Parent Infrmatin Meeting Team uilding Event, Al Frsan University Applicatins PTC Milestne Marking/ Prgress Review University Applicatins Abu Dhabi Art Exhibitin University Applicatins Milestne Marking/ Prgress Review University Applicatins UCAS deadline February March April May June Milestne Marking/ Prgress Review Mck Exams PTC Subject Reprts AS examinatins (AS retakes) Study Leave Leavers Celebratin AS/A2 examinatins (AS retakes) 3
CAREERS/HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDANCE Career prvisin and advice n higher educatin is prvided thrughut Year 12 and 13. Students can access relevant resurces in the library. Students can als make appintments t discuss their ptins with the Careers Adviser and attend sessins as part f a regular ECA. Regular infrmatin n university pen days/fairs is publicised thrugh displays in the Pst-16 Cmmn Rm and Learning Mentr bases. A number f visits frm representatives f universities wrldwide are arranged thrughut the year fr students in Year 12. Infrmatin will als be cmmunicated thrugh the Weekly ulletin Sheet. After the AS examinatins time will be allcated t preparatin fr university applicatins. Students will research university curses and draft persnal statements in preparatin fr making jb and university applicatins. Students wh wish t study in the UK will apply thrugh UCAS. CHANGE OF ADDRESS/ EMERGENCY CONTACTS Please ntify the schl f any change t yur cntact details (address r cntact number) in case f an emergency. This is imprtant t ensure that cmmunicatin is efficient. COMMUNICATION The Weekly Sheet ulletin will be emailed t parents every Thursday during the schl term. This cntains key infrmatin and news relevant t Pst-16. Yu will als receive a letter at the end f each term identifying key highlights f the term and examples f student prgress/ achievement. Imprtant infrmatin is cmmunicated n the Schl Cmmunicatr. Please check Cmmunicatr regularly in rder t access this. COURSES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS In rder t supprt students in making apprpriate chices fr Pst-16 study, we advise that students meet the fllwing entry requirements. In rder t secure a place at Pst-16 students must secure the fllwing grades at GCSE. 5 GCSE subjects Grades A*-C including Maths and English. Students shuld als achieve the specific entry requirements fr individual curses as set ut belw. Subject Maths Science Gegraphy Histry English A Level PE Physclgy DT Drama Art Media Studies Ecnmics usiness Studies Music French Min Grade Required A A Min f grade in English and Science (ilgy) r Maths Min f C grade at GCSE Min f C grade at GCSE Minimum f grade in English C If a student fails t achieve Grade C in Maths and/r English they may still be ffered a place at Pst-16. It will hwever be necessary t meet with the Head f Pst-16 t discuss each individual case. This meeting shuld take place befre the start f the academic year. efre the start f the academic year the examinatin results f each student will be reviewed in rder t assess their suitability fr their chsen curses. It is imprtant that cncerns are addressed early s that supprt can be put in place and that students make infrmed decisins abut their futures. Fr further details n entry requirements fr Pst-16 curses please refer t the Optins Handbk. 4
CURRICULUM Subjects can be taken at an academic level (A Levels) r TEC level (usiness and Technlgy Educatin Cuncil). TEC is a vcatinal qualificatin. A Levels TEC Advanced Year 12 AS Certificate Year 13 A2 Subsidiary Diplma r Duble Award Diplma The majrity f students will study 4 subjects t AS and cntinue with 3 subjects t A2 Level. Sme students chse t study a cmbinatin f AS/A2 Levels and TECS. The number f subjects chsen depends n GCSE marks. The UK standard entry-level requirements are: 5 A*-C grade in GCSE subjects, including Maths and English = 3 subjects studied at AS Level/TEC (minimum f grades in the subjects chsen) 7 A* - grades in GCSE subjects, including Maths and English = 4 subjects at AS Level It is expected that students will study 3 subjects in Year 13. If students drp mre than ne subject in Year 13 they have the ptin f taking an additinal AS Level, timetable permitting. ys: The apprpriate shirt/bluse lack trusers NO DENIM r material that gives the appearance f denim lack V-necked jumper r cardigan (n lgs) lack leather shes (n lgs, n she that resembles a trainer) Shrt hair is acceptable but n shrter than a N 2 barber cut Inapprpriate dress: Trainers r sandals Skin tight trusers/leggings Lgs (n clthing/ftwear) If a student cntinues t wear inapprpriate dress they will be asked t return hme t change. They may return t schl nce they are dressed in the crrect schl unifrm. ENRICHMENT All students in Pst-16 fllw an Enrichment Prgram which invlces a cmbinatin f activities designed t braden knwledge and experiences in preparatin fr adult life. The Enrichment prgram is largelly delivered thrugh class rm based activities but als incrprates activities such as visits t university fairs and team building events. EXPECTATIONS At Pst-16 students enjy greater freedm and privileges than thse in Years 7-11. Students are regarded as yung adults, wh have chsen t study beynd cmpulsry educatin. In light f this it is expected that all students in Pst-16 set an example t yunger students in the schl and take n additinal respnsibilities that reflect their psitin within the student bdy. DRESS CODE Girls: The apprpriate shirt/bluse lack trusers NO DENIM r material that gives the appearance f denim lack skirt (t the knee r lnger) lack V-necked jumper r cardigan (n lgs) lack clsed te shes (sensible heel height) Girls may wear ne small earring in each ear lbe. N ther piercings are permitted Girls may wear make-up and nail plish (discreet) Simple neck chains and discreet rings are permitted Girls may wear their hair dwn It is expected that students: Attend all lessns Apprach the subject teacher if a lessn is missed in rder t catch up n wrk missed e fully prepared/equipped fr lessns Make use f independent study time: have wrk t d during these times and use the study rm as instructed D nt disturb students wh are studying in the library r cmmn/study rm Wear the crrect schl unifrm as detailed in the sectin n dress cde Set an example t yunger students in the schl: abide by all aspects f the schl rules Play their PART: invlve themselves fully in all schl activities 5
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (ECA) All students at Al Yasmina Schl are ffered a range f extra-curricular activities. Students in Pst-16 are encuraged t participate in these. There will als be the pprtunity fr students t cntribute t the running f ECAs. In ding s students develp imprtant skills, many f which are cnsidered valuable by emplyers and universities. Invlvement in the running f an ECA can als cntribute twards their CSA. INDEPENDANT LEARNING At Pst-16 students are expected t take greater respnsibility fr their wn learning. Success at Pst-16 is largely determined by the ability t wrk independently. In additin t time tabled lessns students have a number f free perids, which shuld be used fr independent study. In Year 12, students can study in the library r study/cmmn rm. Students are expected t spend 5 hurs per week fr each subject n independent study. Teachers will direct independent learning but students are als expected t review their class ntes, check their understanding, and read independently arund the tpic being studied. Students shuld never be in a psitin where they have nthing t d. LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Students are expected t respect their learning envirnment and the facilities available t them. Smking and the drinking f alchl are nt permitted in r in the prximity f the schl MONITORING/ REPORTING Target grades At the start f the academic year students will be given target grades fr each subject. Al Yasmina uses the UK Advanced Perfrmance System (ALPS) as its mnitring system. This prvides students with persnalised targets based n their wn ability prfile and analysis n hw students have perfrmed against natinal benchmarks. The target grade set is cnsidered t be aspiratinal. Students in Year 12 & 13 shuld aim t achieve the A2 target grade set. The AS target grade set is the minimum grade students shuld achieve in Year 12. Student prgress will be mnitred against these target grades. During the curse f the year it may be necessary t adjust the target grade set. Subject teachers will judge student prgress against these target grades as part f each Milestne Marking Reprt in rder t give a clear indicatin f hw each student is perfrming. Assessment Student prgress is mnitred thrughut the year. Students are frmally assessed three times and data is reprted thrugh a Milestne Marking reprt. As the first Milestne Marking reprt is set early in the schl year it is be based n student perfrmance in each subject generally and an infrmal piece f assessed wrk. All ther pieces f Milestne Marking are based n an exambased assessment, and marked against exam criteria. Students are given the pprtunity t discuss their perfrmance in each Milestne Marking reprt and set apprpriate targets with their Learning Mentr in a Prgress Review. If there are cncerns abut a student s academic perfrmance a mentr will be assigned t supprt the student fr a fixed perid f time in rder t address their specific needs. Targets will be set and students are expected t wrk with their mentr and/r subject teacher in rder t meet these. If yu have cncerns related t perfrmance in a particular subject, please cntact the Learning Mentr in the first instance. If a student leaves a curse early yu are liable fr the cst f the examinatin fee. 6
MEDICAL If a student is ill during the schl day they must visit the schl nurse. The nurse will determine whether r nt a student needs t g hme r receive medical treatment. We ask that students d nt cntact hme in rder t make their wn arrangements t leave the schl. Students must nt leave the schl fr medical reasns r any ther reasn withut first having seen the schl nurse r Head f Pst-16. RESULTS AS RESULTS DAY We are cnfident that the vast majrity f learners will meet ur entry requirements fr Year 13. Hwever, if a student fails t meet the grade requirements fr entry int Year 13 yu must arrange a meeting with the Head f Pst-16 befre the start f the academic year. Any discussin abut subjects t be drpped/taken in Year 13 shuld take place befre the start f the academic year. PROGRESSION INTO YEAR 13 Students wishing t cntinue int Year 13 are expected t participate in the Enrichment Prgram develped fr students fllwing their AS/TEC examinatins in June. Failure t d s will jepardise their place in Year 13. Students are expected t cllect and cmplete all wrk set. The secnd year f study at A Level r TEC is cnsidered mre academically challenging than the first. Fr this reasn, in rder t cntinue studying a subject at A2 Level students shuld achieve a Grade C in that subject at AS Level, and a Merit grade in TEC curses. If a student achieves a Grade D r Pass in a subject they wish t cntinue with in Year 13 a decisin will be made based n the recmmendatin f the department. A range f factrs will be taken int cnsideratin including attitude t learning and applicatin in that particular subject. It may be necessary t meet with the Curriculum Team Leader and the Head f Pst-16 in rder t discuss the implicatins f this decisin. Students achieving a Grade U will nt be permitted t study that subject at A2. Students interested in applying fr degree curses such as Law and Medicine in UK Universities are required t sit additinal tests. These shuld be rganised by students independently befre the end f Year 12. Subject teachers will be asked t prvide references fr students during the summer term f Year 12. These will then be updated in light f the AS results. Subject references are drawn tgether at the start f Year 13, and an academic reference is written by the Learning Mentr GCSE RESULTS DAY If a student fails t meet the grade requirements fr entry int Pst-16 r the entry requirements fr chsen subjects (as specified in the Year 11 Optins klet) yu must arrange a meeting with the Head f Pst-16 befre the start f the academic year. SCHOOL DAY TIMINGS Students are nt permitted t leave the schl during the schl day unless given permissin t d s. If a student des have permissin t leave the premises befre the end f the schl day they must sign ut at receptin. If they return t the schl they must als sign back in at receptin. TEACHER ASENCE At Pst-16 teacher absences are nt cvered by ther members f staff. Planned teacher absence: students will be infrmed prir t the lessn and apprpriate wrk will be set. Unplanned teacher absence: wrk will be set by the absent member f staff r Curriculum Team Leader and left in the apprpriate classrm fr students t cmplete. 7
TECHNOLOGY Students have access t cmputers in the Pst-16 cmmn/study and library. Hwever, students may chse t bring their wn laptps int schl. These may be used in lessns and/r fr independent study. Students must visit the IT department in rder t request access t Wifi frm their laptps. Mbile phnes are permitted in the Pst-16 area. They must nt be used in lessns withut the permissin f the teachers. Mbile phnes shuld nt be used in the main part f the schl. Please nte that the schl cannt take respnsibility fr persnal cmputers, MP3 players r mbile phnes brught int schl. TRIPS AND VISITS WORK EXPERIENCE/ COMMUNITY SERVICE All students in Year 12 are encuraged t cmplete a Cmmunity Service Award. This invlves a minimum f 20 hurs cmmunity service and students receive a certificate n cmpletin f their service. There are a number f pprtunities t cmplete their CSA within the schl (bth in primary and secndary). Sme students may chse t arrange this independently utside f schl. This must hwever be apprved by Head f Pst-16 t ensure suitability and practicality f arrangements. There is an pprtunity fr students in Year 12 t cmplete wrk experience in the last few weeks f the summer term. Students arrange their wn placements with the supprt f the Careers Advisr. Students will be invlved in a range f visits during the curse f the year. Trips may be rganised as part f the Pst-16 Enrichment prgramme. Students may als wish t take advantage f pprtunities t rganise a visit independently (e.g. University Open Days, the Future Centre). If students wish t g n a visit/attend pen days themselves, we wuld advise that students travel in a grup. They als need t clear such trips with their teachers. It is the students respnsibility t catch up n any wrk missed. Fr visits fr which a charge is made, yu will be ntified as apprpriate. WORLD CHALLENGE Alternatively, in the place f Wrk Experience, students may chse t take part in the Wrld Challenge Expeditin t Uganda WHERE TO STUDY Students can use the cmmn, library r study rm fr independent study. It is essential that students are able t wrk quietly and withut disturbance in the rms. In rder t prvide a purpseful learning envirnments we are ask that students adhere t the fllwing: Wrk quietly (music shuld nt be heard by anyne else; mbile phnes shuld be set t silent). Sensible use f IT (apprpriate fr independent study purpses). N fd r drink. Any student wh fails t adhere t the abve will be asked t leave the cmmn/library/study rm. The study rm is intended fr silent study nly. We ask that all students respect the right f their peers t study in an envirnment that suits their learning style. 8