Welcome to the RMGS Sixth Form Open Evening

Welcome to the RMGS Sixth Form Open Evening

A few headlines 59% A*- B at A Level this summer. Boys and girls achieving equally well. 78% of students going to university; 22% going into employment, training or apprenticeships. June 2014: deemed an Outstanding School in all areas. Happy, resilient, successful and kind students.

Why RMGS? Support academically and personally. Excellent relationships fostering a love of learning for life. Extremely well-qualified and experienced staff. Mixed gender. Access to a wide range of qualifications from A Levels to Pre-U and Young Enterprise. Great facilities. Investors in Careers Mark = exceptionally good advice for university application and other post-a Level options. Develop the whole person with an emphasis on character and growth mindset.

What is 6 th Form like? Transitional period from GCSEs to university/employment. More freedom: no uniform (but six Dress Smartly days) study periods earned privilege of home study in Year13 more self-discipline and responsibility for learning. Full time students studying for 8 hours a day three demanding subjects in Year12 part-time employment?? Regular attendance and keen punctuality are essential. Parents/carers are supporting your education, so we share any concerns discreetly and negotiate solutions. Bursaries to aid study.

We aim to develop the whole individual: Team building events; Young Enterprise (who are outside ready to sell to you!); World Challenge; Work Experience & volunteering; RMGS Enrichment Diploma; Be part of National Citizenship Scheme (NCS) or a Sports Leader; 6 th Form Old School Sports Day for charity; Team sports; Charity week and the famous Rock n Roll concert; Music events; Nuffield Science Awards and Olympiad; The Duke of Edinburgh scheme; House Captain; Prefect in Y13; Central to all this is

A Level Mindset Tutor-time Programme Workbooks Vision: How well do you know what you want to achieve? Mindfulness Effort: How Fridays/mental many hours health of independent work do you do? awareness Systems: Assemblies How do you organise your learning and organise Enrichment your time? & competencies Practice: What kind of work do you do to Research school for the practise your skills? authors Attitude: How do you respond to setbacks?

An appropriate and academically rigorous curriculum: we value suitability over statistics. Universities including Oxford & Cambridge value A Levels and the Pre-U as much as the International Baccalaureate (IB). Inclusive : we don t have exceptionally high entry requirements, as some other grammar schools do, as we feel these exclude often hard-working students. Yet our best students achieve extremely highly and the vast majority get in to their first choice university.

Taryn and Jake Head Girl and Head Boy Life as an RMGS 6 th Former

The Curriculum

New robust linear A Levels Two-year courses with terminal exams; minimal coursework. Three subjects in Year 12 and carry them on to Year 13 making the right choices NOW. Use taster sessions, tonight and careers advice wisely to help you make informed decisions. Some very able students may take four subjects. Study time autonomous and intellectually curious students who use noncontact time to secure and deepen their learning; supported by the school and teaching departments; Independent tasks alongside lessons and hwk; Full-time student first and foremost. Project management across 2 years marathon runners, rather than sprinters. Enrichment programme which builds a portfolio of soft-skills.

RMGS A Level- subject choices Art English Literature PE Biology Film Studies Philosophy and Theology Business Studies Geography Physics Chemistry German Politics Computing History Psychology Design Technology Mathematics & Core Maths Spanish Drama and Theatre Music Sociology Economics Music Technology

Year 12 entry Examination results at GCSE which confirm an adequate base level: at least 8 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English Language and Mathematics and a total point score of 46, based on the applicant s best 8 subject grades (English Language and Maths have to be at level 5 but do not have to be included in the best 8 total point score); Subject choice: most subjects have entry requirements; it is likely that students will be expected to have achieved at least grade 6 in those subjects at GCSE (for the new grading system 6 is the approximate equivalent of B), but some stipulate grade 7 (for the new grading system 7 is the equivalent of A). Please consult the sixth form prospectus for subject entry criteria.

New GCSEs Unreformed GCSES Design Tech, imedia, Economics, Business Studies and Astronomy 9 8 A* = 8.5 7 A= 7 6 B=5.5 5 (strong pass) C= 4 4 (standard pass) D=3

Creative imedia GCSE values Pass = 4 points (C) Merit = 5.5 points (B) Distinction = 7 points (A) Distinction * = 8.5 points (A*)

GCSEs as indicators of A Level grades

GCSE score less than 40 points (just below C or 4) Percent 30 28 26 25 20 15 16 15 Percent 10 9 5 0 1 4 A* A B C D E U

GCSE 40 to 44.2 35 Percent 30 30 27 25 22 20 15 10 8 11 Percent 5 0 0 2 A* A B C D E U

GCSE 44.2 to 49.3 35 30 Percent 31 25 25 20 20 15 14 Percent 10 5 0 5 3 1 A* A B C D E U

GCSE score greater than 49.3 40 Percent 35 35 30 29 25 20 15 15 14 Percent 10 5 0 5 1 0 A* A B C D E U

A Level Mindset Tutor-time Programme Vision: How well do you know what you want to achieve? Data as a starting Effort: How many hours point. of independent work do you do? YOU have control Systems: How do over you effort organise and your learning and organise your working time? practices. Practice: What kind of work do you do to practise your skills? Attitude: How do you respond to setbacks?

So, what do I need to get in? Your best 8 GCSEs will count Ignore the lowest scoring GCSEs English Language 5 (or higher) Maths 5 (or higher) Maths and Eng Lang don t have to be part of best 8 score. Total points of 46 or higher 6 x 6 = 36 (6 high B grades) 2 x 5 = 10 (2 high C grades) Total points of 46 or higher

A student studying 9 subjects 1. Eng Lit 6 2. Eng Lang 5 3. Maths 7 4. Biology 6 5. Chemistry 4 6. Physics 6 7. History 7 8. Economics B = 5.5 points 9. PE 6

A student studying 9 subjects 1. Eng Lit 6 2. Eng Lang 5 3. Maths 7 4. Biology 6 5. Chemistry 4 -ignored as lowest scoring subject 6. Physics 6 7. History 7 8. Economics 5.5 9. PE 6

A student studying 9 subjects 1. Eng Lit 6 2. Eng Lang 5 3. Maths 7 4. Biology 6 5. Physics 6 6. History 7 7. Economics 5.5 8. PE 6

Total points from the example is (4 x 6) + (2 x 7) + (1 x 5) + 5.5 (B grade) = 48.5 total points Comfortably above the requirement of 46 points Just remember, individual AL subjects will have entry requirements too.

Reasons for entry requirements Level of difficulty A programme of three A Levels is hard work. The jump from GCSE in some subjects is especially challenging so the entry requirements reflect this and guide students. Fewer subjects, but they are challenging Students with a best 8 total point score below 46 points are likely to struggle with the pace and academic demands of A Level. So, your Y11 trial exams are really important Consolidate knowledge Time to improve Make the real ones manageable and successful

Extended Project (EPQ) in Year13 Is a recognised Level 3 qualification; most RMGS students opt to write a dissertation on a super-curricular topic which has piqued their interest. Universities think highly of EPQ. It demonstrates independent study skills and expertise in an area of the student s choice. EPQ forms the basis of many personal statements and is often discussed at university interviews. Some universities even amend their offer to reflect high performance in EPQ. Last year there were 26 entrants, 96% A*-B. Of those entrants 81% were at either A* or A.

WHAT IS CORE MATHS? Core Mathematics allows students to develop their knowledge and skills in Mathematics post-16 without studying for an A-Level in Maths. A new Level 3 Mathematics course for students who have achieved a grade 5 or higher at GCSE. It has been created in response to employers and higher education organisations highlighting a need for students to be able to problem-solve and develop their flexibility when working with data. Many students don t realise how difficult the statistical modules at university can be without a foundation of understanding prior to this. Designed to better prepare students for the mathematical demands of work, study and life. Financial Maths, credit cards, mortgages (important maths we can t fit into GCSEs).

WHO IS CORE MATHS FOR? Achieved a level 5 or above in GCSE Maths, but have decided not to study A-Level Maths. It is designed to assist students taking subjects such as psychology, health sciences, geography, sociology and history who would need an understanding of statistical mathematics. Students who wish to study financial maths, business studies and economics. Students who want to build upon and strengthen existing skills. Same UCAS points as an AS Level.

Facilitating Subjects Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, said: Our consistent advice is that taking two facilitating subjects will keep a wide range of degree courses and career options open to you. This is because these are the subjects most commonly required by our universities and hundreds of courses require one or more facilitating subjects.

Facilitating Subjects Mathematics and Further Mathematics English Literature Physics Biology Chemistry Geography History Languages (Classical and Modern)

How do I choose? You should consider: What you are good at; What you enjoy; What you need for your career goals; If you need any advice, ask tonight and then discuss with your PSHE teachers or form tutors in class in the coming months.

Mr Price will be teaching students how to use UCAS Progress in PSHE lessons to apply to other institutions and students will complete our application form for options choices.

APPLYING As an RMGS student if you meet ALL our entry requirements in August (best 8 total point score of 46 plus individual subjects), you will be guaranteed a place in the 6 th form. All students need to apply to us using the Google Form RMGS application form on the website. The deadline for Entry our application to is the February 6 th Half-Term Form 9 th February. Remember, you only use UCASProgress if you are applying to other institutions and some may ask you to apply directly to them so check provider websites too. If think that you might not make our entry requirements, it is vital that you apply to at least one other institution as an insurance offer, by using the www.ucasprogress.com. Check the deadlines carefully some will be December 2017. It is fine to hold up to 3 offers (including us!) and make your decision on results day (although some institutions may pressure you to make your decision sooner). If we don t offer the courses you wish to take here, you will need to apply to other institutions using www.ucasprogress.com now.

Tonight All students and parents: Talk to A Level students and teachers. Listen to talks on new subjects as detailed on your hand-out. New students & parents: 6 th form guides are available to give you a guided tour at the end of this talk and are stationed around the site to help you find your way. Please wait in the Hall if you d like a tour. Please talk to a member of the 6 th Form Team in the Library if you would like more information on applying.

And finally 1. Mrs Hicklin, our Careers Advisor, is available now until 7.30pm in the Library. 2. If you would like a tour, please remain seated while those who don t, leave. 3. Please be seated at the front of the Hall if you are waiting for the Psychology talk at 6.25pm 4. This presentation will be on the school website. 5. Thank you for listening and I wish you an enjoyable and informative evening.