Gillingham School Sixth Form

Gillingham School Sixth Form Where you study for your success Prospectus 2018/19

Contents Headteacher s Introduction - page 3 Welcome from the Heads of Sixth Form - page 5 Enrichment Programme - page 6 Study Visits - page 7 Supporting You - page 8 Entry Requirements - page 13-17 Foundation/Intermediate Level Curriculum - page 18-19 How Do I Apply? - page 20 Entry into Year 13 - page 21 Frequently Asked Questions - page 22 Campus Guide - page 23

Headteacher s introduction 3 Thank you for your interest in Gillingham School. I hope you will enjoy reading our prospectus and find it informative and helpful. Post 16-education has been through significant change in recent years but we are delighted with the range of courses we are able to offer and are confident that you will find the key information that you need in this prospectus. Visit us on a typical day and you will see students engaged in lessons in around 30 A Level subjects, BTEC qualifications and a range of Level 2 courses and work related opportunities. Between lessons students will be supported by timetabled independent study lessons in designated Sixth Form study areas (with more than 60 computer stations, WIFI, and an impressive range of written resources) or in specialist practical areas such as Art or Design. At break times, lunchtimes or any other free moments the Sixth Form Canteen provides opportunities to relax, socialise and refuel! If you spent a whole year with us, you would see even more: field visits to the battlefields of World War I, to Science Centres in Belgium and, closer to home, North Devon, London Theatres and the Houses of Parliament; sports teams seeing the culmination of years of team work progressing to the finals of major championships; individuals taking challenging roles in Bonnie and Clyde the most recent of our highly acclaimed school productions. You would find students giving something back to their school or the local community- by acting as mentors to younger pupils, serving on the Student Council, raising significant funds for their chosen charity, or showing prospective new parents around the school. You would find them looking forward to opportunities such as our Christmas Extravaganza, Activities Day or even our bi-annual surf trip to Santander in Spain. Visit us in August and you will find students celebrating excellent examination results, excited to be taking their next steps into work, apprenticeship or university. We are fortunate to have a beautiful and spacious campus with many fine buildings, but it is the students that really make the school what it is. Visitors touring the school comment on its happy and purposeful atmosphere, which I believe comes from the warm relationships between staff, students and families, creating a community where each person is valued, can flourish and fulfil their potential. I look forward to welcoming you to Gillingham School. Mr Paul Nicholson

Sixth Form Committee

Welcome from the Heads of Sixth Form 5 Gillingham Sixth Form is a great place to be. It is friendly and fun but we also work hard and take pride in all that we do. At Gillingham you will STUDY for your success. We have an experienced and committed team who will give you all the support and encouragement you need but we will also require you to take responsibility for your own learning and develop a conscientious attitude to your studies. When you are not in lessons you will have the opportunity to enjoy some social time in our excellent Sixth Form canteen but you will also be timetabled into one of our study areas. These are places where an academic atmosphere flourishes and you will have the chance to really get to grips with your programme of study, enabling you to get the best possible results in your exams. As joint Heads of Sixth Form each of us takes care of the day to day needs of the students in our year group. In addition you will have a Tutor who you will meet with twice a day. Your Tutor will be really important to you and will be the first line of contact for you and your parents and will support you and advise you as you make your way through the Sixth Form. As part of our Tutorial Programme you will experience advice and encouragement from a wide range of speakers and organisations as well as engaging with material on a host of issues relevant to young adults. You will receive instruction to help you develop your study skills and will have time for one-to-one sessions with your Tutor. We work hard to prepare you thoroughly for your future pathway. Whether it be University where there is specialist support offered to Oxbridge and Russell Group candidates apprenticeships or the world of work, we will guide you through the necessary steps and help you to secure the place you are applying for. Mrs Natalie Cross Mr Tim Godfrey

6 Enrichment Programme We are proud of our extensive range of enrichment opportunities and we are convinced that taking part in the activities we offer will enhance your personal profile when moving on from Gillingham School. Hopefully, in our enrichment programme you should find something to tempt you no matter what your interests. We will encourage you to take part in social events and charitable activities such as our annual Christmas time Extravaganza and to develop your interests, whether sporting, musical or artistic. The school has excellent sporting facilities. Many students take part in sport for exercise and enjoyment alone, whilst others are members of one or more of our successful school teams. Wednesday afternoons comprise of an optional range of enrichment activities, from traditional sports, to swimming, going to the gym, taking part in the 10Km running challenge, climbing, mountain biking and many other activities. There are plenty of opportunities to be involved in drama and music events and activities. Our Creative Arts Faculty run a comprehensive programme of enrichment. The school has an active music life including school musicals, concerts, music groups/clubs and instrumental tuition. Every other year there is a music trip abroad and in 2016 our students performed in Prague; in 2018 the destination is Tuscany. The drama department arranges theatre visits, school productions and students are able to participate in theatre workshops with visiting professionals. We very much value students opinions and we rely on their contributions to help run various school events. Our Sixth Formers are able to take on a variety of positions of responsibility, such as Head Boy and Girl or become leading members of the School Council. We offer paid employment to Sixth Formers to help supervise lower school students at lunchtimes. Sixth Formers are given the opportunity to train as mentors and peer tutors so that they can assist lower school students with their studies.

7 Sixth Form Trips Surf trip to Santander, Spain Parliament, London (Government and Politics) Battlefields Belgium (History) North Devon (Geography) Pitt Rivers Museum (Art) Tate and V&A (Art) Studland Bay (Biology) Yeovilton Student Conference (Science) English Writing Trip London (English) Music Tour, Tuscany Theatre Visits (around 4 trips a year) Water sports Thorpe Park Surfing in North Devon London Cultural Trip Chalke Valley History Festival Annual Oxbridge Conference UCAS Convention Southampton University Visit French and German Exchange

8 Supporting You We provide a first-class pastoral care system and place great emphasis on supporting and guiding you personally and academically. You are important to us and we will do everything we can to try to make your time here as enjoyable and productive as possible. We pride ourselves on our welcoming and supportive atmosphere. The majority of our Year 11 students choose to remain with us and we are always delighted to meet students who have studied at other schools and colleges. New comers are always made to feel welcome and soon feel right at home in Gillingham Sixth Form. Academically, we will monitor your progress carefully and offer support when needed. There is a fortnightly academic tutor period when you will have the opportunity to discuss your progress and future plans. We aim where possible to cater for the needs of all students. If you have specific learning needs (e.g. dyslexia, hearing or visual difficulty) ask to see the Learning Support Co-ordinator (Miss Scriven) who will discuss your needs in confidence. Please let us know as early as possible about your requirements, so that careful consideration can be given to the best way of assisting you. We ve developed a pastoral curriculum focusing on things like healthy sex and relationships, safer driving, alcohol and drugs awareness, being safe online and other important issues. There is access to a professional counsellor and financial support, if required, from the school s bursary fund and trust funds. We greatly value parental support and try to establish excellent lines of communication. We will invite you to our Sixth Form Parents evening where you will be able to discuss your child s progress with each of their teachers and we will send home monitoring results and reports as well as news of any rewards or concerns.

A Level Entry Requirements 11 Students who wish to study three A Levels are required to achieve six or more GCSEs grades 4-9 (C A*). To qualify for entry to study four A Level courses students must gain an average grade of 7 (A) or above for all their subjects at GCSE. Students who have gained 5 grade 4s at GCSE will be permitted to study at least one BTEC or A Level course alongside GCSE courses. Some subjects require students to have a particular grade in certain GCSE subject(s). If you have not attained a grade 4 pass in GCSE Maths and English you will be expected to re-sit as part of your programme of learning. Students with non-gcse qualifications such as BTECs or Diplomas will be guided on their choices on an individual basis. Remember that short course GCSEs do not count as a whole GCSE. An acceptance onto all of our courses will require a commitment to do your best and an agreement to follow the Gillingham School Sixth Form Code of Conduct. Students wishing to proceed from our Sixth Form Level 2 programme of study onto A Level courses will need to have demonstrated strong academic progress and shown a commitment to their studies. It would be expected that they will have achieved a grade 4 (C grade) in almost all of the GCSEs taken during the year. Ultimately, it will be for the Head of Year to decide whether an individual student is ready to access and achieve at A Level. For example, a student who has spent an additional year studying extra GCSEs may not be permitted to study A levels, even if they have achieved six grade 4s in total, if they failed to gain mostly grade 4s or equivalent in the additional year of study.

12 Exam Boards and Specific Subject Entry Requirements Art: Fine Art, 3D, Graphics, Photography, Textiles AQA - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE Art Biology OCR - Linear Grade 5/5 in Combined Science or Grade 5 in GCSE Biology and another science subject; GCSE Maths, higher tier, minimum Grade 5 Business Studies AQA - Linear (AS offered) Grade 5 in Business Studies (if previously studied); Grade 4 in English Language Computing EDUQAS - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE Computer Science (if previously studied) and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths higher tier Chemistry AQA - Linear Grade 5/5 in GCSE Combined Science or Grade 5 in Chemistry and another science subject; GCSE Maths, higher tier, minimum of Grade 5 Design Technology - Product Design EDEXCEL - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE Design subject and Grade 4 in GCSE Maths Economics EDEXCEL - Linear GCSE Maths, higher tier, minimum Grade 5 English Language EDUQAS - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and Literature English Literature EDEXCEL - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE English Language and Literature Fashion and Textiles EDUQAS - Linear C grade in a GCSE Textiles and a Grade 4 in Maths French AQA - Linear Grade 5 in GCSE French Further Mathematics AQA - Linear (AS offered) Grade 7-9 in GCSE Mathematics This counts as two A Levels Geography EDEXCEL - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE Geography and Grade 4 in English and Maths Government and Politics AQA - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE in English Language and either Geography, History, Business Studies or English Literature German AQA - Linear Grade 5 in GCSE German

History OCR - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE History and English Language Mathematics AQA - Linear (AS offered) Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics Media Studies EDUQAS - Linear (AS offered) Grade 4 in GCSE English Language Music EDEXCEL - Linear Grade 5 in GCSE Music Music Technology EDEXCEL - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE Music if studied or a departmental interview if not studied Philosophy AQA - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE PSRE, RS or equivalent and English Language and Literature Physical Education AQA - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE PE ad Grade 4/4 in GCSE Combined Science Must be playing school and club sports Physics AQA - Linear Grade 6/6 in GCSE Combined Science or a Grade 6 in GCSE Physics. You are required to be studying A Level Mathematics alongside this course. Psychology AQA - Linear (AS offered) Grade 4/4 in GCSE Combined Science Spanish AQA - Linear Grade 5 at GCSE Spanish Theatre Studies AQA - Linear Grade 4 in GCSE Drama if studied, Grade 4 in English Language 13 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business Studies Grade 4 in GCSE Business Studies (if previously studied) BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology Two year course assessed at the end of year one and year two. There is no requirement to have studied IT before, but if students have done, they will needs a Grade 4 in GCSE ICT or equivalent. BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science Two year course assessed at the end of year one and year two. Grade 4/4 in Combined Science Level 3 Diploma - Food and Nutrition Grade 4 in a GCSE Design subject or Grade 6 in GCSE Catering (Certified at the end of Year 12) AQA Extended Project Qualification Students studying A Levels can apply to complete an extended project in the Summer term of Year 12

14 The Foundation/Intermediate Level Curriculum This is a programme aimed at building up important skills, obtaining an improved GCSE profile, career planning and personal development. There are no specific entry requirements, but students who gain 5 C grades at GCSE can access one or two Level 3 BTEC or A Level courses alongside Level 2 courses. This will be decided on an individual basis. Mr Godfrey and Mrs Cross will make any final decisions about what is or is not possible. Foundation/Intermediate Level courses can form the first step of a three year programme leading to A Level/ college courses. Some students progress into employment with training or apprenticeships. If students have not gained a grade 4 in GCSE English, Maths and Science, they will be expected to try and improve their progress in these subjects as part of a core curriculum. Students will also study the Preparing for Working Life Qualification and be involved in work experience. Students following the Foundation/Intermediate Curriculum will receive timetabled tutor periods and will have 6-8 timetabled additional study lessons to ensure they receive the utmost support.

15 Core Curriculum Courses There will also be an opportunity to be involved in Wednesday afternoon enrichment activities. The core curriculum: English GCSE or HPQ for students who have attained a grade 5 at GCSE Mathematics GCSE or Business Studies for students who have attained a grade 5 at GCSE Level 2 BTEC Applied Science or Psychology for students who have attained a C grade at GCSE Science AQA Preparing for Working Life qualification Work experience Wednesday afternoon enrichment activities (football, swimming, badminton, etc) Tutorial programme Additional study periods

16 How Do I Apply? If you have any questions at all concerning applications to Gillingham School, you are welcome to contact Mr Tim Godfrey, Mrs Natalie Cross or Mrs Kelly Lever (Sixth Form Admissions), on 01747 822222 or email: klever@gillingham-dorset.co.uk You can also write to the School address: Gillingham School, Hardings Lane, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4QP October 2017 Attend our Sixth Form Information Evening on Wednesday 18th October, where an application form will be available. Application deadline is Monday 26th February 2018. February May 2018 All non-gillingham students need to complete an application form and return it as soon as possible. Upon receipt of each application, a reference will be requested from your current school. You will be emailed inviting you to a guidance interview to discuss your particular subjects of interest; you will also be taken on a guided tour during a normal school day. A formal offer of a place in our Sixth Form may be made to all external students applying to Sixth Form after individual applications have been assessed and a reference received, normally within a couple of weeks of the interview taking place. February May 2018 All Year 11 Gillingham students application forms will be assessed and processed to ensure individuals receive the correct advice and guidance at interview. Interviews for internal students normally take place before Easter to ensure appropriate choice of courses. Students will receive a formal conditional offer in their registers in May. July 2018 An induction pack will be sent out mid-july, which will include: a letter (explaining exactly what you need to do next), Sixth Form code of conduct, admissions form, final course choices form and Year 12 option block information. Please do not return any of the completed forms until after GCSE results have been received on Thursday 23rd August 2018. If you need to contact the school on results day please email Mr Lavis, Mr Godfrey or Mrs Cross who will be available on sixthformentry@gillingham-dorset.co.uk Copies of all the induction information are available on the school webpage. Tuesday 4th September 2018 Enrolment Day: It is very important that you are available on this day. You will be given further advice on subject choices now you have your results and this day will help decide on your courses. On Tuesday 4th September you will be issued your personal timetable.

17 Entry into Year 13 Students will complete a summer mock exam for all of our linear A level courses. If students were to fail any mock exams, then they would be given one opportunity to retake the exam. If they were unable to pass after the retake, then the Head of Department along with the Head of Year would consider if it is in the best interest of an individual to carry on with the course. Where applicable, students working at two or more grades below their aspirational grade (using ALPS/teacher judgement from monitoring) will have to complete a guidance interview to continue into Year 13. Attendance (less than 90%), work ethic (judged using monitoring) and attainment will be discussed, with continuation on the course dependent on criteria set by the Head of Department/Head of Sixth Form. Students who potentially end up with only one A level course in Year 13, and as a result, have the majority of their timetable as Year 12 classes, would be required to re-join Year 12. In exceptional circumstances, students timetables in Year 13 could consist of a minimum of two Year 13 courses and one Year 12 course. There may be cases where circumstances mean a student may have a lighter timetable than outlined above. Special consideration for a few students can be applied at the discretion of the Head of Sixth Form in discussion with the Heads of Departments. Medical issues/illnesses are not automatically grounds for continuing, as it must be in the individual s best interest.

18 Frequently Asked Questions How can I seek help and advice on or after exam results day? On the results day there is usually a team of people available to talk to. Mr Lavis, Mr Godfrey or Mrs Cross will be available by email on sixthformentry@gillingham-dorset.co.uk How long is the school day? We start at 09:00 and end at 15:40. We have a morning break between 11:00 11:20 and lunch is from 13:00 14:00. Can I get any financial help while I am at school? We receive government money each year to help students from low income families with their travel and living expenses. We also have the Butler and Hodgson Awards which can offer financial support for Sixth Form students with the costs of books, trips etc. You can also request help with the cost of transport to school. Please see Mr J Calloway or Mrs H Dixie if you require any financial support. Can I park at school? There are no available parking spaces on the school site; if you drive to school you will have to park elsewhere. Can I move to Gillingham School for Year 13? We will consider each application on an individual basis and only accept students onto a Year 13 programme in very exceptional circumstances. Entry will only be possible if there is room in classes and will be subject to satisfactory references from your previous school/ college. One of the key issues is whether subjects have used the same examination boards in each institution. How many A level subjects should I take? Most students will choose 3 A levels and will not normally be allowed to drop to less than 3. Some students, who have an average points score of 7 or more, can choose to study 4 A levels. However, they will be expected to complete 4 and they will need to carefully consider the large work load associated with 4 A levels. How do I find out more about each course? You need more detailed information to make informed choices. Find out from subject teachers at our Open Evening and if you re an internal student, make good use of the subject carousel. All external applicants are given a tour of the school which includes a visit to the subject areas they have expressed an interest in. You can look up specifications on the exam board websites for more details about syllabus content. How can I find out about transport arrangements? Information about the routes buses take and contact details of the bus company are available on our website, or contact the school office: email Mrs Helen Lewis at hlewis@gillingham-dorset.co.uk If I am not in the school catchment area, will I get a Sixth Form Place? Unlike Years 7-11, we are responsible for entry into Sixth Form and not the local authority. Therefore, subject to entry requirements, references and appropriate course choices, you are likely to gain a place.

19 1. School Lane entrance 2. Hardings Lane entrance 3. Car Park 4. Reception 5. Sixth Form Study Centre 6. Sixth Form Canteen 7. Sixth Form Learning Centre 8. Library

GILLINGHAM SCHOOL HARDINGS LANE GILLINGHAM DORSET SP8 4QP TELEPHONE: 01747 822222 EMAIL: office@gillingham-dorset.co.uk