WREAKE VALLEY SIXTH FORM

WREAKE VALLEY SIXTH FORM

Welcome Wreake Valley Sixth Form Centre is a unique place to study for your A Levels and can offer you the flexibility, independence and responsibility of a college, with the personalised care, support and sense of belonging of a school. The best of both worlds! We are dedicated to helping young people make the transition from studying GCSEs to become confident and skilled A Level students. We are an established and experienced sixth form provision and a popular choice with students from local 11-16 schools, including Wreake Valley Academy. The Sixth Form has a separate centre which is for the sole use of post 16 students with extensive study areas, IT zones, tutorial rooms and a large social area and cafe. We have thought carefully about the suite of A Levels we deliver, and we are proud of the full range of facilitating subjects we offer which have enabled many of our students to follow their career aspirations into medicine, law, accounting, engineering and business. Many of our students now attend Russell Group universities and there are an increasing number who are making successful applications to higher and degree level apprenticeships. We also offer a good range of vocational courses and believe that our Level 3 courses can cater for the needs of most students. We are proud of our Sixth Form and welcome visitors to meet the experienced dedicated team of staff, see the excellent facilities and learn more about the exemplary support students receive. 2

Where are we? Wreake Valley Sixth Form Centre is located next to Wreake Valley Academy in Syston on the edge of Leicester City serving North East Leicestershire and Charnwood. The Sixth Form Centre is conveniently situated on the regular bus route that runs between Leicester and Melton Mowbray (Arriva 5a). Students can also use the contract bus which serves the villages of Rearsby, Thrussington, Gaddesby, and Ratcliffe or the buses that collect students from Thurmaston and Hamilton. The train station is a 15 minute walk from the Sixth Form Centre. A6 A46 Fosse Way A46 East Goscote Wreake Valley Academy Syston Barkby Ln Melton Rd Barkby Rd Q borough Rd A6 Soar Valley Academy Thurmaston Rushey Mead Academy Troon Way Barkbythorpe Rd Hamilton Beeby Rd Hamilton College 4

Our Sixth Form Centre Students have use of the dedicated areas and facilities of the Centre. There are large study areas, IT zones and tutorial rooms. The library is spacious and very well stocked with research materials and IT equipment. Students also have their own cafe and large social area. Students can take full advantage of the excellent sports facilities at Wreake Valley, and many students benefit from discounted gym membership at the adjoining leisure centre. 5 5

Care, Support and Guidance There is a dedicated team of staff who work collaboratively to support students in all respects academically, pastorally and with careers guidance. All students are known as individuals and every student is a valued member of the Sixth Form community. We have a committed team of specialist subject teachers who deliver high quality teaching and learning. A real strength is the level of individual support students can expect from their subject teachers. Departments have an open door policy and students are encouraged to seek help and advice with their work. Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor who will work with them throughout their A Levels. The Personal Tutor will help students settle into the Sixth Form, providing care and guidance tailored to the individual needs of students. Tutors will be the first point of contact for parents and will help students in times of personal difficulty. The Centre Manager provides exemplary pastoral care for students and plays a key role in all aspects of the Sixth Form including the organisation of progress interviews, helping students manage work load, and organising extra-curricular activities such as volunteering and charity events. Students are encouraged to be aspirational and are signposted to opportunities 6

Care, Support and Guidance which will support their ambitions through work experience, summer schools, careers and UCAS fairs. The Assistant Principal for the Sixth Form monitors the academic progress of students tracking forecast grades, arranging individual student meetings and helping students to take the necessary action to achieve their target grades or better. Financial support is available through the bursary scheme, details of which are available on our website www.wvacademy.org Opportunities are available for all students to become involved in our wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities. Many of these help students to develop employability skills through volunteering and work experience. In addition students can become subject ambassadors and members of the student and charity council. There are department events such as science conferences, maths challenges, sports clubs, drama productions and residential trips such as those to Cern and Iceland. 7

Enrichment Opportunities We believe that Wreake Valley Sixth Form has a strong community ethos and opportunities are available for all students to become involved in a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities. Many of these help students to develop employability skills through volunteering and work experience. There is a work experience week in the summer term of Year 12. Volunteering: Students are actively encouraged to participate in the volunteering programme. Volunteering activities include being subject mentors, supporting pupils in local primary schools, helping at the Academy promotional events, running sports teams, and supporting school productions. Student Council: There is an active Sixth Form Student Council and all students are welcome to attend. The Council is involved with social events, charity days, and student voice. Educational visits: There are also a wide range of educational trips such as to London, Hunstanton, Cern, Iceland and in 2019 we are hoping to run a trip to Sumatra to work alongside conservationists. Accessing Higher Education, Apprenticeships and Employment: We encourage our students to aim high and be ambitious, and provide a programme of careers information, advice and guidance. We encourage students to take part in outreach opportunities including those provided by local universities, Oxford and Cambridge, attend lectures and career fairs to explore the opportunities of higher level apprenticeships. Our students are supported and guided as individuals to make sure they access lectures, courses, trips and summer schools which are specifically relevant to them. Leadership Opportunities: We encourage all students to take on roles of responsibility and leadership including standing for the School Council and the positions of House Captains. Inspiration for the Future: Throughout the two years we have a number of inspirational speakers, including representatives from local universities and businesses, who will help students think about their next steps. 8

Programme of Study All students follow A Level courses which are studied over two years. Most study three A Levels, however some students with a strong GCSE profile can negotiate to study four A Levels. We support students over the two years to acquire the range of experiences to produce a competitive CV or application for university, an apprenticeship or employment.

How to apply? The decision of where to study for A Levels needs to be carefully considered. To help with this we have a Sixth Form Open Evening in October. Here students can talk to subject specialists, careers teachers and see the Sixth Form Centre facilities. Applications can be made through UCAS Progress or using the Wreake Valley Sixth Form application form which can be found on our website. All applicants will be called for an interview in March and successful applicants will be formally offered a conditional place. Students are invited to two Induction Days in July. During the two days students will experience lessons in their chosen A Levels, familiarise themselves with the Sixth Form Centre and meet the other students who will be joining us. After results day in August all students will have an enrolment interview to confirm subject choices. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a visit or require help with applications. 10

Wreake Valley Academy, Parkstone Road, Syston, Leicester, LE7 1LY Tel: 0116 264 1080 Email: admin@wvacademy.org www.wvacademy.org WVAcademy Wreake Valley Academy