Bradfield School Sixth Form Prospectus

2017 Bradfield School Sixth Form Prospectus

Opening Statement Our ambition is for the students we teach to be the best they can and, where students want to, that they progress to the top Universities to maximise their employment and career prospects. In partnership with Russell Group Universities, we continue to work hard to realise this ambition and to ensure that, as well as excellent teaching, our students receive the correct guidance and support needed to make successful applications to Higher Education. We are very proud of the achievements made by last year s students. 92% of the students progressed to a University course of their choice. 91% of our students gained 3 or more A-Levels and 46% of the grades were A*-B. Students were also successful in their applications to competitive programmes such as Cambridge University, Dentistry and Medicine. We look forward to building on this success with the students who choose to join us in the future. We offer a range of 23 different A-Level subjects, enabling students to choose subject combinations to progress to all available Higher Education courses. All of our courses are taught by subject specialists with degrees in the subjects they are teaching, and with strong track records in A-Level teaching. Students are also encouraged to integrate work experience placements with their studies in order to gain the practical and transferable skills required for many careers. Students have the choice of choosing three or four A-Level subjects. We expect that most students will specialise to three subjects by the time they enter Y13. All students are also given the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification over the two years, and we are increasingly finding that this improves the quality of student s applications to University and employment opportunities. Sixth Form is not solely about the study of the academic subjects. We offer students a range of enrichment opportunities, improved social facilities and privileges so that our students can enjoy life as a Sixth Form student both inside and outside of the classroom and that they can play a leading role in helping to develop the school. By providing these opportunities alongside a strong curriculum, we believe that Bradfield Sixth Form is an environment where people thrive and where people can make the most of their talents and realise their potential. We hope that this prospectus helps provide you with the information you require and we hope that you will consider studying your chosen subjects at A-Level at Bradfield School Sixth Form. Dr I.Gilbert Acting Headteacher Mr P.Beaumont Head of Sixth Form

Entry Requirements General entry into the Sixth Form is subject to students achieving 5 good GCSE passes (Grade C or above) including English and Maths at grade 4 or above. Additionally, each A-Level subject has a separate entry requirement. This is usually a grade B (or Grade 5 for English and Maths) in the subject at GCSE. Where this subject has not been studied or is not available at GCSE level, a grade B in an equivalent subject is required. The final page of this prospectus tabulates the requirements for each subject offered. Pastoral Support All students are allocated to a Tutor who meets with the students daily. The tutor will be the first point of contact for home-school communication and will monitor academic achievement. Tutors will also advise students and work to resolve any problems they may be encountering. Our team of tutors have successful track records in helping young people take advantage of the opportunities in Sixth Form and to progress to Higher Education, training or employment. Tutors support and monitor the completion of an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) taken by all students. Students who wish to apply to University will be guided through the UCAS application process to Higher Education, where they will be helped to make competitive applications.

Study Facilities Sixth Form students at Bradfield enjoy exclusive use of the Sixth Form Study Area, the Learning Resource Centre and a separate Social Area during their study periods. Students have access to ICT during these study periods as well as the freedom to purchase food and drinks in the Social Area. Students have the freedom to plan their use of private study time around their commitments. The skills developed in planning their time and meeting deadlines are an excellent preparation for University life and we encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. Students can also gain entry to their subject areas during their study periods in order to access specialist equipment and facilities.

Work Experience For many professions, and particularly for law, medicine and teaching, some experience of the workplace will significantly enhance a students application to University courses and it is therefore important to provide this opportunity as part of the Sixth Form curriculum. We support students in finding and accessing suitable placements and experience to help improve the quality of their UCAS applications. We would also encourage students to set up their own placements if they have contacts in a particular profession or a strong desire to gain experience in a particular area. We try to integrate this experience into a student s studies so that their academic progress is being supplemented by experience and skills gained in the workplace.

University Links We enjoy strong partnerships with several Universities, notably Sheffield, York, Oxford and Cambridge. Our students benefit from these partnerships and they help prepare our students for entry into Universities. As well as encouraging students to attend University open days, training them on the UCAS application process we will provide bespoke advice and support for entry into specific careers and undergraduate courses such as medicine, law and dentistry, including support to help pass specific university entrance tests such as LNAT (Law) and UKCAT (Dentistry, Medicine). University of Sheffield: University of York: University of Oxford: University of Cambridge: http://www.shef.ac.uk/ http://www.york.ac.uk/ http://www.ox.ac.uk/ http://www.cam.ac.uk/ Oxbridge We support students who have the ambition and the potential to make applications to Oxford or Cambridge. Students are assisted in the Oxbridge application process through a bespoke programme, supported by staff with experience of preparing students for these institutions and through our strong links both with Magdalen and Hertford Colleges at Oxford and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. We explain the mechanics of the collegiate entry system for these Universities, help prepare students for specific subject entry tests and develop interview technique depending on their chosen degree subject. We also support students who wish to visit these Universities to better understand them.

Enrichment Sixth Form is not all about the subjects you choose. It is a preparation for a more independent life at University and beyond. We aim to foster this preparation at Bradfield through a range of opportunities. In addition to their subjects, students also have the opportunity to study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which gives them the opportunity to get deeply involved in a subject that interests them, to develop research and critical thinking skills, to pull together learning from other subjects and to develop extended writing skills - all of which are hugely valuable preparation for University study as well as providing an excellent starting point for University admissions interviews. There will be opportunities to become involved in extra curricular activities such as Duke of Edinburgh; Young Enterprise; fundraising work for charity; working with younger students at the school; First Aid training; sports teams; being part of and assisting with school productions and performances and becoming involved in the leadership of the Sixth Form.

Careers Support Expert and impartial careers advice and guidance for entry into Higher Education is provided and we continue to use the strong University partnerships for supplementary guidance and support for students. Additionally the work experience programme is strongly linked to students aspirations in order to improve the quality of UCAS applications. The Careers Library and Sixth Form Study Area is well-stocked with all the current prospectuses for Higher Education courses in the UK. In addition to this, students will be trained to use the UCAS website to narrow down their choice of courses for their application. Financial Support Students that would ordinarily receive support for school meals may be eligible for a bursary award, which is dependent on attendance and performance on post-16 courses. All students who join Y12 at Bradfield will be given the relevant information explaining whether they are eligible, and if so how they can claim this award. There are two areas of funding that can be applied for: Priority Groups The following students will be eligible to receive a bursary of 1,200 per year, if agreed standards of behaviour and attendance are met: - Young people who are looked after (in care) - Care leavers - Those young people who receive Income Support (or Universal Credit) - Disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance (or Personal Independence Payments). Bursaries for other Young People These awards will be targeted towards young people facing financial barriers to participation in post-16 education. Agreed standards of behaviour and attendance must be met. Essentially students in households where income is at or below the Free School Meals threshold (currently 16,190) will be eligible to apply. Passing the eligibility test does not guarantee funds.

Dress Code Bradfield Sixth Form imposes no formal dress code on students. However, there are some requirements listed below: Dress should conform to the current majority view in our society of what constitutes decency and must be suitable for a school environment. Revealing clothing e.g. shorts, crop tops, clothes made of transparent materials, would not be appropriate. Health and safety requirements may mean that for certain tasks, specific items of clothing such as overalls, protective clothing, etc. must be worn. Where wearing such items conflicts with a religion or belief, the issue will be sympathetically considered with the aim of finding a satisfactory and safe solution. Wearing clothing with pictures or slogans which are considered discriminatory or offensive is not permitted. These restrictions are in place as some articles of clothing may be regarded as offensive to some staff or students and be regarded as discriminatory in terms of sex or sexual orientation, religious beliefs, racial or ethnic origins, or any other discriminatory grounds.

Sixth Form Entry Requirements for entry in September 2017 General entry into the Sixth Form is subject to students achieving 5 good GCSE passes (Grade C or above) including English and Maths at grade 4. Each A-Level subject has additional criteria listed below: Subject (A-Level) Entry Requirement Alternative Requirements (if GCSE not taken) Art B in GCSE Art (if taken) Evidence of artistic ability Biology B in GCSE Biology B in GCSE Additional Science Business Studies B in GCSE Business Studies (if taken) Chemistry Computer Science Design & Technology Drama English Language B in GCSE Chemistry 5 in GCSE Maths B in GCSE Computing 5 in GCSE Maths B in GCSE Engineering / Product Design B in GCSE Drama Language B in GCSE Additional Science Interview with Head of Subject English Literature Language Literature French B in GCSE French fluency in language Further Maths 6 in GCSE Maths Geography B in GCSE Geography (if taken) History B in GCSE History (if taken) Law Maths Music Philosophy & Ethics (Religious Studies) PE Physics Psychology Politics Sociology 5 in GCSE Maths B in GCSE Music (if taken) Grade 5 in instrument/voice B in GCSE Religious Studies (if taken) B in GCSE PE Evidence of sporting ability B in GCSE Physics 5 in GCSE Maths C in GCSE Biology/Additional Science B in GCSE Citizenship (if taken) Evidence of musical ability Evidence of sporting ability B in GCSE Additional Science Spanish B in GCSE Spanish fluency in language