E Glande Robur An academic curriculum enabling outstanding examination success and stimulating a lifelong passion for learning. The Grange Sixth Form
Six smart reasons to study at The Grange Sixth Form 1 Our students want to learn The Grange Sixth Form is a community of aspirational young people always seeking to improve their knowledge and skills. Welcome from the Head of Sixth Form The Sixth Form marks a clear transition into an education with greater privileges accompanied by enhanced levels of responsibility. 2 3 Preparation for University and beyond - Students are prepared to compete for admission to Britain s work placements. Small tuition groups - research has demonstrated that working in smaller groups leads to equips our students with the skills required to excel beyond The Grange. We have an enviable academic record in helping our students achieve outstanding results and the majority go on to secure university places at the country s top institutions. greater freedom and independence, to prepare them for life beyond The Grange. Beyond the academic arena there are a broad range of opportunities, including music, drama and sport, which also encourage students to develop their leadership skills. 4 5 6 74% of our students go on to study at top universities - Whether your choice is Architecture, Engineering, History and Politics or Medicine, the majority of our st udents are successful in securing places at the world s top performing universities. our students. Students thrive in our collaborative learning environment. Enrichment and beyond life at The Sixth Form isn t just about study. We want you to enhance development. The modern Sixth Form Centre provides a stimulating atmosphere where students can study, meet and socialise; therefore further developing a community spirit based on the principles of self-management as well as collective responsibility. Jamie Walker Tolerance and mutual respect of others are promoted and students are encouraged to Head of Sixth Form support the wider community through volunteering and charitable activities. Above all, the Sixth Form is a happy place where students can develop academic curiosity in a motivating environment. We hope that you enjoy reading this prospectus and want to discover more. Students develop academic curiosity.
81% of students gained an A*- B grade at A level Facilities Our Sixth Form Centre provides a modern and bright base for students to think, communicate, learn and occasionally relax! Results When people visit The Grange we hope that, first and foremost, they will be attracted by our ethos, our values and our heartfelt commitment to a truly holistic education. These are, we firmly believe, the things that mark us out as a school. However, it is also important to stress the excellent A level results establishing us as consistently one of the very best performing schools in the country. What makes us even more proud is that our pupils are, by and large, not all effortlessly academic, meaning that the added value hidden in their performance is really important. Our students consistently achieve higher grades than sophisticated benchmarking data would suggest likely. So, whilst we hope you will choose us primarily for the whole of the educational experience that we offer and for the values that are enshrined in our community, you can also rest assured that our approach yields the results that will enable you to approach the rest of your life with the qualifications and confidence required to flourish. 56% of students achieved nothing lower than an A grade in 2017. The purpose built centre accommodates over 200 Sixth Form students providing a café, common room, quiet work rooms, classrooms and seminar rooms, and a dedicated careers area. Standing in an enclosed area of The Grange Senior School site, the new facility provides a strong sense of Sixth Form identity whilst remaining an integral part of the wider school. This is added to the excellent facilities in the wider school such as the inspiring 350 seat theatre, excellent sports facilities including a running track and all-weather sports pitches, site-wide high bandwidth Wi-Fi connectivity, and the bespoke boathouse on the River Weaver. Small Class Sizes One of the most important features of the Sixth Form at The Grange is that you will be a member of small teaching groups, typically numbering between six and eight but rarely more than 13 students. This enables your teachers to work very closely with you, providing the individual guidance and personalised support that will allow you to reach your potential. 8 students. An average class size of
A Level Reform The Government has completed the introduction of a programme of A level reform, which has now fully replaced `modular A levels (where an A level is made up of Lower Sixth AS exams and Upper Sixth A2 exams) with `linear A levels (where all A level exams are taken at the same time in the Upper Sixth). For your year group, and all subsequent year groups, all A-Levels will be linear. All facilitating subjects (as identified by the Russell Group) are offered, plus other academically demanding options. Core Academic Programme In the Lower Sixth, most students study three A level subjects from an extensive range of options, however it is also possible to study four A levels. We even construct our timetable after options have been selected, so that we are best able to offer all requested combinations. All facilitating subjects (as identified by the Russell Group) are offered, plus other academically demanding options. Our aim is to provide a curriculum that allows our students to access study at a variety of courses at top universities. Should a student elect to take three A levels in the Lower Sixth they will also need to select an additional course which will be taught over one or two years. Study of these courses will provide them with academic breadth and further support them in making a first class application to a leading university, either in the UK or overseas. Option choices for these courses will be made alongside A level choices during the normal options process. Many students will choose to undertake a Level 3 Extended Project Qualification. Others may choose to take up a new GCSE (e.g. Photography), study AS Mathematics to support their other subjects, or participate in the Level 3 Community Sports Leaders programme. EPQ What do you want to do? The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is offered as a Breadth of Study option alongside your core academic subjects and is one of continued popularity and success at our Sixth Form. The EPQ is your chance to look in depth at a topic which interests you. Whilst the qualification is largely self-led you will receive one-to-one mentoring from a member of staff, tuition to develop your research skills and visits to Manchester University library. Top universities are increasingly looking to the EPQ as evidence that prospective students have an inquiring mind and the ability to carry out in-depth and independent research. Our students routinely complete the EPQ with A and A* grades to their name. 93% of EPQ students gained an A grade or above.
...Future leaders equipped to flourish in an ever challenging world Leadership One of the things that The Grange prides itself on is the healthy relationship that exists between Sixth Form students and those lower down the school. One way in which this is manifested is through the many leadership opportunities that exist for our Sixth Formers whether it be offering pastoral support, becoming a Prefect, or and acting as a role model for younger members of the school, or perhaps to act as a Captain, organising sporting, drama or musical event. The Peer Support Scheme The role of a Peer Supporter, open to all Sixth Formers, is to act as a listening ear to any pupil in school, who is seeking support in some way and to help that pupil find solutions to their problems. An active role on the Peer Support Team enables students to acquire and hone a variety of skills including leadership qualities, facilitation skills and teaching skills. A Peer Support role is a great way of getting to know younger members of our school whilst making a very positive impact on our community. Pastoral Care Although we treat you as a young adult, encouraging independence in learning and growing self-reliance, we also understand the need for continued support. You will be part of a small tutor group, the other members of it often sharing a common academic subject. You will work closely with your form tutor who will work to support you with your academic work, encourage your progress and help to resolve any personal concerns that might arise from time to time. The students are expected to play a full part in the school s extensive enrichment programme and are strongly encouraged to assume leadership roles. Liberal Arts From Russian for Beginners to Extra Hard Chemistry there are countless academic enrichment activities that offer something beyond the formal programme of study. You can limber up for Science Olympiads, journey to The Hague to take part in the Model United Nations, crack codes in the Alan Turing Cryptography competition to name but a few! The educational experience is much more than exam results.
Travel broadens the mind Experiencing different cultures, having adventures, seeing things learned in the classroom come to life in the world we provide many opportunities for educational travel with some top class trips, some far-flung and some closer to home. Outdoor Education The school is a true centre of excellence for The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme with an increasing number of Sixth Form students completing their Gold awards each year, including an extended expedition to wild country. Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Reaching Gold Over 25% of Sixth Form students have successfully achieved their gold D of E award whilst studying at The Grange. Sport for All Sport and exercise is an integral part of a Grange Sixth Form education both within the curriculum and as part of an extensive enrichment offering. A new 6m Sports Centre, set for completion Autumn 2018, will provide an outstanding facility to allow for a comprehensive variety of sporting opportunities, including premier netball, badminton, football, basketball courts, Dance studio and a dedicated area for rowing machines and free weights. Our sports teams contest a full complement of fixtures in both regional and national competitions, whilst lunchtime and after-school activities ensure that all are encouraged to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. The Rowing Club provides an inclusive atmosphere and excellent coaching from our bespoke boathouse on the River Weaver.
All the World s a Stage with...life at the Sixth Form isn t just about study. We want you to enhance your time, offering opportunities in areas such as sport, travel, volunteering, creative and personal development. Music and Drama The Grange Theatre, supported by tailor made drama studios and music facilities, provides a fantastic space for the dramatic and musical arts to flourish. Sixth Formers have the opportunity every year to participate, whether on stage or behind the scenes, in our very well regarded productions. There are a wide range of opportunities for musical endeavours with expert tuition and a busy schedule of choral and orchestral events including tours to Edinburgh and Dublin and a weekend away at Ilam Hall. Community & Charity There is a strong community and charity focus at The Grange and plenty of opportunities to get involved with these activities. You may wish to get involved with organising fun events for Fairtrade Fortnight ; perhaps you would like to enable disabled people to experience the liberating thrill of horse riding; or maybe you would like to work with older people in the community? One of the big projects we are involved in is Project Gambia. The scheme, which has been running for over fifteen years, supports the development of education in the Gambian town of Brikama. It is estimated that Project Gambia has provided education for 3,500 young Gambian people and positively impacted over 7,000 people in the area through employment and opportunities. The 20 students who go on the annual Gambia trip to help build school buildings and experience life in The Gambia, universally report that it is a life changing experience. Preparing for Tomorrow, Today Beyond The Grange We are very aware that the next stop after The Grange Sixth Form for many of our students is university and we believe that one of our real strengths is the support we provide to students in preparation for Higher Education. Practically the first thing students do upon joining the Sixth Form is to go on a residential weekend at Lancaster University where you will get a taste of university life whilst bonding with your fellow Sixth Formers and Tutors. We are also aware that the UCAS process is daunting for many students with many decisions to be made. We pride ourselves on supporting you in your preparation with a team of experienced advisors on hand to assist. We also have a full programme of academic enrichment to challenge and support you in your learning at A level and beyond. As well as subject-specific opportunities, there is comprehensive and personalised mentoring to help you with applications to highly competitive courses, including Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group and overseas universities. Careers Our Careers Department is a good starting point and is supported by your Tutor, Head of Year and Head of Sixth Form. The biennial Careers Conference is a major event in which guest speakers and representatives from every industry give valuable insight into their chosen fields. Apprenticeships Not going to university? The transition to University is not an automatic decision. Some of our students will d e c i d e t h a t t h e y w i s h t o t a k e a y e a r o u t b e f o re d e c i d i n g w h e t h e r o r n o t t o c o n t i n u e their education. Others may feel ready for the world of work. Increasingly, apprenticeships are providing a vehicle for students to continue to learn whilst they earn. Many large and small businesses, across a wide range of industries, are offering comprehensive apprenticeship programmes from foundation level through to degree level. At The Grange we recognise students need to find their own individual pathway. We help guide and support our students through the application and interview process, helping them to secure a future that matches their aspirations.
Joining the Sixth Form Our Sixth Form comprises around 200 students and we are delighted to welcome an increasing number who transfer into the Sixth Form from other schools. Entry requirements Our standard academic entry requirements into the Sixth Form at The Grange School are: Students should secure Grade A or A* in the three or four subjects to be studied at A level. Where the subject is not offered at GCSE (e.g. Economics), we would expect to see evidence of Grade A or A* in related subjects. These results should be accompanied with a minimum of a B grade in all other subjects studied at GCSE. Bursaries New entrants to the Sixth Form can apply for Bursary funding, which is awarded depending on household income. A number of bursaries will be available each year. Scholarships The award carries a high degree of academic prestige with successful scholars receiving public recognition. The scholarships are awarded to two students annually based on their performance in the Sixth Form Scholarship Examination, performance at GCSE and overall character, behaviour and attitude towards their studies. Get an Insight into our Sixth Form Demand for places at The Grange Sixth Form has grown over recent years, both from other independent and, increasingly maintained schools. As well as attendance at one of the Sixth Form Insight Days, offers are based on the expectation that candidates will achieve the entry requirement. Places will be offered only on receipt of a confidential report from the applicant s current school. We encourage all prospective students to attend our Open Morning in September and our Sixth Form Open Evening in November Attend a Sixth Form Insight Day Sixth Form Insight Days take place in the Autumn and Spring Terms, the day is a formal part of the assessment process for entry into The Grange Sixth Form. During the course of the day, students and their parents will have the opportunity to get a more in-depth look at The Grange and meet with existing Sixth Form pupils. Applicants are interviewed by both the Head and Head of Sixth Form, along with the relevant Head of Department from the candidates chosen A level subjects. The school will assess both the aptitude and attitude of all candidates with a view to making an offer of a place where appropriate.
E Glande Robur An academic curriculum enabling outstanding examination success and stimulating a lifelong passion for learning. The Grange Sixth Form The Grange Sixth Form Bradburns Lane, Hartford, Cheshire, CW8 1LU office@grange.org.uk t: 01606 539039 www.grange.org.uk @grangeschoolhartford @grangehartford