1 A1 to A2 Transfer Guidance How to decide on your A2 Programme of Study In addition to this information, you should also refer to the following documents on the VLE: 1. A1 to A2 Transfer Student Guide (Powerpoint) 2. A1 to A2 Transfer Student Checklist (Doc) 3. A1 to A2 Transfer Flowchart (PDF) 4. A2 Pathways Outline (PDF) 5. Portfolio Courses Table & Booklet 6. 3rd Subjects Table & Booklet Calendar for A1 to A2 Transfer February and March 2015 Is University for me? Tutorial activity Notification of A1 A2 Transfer timetable to Spring Term students by tutors Transfer system development changes Transfer system tested and ready Monday 15 February - Half Term A1-A2 Transfer formally begins Student Pack on VLE Mon 22 February A1-A2 Transfer icons available to students and staff Online form opens for students Fri 10 March Online form closes for Students 16:30 What is A1 to A2 Transfer? This is the process by which you tell the College which subjects you wish to study from this June and this coming September. You are now over half way through your first year at BHASVIC and will be completing your A1 courses very soon. In tutorial over the next few weeks you will be thinking about progression into the A2 year. In A1 to A2 Transfer you select an A2 Pathway and then build the elements that make up that pathway. You do this through an online form, which your Personal Tutor checks with you. Your tutor will help you select your courses and a pathway to assist you in preparing for your next steps after leaving BHASVIC. If you have any questions, please contact your tutor as soon as possible. What are A2 Pathways? A2 Pathways are BHASVIC s way of bringing together the A2 subjects, qualifications and courses you choose along with what you intend to do when you leave your career or progression plans -
2 and what additional activity you are involved with and support you need to help you get the absolute best out of next year and to help you achieve your longer-term aims. An A2 Pathway consists of: 1. Continuing Subjects (for example, A-levels or the second year of BTECs) 2. Dedicated Tutorial (based on your research and application plans for after BHASVIC) 3. Portfolio and CV building activity (for example, another course or Work Experience) 4. Study Support (whether formal and timetabled or part of the normal Subject Extensions and Tutorial One-to-ones offer) All BHASVIC A2 Pathways are a full-time education offer. It is important to be aware of the FAQs at the end of this document, especially those that explain Entry Requirements into the A2 year. How does A1 to A2 Transfer work? You will have an icon on your College desktop which takes you directly to your form. Following are instructions on the steps to take to complete your A2 Pathway choices. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Choose the subjects you are studying in your A1 year that you wish to continue studying in your A2 year Choose your A2 Pathway Choose your A2 Tutorial Programme Portfolio - choose your Portfolio Course Students needing another subject only - choose another subject Step 1: Choosing Your A2 Subjects It is important that you confirm with the College all the second year subjects you are definitely continuing with. Normally, you will continue with all your subjects into your A2 year. If, however, for some reason you would like to drop one of your subjects, then you ned to discuss this with your Personal Tutor and make sure there is a reason for wanting to do this in the notes field of your form (which your Personal Tutor completes).
3 Please be aware that if you drop a subject when you return to study in June, you will not be able to start that subject again in September, no matter what your exam results are. It is always best to continue with a subject if there is any chance that you might do well in the exams and want to carry on with it in September. If you are studying 4 A level subjects, it is expected that you will continue with all 4 in June and September. If this is not the case, please make sure that you speak with your Personal Tutor and remember that you will not be able to swap to that subject in September if you decide to drop in June. Step 2: Choosing Your A2 Year Pathway You will follow one of five Pathways for your A2 Programme of Study: 1. Work Skills for students who intend to seek work or an apprenticeship when they leave BHASVIC. You should automatically choose the Progressions Options Tutorial in Step 3 below with this option. 2. Portfolio for the majority of students who will be continuing with 3 A-levels (or equivalent). Additional study options will be available to enhance your CV and wider experiences. You will need to complete Step 4 below if you choose this pathway. 3. Four A-levels for students who wish to gain 4 A-level qualifications. 4. Study Support for students: a. requiring Study Support and/or b. studying for a C grade in English or Maths GCSE and/or c. who have a reduced programme of study (less than 3 courses or equivalent) agreed by your Personal Tutor and Guidance Manager Step 3: Choosing Your A2 Year Tutorial Programme You will select one of four Tutorial options: 1. Progression Options for students aiming for employment or an apprenticeship. You can only choose this tutorial if you chose the Work Skills Pathway in Step 2 above. 2. Visual Arts for any student intending to apply for a Visual Arts Foundation course. 3. Medical Careers for students intending to apply for any Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry course (including at Oxford or Cambridge) NB: Tutorial starts in June. 4. Oxbridge for students intending to apply to Oxford or Cambridge for any subject except Medical Careers outlined above. NB: Tutorial starts in June. 5. UCAS for students making Higher Education applications not covered above. It is very important that you choose the right tutorial option. Changing your mind at a later stage is possible but we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate tutorial change requests. Step 4: Choosing a Portfolio Subject You will need to complete this step if you are not studying a fourth A Level, taking Study Support or Work Experience. The Portfolio subject gives you a complete and full-time programme of study, which is an essential requirement for continuing at BHASVIC next year. You need to select a subject that is relevant to your career or progression aims. For example:
4 1. Visual Arts students may choose Life Drawing, Graphics, Textiles, Digital Art or Photography. 2. Sports students may choose Sports Leadership or Nutrition. 3. Dance students will have Dance Technique and Language A2 students will have SOS and Conversation sessions automatically added as Portfolio subject. Refer to the VLE Portfolio Subject Table and the Portfolio Subject Information booklet which outlines which options are subject specific and which are open to all students. Please check carefully that a subject is open to you before selecting it. You may find that one or more of your A2 subjects automatically comes with a Portfolio option, so please check the online information carefully. Students who have Teams or Rehearsals still also need to add a Portfolio subject here in Step 4 as neither of these count as official subjects and do not make up part of your full-time study hours. BACKUP - We cannot guarantee places on any Portfolio subject so please ensure you have chosen a back-up. Every year nearly all students gain a place on their chosen subjects or back-up choices. The most common reasons for not being able to study a chosen Portfolio subject are as follows: Not having chosen a backup that you actually want to study. Not completing the A1 to A2 Transfer Form properly. Step 5: Only for students who do not have a full programme of A2 courses to take through to the second year (eg 3 A Levels, or a Double and Single subject) It is essential that you consult with your Personal Tutor if you are not taking the equivalent of 3 subjects through to your A2 year (for example, 3 A-levels or a BTEC Double Award plus 1 A-level, etc). Students in this situation will need to refer to the 3 rd Subjects Table and the Course Information booklet on the VLE. It is important to note that students taking a new course, such as a BTEC or AS-level will not normally be allowed to take a third year to complete the course. BHASVIC does not offer third years! It is important that you choose a course carefully and consult closely with your Personal Tutor. All third courses need to be written into the notes field of the transfer form and MUST be checked by your Personal Tutor.
5 A1 to A2 Transfer Frequently Asked Questions 1. What are the conditions for continuing to study at BHASVIC in September? You do not automatically gain a place to continue studying at BHASVIC in June/September. There are strict conditions for doing so. These are that you: 1. Have at least 2 A-levels or equivalent subjects to continue** with in September. This involves passing internal and external end of year exams. 2. Do not owe the College any outstanding course charges, fees or attendance charges and to have returned all borrowed books, equipment and other resources from your A1 year. 3. Meet any targets or conditions to continue if you are on a Red Action Plan. 4. Attend all College events, including Progression Day and Enrichment in the Summer Term. 5. Attend your lessons and tutorial fully in the second half of the summer term (if you go on holiday or stop attending any of your lessons it is highly unlikely that you will be allowed to continue studying at BHASVIC in September). **This means that if you do not pass enough of your first year subjects (at Grade E or higher) or a BTEC course (at Pass or higher) and cannot continue with these, it is almost certain that you will not be able to continue studying at BHASVIC. 2. What are the conditions for continuing to study a subject into the A2 year? It is very important that you carefully read the document A1 to A2 Transfer Progression Criteria for the A2 year, which outlines what you need to have achieved to be able to continue into your A2 year in September. If you have any concerns about this aspect of your studies, it is essential that you speak with your Personal Tutor, so that you are aware at the earliest stage of any possible problems. Your tutor can also give you some guidance on your options if there are any problems or risks with your continuation in a subject or at BHASVIC. 4. When do I return to College after A1 Study Leave? College starts again on Monday 13 th June, with the Progression Event. All students continuing their study at BHASVIC must attend this day. Tuesday 14 th June is Enrichment Day and involves Careers activities provided by the departments in which you study. You will choose your activities through an online form. The day is compulsory. 5. How do I know whether I have completed my A1 to A2 Transfer Form correctly? It is very important that you check your form with your Personal Tutor who will sign things off with you or refer you to your Guidance Manager if there are complications or very difficult decisions to make. Your Personal Tutor will have a lot of students to see and sign off, so make sure that you communicate properly with them. Be reliable and turn up to appointments made with them. 6. How can I see my transfer choices? Once the whole process is finished and after Easter, you can view your transfer choices on your profile in Advantage. Your Personal Tutor and subject teachers can also see this.