Why Sixth Form? A Short Guide

Why Sixth Form? A Short Guide

Staff Miss Atkinson: Vice Principal Teaching and Learning Mr Hare: Head of Sixth Form Mr Strain: Assistant Head of Sixth Form Mr McGuigan: Senior Teacher in charge of Careers Mrs Bingham: Head of Department for Careers & Guidance Mr MacManus: Head of Year 12 Mrs Carlisle: Head of Senior School Mr Montgomery Senior Teacher in charge of Timetable

Important Dates Student Options Introduction 19 th January Options Afternoon Wednesday 20 th January Parent Information Evening: 4 th February 2016 Parent/teacher meeting: 9 th February Interview Request by 11 th February One to One interviews: 25 th & 26 th Feb Decision making time 19 th Jan 1st March Option forms handed into the school office on or before 4 th March this deadline must be met

What do I know about Sixth Form? Post 16 Study Two year course Two types of A Level Mix and Match Choices Qualification for Higher or Further Education Access to a professional career

What are the advantages? Offers more time to decide what students want to do in the long term! Offers a pathway to future studies and careers Allows students to pursue subjects that they have enjoyed at GCSE or to pursue new interests Gives opportunities to acquire more life skills Develops confidence and independence

Leave school at 16 Enter the workforce What is the alternative? Pursue Further Education (Belfast Metropolitan College) Vocational route Apprenticeships

Why are A Levels a good idea? Opportunity to go to University or enter FE at a higher level Gives an advantage in the market place for jobs Gives access to a better paid job Gives access to a wider range of career choices

Why are A Levels at Lagan a good idea? Teachers and students know each other Students are comfortable with their environment Top quality facilities Range of subjects offered, 25 in total Extremely high quality of teaching and learning Excellent results - consistently above NI average for A* grades at A2 level in a number of subjects Top performing candidates in Northern Ireland in both Business Studies and Moving Image Arts

Enrichment Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of enrichment activities these build up life skills and enrich the students Post 16 curriculum. Students can choose from: Young Enterprise Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award First Aid Sign Language Personal Safety Mandarin Chinese European Awareness Uni Survival MVRUS

Mediation Mentoring Extra Curricular Wide range of sports : Football, Basketball, Hockey, Netball Volunteering John Paul ll Award Prefect team World Challenge SERVE - South Africa Partnership

Choice of 25 A Level Choice 18 General A Levels: History, Maths, Geography, RE 7 Applied A Levels: Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Moving Image Arts

A Level Choice Changes to some A Levels AS and A2 are no longer linked in England which impacts on 1 subject we offer Art & Design becomes a full 2 year course with no AS level exams. The full grade comes from exams at the end of Year 14 No AS grade gained

What are the main differences between General and Applied A Levels? Both types of A Level are equal in value General A Levels are more traditional and exam based Applied A Levels can be more practical in nature and are assessed differently having a mixture of exams and assignments

Applied A Levels Single or Double Award Double Award Applied A Levels are equal to 2 General A Levels and are counted as separate A Levels for University/UCAS purposes Applied A Levels have their own entry requirements (Identified in Sixth Form options booklet)

Year 13 Entry Requirements To study 3 A Levels 5 Passes at GCSE A* - C, one of which must be English Language, English Literature or Maths. To study 4 A Levels 7 Passes at GCSE A* - C, one of which must be English Language, English Literature or Maths minimum of 24 points from GCSE grades.

Year 13 Entry Requirements Students with the highest GCSE score will be considered in descending order - an applicant s GCSE score being calculated on the basis of GCSE results as follows: A* - 4 points A 3 points B 2 points C 1 point A Grade B in the subject to be studied at A Level

Additional Criteria Good attendance record Good behaviour and attitude Good uniform Commitment shown to the College

Admissions Approximately 110 places Strong Competition Lagan College Students who meet the requirements, will be given priority over students applying from other schools

How many A Levels may be taken? It is possible to take 4 A Levels Most students take 3 A Levels Students can mix and match General with Applied A Levels

Can students take only 2 A Levels? It is not possible to study 2 A Levels unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Career Profiles If I was interested in a career in Business but wanted to travel, what should I study? - Business Studies Double Award - Spanish or French

Career Profile If I was interested in Journalism, what should I study? - You could study English Literature, Sociology and History or Politics, RE and Geography

What do I need to take for professions like. Medicine - A Level Chemistry, Biology & Maths - A Level Physics is useful - 4 AS subjects required

What do I need to take for professions Engineering like. - A Level Maths is compulsory - Chemistry or Physics or both

Primary School Teacher 3 General A Levels Or Mixture of General with Applied A Levels But not Simply Applied A Levels

Application Process? Options Forms given out - Identify preferred choices from a list - Rank order choices ( 1-3) or (1-4) - Include a Reserve choice

What happens in August? Students come to school to collect results Those who meet the requirements with no changes to subject choices will collect an acceptance pack Those who meet the requirements with changes to subject choices will have the opportunity to do this timetable allowing

What happens in August? Students who do not meet all of the criteria, for automatic acceptance, will be asked to attend a guidance interview before leaving the school. We aim to let all students know if they have been given a place by the end of results day. Representatives from the Careers Dept and Careers Service will be in school to offer support and guidance. All students should have a Plan B

What if I really don t know what I want to Students should: do as a career. Choose subjects that keep options open Choose subjects that they like Choose subjects that marry well together

What should I do now? Support the students in meeting the demands of their GCSE courses Work with them to ensure they get the best grades possible At least 5+ A* - C grades or equivalent Encourage them to work hard Look at all alternatives offered for students at Post 16.

Important Dates Student Options Introduction 19 th January Options Afternoon Wednesday 20 th January Parent Information Evening: 4 th February 2016 Parent/teacher meeting: 9 th February Interview Request by 11 th February One to One interviews: 25 th & 26 th Feb Decision making time 19 th Jan 3 rd March Option forms handed into the school office on or before 4 th March this deadline must be met