Gordon s School Sixth Form INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS September 2015
The Sixth Form at Gordon s The Sixth Form is a high achieving, invigorating place to start your post-16 education. If you have the academic qualifications as well as the maturity and self-discipline to participate successfully in the life of the Sixth Form we look forward to welcoming you to the warm, friendly and purposeful environment which is Gordon s School. The Key Stage 5 curriculum entitlement includes a broad range of AS and A Level subjects. All these subjects will be delivered from September 2015. Art and Design Biology Business Chemistry Design and Technology Drama and Theatre Studies Economics English Language and Literature English Literature French Geography German History Mathematics Further Mathematics Media Music Physical Education Physics Psychology Spanish Those subjects underlined will be delivered as reformed AS and A Levels from September 2015. Further details of these qualifications can be found on page 4. In Year 12, students choose four or five AS Level subjects from the above list. All Year 13 students follow a minimum of three A Level subjects although some students may choose to follow four. Entry Requirements The minimum academic requirements to join the Sixth Form are: 1. A minimum of five GCSE grades A* to C, with at least a C grade in English language and Mathematics PLUS 2. The grade criteria for individual subjects as outlined on page 10 in this booklet 3
National AS LEVEL and A level reform AS and A Level qualifications are changing. The first set of reformed qualifications will be delivered nationally, from September 2015, in the following subjects: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, English Language & Literature, Art & Design, Business, Computer Science, Economics, History, Sociology and Psychology. Those subjects underlined will be delivered at Gordon s Sixth Form. All remaining AS and A Levels will be unchanged both in terms of content and assessment throughout 2015-16. A further group of AS and A Level subjects will change with effect from September 2016 and 2017. The key changes to take effect from September 2015 are summarised below: AS qualifications and A Levels are decoupled AS qualifications will be completely free standing. No longer will students AS qualifications contribute to the full A Level. AS and A Levels will be assessed at the end of the course Modular assessment no longer exists (and has not for a year now) meaning that all AS and A Level qualifications are linear with public examinations occurring at the end of the course. AS qualifications can be designed to be taught alongside A Levels Examination boards will be able to design AS qualifications so schools and colleges can (if they wish) teach them alongside the first year of the A Level in that subject. AS qualifications will be examination-only whilst some A Levels will have some nonexamination assessment With the exception of Art & Design, all AS subjects listed for first teaching in 2015 will be examination only. However, certain A Level subjects will continue to have non-examination assessment as part of the final A Level assessment. What are the implications for Gordon s Sixth Form? Over the course of the 2014-15 academic year Heads of Department in conjunction with Deputy Head (Curriculum) will review all the AS and A Level subject specifications from the main examination boards. It is envisaged that the Sixth Form will produce its traditional Year 12 subject information booklet by the end of the Spring Term 2015. This will detail the examination board, specification content, assessment objectives, public examination format and typical candidate characteristics for each AS and A Level. 4
The Sixth Form at Gordon s School We value each individual, encouraging and supporting every student to make the most of their many talents. We expect our students to take every opportunity to ensure that they fulfil their academic potential and develop into confident, well-rounded young people, ready to take their place in the world. Gordon s School strongly believes that student success flourishes in an ethos built on courtesy, common sense and personal safety. The highest standards of behaviour and dress are expected from sixth formers who are seen as role-models by younger pupils. For this reason smart dress, punctuality and excellent behaviour are essential. High academic expectations are a hallmark of Gordon s but should mean more than simply good examination results; students should become increasingly engaged in learning and the world around them. With this in mind Period Seven and subject-based opportunities are available for all students to extend their learning and go beyond what is expected. Examples include, a full range of sports, cooking for university, debating, LAMDA and the Extended Project Qualification. Private study rooms are provided for all sixth formers and furnished with computers with internet access. The library and Sixth Form Centre ICT suites are also designated for Sixth Form private study and students are able to work in there during study periods and after school until 7.30pm. Advanced study extends far beyond the classroom and students are expected to develop an understanding of their subjects through wider reading and research outside the curriculum. Wider reading lists, as well as study skills advice and revision booklets, are issued by all subjects. We provide extensive guidance and support to students making higher education and career choices including: career-industry talks, Higher Education visits, an extensive Oxbridge programme and structured tutor assistance with UCAS applications. All students receive access to our dedicated careers service with one-to-one meetings and free psychometric assessment. Students are also encouraged to lead and contribute to school life by: Acting as Senior Prefects, including Head Boy and Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy and Deputy Head Girl Supporting students and staff in their Houses as Prefects, House Captains and Student Heads of House Working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Awards Participating in competitive sport and assuming leadership roles in senior teams Working with younger pupils as peer teachers Joining the CCF and other Period Seven activities, acting as coaches, assistants and officials Representing the school on formal occasions Working towards the Sports Leaders Award, including assisting and coaching younger pupils at Gordon s and the local primary schools 5
Gordon s Sixth Form Admissions Timeline Date September October October October onwards 7th November November 5th December December January End of January February Half-Term July 20th August Late August First day of Term Descriptor Invitations sent for Sixth Form Open Evening Sixth Form Open Evening AS Level Taster morning for Year 11 internal applicants Sixth Form External Applicant Tours including school tours, information talk and an interview for external applicants Internal application on-time deadline All applicant interviews begin External application on-time deadline Conditional offer of a place in the Sixth Form 2nd Sixth Form interviews for internal applicants based on mock results Conditional offer of a course of study in the Sixth Form Deadline for acceptance of offer for all applicants AS Level Induction Day GCSE Results Day Enrolment Day for Day and local Residential Boarders including subject confirmation based on proof of GCSE grades Enrolment Day for all other Residential Boarders including subject confirmation based on proof of GCSE grades 6
2014 AS and A level Results - attainment AS Level A Level Grade Gordon s % National % Grade Gordon s % National % A 33.5 19.9 A*- A 31.6 26.0 A - B 56.6 40.2 A* - B 63.2 52.4 A - C 76.9 61.4 A* - C 85.4 76.7 These results place Gordon s in the top 100 non-selective schools (Daily Telegraph, 2014) 2014 AS Level Results Progress 2014 A Level Results progress Student progress From 2012-2014 the progress that Gordon s students have made at AS Level is equivalent to the top 15% nationally. Student progress From 2012-2014 the progress that Gordon s students have made at A Level is equivalent to the top 20% nationally. 7
Year 13 Destinations 2014 8 Forename University / Destination Subject/comment 1 Amber University of Durham History 2 Sophie University of Leeds History 3 Izora Gap: Work experience for law Apply 2015 4 Samuel Gap: Work experience for medicine Apply 2015 5 Cameron Gap: America Young Leader Apply 2015 6 Jack Work Media Com London 7 Zoe University of Leeds History 8 Oliver Gap Year Apply 2015 9 Michael University of Cambridge Natural Sciences 10 Henry University of Delft, Holland Engineering 11 Natasha University of Oxford Brookes Accounts & Finance 12 Nick University of Manchester Architecture 13 Ella University of Canterbury, Christ Church Marketing 14 Alexander University of Surrey Acting 15 Christopher University of Sussex Psychology 16 Hannah University of Cardiff Chemistry 17 Richard University of Cardiff Biochemistry 18 Jake University of Swansea Zoology 19 Benjamin Queen Mary University of London Business Management 20 Benjamin University of Liverpool Physics 21 Caroline University of Bristol English 22 Katrina University of Bath Spa Creative Media Practice 23 Natasha Work British Airways 24 Jasmine University of Southampton English 25 Jack University of Plymouth Business 26 Jacob Gap Year Apply 2015 27 Danielle University of Bangor Adult Nursing 28 Josephine University of Bristol Dentistry 29 Laura University of York Film & TV Production 30 Brittany University of Loughborough Management Science 31 Priscilla University of Bournemouth Nutrition 32 Fleur Gap Year Apply 2015 33 Promise University of Southampton Law 34 Samuel University of Kent Physics 35 Brittany University of Kingston Business 36 Savannah University of Kingston Psychology 37 Madelaine University of Southampton English 38 Cameron University of Aberystwyth Zoology 39 Louise University of Durham Modern Languages 40 Omar University of Surrey Physics with Astronomy 41 Oliver University of Bath Spa Music 42 Guy University of Bath Mathematics 43 Jack University of Manchester Metropolitan Psychology
44 Aoife University of Sheffield Biomedical Science 45 Eve University of Cardiff English Language 46 Daisy University of Bournemouth Retail Management 47 Sanah University of Hertfordshire Pharmacy 48 Olivia University of Cardiff English Literature 49 George University of West of England, Bristol Architecture 50 Alexander University of Oxford Economics & Management 51 Jamie Work TBC 52 Henry University of Loughborough Electrical Engineering 53 Nichola University of Kent English Lit. & Language 54 Lydia University of West of England, Bristol Midwifery 55 Henry University of West of England, Bristol International Business 56 Jacob Gap Year Apply 2015 57 Aaron Gap Year Apply 2015 58 Aidan University of Plymouth International Business 59 Jennifer Gap Year Apply 2015 60 Damon University of Southampton Engineering 61 Daniel University of Swansea Business Management 62 Katherine University of Swansea Business Management 63 Charlotte University of West of England, Bristol Psychology 64 Anisa University of Liverpool Psychology 65 Amelia University of Cardiff Earth & Environ. Science 66 Elle University of Southampton Psychology 67 Yasmin University of Newcastle English Literature 68 William University of Leeds Communications & Media 69 Jessica Gap Year: work experience in media Apply 2015 70 Susannah University of Bristol Civil Engineering 71 Connor University of West of England, Bristol Business & Management 72 Kathryn University of Southampton Electrical Engineering 73 Henry University of Bangor Zoology & Herpetology 74 Murray University of Bournemouth Communications & Media 75 Abigail University of Essex English Language 76 Bethany University of Sheffield Bio Chemistry 77 James University of Southampton Maths & Economics 78 Charlotte TBC 79 Cecily University of Newcastle English Literature 80 Samuel University of Swansea Business Management 81 Matthew University of Leicester Economics 82 Imogen University of Plymouth Geography NB - RED = Russell Group BLUE = Old 1994 Group 69 of 82 students applied to universities (84%), of which 52% (36) gained places at Russell Group/1994 Group Universities. 9
SIXTH FORM SUBJECT CHOICES: SUPPORTING INFORMATION 2015-2016 Art Biology Subject Notes Business Studies RG Should not be taken alone for Architecture; Mathematics and/or Physics also required Needed for some Sports Science subjects at university. Highly recommended for medicine RG See Economics. GCSE grade B in History or Geography strongly recommended if studied Minimum Entry Requirements: 5 GCSE A*- C including Grade C in English Language and Mathematics plus a minimum of: GCSE grade B in Art GCSE grade A in Biology or Additional Science GCSE grade B if studied. GCSE grade B in English Language and Mathematics if not Chemistry Required for Medicine GCSE grade A in Chemistry or Additional Science Design & Technology RG GCSE grade B in Technology if studied. GCSE grade B in Mathematics if not Economics LSE forbids Economics in combination with Business Studies. It is not recommended to take Business Studies and Economics GCSE grade B in Economics if studied. GCSE grade B in Business Studies if studied. Also GCSE grade A in Mathematics and grade B in English Language English Language & The study of how language works, alongside prose, poetry and Literature drama GCSE grade B in English Language and English Literature English Literature Prose, poetry and drama GCSE grade B in English Language and English Literature French Reading, writing, listening and speaking GCSE grade B in French German Reading, writing, listening and speaking GCSE grade B in German Geography Biology usually needed if planning to study Geology at university GCSE grade B in Geography History French Revolution and British History of the 15 th, 17 th and 19 th GCSE grade B if studied. GCSE grade B in English Language and English centuries Literature if not Mathematics Best results with Physics. Both subjects required for Physics or GCSE grade A in Mathematics and bridging assessment success required. Engineering. Further Mathematics also needed if Mathematics to be Further details available throughout 2014/15 studied at a Russell Group University Further Mathematics Only if doing full AS Level Mathematics. A* GCSE Mathematics strongly recommended GCSE grade A Mathematics and must study AS Level Mathematics Media Studies RG GCSE grade B in English Language Music Mathematics needed to study Music Technology at some universities GCSE grade B Music plus grade 5 or 6 instrument Physical Education RG 40% of final AS/A Level grade is practical. Students should, GCSE grade B in GCSE PE if studied. GCSE grade B in English Language ideally, be regularly competing at school 1st team standard and Mathematics if not Physics Both Mathematics and Physics needed for Physics or Engineering GCSE grade A in Physics or Additional Science and must take AS Level at most universities Mathematics Psychology Strongly recommended to be taken with other Science subject(s) as GCSE grade B in Mathematics, Additional or two separate Sciences and some Psychology degrees require this English Language Spanish Reading, writing, listening and speaking GCSE grade B in Spanish Theatre Studies RG GCSE grade B if studied. GCSE grade B in English Language and English Literature if not Supporting information: 1. All students take a minimum of 4 AS Levels in Year 12 and 3 A Levels in Year 13. Students cannot study a combination of AS and A Levels. 2. For the Sciences, GCSE Core Science, is not part of the minimum entry requirement. 3. RG = Subjects on Russell Group warning list. Consider accompanying these subjects with facilitating subjects when applying to RG Universities. 4. Russell Group facilitating subjects are: Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Geography, Modern and Classical languages and English Literature. Students are advised to research this area before selecting subjects. 5. Consider a complementary fourth subject ie Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Design Technology 10
Sixth Form at Gordon s School Gordon s School West End Woking Surrey GU24 9PT Tel: 01276 858084 Email: registrar@gordons.surrey.sch.uk