COLLINGHAM
Collingham independent GCSE & SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
WELCOME TO COLLINGHAM Visitors to Collingham often comment on the mixture of friendliness and ambition which meets them – and this is just what we are all about. We aim to gain the best possible results for our students by encouraging a real sense of academic focus and purpose, in an atmosphere which is caring and positive. We are proud of the professional and personalised learning environment that we offer, our tradition of excellent academic delivery and first-class pastoral care. Dr Sally Powell – Principal
Collingham encompasses a range of academic ability and places the focus firmly upon individual needs. We are fortunate in our position overlooking a beautiful and serene garden square in an elegant period building, but still at the heart of central London life. The atmosphere, the building and the quality of the staff make for a unique learning experience.
Our College
Respecting individuality is at the heart of everything we do. At Collingham, there is no such thing as the average student. The GCSE Department is situated at Queen’s Gate Place close to Imperial College and the museums. Founded in 1975, Collingham is an independent GCSE and Sixth Form college. We have about two hundred students from different backgrounds and across the ability range. The elegant main building, originally a large private house, provides an inspiring learning environment that is both homely and spacious. There are twenty-four classrooms set over seven floors, including a large study room, three science laboratories, an art studio and a photography dark room. Each student’s timetable is tailored to accommodate the requirements of the individual with no restriction on subject combinations. Key to this are our small class sizes which allow students to receive specialised individual attention in seminar-style lessons. The average class size is five, and there are no more than eight students in an A level group, nine at GCSE. All students have the opportunity to get involved in extra-curricular activities, including music, a drama club, theatre visits, ski and art trips. At the end of the academic year, Activities Week provides a range of activities for students to enjoy, including film making, debating, mountain climbing and water sports.
“A gem.”
(The Good Schools Guide)
Academic Excellence We provide expert tuition and are uncompromising in our commitment to high academic standards. Collingham tutors offer excellent subject expertise, enthusiasm and approachability. All are graduates in their subject, many with postgraduate qualifications. Some are also examiners. The focus in the classroom is on active participation, with students encouraged to take notes, contribute to discussion, and answer questions. The small class sizes mean that tutors can differentiate classroom questions, as well as homework, to suit the individual and to ensure that each student is being appropriately stretched and challenged. We recognise that it is just as important for our students to learn how, as well as what, to study. Regular workshops throughout the academic year focus on study skills, including essay, revision and examination technique, enabling students to address these vital areas, sharing problems, tips and ideas with their peers.
Students and tutors work hard together in a friendly atmosphere where expectations and boundaries are clear and understood. Collingham’s small classes mean that students receive a considerable amount of individual help and attention. They develop confidence in discussion, an essential skill for university and beyond and any difficulties can be speedily identified and rectified, to enable rapid progress. Our lessons are two hours long with a short break halfway through. This enables effective coverage of the syllabus and ensures that topics are fully addressed without unnecessary interruption.
Good independent study skills are vital to academic success at GCSE, A level and beyond. Collingham students are encouraged to develop and maintain positive study habits. Homework is set and supervised. Study Room sessions are timetabled and monitored throughout the college. We strive to foster a strong work ethic and expect all students to give of their best. Collingham organises various courses outside normal term-time teaching. At Christmas, specialist tutors run one-day workshops; a combination of seminar work and individual tutoring which enables students to address specific problems. During the Easter holidays, Collingham provides intensive tuition in small groups to meet the demand for revision support.
“Students enjoy their studies and develop positive attitudes to advanced learning.� (Ofsted Report)
INSPIRING CREATIVITY Inspiring creativity is a key element in our teaching, providing students with opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge and talents. Collingham offers a range of creative subjects, including Fine Art, Photography, Drama and Theatre Studies, Film Studies, Media Studies and Music. Across the departments, we aim not only to obtain excellent results but also to bring out the individual creativity of all our students. Whatever the area of interest, our staff are guided by the principle that, given appropriate guidance and sufficient individual attention, all students are capable of producing creative works of a very high calibre. The Collingham Art Department is a flourishing centre for the development of the visual arts. Students are encouraged to experiment and explore, deepening their understanding of, and response to, the visual world, enabling them to produce artwork that is both unique and technically accomplished. Collingham offers media and film facilities for film/TV production, a Digital Editing Suite, DTP software for page layout and Publication Design and screening facilities. There is also a photography dark room in which students can still enjoy the magical process of chemically developing their prints. Drama and Theatre Studies encourages students to develop their interest in the theatre and we ensure that we fully exploit our enviable position close to London’s theatre land, as well as educating students about the importance of the city’s fringe theatres. Collingham’s drama students benefit from the small group practical work that takes place which helps to build confidence and co-operation skills. We offer LAMDA tuition for all students, regardless of whether or not they have chosen Drama for GCSE or A level study. The classes, which are conducted on a one-to-one basis, allow students to develop confidence and skill in performance and public speaking and everyone has the opportunity to take a graded performance exam. LAMDA qualifications add interest to UCAS personal statements and can even add UCAS points to an application.
Subject Choices We offer a wide choice of subjects, both at GCSE and A level, so that all students can follow courses that express their personal talents and interests, as well as preparing them for the future. There is no restriction on subject combinations. The majority of A level students follow two-year courses, taking four AS levels in the first year, with most students going on to take three A2 levels in the second year. From the very start, emphasis is put on developing the necessary analytical and writing skills to achieve the highest possible grades in the exam room. Collingham also offers intensive one-year A level courses in certain subjects, such as Art, Classical Civilisation, English Literature, Government and Politics, Philosophy, and Photography. Students may also follow short A level re-take courses which run from September to January. These revise the key material, address the particular problems that the individual has encountered and prepare the student to improve upon their grade. Students who have previously not benefitted from small classes, individual attention or focus on examination technique, invariably improve their A level grades in the January session. At the GCSE department, most students study six or more subjects, including English, Maths, one modern foreign language and at least one science subject. Two-year and one-year courses are available. Each course takes the student through the GCSE syllabus and is combined with regular exam practice.
GCSE
AS and A2 Level
Accounting
History
Ancient History
History of Art
Arabic
ICT
Art
Italian
Biology
Japanese
Business Studies
Latin
Chemistry
Law
Chinese
Mathematics
Classical Civilisation
Media Studies
Computing
Music
Economics
Philosophy
English Language
Photography
English Literature
Physics
Film Studies
Portuguese
French
Psychology
Geography
Religious Studies
German
Russian
Government and Politics
Sociology
Greek
Spanish Theatre Studies
Care and Support We take the time to support our students and work together to overcome any problems. The quality of our pastoral care is one of our most distinguishing features.
All students at Collingham have a Personal Tutor responsible for their welfare. The Personal Tutor monitors progress, provides a sympathetic ear and can give advice on both academic and personal matters. The role is mostly one of guidance and encouragement, but with a focus on firm direction. Additional individual tuition is available in most subjects. These sessions can be used to support a student’s progress on an on-going basis, helping to address particular problems and build confidence in challenging areas, or simply over a short term to cover examination technique or to give the student the boost they might need to fulfill their potential in the run up to the exam.
From GCSE through to A level, parents continue to play an intrinsic part in their child’s academic well being and are a vital part of the ‘three-way team’. Half-termly reports and termly parents’ evenings allow progress to be followed closely. Parents are immediately informed by e-mail of all absences, meaning that the root cause of absenteeism can often be quickly addressed.
“ The behaviour of pupils is Outstanding.” (Ofsted)
Beyond Collingham
For most of our students, Collingham is the gateway to their university of choice. Personal Tutors are there to ensure that students benefit from the very best careers advice and to offer plenty of practical help with university application. From college to university, we work closely with our students every step along the way. Collingham prepares students for a wide variety of future pathways. Students generally go on to a broad range of UK universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, although we also specialise in assisting students in applying for entry to American universities, including providing tuition for SATs.
Great care is taken with the university application process, helping all students to achieve places that suit their aims and abilities. For students who are called for interview, we hold mock interviews to build the confidence necessary for success. Parents are encouraged to become fully involved in this process and there is an Open Evening in the summer term to discuss university entrance procedures. The Collingham Biomedical Society (CBS) meets weekly to discuss issues related to the medical, dental and veterinary professions. Meetings focus on topics as far ranging as techniques required for success at BMAT and UKCAT, how to read medical research, and current topics in medicine and health that might be raised at interview. Guest speakers regularly visit, including past successful medical students and British and international professors.
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COLLINGHAM Collingham independent GCSE & SIXTH FORM COLLEGE A LEVEL Department: 23 Collingham Gardens, London SW5 0HL Tel: 020 7244 7414 – Fax: 020 7370 7312 E: london@collingham.co.uk
GCSE Department: 17 Queen’s Gate Place, London SW7 5NY Tel: 020 7584 7196 – Fax: 020 7584 2475 E: gcse@collingham.co.uk
www.collingham.co.uk
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