Year 12 Handbook

PRINCE HENRY’S HIGH SCHOOL

HANDBOOK YEAR 12

2018 2019 For Students and their Parents/ Guardians

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s), This booklet has been compiled to help parents to keep fully informed about life and expectations in the Sixth Form in the hope that we can work together to achieve success for your son / daughter. It may be useful to refer to it at various stages of the year and to add key dates to your own diaries. If, however, you have any queries or concerns at any stage during the year please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs C. Webb Head of Sixth Form

Mrs J Tozer Head of Year 12

Dear Student, Welcome to the Sixth Form. You will find the next two years a completely different experience to your previous school life. Our expectations of you will be as high as ever in terms of your attendance, uniform and punctuality to lessons, but there is no doubt that you will find studying for A Levels liberating and empowering. You will have more freedom and independence than ever before, but coupled with this there must be an acceptance of the need to be responsible and self-disciplined.

The Sixth Form curriculum is varied and balanced and offers you a great deal of opportunity. You will also be more fortunate than your predecessors in terms of the facilities that the school can offer you. Do not be under any illusions, however, studying for A Levels is extremely hard work and requires dedication and commitment.

Expect to be challenged in all aspects of school life. Expect to make life-long friendships and build excellent relationships with staff. Expect to feel ready and prepared to take on the next chapter in your life. Most importantly, expect to enjoy your time here and feel well supported in all you do. Our hope is that you find the next two years challenging and rewarding in every respect, both personally and intellectually. Whenever you feel as though you need help ask your teachers, form tutors and the Sixth Form team. The door is always open. Success is built on partnership.

Good luck.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs C. Webb Head of Sixth Form

Mrs J. Tozer Head of Year 12

2

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

THE SIXTH FORM TEAM The Sixth Form Team works to ensure that you are given all the advice, pastoral care, information and support that you need to successfully navigate your way through Sixth Form and to prepare you for the next step in your life.

The Sixth Form Team is made up of:

Mrs C Webb Head of Sixth Form cew@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs J Tozer Deputy Head of Sixth Form Year 12 jkt@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mr J Martin Deputy Head of Sixth Form Year 13 jpm@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs K Granacki Sixth Form Administrator kgranacki@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs N Tranter Sixth Form Administrator ntranter@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs A Ridley Private Study Supervisor aridley@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

3

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

THE SIXTH FORM TEAM The Sixth Form Team is here to look after students’ welfare, answer questions and make sure that the next year of each student’s life is as happy as possible. We are on hand to ensure that students get the advice, support, opportunities, and information needed to thrive in our Sixth Form and be prepared for the world ahead, in whatever direction that might be. We endeavour to establish what is right for each individual.

In the Sixth Form office we operate an open door policy where students can always call in for help and advice. Mrs Webb and Mrs Tozer are available to help with any academic or pastoral questions or concerns that students or parents may have. We are always happy to meet with students and parents can contact the Sixth Form Team directly via email or by telephoning the school and selecting the sixth form option. As well as individual email addresses we can also be contacted on the sixth form email address: sixthform@princehenrys.worcs.sc.uk

4

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

INDUCTION PROCESS We have a series of events during the first few weeks to help you make the transition to Sixth Form life. 

Tuesday 4th September, first day of term: you will have an extended tutor period to ensure that you have all the information that you need to begin your studies. This time will also be spent by tutors getting to know you and helping you to get to know each other. Students who are new to Prince Henry's will also complete some of the administrative tasks connected with beginning a new school



Wednesday 5th September, afternoon: the Year 13 Senior Prefects will organise a series of fun team building activities which you will do in your tutor groups. You will need to bring in a change of clothes so that you are appropriately dressed for physical activity.



Tuesday 11th September, morning: you will complete a base-line on-line test which will provide indications of your potential and help staff to formulate target grades.



Wednesday 12th September: team building day for all of Year 12 at the army training base at Swynnerton focusing on the key skills of communication, leadership and teamwork. You will be doing a range of activities, to be confirmed, but potentially including the Army assault course, camouflage activities and target practice simulator. There is no charge for this trip and you are all expected to participate, if you or your parents have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs Webb. If you have any medical issues you will have the opportunity to share these on the consent form which will be given out at the start of term. We will leave school at 9.15am but will not return to school until 6.00pm



Thursday 13th September: there will be a welcome evening for parents in ACE at 7.00pm led by Mrs Webb and Mrs Tozer. This will involve a presentation and the opportunity to ask questions.



Wednesday 26th September: a study skills company, Elevate, will do a workshop with all Year 12 students exploring the study skills required for A levels.

5

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

THE SCHOOL DAY Please note timings 9.05 am

Registration : Tutor Period or Assembly

9.25 am

Period 1

10.25 am

Period 2

11.30 am

Break

11.45 am

Period 3

12.45 pm

Lunchtime

1.30 pm

Period 4

2.30 pm

Period 5

3.35 pm

End of school

3.40 pm

Buses leave

We expect Sixth Form pupils to arrive promptly at registration and lessons, including Private Study lessons. Persistent lateness will result in detention after sport on Wednesday afternoons. Pupils should also make sure that they do not arrive at their lessons eating and drinking.

“Teaching is more informal and there’s a lot more discussion of issues in the Sixth Form. You get more of an overview and debate helps people to share ideas and to learn from each other. The quantity of work is greater and there’s more pressure, obviously, but you soon get used to it and your motivation levels are higher. There’s no straight recall of facts at A level. You need to be able to apply knowledge in different situations.”

“You have to stand on your own two feet more in the Sixth Form. I wasn’t prepared for that and at first I struggled with ten different things to do at once. I had to learn to prioritise things and to spread my work out sensibly over the week.”

6

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

SIXTH FORM PROCEDURES Registration: Students are registered in each individual lesson as well as in their tutor groups at 9.05 a.m. If a student fails to attend a timetabled lesson they will be expected to bring in a note explaining the absence, parents will be informed if notes are outstanding or if there are concerns about patterns of absence developing. All absences and non-attendance of lessons will be checked daily. Students who fail to attend lessons without a legitimate reason will serve a detention after sport on Wednesday afternoons and / or will have extra supervised study periods.

Late procedure: pupils who arrive late for school should, immediately on arrival, sign in at the Sixth Form Office explaining the reason for their lateness.

Sixth form absence procedure: in all cases of absence due to illness parents should phone Mrs Tranter on 01386 765588 and choose the Sixth Form option or email sixthform@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk. This needs to happen on the first day of absence between 8.00am and 1.00pm, and on any subsequent days. A further letter may also be required.

Requests for leave of absence: absence from lessons causes loss of continuity which can lead to problems and should therefore be avoided. Wherever possible, medical appointments should not be made in school time. Where unavoidable, school must be informed in advance (details as above for all Sixth Form absences) or by presenting a copy of the appointment slip to Mrs Tranter. Subject teachers must be informed, and students should attend for part of the lesson if timings allow. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with any work missed and if an absence is known about in advance they should see their teachers to collect work. Students must ensure that they sign out / back in at the Sixth Form office.

We believe that excellent attendance is essential in ensuring that students make good progress, for this reason we do not authorise term-time holidays except in exceptional circumstances. In references we are asked to comment on students’ commitment to their studies and we believe that attendance is one way of demonstrating this commitment. For this reason, should students miss school for holidays, extended weekend breaks or other social occasions we may refer it in our references.

Requests for other absences such as for sporting competitions or music exams should be made in advance via Mrs Tranter in the Sixth Form office, if necessary such requests can be discussed with the relevant Head of Year.

Driving lessons and tests: students must not miss academic lessons or timetabled private study periods to take driving lessons; however, lessons may be taken during an unsupervised study lesson. We understand that there is little control over a test date, but would ask for a letter from a parent confirming the date and time of test.

Open day visits: students are encouraged to visit universities in the summer term but should try to limit their visits to 2 or 3 days out of school during the academic year. Any additional visits should be made at the weekend. There are forms in the Sixth Form office which should be filled in and returned to Mrs Tranter. Every effort must be made to catch up on work, and students must inform teachers that they will be absent.

7

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

Signing in and out during the day: Going off-site: Sixth Formers are allowed out of school at break, lunchtime and during their unsupervised study lesson: provided that they sign out officially and that they do not behave in such a way as may bring discredit on the school. Students should sign in and out in using the signing out book kept in the Main Office or in the Sixth Form common room or via the finger print pad in Reception.

If students feel unwell during the day they should report to their subject teacher, explaining why they are unable to come to the lesson and then find a member of the Sixth Form team before signing out at the Sixth Form office. On no account should students go home without informing anyone.

16-19 Bursary Fund The 16-19 Bursary Fund is paid by the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to Schools and Colleges so that they may provide financial help to students to continue in education. There is a weekly bursary for students whose parents are entitled to certain benefits and for students defined as being in vulnerable groups and once these guaranteed bursaries have been allocated, the remaining funds are used to offer discretionary bursaries to other students in need of financial support. Students may be eligible for a discretionary bursary if they qualify for free school meals, or if their total household income falls below £20,000. The weekly bursary will be paid directly into the student’s own bank account; any student applying for the weekly bursary will need to ensure that they have a suitable bank account.

We understand that sometimes other students also need support to help pay for school visits and other expenses, and if there are funds available after weekly bursaries have been allocated one-off grants can be applied for by students who need help with specific activities. Students or parents are invited to talk to Mrs Webb or their Year Head if they feel that they would be unable to participate in an educational activity without this support; we hope that all students will be able to participate in any activity which is essential for a course or where they will be disadvantaged academically if they do not take part. All information is treated in confidence.

APPEARANCE All pupils must conform to the Sixth Form Dress Code which sets the tone for the rest of the school in terms of appearance: Year 12 and 13 students’ dress should be smart and appropriate to their position as role models for those in lower years. The Sixth Form uniform differs from that of lower school and is designed to ensure that students are sensibly dressed in a way which does not distract from their studies. Parents are respectfully requested to encourage students to conform to the school’s regulations over jewellery, hair styles, facial hair, tattoos and jackets. We assume that students who choose our Sixth Form are also choosing to adhere to all our Sixth Form rules.

Staff do not want to be involved in arguments with Sixth Formers about what is or is not acceptable, and if a member of the Sixth Form team deems an item of clothing or an aspect of appearance unsuitable or inappropriate, their decision is final.

8

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

DRIVING As the year progresses many Year 12 students will pass their driving test consequently some of them will drive to school. Students wishing to bring a car on to the school premises must acquire a parking permit from Mrs Tranter in the Sixth Form Office that must be displayed in their car windscreen when parking in school. The school needs to keep a note of all student vehicle registration numbers and we ask students to notify us of any changes that occur so that a new permit can be given. Please ensure that the students’ insurance covers any passengers your son / daughter may be transporting in their car.

Some young people have plenty of confidence in their own driving ability without perhaps being aware how easily a young child can step out from between parked cars in Victoria Avenue. We would therefore ask that students drive well below the speed limit when approaching and leaving school. Rapid and aggressive acceleration, even when within the speed limit, must be avoided. Unfortunately, every year a handful of students are involved in crashes whilst driving to and from school so we would be grateful for parental support in encouraging students to drive with considerable care at all times, including the car parks where accidents have also occurred. It is a privilege for students to be allowed to bring their cars onto the school site and this privilege will be withdrawn if students are perceived to be driving too fast or in a manner which could cause an accident.

It would help our relationship with local residents if students could please park in the school car parks. There is no law preventing students from using the surrounding roads but it is easy to understand how local residents might feel if they are unable to park outside their own properties because our students have been too lazy to use the car parking which is provided on the school site. Students coming to school by car must respect the requirements that the school has of them and park responsibly in one of the designated car parks. Students must not park on any part of the school fields, on the grass verges or on any access roads. When driving on the school site students must exercise extreme care and caution.

9

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

USE OF PERSONAL ICT DEVICES Sixth Form students are allowed to bring their mobile phones into school but should only use them in the designated Sixth Form areas – Sixth Form Common Room and Study areas. Students using phones around the school site will have them confiscated and they will be given to Mrs Webb or Mrs Tozer for collection at the end of the day by the student.

Students can also bring other ICT equipment into school to help with their studying but do so at their own risk; the school holds no responsibility for the safe keeping or functionality of such devices. Students must not use any ICT devices in lessons unless it is being used as part of the lesson or with the express permission of the supervising teacher.

Devices with a compatible Wi-Fi connection may connect to the school’s wireless network to access the internet. This connection must run through the school’s proxy and is monitored. All students are required to adhere to the school’s acceptable use policy which they signed upon arrival at school.

SIXTH FORM STUDY AND WORK ETHIC The Sixth Form will be the first time when students are not in time-tabled lessons all day.

They must therefore learn to use STUDY TIME effectively. 

We believe that students need encouragement to keep up with their studies, when students become behind with their work the situation becomes increasingly stressful for the students and they can find themselves in a situation where they feel that work is out of control. We aim to avoid this by ensuring that students keep on top of their work



All Year 12 students will have timetabled study periods which will be supervised.



There is always background reading, research, reviewing and learning to do even if ALL work that is to be marked has been completed and handed in.



If students miss lessons with no reasonable excuse they will be expected to make up the missed work and cannot expect that teaching staff will go through work that has been missed.



If work deadlines are missed and work is persistently late in the first instance this will be dealt with by departments. If problems continue then the students will be asked to discuss their work and attitude with Mrs Tozer and Mrs Webb and work progress will be more formally overseen. Students may be given report cards to monitor their work and parents will be informed.

10

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

PRIVATE STUDY In our Sixth Form you will have many lessons which are designated as time for independent learning; some of these will be supervised in our Private Study Room and in some you will decide how to organise your time. In preparation for your life after school, you need to prioritise your time and develop effective independent study habits and we hope that by taking responsibility for planning your study time you will begin to acquire these skills.

You will be given a private study schedule for each of your subjects and this will help you to develop the wider understanding of your work necessary to do well at A Level. There is always background reading, research, reviewing and learning to do even if all work that is to be marked has been completed and handed in. You will receive a private study schedule for each of your subjects detailing the wider activities that you should be undertaking.

In Supervised Private Study Sessions, you should help to ensure that there is a consistently good working atmosphere. To this end we expect you to follow our Private Study Code of Contact: 1. ensure that you have the books and folders that you need for the session 2. work silently and independently 3. phones should only be used in support of your learning 4. use the private study laptops constructively: no social media or internet surfing 5. put the laptops back on charge at the end of the session 6. return any equipment that you have borrowed.

Top Tips for effective Private Study  Have a work planner and decide in advance what you will be doing in each study session, try to develop the habit of organising a list of priorities.  Set a target – decide to read a number of chapters, plan an essay or mind-map a topic.  Don’t always start with your favourite subject.  Work independently and do not allow friends to distract you.  Put away any distractions for the time that you have allotted for study and don’t be tempted to open up any extra tabs if you are researching online.  Tackle one task at a time – stick with it until you finish or can’t go any further.  Use private study time to review notes after each lesson.

You will also have unsupervised study time, our expectation is that much of this will be used for school work using the facilities available across the school including the Learning Resource Centre, individual department facilities and our sixth form study rooms, SPS and A9. If you are on top of your studies you can use this unsupervised time to socialise in the common room or you can leave the site.

11

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

TUTOR TIME There are five key elements to Tutor time:     

To receive support and information from the Form Tutor Form tasks Personal development.

Study skills (including discussion) Academic monitoring

The role that the tutor plays is a vital one. The Tutor Programme and other essential information will be disseminated to students during the tutor period (9.05 - 9.25 Monday to Friday). The Sixth Form Learning Agreement makes it clear that we expect all students to attend.

The Form Tutor is the first port of call for students who have any difficulties in Sixth form life and will also ultimately be writing references for students. It is therefore essential that students use the opportunities given in Tutor time and through the tutor programme to help their tutor to get to know them. The Tutor Programme has been designed to support all Year Twelve students during their studies and to provide a broader understanding of educational and social issues. In the Autumn Term students complete a variety of activities as a team, designed to develop key skills that are essential for success in the Sixth Form: Resourcefulness Resilience Reasoning Reflectiveness Responsibility During the Autumn term the focus on the activities will be on the tutor and tutees getting to know each other and tutor group bonding. There will be competitions and activities with points being awarded and each member of the tutor groups will be expected to deliver a presentation to the class.

In the Spring and Summer term the students are given guidance on Career Choices and University Applications. Students will be expected to work independently during tutor time to complete the Tutor Programme. Students will also be encouraged to give individual presentations to members of their tutor group on news worthy issues in order to supplement the Enrichment and Guidance (EAG) programme.

The system of progress checks and monitoring of students is carried out during the Tutor period which is also one of the times when individual interviews take place.

Aims of the Tutor Programme:     

To enhance the confidence and self-esteem of every student To support student learning during the transition from GCSE to A level, focusing on the skills needed for independent learning To enhance the development of relationships in the tutor group and with the form tutor To develop team working skills, particularly communication To develop initiative, planning and organisational skills

12

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

YEAR 12 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2018/ 19 The Personal Development Programme is designed to provide students with learning experiences from outside their chosen A level subjects and to support them in their personal development in The Sixth Form, giving them the opportunities to develop new skills.

There are three strands to the Personal Development Programme and each of these is timetabled for 1 period each fortnight Enrichment and Guidance (EaG) This is a series of talks / workshops covering issues relevant to the health, welfare and futures of Year 12 and 13 students. Outside speakers will cover topics such as personal safety, alcohol/drug abuse, safe driving and volunteering.

In addition the programme is designed to extend general knowledge by covering a wide range of topics from the taxation system to stem cell research. Attendance at the lectures is compulsory for all Year 12 students and the programme will help prepare students for the challenges of life beyond Sixth Form and University.

Electives Programme In the electives slot students will opt for an activity from the following list: (subject to availability). All students opt for one elective in year 12 although it is sometimes possible to combine Electives if students wish.                

Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold award Young Enterprise Arts Mark Silver and Gold Award Food Preparation Skills Mentoring younger students in school / Reading Buddies Multi-Gym fitness Get into Teaching Reading Buddies Student Mentors for Lower School Photography Extended Project Qualification Thinking Skills AS Level Core Mathematics Latin OCR Entry level Certificate Holiday Spanish Level 3 in IT User skills (ECDL Advanced)

13

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

PROGRESS CHECKS AND REPORTS Regular monitoring of each student’s progress takes place throughout the Sixth Form. If progress gives cause for concern, parents / guardians will be contacted.

A Parents’ Evening with Sixth Form tutors will take place during November where tutors will have information from departments about the start that has been made on A level courses. This will be followed up with a Parents’ Evening with subject teachers in early 2018.

Students will sit formal year 12 examinations beginning immediately after Easter 2019.

At the end of June there will be a full report in all subjects which will provide information on progress during Year 12. Following the May examinations some parents will be invited into school to discuss their son or daughter’s results.

“Year 12 is certainly different from the lower school. You’ve got to be more dependent on yourself, not your teachers. You have to arrange your own free time which you never have in Years 10 and 11. Even though you are only doing 3 subjects you can’t believe the amount of work involved. The subjects are a lot more intellectually challenging, too”.

CAREERS PROGRAMME During year 12 students will be given guidance to help them to prepare for their future in Higher Education, apprenticeships or immediate employment after ‘A’ levels.

January – July

A careers module is delivered during morning tutor period.

March

UCAS Higher Education Fair at Worcester University

June onwards

Students, with the help of Sixth Form Tutors, research Higher Education courses.

June

Higher Education information evening for parents Next Step conference for students

Students are encouraged to have interviews with Chris Brewster our school Independent Careers Advisor.

14

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

“Sometimes you can still be made to feel like a lower school pupil, but the good points about being in the Sixth Form more than outweigh the bad. In the Sixth Form you do feel important and there are some privileges, like having your own common room and your own study areas. Having smaller classes makes you feel more involved in your own learning and your relationships with your teachers are completely different. As far as the work load goes, though, be prepared for a BIG shock. You have to balance your academic and your social life. A lack of self-discipline leads to almost certain failure. If you don’t sort it out you won’t last. I’ve seen it happen.”

Are you treated like an adult?

Question from a year 11 student

If you behave like an adult you are treated as an adult.

Answer from a past Sixth Form Student

PAID EMPLOYMENT We support the idea of our students having paid employment as we know that they will gain many skills through being a part of a working environment as well as gaining some financial independence. There is strong evidence from National Research about the adverse effects of paid employment upon A level performance. Our own research tends to indicated that on average 8 - 10 hours per week does not have a significant affect upon performance. Above this, though, students achieve grades well below what might have been expected. We would ask parents to support young people in keeping to these hours as we know that sometimes students can feel pressurized by employers to work additional hours.

15

Year 12 Handbook 2018-2019

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YEAR 12 Start of Term Year 12 Team Building afternoon Year 12 Team Building day with Army Year 12 welcome for parents Study skills with Elevate Open Evening (school shuts 1.00pm) Teacher Education Day Half Term Year 12 Parents’ Evening with tutors Teacher Education Day Christmas Concert Term Ends – 12.45pm Term Starts Year 12 Parents’ Evening Teacher Education Day Half Term Term Ends for Easter Term Starts after Easter Year 12 end of year exams Bank Holiday Senior Prefects’ Team Building trip Half Term Year 12 Consultation Week Beginning Next Step Conference Higher Education Evening – parents’ information Sixth Form Trip to London Speech Day End of Term

16

04.09.18 05.09.18 12.09.18 13.09.18 26.09.18 25.10.18 26.10.18 29.10 - 5.11.18 07.11.18 03.12.18 20.12.18 21.12.18 07.01.19 29.01.19 15.02.19 18 - 25.02.19 12.04.19 29.04.19 29.04 - 10.05.19 please note the bank holiday 06.05.19 23.05.19 27.05.19 - 03.06.19 03.06.19 12.06.19 13.06.19 28.06.19 05.07.19 19.07.19