Sixth Form Handbook 2020-21

Sixth Form Handbook Academic Year 2020 - 2021

A place where young people are encouraged to ‘Aspire not to have more, but to be more’ within a framework of Catholic Christian teaching and values.

A place where you succeed...

A small sample of our Sixth Form student destinations over the past couple of years.

Cambridge University - History, York University - Philosophy, Lancaster University - Physics, Oxford University - History, Liverpool John Moores University - Dance Practices, Nottingham University - Medical Engineering, Apprenticeship - SKYZAK, Oxford University—Physics, Sheffield University - Biology, Leeds University - Children's Nursing, Newcastle University Biomedical Sciences, Sheffield University - Law & Criminology, Leeds Metropolitan University - Events Management, Leeds University - Philosophy, Ethics and Religion, Fashion Retail Academy, London - Fashion Buying and Range Planning, Leeds Metropolitan University - Sport & Exercise Science, Newcastle University - Civil Engineering, Manchester University - Midwifery, Sheffield University - Mathematics, Sheffield Hallam University Adult Nursing, Manchester University - Medicine, York University - Psychology, Durham University - Liberal Arts, Leeds University - Zoology, Liverpool University - Medicine, Manchester University - Physics with Astrophysics, Sheffield Hallam University - Psychology, Sheffield University - English Language & Literature, Staffordshire University - Music Technology with Management, Nottingham University - Hispanic Studies, Oxford University—Law with German Law, University of Chester - Policing & Criminal Investigation, Sheffield University - Sociology, Leeds College of Music - Music Production, Aberdeen University - Geography, Leeds University - Linguistic & Phonetics, Durham University Literature & History, Liverpool University - Radiotherapy, Apprentice Accountant Ernst & Young, University of Central Lancashire - Illustration, Nottingham Trent University - Media, Leeds University - Psychology, Durham University - Mathematics, Manchester Metropolitan University - Art, Staffordshire University - Policing & Criminal Investigation, Edge Hill University - Computing, Bath University - Management, Derby University - International Fashion , York University - Mathematics, Leeds University - Mathematics & Music, Sheffield Hallam University - Education Studies with Psychology & Counselling, Cardiff University German & English Literature, Durham University - Physics, Liverpool Hope University Education, Cambridge University - Geography, Leeds Metropolitan University - Psychology, Salford University - Counselling & Psychotherapy, Apprenticeship—CBL, Armed Forces, St Mary’s University - Theatre & Performance, Liverpool University—Psychology, Leeds Beckett University - Accounting, Sheffield Hallam University - Science with Education, Apprenticeship - Hume Accountants, Anglo European College of Chiropractice Chiropractics, Apprenticeship—AJ Bell, Oxford University—Experimental Psychology.

‘Spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is outstanding. It is an integral part of the culture of the College and plays a major part in students feeling well prepared for the next phase of their education and for life in modern Britain.’

02

OfSTED 2014

Contents 03 Sixth Form Curriculum 04 Final Options Grid

19 Top Tips for Sixth Form Students

05 College / Student Agreement

21 16—19 Bursary Fund

06 Student / College Agreement

23 Term Dates

07 General Rules

24 College Map

08 Monitoring Procedure

25 Contact Information

09 Sixth Form Code of Dress

26 Policies

11 College Day

27 Biometrics

12 Tutor Groups and Pastoral Staff

28 Privacy Notice

13 Directed Study Time

29 Governors and Trustees

14 Target Setting

30 Safeguarding

15 I.C.T. User Agreement

Enclosed Link: Signature Page/GDPR Permissions

17 Enrichment

Welcome to All Hallows Catholic College Congratulations on securing a place to study in a Sixth Form which is recognised among the top performing Sixth Forms in the North West.

We believe that each student is an individual, is exceptional and needs to be valued. High quality teaching and learning, coupled with exceptional pastoral support, provides the inspiration and motivation for every young person to realise their aspirations and ‘SHINE’. Our students truly fulfil their potential with us, progressing onto prestigious universities, apprenticeships and rewarding careers. Our aim is to provide students with the very best possible education, to help them develop new interests and to use whatever talents they have in the service of the College and the wider community.

A team of highly qualified and experienced staff, committed to the value of the Sixth Form, offer excellent tuition within a curriculum which is extensive, courses which are demanding and a learning atmosphere which is exciting. This coupled with the curricular enrichment programme and opportunities for personal, spiritual and moral development ensures you will experience an education which truly prepares you for life beyond All Hallows.

I wish you continued success in your studies and look forward to working with you on the next stage of your learning journey.

03

Sixth Form Curriculum Congratulations on securing a place at All Hallows College Sixth Form. We are delighted that you will be studying here and look forward to being able to support you on the next stage of your learning journey.

All Hallows College offers a broad curriculum at Key Stage 5, incorporating A-levels, BTECs and Diplomas. Your programme of study will be personalised and will depend on your individual needs and interests. As a student you will be given advice and guidance on which is the most appropriate course for you, taking into consideration the GCSE’s you have already achieved. Students are able to combine A-level and Vocational qualifications. This provides the flexibility for students to adapt their course to suit their future career plans and aspirations, whether that is: university, apprenticeships or employment.

Advanced level study is designed to challenge you academically and help you to become a more independent learner, in readiness for the life-long learning challenges presented by modern society. Due to the academic rigour, entry on to these courses requires a minimum of 5 grade 9 to 4’s at GCSE including Maths and/or English minimum grade 4. Please refer to our online prospectus for subject specific grade requirements.

Year 12 students will choose to study 3 A level subjects over a 2 year period. Individual subject advice is given to students dependent on the GCSE results achieved.

Students who have not achieved a minimum grade 4 in Maths and English on entry to the Sixth Form will continue to study these subjects as part of their programme of learning.

Students who achieved grade 4 may choose to repeat the examination.

In addition to your chosen subjects, all students follow a General R.E. programme, have the opportunity to engage in sport, volunteer work and a variety of extra-curricular opportunities throughout the year. Some students will also undergo ‘selection’ for the Macclesfield Town Football Academy.

As part of our ‘Able’ student programme students may also choose to complete the Extended Project Qualification (E.P.Q).

All students complete one week Work Experience.

Students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstandingly well promoted and pervades the life of the College. It is strongly promoted through the curriculum as well as the culture of the College.’ OfSTED 2014 ‘

04 ...Sixth Form Curriculum

03

The Final Options Grid

Option A

Option B

Option C

Option D

Ar t (3 D p r o d u ct d esign / Tex t iles

Bio lo gy

Bio lo gy

Hist o r y (M o d er n )

Ar t (Fin e)

Bu sin ess Ex t en d ed Cer t

En glish Lan gu age ICT Ex t en d ed Cer t

Cr im in o lo gy (Ap p lied A Lev el)

Co m p u t in g

Geo gr ap h y

Eco n o m ics

En glish Lan gu age Ph y sics

Sp an ish

En glish Lit

Ger m an

Psy ch o lo gy

Th eat r e St u d ies

Fr en ch

M at h em at ics Religio n , Ph ilo so p h y & Et h ics

Sp o r t Ex t en d ed Cer t

Fu r t h er M at h s

M at h s

Ch em ist r y Healt h & So cial Car e Ex t en d ed Cer t

So cio lo gy

GCSE Maths GCSE Eng

Psy ch o lo gy

E.P.Q. yr 13 Macclesfield Town Football Academy

‘Sixth Form provision is outstanding. The leadership of the Sixth Form is highly effective and students make excellent progress.’

OfSTED 2014

05 ...The Final Options Grid September 2020

04

College / Student Agreement Sixth Form studies are both demanding in terms of your time and academically challenging.

Student success depends on a number of factors and with this in mind we have developed a College/Student agreement which sets out our mutual expectations. All students are required to sign the agreement on entry to the Sixth Form.

The College will: 

Value each individual.



Encourage students to set for themselves the highest possible standards of achievement in everything that they do. To value academic excellence and to develop a love of learning whilst at College and in preparation for further and higher education or employment.



Provide high quality, specialist teaching.



Provide information, advice and support to students to help meet their educational and employment needs.



Provide a range of extra-curricular opportunities and experiences within the Sixth Form and outside College that will enrich the curriculum.



Encourage students to make maximum use of their time and develop their time management skills.



Monitor and review student performance regularly and set academic targets.



Develop a close and mutually supportive partnership with parents in the educational and personal development of our young people.

Signed: Date : 3 September 2020

06 ...College / Student Agreement

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Student / College Agreement As a student I will: 

Respect and positively contribute to the College ethos.



Attend College between 8.50 and 3.15 daily – students who are late twice within a week will be placed in a punctuality detention the following week.



‘Sign In’ at the attendance office if I am unavoidably late to College



‘Sign Out’ with permission from a member of the Sixth Form leadership team, if I need to leave College throughout the day.



Maintain good attendance, the target is 97%.



Wear the code of dress as issued and displayed on the College Website.



Work to the best of my ability at all times.



Behave in an adult and mature way.



Be respectful of other members of the College and community.



Ensure that all work is completed and handed in on time and reflects my target grade.



Meet targets set.



Attend and be punctual for all timetabled lessons, tutor periods, directed study periods, assemblies and other collective acts of worship. [Any absence must be accounted for].



Comply with any extra-curricular demands necessary to the course of study, e.g. attend field studies and engage in Enrichment days/PSHE/RSE/HE/Apprenticeship /Work Experience programme.

Meet examination board requirements.

 

Achieve a satisfactory* standard in Key Assessments and Examinations (*Target grade) Students will be required to repeat assessments/exams where their result is more than 2 grades below target in Year 12 and more than 1 grade below target in Year 13. grade below target. Entry for final examination is dependent on students demonstrating an ability to achieve a successful outcome. Progression from Year 12 to 13 is dependent upon your ability to meet your end of course Target grades.  Not engage in outside activities to the detriment of my studies, including excessive paid employment. Student must not exceed 8 hours employment/week.



Refrain from anti-social or illegal behaviour.



Refrain from smoking in College or near the College grounds.



Use College equipment and facilities appropriately. Use of College ICT equipment is dependent on students signing the ‘Acceptable Use Policy’ .



Where student behaviour, attendance, punctuality or academic performance does not meet the necessary standard, a student’s ‘non lesson time’ will be supervised in the Sixth Form Study Room, and may be extended beyond the college day for up to 1 hour and until the required standards are reached.

Signed: ………………………….. Date: ...Student / College Agreement

07

06

General Rules

Holidays Students should not take holidays in term time. Holidays during term time will not be authorised and may lead to a student being withdrawn from examinations.

Being absent from College If you are going to be absent from College, you must call the office in the morning to inform us that you will not be in.

All absences from College must be covered by a letter or phone call from a parent or guardian upon your return. Any student who accumulates 7 or more days (14 sessions) during an academic year will be asked to provide a medical letter.

Wherever possible appointments, such as doctors and dental, should be made out of College hours.

Leaving the College premises Students should not leave the College premises between lessons or prior to the end of the College day without prior permission being obtained from the Head or Deputy Head of Sixth Form.

Students are allowed to leave the College site during Break times.* (Please note arrangements may change to ensure social distancing can be assured when /if necessary).

Students do not need to sign out on Wednesday afternoon enrichment days once parental permission has been obtained.

Students will be given leave for a Driving Test but driving lessons must not be taken during lesson or study periods.

Valuables and security Please do not bring valuable uninsured items into College. The College cannot be held responsible if they are lost, stolen or damaged.

Bursary

Students in receipt of a Bursary should note that it can be withdrawn or reduced for failing to meet these conditions.

08 ...General Rules

07

The Monitoring Procedure The above procedure relates to poor work performance, attendance and code of dress only. Incidents relating to unacceptable behavior and other acts of a more serious nature will be dealt with following the College’s normal procedure for dealing with such incidents. Action that may be taken on such occasions is at the discretion of the Principal which may result in a fixed term or permanent exclusion.

Poor work performance due to a lack of effort can result in a student receiving a ‘warning’. Poor performance may arise from poor quality work i.e. work which does not reflect your personal target grades , failure to meet deadlines or a lack of attendance.

If a student fails to meet a requirement, i.e. repeatedly hands in work which does not reflect their ability (set by target grades), misses a pre-determined deadline, absents him/herself from lessons without a valid reason or fails to conform to the College code of dress. The subject teacher or tutor will log the behaviour electronically, which will be actioned by the Head or Deputy Head of Sixth Form. Parents/Carers have access to this information through the ‘parental gateway’.

If a student obtains three referrals across their subjects the first warning will be issued.

Subsequent warnings will follow each time a student receives referrals.

Where students are issued with behavior points, their non-teaching time will be supervised in the Sixth Form Study Room, until the work is complete.

Students are allowed three warnings. The procedure is outlined below: 1st Occasion Verbal warning issued by Form Tutor. Year Leader and parent(s) will be notified and parental contacted recorded on Sims.

2nd Occasion Verbal warning issued by the Head or Deputy Head of Sixth Form.

Parents/ Carers will be required attend a meeting with the Head/Deputy Head of Sixth Form. The Deputy Principal will be notified.

3rd Occasion Written warning issued by the Head of Sixth Form. Copy sent to parents.

A parental/student meeting will be required and an individual improvement plan agreed. The student will be required to meet with The Head of Sixth Form and /or Deputy Principal weekly until standards are met.

4th Occasion Student and parents will be invited to meet with the Principal to discuss alternative arrangements for Post 16 learning.

In addition to this, the College will notify parents of any concerns it deems necessary.

09 ...The Monitoring Procedure

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Sixth Form Code of Dress MEN Shirt and tie of own choice, worn with the top button fastened and tie worn to the button.

Suit (business dress style) dark colour.

Optional dark V-neck jumper can be worn under the jacket.

The jacket of the suit should always be available, and worn around the College, permission should not have to be sought to take this off.

Optional waistcoat (dark).

Shoes should be black or brown, suitable for College/ Business dress), no trainers or casual footwear.

WOMEN A smart and appropriate blouse or shirt (short or long sleeved) reflecting that worn in a business environment with a suit.

Suit (business dress style) dark colour.

Trousers should be smart business style, dark colour and not overly baggy or tight fitting.

Skirt, at least knee length, should be pencil or straight cut, dark colour with no indecent splits. Skirts which ‘ride up’ while walking are not appropriate.

The jacket should match the trousers or skirt, be fitted and smart with buttons that can be fastened.

The jacket of the suit should always be available, and worn around the College, permission should not have to be sought to take this off.

Optional dark V-neck jumper can be worn under the suit.

Optional waistcoat (dark).

Shoes should be smart and formal, with no more than a 3 inch heel.

10 ...Sixth Form Code of Dress

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MEN and WOMEN Accessories Jewellery is permitted in the Sixth Form . No facial piercing or nose studs are allowed. No more than two ear rings in each ear are permitted and no plugs or bars allowed.

Tattoos are not permitted.

Baseball caps are not permitted and hats should not be worn in College.

Mobile phones should not be visible or used outside of the Sixth Form Centre.

Bags Bags can be any choice and any colour but should be suitable for carrying files and books.

Hair Hair should reflect a conventional style in keeping with the business image.

No unnatural hair colour, shaven or carved styles.

Equipment Students will be provided with subject specific exercise books. These must be well presented, available in each lesson and handed in for marking or inspection when requested.

Homework will be posted on ‘Show My Homework’.

Students who fail to conform to the code outlined may be denied access to lessons for the day and will be required to work in the Sixth Form Study Room. Students who repeatedly fail to adopt the dress code will be asked to remain at home until a parental meeting can be arranged with the Head or Deputy Head of Sixth Form

11 ...Sixth Form Code of Dress

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College Day

Monday - Friday Form time Assembly Day Friday Lesson 1 Lesson 2

Break Lesson 3 Lesson 4

Lunch

Lesson 5

Time

Duration (minutes)

08:50-9:05

15

09:05-10:05

60

10:05-11:05

60

11:05-11:35

30

11:35-12:35

60

12:35-13:35

60

13:35-14:15

40

14:15- 15:15

60

Students need to be on the campus by 8.40am at the latest.

Most lessons are timetabled for 1 hour.

Printouts of timetables with subjects and rooms are issued in September.

Students will receive a homework timetable.

A full choice of food and snacks are available in the Sixth Form Centre during both breaks.

Students may choose to leave the campus at break* (please see Page 7)

12 ...College Day

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Tutor Groups and Key Pastoral Staff

Key Pastoral Staff Deputy Headteacher Mrs M A Garvey m.garvey@allhallows.org.uk Head of Sixth Form Mr D Howells d.howells@allhallows.org.uk

Deputy Head of Sixth Form Mr T Parke t.parke@allhallows.org.uk

Sixth Form Academic Mentor Miss K O’Gara k.o’gara@allhallows.org.uk

You will be placed in a mixed year 12 & 13 Tutor Group. There are nine tutor groups in the Sixth Form. Each group is named after a well-known Catholic Christian who, as a witness to the Gospel, encourages us in our faith.

Your tutor’s role is to support you at College as both a pastoral and academic mentor.

You are positively encouraged to talk to your Tutor, Academic Mentor or Head/Assistant Head of Sixth Form about any concerns you have.

13 ...Tutor Groups and Key Pastoral Staff

12

Directed Study Time In addition to your subject taught time, your timetable will indicate specific hours of ‘Directed Study’ time per week. This time should be used to help you manage your studies but does not replace the need for work to be completed as Homework.

Your attendance is required at ALL ‘Directed Study’ sessions in accordance with the room allocated on your personal timetable.

A register will be taken during of each session and any unauthorised absence will result in further ‘Directed Study’ being supervised in the Sixth Form study room.

Your subject teachers are required to set work for your completion during these sessions in advance and direct you towards resources.

It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive with work to complete.

You must nominate time for each of your subjects. Students studying the following subjects; Art, Music Technology; ICT; Business Studies or Product Design should nominate one lesson per week in agreement with the subject leader to work in a subject specific room. You will be required to register in your ‘Directed Study’ room first.

Your ‘Directed Study’ room is a quiet working environment, please avoid talking. Personal music players should not be used during ‘Directed Study’ sessions.

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE ARE NOT HOMEWORK SESSIONS AND DO NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR HOMEWORK AND PERSONAL STUDY.

Homework will be set by all subject teachers on a weekly basis. Students should be expected to spend 10—12 hours on homework each week.

‘Sixth Form Students have excellent attitudes to learning and make a significant contribution to the life of the College through a range of mentoring and support they give other students as well as their work in the community.’

Denominational inspection 2016

14 ...Directed Study Time

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Target Setting Within the first 2 weeks of Year 12 you will be issued with your A Level/BTEC Target Grades.

Target grades are set based on your academic performance at G.C.S.E. These will be used to help to measure your progress towards your final grades at the end of Year 13. This table shows how your grades at GCSE translate.

The work you class and at home will receive either an A Level or BTEC/Diploma grade

complete in

A Level Grades/ BTEC Grade equivalent A* — Distinction*

A—Distinction

B

C— Merit

D

E— Pass

N

U

15 ...Target Setting

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Information and Communication Technology Before being issued with a user name and password all of our students are required to read and sign the College 'Acceptable Usage Policy' College ICT equipment should only be used for educational purposes directly linked with curriculum courses and other College approved activities, e.g. careers advice or higher education choices.

All users of College ICT equipment, both students and staff, must agree by signing the Acceptable Usage Policy. This is standard practice in any organisation where ICT is used.

Why is there a policy?

Any large computer network is a highly complex system requiring a considerable amount of maintenance. The points below are designed to ensure that the network is always available and working. Users must accept that a network with hundreds of client computers has to have more restrictions than a home computer.

Expectations of users 1. All users of the network (whether using desktop computers, MACs, laptops, iPads or any other College mobile device) are expected to use common sense, to follow the more general College rules and to obey the laws of the United Kingdom.

2. You are responsible for your individual account and must never allow anyone else to use it.

You should never divulge your password to another person. Students will be asked to change their password regularly.

3. You must not download or save large files unless absolutely necessary as this restricts others' use of the network.

4. You should check your e-mail frequently and delete unwanted messages promptly.

Privacy You should expect only limited privacy in the contents of your personal files and e-mail on the College network. As a general rule, keep nothing on the system you would feel uncomfortable justifying in front of any College staff member, you parents or other authority.

All network activity is monitored and logged.

All Internet traffic is monitored and logged.

E-Safety protection software exists on a number of levels to prevent access to inappropriate material Teachers can access your network home area in the same way that they can view your exercise books and files.

16 ...Information and Communication Technology

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Sixth Form IT Privileges Sixth Form students may use personal mobile devices such as iPads, tablets, laptops and netbooks in the college. Sixth Form may also request the unblocking of a website once it has been verified as a suitable educational resource by their teacher.

Specific Unauthorised Activities You must not make deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data.

You should not attempt to go beyond your authorised access. This includes: attempting to log in through another person's account or sending e-mail while masquerading as another person.

You must not use any facility to participate in any form of cyber-bullying. You must not engage in personal, prejudicial or discriminatory attacks. You should respect the privacy of any message sent to you and not re-send it to others without permission.

The use of social networking sites such as Facebook, instagram, snapchat, Twitter and YouTube is not permitted.

The use of chat rooms such as MSN, Facebook Messenger etc is not permitted.

You must not use indecent, obscene, offensive or threatening language.

You must not post anything on the Internet which identifies the College with unacceptable opinions or activities, or which would bring the College into disrepute. This includes using computer facilities outside College to publish such opinions.

You must not attempt to access material that is profane or obscene, that advocates illegal acts, violence or discrimination towards other people. If you mistakenly access inappropriate material, you should tell a teacher immediately. This will protect you against the accusation that you have intentionally accessed this material.

You must not plagiarise works that you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking the ideas or writings of others and presenting them as if they were your own.

You must respect copyright. You must not use the Internet to download illegal software, pirated music or images.

Sanctions for Students All network activity is logged. Depending on the severity of the offence, one or more of the following sanctions maybe applied if a student is found to have broken any of the above rules: A formal warning Suspension of e-mail/internet access Suspension of computer system account Department from use of the College computer rooms Formal College detentions Fixed term or permanent exclusion from College.

All students must read the full policy displayed on our college website before signing the Acceptable Use Policy Statement.

17 ...Information and Communication Technology

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Enrichment

Wednesday Enrichment Students are allocated ‘Enrichment’ time on alternate Wednesday afternoons.

During enrichment time students may choose to engage in 

Sporting activity as a private member at a gym or on a casual basis at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, e.g. swimming.



Arrange regular non-paid work experience to help further their skills. For example, as a classroom support assistant at one of our feeder primary schools, at a local nursing home or charity shop.

Or Engage in a volunteer programme or community project, either in our own College or the local community. For example, working on our own College Farm, volunteering as part of the R.V.S., the National Citizens Service (NCS) or a social enterprise project.

Students will be required to commit to a project for a term and over the year should complete a minimum of 20 hours community or voluntary work as part of your General RE programme on Catholic Social Enterprise.

As this is an opportunity to develop skills that will enable students to compete in the current climate for university or employment, it is important that students both engage in a variety of activities and not simply use the time for college work.

Where parents can help organise such opportunities or provide opportunities for other members of the Sixth Form we would really appreciate it.

It is essential to point out that these projects will not be supervised by members of our College staff and it is therefore important that students organise their activity properly and participate responsibly e.g. that they have been fully inducted as part of their gym

18 ...Enrichment

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membership or can swim unaided if participating. It is also important that students are reliable and do not let down organisations that agree to support them.

Students will participate in the mandatory General R.E. program run by the College each alternate Wednesday. Again some of the activities may require students to leave the college premises unsupervised.

Prior to students starting the enrichment programme all students must: 1.

Advise Head or Deputy Head of Sixth Form of the programme they intend to participate in with proof e.g. photocopy of gym membership or in the case of the work experience or community work – contact details of the person with whom this has been organised.

2.

Complete the Admission Form parental consent form at the back of this information booklet.

Please note that this privilege may be withdrawn from any student who abuses this opportunity or fails to make the required progress in their college studies.

19 ...Enrichment

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Top Tips for Sixth Form Students 1. Keep Organized The key to being a successful student is being organised. Some people are naturally good at staying organised and do not even need a diary or a planner to keep at the top of their game.

Most of us, however, do need to keep some kind of notes on what it is that we are and should be working on. We will provide you with a student planner specifically for your 6th Form studies - that way you can note down all of your classes, all of your assignments, or any other memos, and keep them in a single place. You will always know where to go whenever you are looking for any of your deadlines or exam dates.

It is also useful to separate all your subjects from one another. You will be provided with subject specific exercise books which should be available in all lessons. It would be a good idea to purchase an A4 file to store your extra reading materials, that way it is easy to access any information you might possibly need during or after your classes to complete assignments. It is also useful in the long-run, when you are preparing for exams - you will want to have all of your related information as close together as possible.

You should also buy a USB drive, but do not rely solely on this. All of your work should be backed up on the College system. Losing your USB or it being damaged, can cause you unnecessary stress often resulting in hours of work being lost.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions It is very helpful to ask questions whenever you are stuck on anything. Are you struggling with your assignment? Go ahead and ask your friends about it, they might have very helpful tips on how to carry on with it. Or you can ask your teachers, they are very helpful and will appreciate it if you are interested in their subject enough to try to make your assignments perfect. Remember, there is no such thing as a bad question! And successful A Level students ask a lot of questions!

3. Pick Your Subjects Wisely When it comes to BTEC/A Levels, it is really important to pick your subjects wisely. Not only because certain universities have subject specific requirements. It is also important because your success is in large part determined by how good you are in your subjects and by how much you actually enjoy them. It is important that you pick subjects that you enjoy, because that way you will actually feel happy when you are working on your subject specific work, and you will also feel a lot more motivated in your work. If your chosen university subject has in its requirements a subject that you inherently do not enjoy or are not excited about, you might want to reconsider your university degree choice. This is because your chosen degree is likely to build upon the material in your A Level subjects, and if you do not enjoy those subjects, it is unlikely that you will not enjoy the degree you have chosen.

4. Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you are very good at waking up early 20 ...Top Tips for Sixth Form Students

19

and revising but you are not so good at staying up at night? Or exactly the other way around? You need to understand yourself and your body in order to be a successful student. You need to know what studying methods are working for you - this will be very individual and it will take a lot of trial and error on your part. Take any feedback you get from your tutors and your friends constructively and work on internalising new ways of working. It is really important to make use of your strengths and try to work on improving your weaknesses and turning them into strengths!

5. Work on Your Exam Technique Ultimately, the most important measure to being a successful A Level student is doing well in exams - this is mostly what you will be graded on and one of the most important factors in being admitted to university. A very important thing is to become familiar with what your exams look like - get your hands on as many past papers as you can and analyse what the questions are like.

You will do a lot of past paper work in your class with your teachers before your exams, but it is good to get a head start on this and start working on your exam technique as soon as possible. Try asking some of the older students for exam technique tips, they often have creative ideas.

21 ...Top Tips for Sixth Form Students

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16 to 19 BURSARY FUND Young people who need some financial support to help them stay in education or training after 16 can apply to their school, college or training provider for the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Any payments will be linked to minimum standards of attendance, behaviour and progress, in line with government guidelines YOU MUST BE AGED 16, 17 or 18 on 31st AUGUST 2020 to apply.

PRIORITY 1 The following students will be able to apply for a bursary of up to £1200:  In care  Care leavers  In receipt of Income Support, or Universal Credit in place of Income Support, in their own right  In receipt of Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit and Disability Living or Personal Independence Payments in their own right PRIORITY 2 Students in receipt of free school meals will receive credit to their lunch account of £2.30 PRIORITY 3 If funds remain further applications will be considered on an individual basis where parental household income is less than £26,000 Item Bursary

Transport to/from College using College contract buses Business Dress

Text Books & Equipment Course Trips UCAS University/job interview costs Other

Priority 1 Students Up to £1,200 p.a. payable 4 weekly dependent on attendance & behaviour.

Priority 2 Students FSM Allowance

Priority 3 Students None

Up to 50% cost of annual bus pass Full payment of annual bus pass depending on family income £50 per term towards the cost of Business clothing.

Second & third terms require evidence of purchase and payable at 50% of claim.

50% of cost payable on evidence of receipt. Purchase must be made in academic year of claim and must be essential to course of study. Claim £50 towards curriculum trips Full payment of application fee Discretionary – upon application Please ask if you have urgent financial needs connected to your attendance at College or to your course of study.

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...16 to 19 Bursary Fund

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HOW DO I APPLY? Collect an application form from the Finance Office or download from the College website.

Return the completed form to the College Finance Office AS SOON AS POSSIBLE For further information see www.direct.gov.uk/16-19bursary

THE SMALL PRINT Bursary payments will be made on a pro rata basis. This will happen every four teaching weeks.

Payments to support additional expenses will be made once approval is given.

Payment is dependent on full attendance and will be reduced by 20% per week for each day or part day absence. All planned absence must be approved by the Head of Sixth Form.

Should student behaviour, attitude or attainment fall below what is deemed appropriate, payment may be reduced or withdrawn.

Behaviour is measured against the sixth form published behaviour monitoring policy.

Progress is measured at the end of each assessment window against a student’s target grades issued in September Year 12.

23 ...16 to 19 Bursary Fund

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Term Dates 2020-2021

Term Dates Term Michaelmas

College Opens to Students

College Closes to Students

Wed 2 September 2020 (Years 7 and 12 only)

Fri 23 October 2020

Thurs 3 September 2020 (All students attend*) Pending Government directions (Covid-19)

Christmas

Mon 2 November 2020

Fri 18 December 2020

Epiphany

Tues 5 January 2021

Thurs 11 February 2021

Easter

Mon 22 February 2021

Thurs 1 April 2021

Whitsun

Mon 19 April 2021

Fri 28 May 2021

Trinity

Mon 7 June 2021

Tues 20 July 2021

Inset Days 2020/2021 Tuesday 1 September 2020

Monday 4 January 2021

Friday 12 February 2021

Friday 25 June 2021

Wednesday 21 July 2021

Parents should check our website for other key dates throughout the year.

Parents should not take students out of College for holidays during term time. SUCH ABSENCES WILL NOT BE AUTHORISED. Any requests for leave of absence due to exceptional circumstances or for qualifying educational activity should be made to the Head of Sixth Form.

The College target for every student is a minimum of 97% attendance.

24 ...Term Dates -2020 –21

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College Map

25 ...College Map

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‘Student achievement is outstanding.’

OfSTED 2014

‘Not only does the college provide for excellence in academic terms, but it is able to ensure that this excellence includes its provision for the education, welfare and spiritual well-being of students of all ages and needs.’

Diocesan Inspection 2016

Contact and Useful Information All Hallows Catholic College Brooklands Avenue Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8LB

Parental Gateway Login Username:…………………………..

Password:…………………………… https://portal.allhallows.org.uk

Telephone: 01625 426138 General E-mail: admin@allhallows.org.uk Website: www.allhallows.org.uk 26 ...Contact/Useful Information

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Policies The following policies are available on the College website www.allhallows.org.uk and are recommended reading: Attendance, Behaviour, Homework, Uniform, Anti Bullying, Relationship and Sex Education, Charging and Remissions, Special Needs, Medicine Advice and Complaints.

In the Event of Emergency Closure EXTREME WEATHER (Snow I Ice) These are the procedures we have in place for extreme weather conditions. The Principal takes advice from the Director of Operations and then makes the decision as to whether or not a closure if necessary. Every effort will be made to make a decision as early as possible.

A decision to CLOSE will be announced on: All Hallows Website And as soon as it is practical by: Text message Twitter If no announcement is made, then the College is OPEN. Please do not attempt to telephone the College as this will block the telephone lines which will be used for emergencies.

If the College remains open, your child will need to make every attempt to get to their usual bus stop on time. If the bus fails to turn up, your child should return home after 30 minutes waiting time.

In the event of heavy snowfall during the College day, any decision to close early will be announced using the means above. Students are not allowed to use mobile ‘phones whilst in College and we request that you do not rely on individual messages that come to you from any source other than the official announcements. If the College closes during the normal College day, parents will also be informed by text-message.

If it is necessary to close the College for more than one day, parents will be informed, again, through the College website, text message and our Twitter.

Obviously the College will remain open unless the weather conditions present an obvious danger to safety.

In periods of adverse weather we ask parents to use their judgement as to the weather conditions where you live and the distance of travel when deciding if their child attends college each day. If you make the decision to not send your child to College when we are open and buses and cars are still running from your area, the absence may be unauthorised.

Please call college to explain your circumstances, if you will be keeping your child at home, to assist us in ensuring registers are coded correctly.

27 ...Policies & In the Event of Emergency Closure

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Biometrics Across the College Lunch arrangements We are proud to say that All Hallows Catholic College is cashless! We have teamed up with Innovate, our catering partners and ParentPay, to create a cashless restaurant.

Students and staff use either their biometric print or a 6-digit PIN number to purchase meals in the restaurant. This is convenient, safe and fast, helping us to make sure that all students can make the most of their breaks, instead of spending time queuing.

Parents/Carers will top up their child’s ParentPay account through the ParentPay website.

The system is very user friendly and payments sent online are received in College instantly.

We also use the ParentPay website for trip payments (see next page).

Students can purchase a meal which suits their individual requirements. Portions are individually priced and a meal deal may be purchased for £2.30.

Students may bring a packed lunch and dining facilities are made available for them.

All Year 7 to 11 students stay on the College site, without exception, at lunchtimes.

Biometrics — Printing & Cashless Payments The College uses biometrics for its ‘Follow Me Printing’ system and for cashless payments in the College Shop and Restaurant.

Each child will be registered with your consent. If you do not consent to your child’s biometric data being taken, they will be issued with a PIN which they can use to pay.

The system uses an image of the fingerprint to create a mathematical algorithm and then discards the fingerprint. Only the numbers remain and these cannot be reinterpreted back into the fingerprint.

Follow Me Printing Students and staff use their biometric print or PIN number to collect their printing from any of the printers located around the College. It is linked to their computer account and allows them to print anywhere and at any time in the College. We use this system to help monitor and reduce waste printing in the College.

Free College Meals If your child is entitled to a free meal, their entitlement will automatically transfer to this College. Their ParentPay account will be topped up automatically each day with the FSM entitlement - £2.30 at present.

Using biometrics and PINs means that there is greater anonymity for free school meal students as there are no tokens to collect ...Governors ...Cashless Catering and Trustees and Parent Pay

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and they ‘pay’ for their meals in exactly the same way as everybody else.

There is a direct link to apply for free meals on the College website. Go to Parent Information > College Meals > Free School Meals.

How do I get set up for payment?

If you have not received your log in details please contact the Finance Office. We advise that you log on and activate your account, so you are comfortable with the system before your child starts school.

Once logged on, you will see a FAQ sheet. If you have any further queries, please call us at any time – staff will be in College over the holidays.

Please note that your child’s account will need to be topped up before they can spend money in the College restaurant.

Trips We also use ParentPay for trip payments. We ask all parents to log on to their ParentPay account, where they can select the trip they want and pay with credit or debit card. The facility is very similar to online shopping – you add the trip to your basket and simply checkout. ParentPay does not hold any bank details.

Online payments are much more convenient and can be done 24/7.

PayPoint If you are unable to pay online, we can offer a PayPoint facility, where the Finance team can print off a trip letter including a barcode to be taken to your local PayPoint shop. Please bear in mind that PayPoint transactions can take up to 48 hours to show on our system.

A PayPoint card can also be provided for meals as a more permanent measure. Your first PayPoint card is free, but any replacements will come at a charge of £3.00. By logging onto your ParentPay account, you will be able to see a history of all payments, including any made using the PayPoint facility.

Privacy Notice Our Privacy Notice can be viewed by going to the following link: http://allhallows.org.uk/data-protection/

29 ...Privacy Notice ...Cashless Catering and Parent Pay

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Governors and Trustees Staff Governors Mrs A Heaton Mr T Beesley

Chair of Governors Mrs C Watson Vice-Chair of Governors Mrs A Caine Foundation Governors Mrs A Caine Mr J Knight Dr A Davison Miss L Alberti Community Governors Dr D Roberts

Parent Governors Mrs H Rawlinson

Principal and Governor Mr T Beesley Clerk to the Governors Gary Pugh

Foundation Governors are nominated by Diocese of Shrewsbury Colleges Commission. Parent Governors are elected by ballot and should a vacancy occur parents will be informed.

Trustees: Rt Rev. Mark Davies Bishop of Shrewsbury Diocese of Shrewsbury Colleges Commission Curial Offices, 2 Park Road South, Prenton, Wirral, CH43 4UX

30 ...Privacy Notice

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Safeguarding Statement All Hallows Catholic College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff at school. All concerns are passed through the members of staff who are trained as “Designated Safeguarding Lead” in College. All posts are offered subject to agreeing to sign the Catholic Education Service contract of employment and satisfactory DBS checks.

Cause for concern All staff are asked to report any causes for concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead using CPOMS. Any concerns will be shared with parents/carers as early as possible, as more often than not there are extremely reasonable explanations for the concern. Concerns may range from children being visibly upset to persistent lateness to children “disclosing” concerns.

The Safeguarding Lead is: Assistant Principal—Mr Blades (SLT Lead) Family Support Worker—Mrs Caroline Clements With deputy safeguarding leads as follows: Deputy Principal Mrs Garvey Assistant Principal Mrs Marshall Year Learning Leaders The Safeguarding Governor is: Dr D Roberts Our Safeguarding and Child Protection policies are available on the College website.

AS A NECESSARY PART OF ENROLMENT STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS ADMISSION FORM If your form is missing, please contact the College 31 ...Safeguarding Statement

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All are welcome at All Hallows Catholic College.

Come in and visit our wonderful Church College.

All Hallows Catholic College Brooklands Avenue Macclesfield Cheshire SK11 8LB

WWW.ALLHALLOWS.ORG.UK

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