Sixth Form Information Booklet

ags.bucks.sch.uk

SIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING

ORDER OF THE EVENING

Welcome to our Year 12 Information Evening. We hope you find the presentations informative and interesting. We would be grateful for feedback from you as to whether you find it helpful, and any other information you think we could include in the future.

Below is an outline of the presentations

Prior to the presentations – a slide show of Sixth Form students getting involved in life at AGS

Presentations by staff as follows:

• Mr M J Sturgeon Headmaster Welcome and introductions

• Mr G J Ramsbottom Head of Year 13 Sixth Form – A levels

• Miss E M Treherne Head of Year 12 Beyond A levels…

• Mrs L Franklin Careers Advisor Careers support

• Rehan Wasim Year 13 student Thriving in Sixth Form

• Mr G Singh Head of Sixth Form Support for the Sixth Form

Contacts

Mr G Singh, Head of Sixth Form: gsingh@ags.bucks.sch.uk

Miss E Treherne, Head of Year 12: etreherne@ags.bucks.sch.uk

Mr G Ramsbottom, Head of Year 13: gramsbottom@ags.bucks.sch.uk

For Careers advice contact email: lfranklin@ags.bucks.sch.uk

For Work shadowing contact email: shinson@ags.bucks.sch.uk

KEY DATES

We thought it might be helpful for parents to have a list of key dates for the current academic year.

Please also check with the school calendar on ags.bucks.sch.uk. Please also read the weekly parent bulletin, as well as termly letters from the Headmaster and the termly Newsletters.

Please be aware that there are a number of coursework deadlines that come throughout the year. Students will always be told of final coursework deadlines well in advance.

Friday 22nd September 2023

October – December 2023

Wednesday 6th December 2023

w/b 4th December 2023

January – March 2023

Early warnings or concerns expressed to Heads of Year

First round of new prefect applications and appointments

Year 12 Consultation Evening 5.00pm (1) (in person)

Termly assessment grades brought home

Second round of new prefect applications and appointments

Tuesday 20th February 2024 Post 18 Options Information Evening

W/B 25th March 2024

Termly assessment grades brought home

W/B 10th June 2024 Year 12 exam week; UCAS predictions will be based on the whole years’ work, as well as on the outcomes of these exams

Thursday 4th July 2024 Year 12 Consultation Evening 5.00pm (2) (online)

W/B 15th July 2024

Termly assessment grades brought home. Please note that there will be no full written report in Year 12. In Year 13 there will be one Parents Evening and a full written report.

September – November 2024

Summer 2025

Majority of UCAS applications submitted

A level examinations

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Sixth Form are designed to meet the increased expectations of A level students at university, in Apprenticeships or in employment. The increased competition for places and jobs means more is expected from young people, and not just academically. As well as good GCSE and A level grades students are expected to build a comprehensive CV including work experience and IT skills, develop self-esteem, leadership and team work skills and the ability to set and meet personal targets.

Support and guidance will be offered to the individual student but, overall, each student is expected to take responsibility for developing the range of experiences and skills he will need for both Higher Education, training or employment. It is hoped that by the end of his Sixth Form experience every student will:

• Have achieved their academic potential

• Be better informed over career options and prospects

• Have made decisions on the future and achieved an appropriate place in Higher Education, apprenticeship or employment

• Have developed social qualities of leadership, team membership and independent living

• Have developed a wide range of recreational and cultural interests

• Have learned to play an active and positive role in the school and wider community

• Have developed key skills in communication, IT, problem solving, working with others and independent learning

Suggestions that may help students achieve these aims follows:

Have achieved his academic potential

• Take responsibility for your own learning

• Record achievements on UnifroG

• Discuss academic issues with subject staff and set targets to improve eg. increase grade in Biology from C to B and HOW you are going to do this

• Use Home and Private Study effectively

• Develop effective time management

• Know your predicted A level grades and know how to work towards them

• Make full use of Library and Sixth Form Study facilities

• Get extra support if necessary, including that on offer within school though support sessions

• Have discussions with teachers, Tutor, Head of House and Head of Year to review and monitor progress

Be better informed over career options and prospects

• Research career, apprenticeship and Higher Education options using facilities in school and on University

Open Days

• Attend careers conferences

• Make use of careers libraries

• Make an interview with a careers advisor, either through school or an external agency

• Attend talks by outside speakers – and engage in what you are hearing!

• Discuss options with parents, friends, family and staff

• Take part in the Work Shadowing programme through school or arrange your own placements

• Get a part time job

Have made decisions on the future and achieved an appropriate place in Higher Education, apprenticeship or employment

• Arrange and attend interviews with your Head of House and/or careers advisor

• Submit applications for UCAS, apprenticeships or employment

• Research options using all available resources both in school and the community

Have developed social qualities of leadership, team membership and independent living

• Participate in AGS clubs and societies (including running or setting up a club of your own)

• Participate in House activities and competitions

• Participate in extra curricular activities such as Young Enterprise, music, sport, drama, conferences or community based opportunities

• Play an active role in your tutor group through discussions and fulfilling key roles

• Achieve a position of responsibility inside or outside of school

Have developed a wide range of recreational and cultural interests

• Make use of newspapers, magazines and other resources in the school and libraries

• Participate in cultural activities within the school, and outside of school eg. drama, music, school visits or art

• Develop recreational interests outside school eg. join a gym, club or choir

• Participate in sporting activities through school games or teams

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Have learned to play an active and positive role in the school and wider community

• Work with younger students through, for example, your House, studies, classes, clubs and societies

• Contribute articles to school newsletters or The Aylesburian

• Respect and take responsibility for the upkeep of the school environment – be part of the Eco team!

• Become a student representative on a number of groups within School

• Achieve a position of leadership within the school eg become a prefect or develop leadership in sport/music or a club

Have developed key skills in communication, problem solving, working with others and independent learning

• Choose an additional study, such as the EPQ or electives, to widen knowledge

• Take a lead in the assembly programme

• Make use of the IT facilities at school and home when completing homework or applications

• Improve oral communication skills through the Debating Society, public speaking, taking an assembly or helping a lower school class

• Fully engage in all lessons and fully research all coursework;

• Read around all subjects regularly – read ahead in the syllabus

SIXTH FORM LIFE

Sixth Form students have use of the Sixth Form Learning Centre which includes the learning centre, group discussion room, the common room, outside area and toilets. For silent, independent study students may also use the Library as well as some of the computer rooms. There is plenty of room for a student to study effectively on school site and our guidelines for successful A level study is that for every hour in front of a teacher, a student should be self-studying for an hour – this will include reviewing what has been taught, checking textbooks, reading around the subject and practising questions. This is in addition to approximately two hours of homework per day.

The Library

For silent work and access to school computers when a class is not using the venue; this space also allows access to newspapers and academic journals as well as well-resourced shelves of books.

The Learning Centre

This provides an opportunity for study where students can work in a quiet area which is not the Library. The learning centre is not a common room, so no chatting, eating, drinking or games are permitted. There are a large number of resources in this area which provide guidance on Higher Education and careers. This is also the venue where the majority of ‘School Study’ sessions are held – these are supervised study periods.

The Group Discussion Room

This provides an opportunity for studying with others so that students can discuss their work. This is not a common room and so no eating or game playing is permitted during lesson or lunch times.

The Common Room

This is a social area exclusively for the Sixth Form and includes an outside eating area. Here students can purchase hot and cold food, eat and drink or just sit with friends chatting and relax. The common room is their space but they are expected to behave appropriately, keep it free from litter and leave it tidy. We recommend limited use of the common room during lesson time – break and lunchtime is reasonable! We encourage limited use of mobile phones during social times to emphasise positive interaction.

Lockers

These are outdoors by the Lecture Theatre. Students can bring in their own padlock but must register the number with the School Office.

Computer access

Students in Year 12 are required to bring laptops/iPads into school (this does not include phones as these are not suitable for A level work). Students remain responsible for their devices at all times. There is good internet access and Wi-Fi around most of the School, but students may require ICT support to set this up on their laptop. There is some limited access to computers in some of the available computer rooms, provided use is appropriate (no game playing, misbehaviour, eating or drinking) and permission is sought from any class teacher who may be teaching in the room.

SIXTH FORM LIFE

Uniform

We want our Sixth Form students to lead by example so students in the Sixth Form continue to wear school uniform with blazers, V-neck jumpers or waistcoats, proper shirts, ties, black socks and proper black shoes. The exceptions are that their shirts and jumpers may be of any plain single colour (without any patterns or logos). Jumpers or waistcoats may be worn under a blazer, not instead of one. We ask for proper suit type trousers, not chino or jeans type. Students may wear coats over the top of blazers when outside. In addition, students must be clean shaven and have no obvious jewellery, tattoos or piercings. In the case of medical or faith grounds for not being clean shaven, we ask for a formal letter to the Headmaster. We will ask for any earrings to be removed and if constantly worn will require parents to come into school to collect the item.

Attendance, punctuality and leaving school site at lunchtime

We expect your son to be on school site by 8.35am every day at the absolute latest – even if he has no lesson until period 2 (or later). He is still required to register each day with his Tutor and to attend all assemblies. He should remain on school site until we agree otherwise (unless he has permission to leave site for lessons at AHS, Community Involvement, Home Study or other agreed activity). Normally Sixth Form students may go off site at lunchtime, provided they have returned the reply slip signed by parents at the beginning of Year 12. Thank you for the prompt return of these. Students must tap in and out when leaving site. School expectations apply throughout the day and so behaviour off-site must be acceptable to the school at all times. At all other times students must be on-site (see later section on Home Study and signing in and out) until the last bell of the day. Any authorised absences during the day (medical appointments etc. which need to be requested ahead of time) require the student to sign out and back in at the School Office. If a student is unaccounted for by 9.00am in the morning, we will send out text messages to parents.

Home Study

Once authorised (not usually until later in Y12) Home Study is a privilege and enables a student to take time to study at home rather than at school - if it is not used appropriately it is a privilege that may be removed. Home Study requires the approval of parents, the student and the Head of Year. Since we would like parents to be fully aware that their son is studying at home, Home Study will only be approved later in Year 12 once a reply slip is returned to the student via their Tutor. Home Study is usually available for Year 12, provided the student has settled well to work and is making good use of his time, as well as taking responsibility for his learning. Students should not assume that Home Study will automatically be approved and must be aware that any request must comply with the following guidelines.

➢ Students can only apply for Home Study on period 5s when they have no allocated lessons. This includes Games on a Wednesday afternoon or the Speakers and Lecture programmes on Mondays period 5.

➢ No Home Study is to be taken in the mornings or in the middle of the school day with the exception of period 4 if the student also has no timetabled lesson period 5 and is formally approved.

➢ If a student is a Prefect, further negotiations may be available on an individual basis!

➢ All Home Study is dependent on a positive attitude to learning and progress and on the student taking responsibility effectively for his learning.

➢ If a student does not get Home Study at first this may change if things improve through the year.

Once Home Study is given, students will need to tap out using their key fobs in the Sixth Form Common Room when they leave the premises so we know that the student is not on site anywhere should a fire alarm go off. If they choose not to leave they should tap in as explained below.

Key fobs - signing in and out

With the privileges afforded to Sixth Form students it is essential for all students to register in school if they are not present at any formal registration (with good reason). The main gates close at 8.45am. After this point if a student is late, he must tap in using his key fob. If a student arrives after 8.45 but before 9.15am he will be regarded as late. After 9.15am a student will be marked as absent and an email is required to explain the absence, however the student should still tap in for safety reasons and to demonstrate he is present in school on that day. If at any time during the day a student leaves the site for an appointment he should tap out at and if returning tap back in using his key fob. Our formal afternoon registration period is taken during period 4 and if a student is not in a lesson or has no member of staff to take the register during period 4 he must tap in using his key fob, to register his presence on site. As an extra precaution, we also ask students to tap in during period 5 if they are on School site and are not in front of a teacher for a timetabled lesson. Attendance and punctuality records, in our experience, form a key part of future references when we are asked….

University Open Days/Interviews/absences

Students are encouraged to visit universities and consider their future plans. We allow 3 days during school time over the two Sixth Form years, although these are normally taken during the summer term of Year 12 and autumn term of Year 13. Please note that it is possible to visit universities at weekends and in the holidays and we are keen to keep absence from school to a minimum whilst also supporting a student’s aspirations.

For any planned absence (including university visits) of more than a session (morning/afternoon) from school, students should complete an absence request form from the school website (under Parents; Letters and Forms). Forms should be submitted well in advance so that there is time for you to hear whether the request has been approved. As with any planned absences students must contact their Tutor and teaching staff and get any work they will miss in advance and do any homework set. All requests for absence of a full day or more require an absence request form to be completed. If your son is absent from school unexpectedly (for example, illness), please phone the absent boy line or email absence@ags.bucks.sch.uk. For any absences for only part of a day (ie medical), please email absence@ags.bucks.sch.uk in advance.

Cars and driving

Students wishing to bring a car to school must have their vehicle registered at the school. This is done by the students completing a google form available on Sixth Form Google Classroom. For safety and insurance reasons, student cars must not be driven onto, or parked on, school grounds or obstruct any school entrances and exits. Parents will be contacted if there are concerns. We regret that parking outside the school is very difficult indeed and we encourage car sharing or the bus to help with this. Absence will be authorised for a driving test but we ask that all driving lessons are booked outside of school time.

SIXTH FORM LIFE

Sixth Form Electives

In addition to other enrichment options we have included some formal lessons in the timetables for students to select their own electives. This will enable them to expand their own learning in a variety of topics not covered in the curriculum subjects. The courses will vary in length and will achieve certification via the School. There are some very important electives programmes available (Interviews, Job applications) and also some that may expand a student’s personal interests (Business, Media). To further support online research for future pathways we have subscribed to a platform called UNIFROG. Please do not think that the name including ‘uni’ means it is only for university options. It is a central place to explore a variety of options including MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and apprenticeships. This is also where students should record all their achievements and experiences for future references. Not all students will have space in their timetables for electives but ANY student can follow these programmes and these will develop and demonstrate wider learning.

Student Leadership

Students can apply to be considered for the role of prefect in the autumn term of Year 12. The first round of prefects is appointed at the end of December. There are then two further opportunities to apply at Easter in Year 12 and again in October of Year 13. If appointed a prefect in December in Year 12 there is then an opportunity for prefects to apply to be considered for promotion to senior prefect which will bring with it more responsibility. A small number of the first round prefects will also be appointed to be Head Boys of House and of School. The criteria for becoming a prefect will be stated on the application forms and any queries should be directed, in the first instance, to the Heads of House. The key criteria include participation in the life of the school and House; reliability and maturity; recent discipline record and an ability to carry out duties. All new students are encouraged to apply and may list any achievements in their previous schools to support their applications; they should also introduce themselves to their Head of House as soon as possible and try to get involved in the life of the School/House where possible. However, try not to worry about this too much – there are LOTS of ways of getting involved in school life, being rewarded and developing responsibility and showing leadership.

Pastoral/Academic support

Students are always welcome to discuss any issue with their Tutor, Head of House or Head of Year or to contact academic staff about subject specific issues. Any concerns from staff also go via Tutors and the Head of Year. As parents, if you have concerns, you are welcome to contact the Tutor in the first instance as they usually know their students well, thereafter it is usual to contact the Head of Year if an issue continues to be a concern. If a problem is not able to be resolved by the academic teacher, Tutor or Head of Year you are welcome to contact the Head of Sixth Form.

CAREERS ADVICE

Independent Careers Advice

Who?

Mrs Laura Franklin – Independent Careers Adviser for AGS

Contact details: lfranklin@ags.bucks.sch.uk

Based in Meeting Room 1 upstairs in The House. In school 1 day per week, usually on a Tuesday.

What?

Independent, impartial advice and guidance

Complementary to the Careers Education programme in school

Links in with the Gatsby Benchmarks: 8 - Personal guidance

Available on a range of topics including:

• Career decision making

• University and Higher Education options

• Apprenticeships and other alternatives to HE

• Group and 1:1 guidance appointments in the Spring Term.

• Attendance at Year 12 Parents’ Evening in the Autumn term

What to start doing now?

• Start to find out about the options after Year 13: University, Employment, Apprenticeships, Gap Year.

• Research into ideas further. As well as UNIFROG useful sites include: www.ucas.com and www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

• Consider skills, interests and abilities.

• Talk to friends and family.

• Try some career quizzes - UNIFROG quizzes www.prospects.ac.uk and www.sacu-student.com and https://www.ucas.com/explore/career-quiz

• Research where A level subjects could lead: https://sacu-student.com/?page_id=5203 –www.informedchoices.ac.uk/subjects

www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree

• Job database websites: UNIFROG, Prospects.ac.uk, www.ucas.com/explore/career-list

SUPPORT US THE AYLESBURIAN ANNUAL FUND

Thank you to those parents who continue to support their son’s School – the Aylesburian Annual Fund is making a huge impact and it is wonderful that you are motivated to help.

Donations to our School are our lifeblood. They enable us meet essential needs and to enrich the learning and teaching at AGS. They help to make us the School we are today and will enable us to plan refurbishments and improve some of our facilities that are no longer fit for purpose. Contributions can be regular or one-off donations, but given our precarious financial position, absolutely any level of donation makes a significant difference to each and every one of the students and staff at AGS.

We are trying to make supporting AGS as easy as possible as we know everyone is busy.

To donate, please scan the QR code below or contact Alison Cox, Development Director at acox@ags.bucks.sch.uk.

It really does take just a minute to set up your support. We hope you can see the benefits of this fund and how the projects they facilitate are an integral part of our fantastic heritage and our future.

Please consider supporting us if you can.

Thank you.