Ravens Wood School Committed To Excellence & Innovation Recognised by the DfE as a Teaching School
Sixth FoRM
Our Vision Our vision at Ravens Wood is to be an internationally renowned community that provides an outstanding education for our students so that they can make a valued contribution as citizens of the world.
Our Aims In order to achieve this vision we aim to: • develop pupils and staff as leaders of Ravens Wood School • deliver an outstanding education that leads to high academic performance • foster involvement and performance in a wide range of enrichment activities • prepare the community for the demands of the knowledge age • enhance the skills for a lifetime of learning Ravens Wood School occupies a unique position in the English State School Education system; it is one of the few schools who have attained ‘outstanding’ status from OFSTED on four occasions, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2007. In addition, it has been the model for the formation of Teaching Schools, which have been created by the Department for Education, to ensure outstanding practice is developed and shared across the nation’s schools.
WELCOME
to the Sixth Form
Welcome from the Principal, Mr Kevin Saunders
Welcome from the Head of Upper School, Mr Lewis Clift
Welcome to the Sixth Form at Ravens Wood School. The contribution that our Sixth Formers make is extremely important to us. Sixth Form students are ambassadors for the school and are expected to act as role-models in all aspects of school life. Students joining the Sixth Form are expected to show commitment and individual responsibility towards raising standards in the school to an even higher level.
We are very proud of the achievements of our students in the Sixth Form. It is an integral part of our school community. With opportunities to develop as a Lady or Gentleman, Leader and Learner (the 3 Ls), the Sixth Form offers outstanding provision for both internal and external students to gain access to a first class educational experience. The expectation is that all students enter the Upper School with the goal of maximising their potential and offering positively to the 3 Ls of the Ravens Wood School Community.
Our Sixth Form has over 400 students on roll and provides a range of qualifications and opportunities for all. Ravens Wood School is a National Teaching School and staff are committed to high quality teaching and learning in all subjects. The school’s achievements and national recognition are factors that you should consider when making your choice about joining our Sixth Form. The ethos of the school is very important to us. We believe that Ravens Wood provides a community that is just and fair for all people who study, work or visit our school. Please study this prospectus carefully and seek advice from teachers and support staff about your ability to be successful in the wide range of options and opportunities that are available to you. A place in the Sixth Form will be offered to you if you meet the criteria for entry that is outlined further in this prospectus.
In this prospectus you will read of the broad provision of academic, vocational and enrichment opportunities available to your son or daughter. The balance of these aspects make Ravens Wood School an excellent place to study, a place where students are able to achieve world class performances in the classroom, stage and sportsfield, to name but a few. As a Teaching School, your son or daughter has access to outstanding teaching and learning, innovation and leading pedagogy. High quality facilities are available to all students with elite level coaching during curriculum periods for our academy groups. We aim to cater for all students’ needs effectively. We are committed to supporting the success of every student with close monitoring and individual support given to our young people, to give them every chance of achieving their ambitions. Exit pathways are available to Higher Education through University links and the UCAS process, as well as support for Oxbridge and Russell Group applicants and the world of work through Careers and employment opportunities. We would be delighted to see you at our 6th Form Open Evening to discuss any matter further or you may contact us at any time to arrange a visit.
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entering
the Sixth Form Community
What do I need to be able to join the Sixth Form? Providing you meet the entry requirements and subject specific criteria to join the Sixth Form and the School feels confident that: • you will role model the 3Ls • there is an appropriate course for you to follow • you will benefit from the proposed course • you will contribute to the well-being of both the Sixth Form and the whole School • you will manage your time effectively and study independently.
“ The Ravens Wood Learning Community continues to develop from strength to strength. Students and staff work very well together to achieve the most positive results.” 2
What does the future hold? Some of you are quite sure of your future plans – whether you have chosen to stay at school, to go to college or to start work. No matter how definite these plans seem to be now, you must remember that you may wish to change your mind. There could be several reasons for this: • the examination results you obtained are higher than you expected. If this is the case more possibilities may have opened up for you • the examination results you obtained are lower than you expected. If this happens you may have to choose a new career path to attain enough good passes for your chosen route • your career plan no longer appeals to you. You will be reassured to know that it is sometimes possible to keep your options open until the first few days of the new school year. There will be people on hand to advise and guide you on the best route for your future once you have all the results of your GCSEs. The final date for course changes will be the end of the third week in September. However, once you have committed yourself to a course or subject you will be expected to continue with it throughout Year 12.
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study programmes
Academic Courses
AS/A2 levels
BTEC Courses
Strand Entry
This is the largest area of recruitment to the Sixth Form and the traditional route to higher education. The selection of appropriate combinations of AS/A2 level subjects may be crucial for a student with a particular career in mind. Advice is available from the School Careers Service and there is also outline guidance on selecting AS/A2 level subjects in this prospectus.
BTEC courses are designed as specialist qualifications for students who have a clear view of their future career or are seeking progression to higher education. They are equivalent to A levels and are highly valued by universities, further education colleges and employers alike. All BTECs are unit based and offer a choice for students to select from to match their interests. They are recommended for those who have achieved at least five A*-C grade GCSEs including Mathematics and English and have completed a BTEC Level 2 with distinction. Students develop practical skills that they know employers will value and which will help them get a job in the future.
Strand 1
Entry requirements for AS/A2 • A minimum of five GCSEs at grade B or above including Mathematics and English. • However, it is important to stress that most A level subjects have additional entry requirements at grade B or above. Details of these are in this Prospectus under the respective subject information.
Entry requirements for BTEC • 5 GCSEs mainly at grade C (or above) including Mathematics and English. • A high level of motivation.
Entry – 5 GCSEs at A*- B including Mathematics & English plus individual subject criteria Year 12 – 4 AS Levels plus Enrichment/Academy Year 13 – 3 A2 Levels plus Enrichment/Academy Strand 2 Entry – 5 GCSEs at A*- B including Mathematics & English plus individual subject criteria Year 12/13 – Equivalent of 3 AS Levels can include a BTEC Level 3 Award plus Enrichment/Academy Strand 3 Entry – 5 GCSEs at A*- C including Mathematics & English Year 12/13 – BTEC courses plus Enrichment/Academy
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our academic
Provision
AS/A2 Provision
Elite Academy Provision
• Biology
• History
• Business Studies
• Information Communication Technology
• Chemistry • Dance • Design Technology • Drama & Theatre Studies • Economics • English Language • English Literature • Film Studies • Fine Art • French & German • Geography • Graphics
• Mathematics • Media Studies • Music • Music Technology • Photography • Physical Education • Physics • Psychology • Sociology
• BTEC in Applied Science (Biology)
• BTEC National Diploma in IT
• BTEC Diploma in Business
• BTEC Diploma in Creative Media Production
• BTEC Diploma in Sport
• Ravens Wood Music Academy
• Ravens Wood Football Academy
• Chefs’ Academy
• Ravens Wood Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA)
• Moral Philosophy
BTEC Provision
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• Ravens Wood Rugby Academy
Guidance on the choice of your academic studies is available to ensure that students take combinations which will serve their career entry requirements or lead to appropriate qualifications for University. Many subjects are offered but not all combinations are possible as it is necessary to timetable a number of subjects at the same time. Individual discussion about subject combinations is encouraged. Advice may be obtained from the Sixth Form Office or the school Careers Office who will be happy to assist in mapping out future plans for individual students. It is important firstly to consider if you need a particular combination of subject areas for your chosen University course or career. Next, you should choose subjects that you enjoy and believe you will do well in.
“ Ravens Wood School offers a broad range of academic options at KS5. Our moral commitment to lifelong learning is paramount to our success.”
our wider
Post 16 Offer
Tutor and Academic Mentoring Periods Every day time is set aside for tutors and individual students to work together, provide target setting and discuss key topics/ themes relevant to student progress, university entrance or life issues.
Individual Personal Study Each student is expected to work privately in school and at home on subject assignments. Statutory supervised private study is expected of all our students, the amount being directly proportional to the individual performance of students as the course progresses. At Ravens Wood School we believe it is essential for Sixth Form students to get involved in the wider school community and gain invaluable skills and experiences from this involvement.
Community Service Every Sixth Form student pursuing a two-year course is expected to complete forty hours of community service. The primary aim of the programme is to encourage students to take an active role in the running of the lower school,
and the students who have participated invariably respond well to the responsibility. Students benefit from increased confidence when dealing with adults and younger children. Most students choose to do this by supporting a teacher during lesson time and this usually takes place once a week with classes in Years 7 to 9. Although students tend to assist in the teaching of a subject they are studying, they can also work in departments with which they have no academic contact. Students negotiate the nature of the help they provide with individual teachers. Work with outside agencies is also encouraged. The school has active links with many charitable organisations and placements can be found for students who have an interest in this field.
Buddy Programme All Sixth Formers in Year 12 are required to ‘buddy’ a new Year 7 student. It is hoped that by helping new Year 7s settle in, the Sixth Form will promote ‘community’ and provide a positive role model.
Sixth Form Leadership Group, Student Leaders and Coaching The Sixth Form Leadership Group formulated to support the study of Mathematics is an outstanding example of student leadership. The group run revision sessions, coach their peers and lecture at Maths Conventions. This is an area we plan to develop further and role model in a number of subject areas. Student Leaders support their chosen Department/Faculty in a variety of ways such as helping with promotional events e.g. Open Days/Evenings, and by helping individual students or small groups of students with their studies both in and out of lessons.
Prefects There is a large Prefect team comprising of Year 12 Students. Prefects are allocated weekly duties which helps to support members of Staff at break and lunchtime.
Student Leadership Team: Head Boy/Girl & Deputies This team is chosen from the student body and has a considerable leadership role within the school.
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enrichment school
Aiming to achieve Excellence
Sixth Form students participate in extra-curricular activities managed by the Enrichment School. At Ravens Wood we believe that students who engage in a broad range of Enrichment activities are more likely to be proud and committed members of the school community and achieve more personally as a result. The Enrichment School offers an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities to all Ravens Wood students. Primary school enrichment schemes offer Sixth Form students outstanding leadership opportunities whilst allowing them to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
“ Enrichment is integral to life at Ravens Wood School, with students benefiting from participation and performance opportunities in a wide range of subject areas.” 8
6th Form Wider Enrichment Programme For those who are keen to pursue other enrichment areas, we are very proud of the variety of activities we are able to offer students at Ravens Wood. After the results in August, a pack will be available detailing all the activities under the enrichment banner; below we have listed our current options: • Critical Thinking
• Politics
• Citizenship
• Literary Review
• HSLA
• Further Maths
• Extended Project
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
• Arts Mark • Young Enterprise • Italian • Leadership Skills • Community Service • Model U.N.
• Website Application Design • Fitness Development and Accreditation • IFS School of Finance Student Investment Challenge
Elite Academy Provision The Ravens Wood School Academy Groups bring together the most talented students in the areas of Music, Dance and Drama, Cooking, Rugby and Football and are designed and developed for students entering Year 12 at Ravens Wood. Entry is strictly by trial or audition only. The Academies have been designed to allow students to apply themselves effectively to their academic studies alongside a dedicated programme of professional training in their given area of specialism. Students applying to an Academy group choose between a variety of A-level and vocational courses on offer at Ravens Wood. In addition to academic classes Academy members will train 5-times a week and are also fully involved in coaching and leadership. Academy groups are linked to industry professionals and there are opportunities to tour and compete at the highest level amongst schools nationally.
and Inclusion The 5 core principles of our academy groups are as follows: 1. Students receive professional coaching from our own staff and professionals from outside of the school for at least 5 hours each week alongside their formal academic studies. 2. There are well established links with professional organisations that help to provide coaching and performance opportunities (Saracens RFC, Fulham FC, Royal Academy of Dance/Drama, Bromley Youth Music Trust and Pabulum Catering Company). 3. Students are expected to compete and perform at the highest standard amongst schools nationally (this may include tours and performance platforms in other countries). 4. Students are placed into a tutor group where their very specific pastoral needs are met. 5. Formal qualification for all academy students who will help to coach and mentor younger students at the school.
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Ravens Wood School Committed To Excellence & Innovation Recognised by the DfE as a Teaching School
Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 8HP Tel. 01689 856050 | Fax. 01689 869948 office@rws.uk.net | www.ravenswood.bromley.sch.uk
Disclaimer Every care has been taken in the preparation of this prospectus. It is possible that courses, and combinations of courses, may vary due to changes in demand, resources or staffing. Should it not prove viable to run a course you may have chosen, for whatever reason, we will make every effort to inform you as a matter of priority. However, this may not be possible until the start of the new school year and we regret any inconvenience this may cause.
CHALLENGE PARTNERS