William de Ferrers Sixth Form Prospectus

SIXTH FORM

AN ACADEMY FOR THE COMMUNIT Y

“ Leadership in the sixth form is good.”

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OFSTED 2015

WELCOME FROM THE HEADTEACHER I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE WILLIAM DE FERRERS SCHOOL SIXTH FORM WHERE WE BALANCE ACADEMIC RIGOUR ALONGSIDE THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. A SIXTH FORM EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP MATURITY AND A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN A FRAMEWORK WHERE EVERYONE AIMS AT EXCELLENCE THROUGH HARD WORK, COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT. We are delighted to be able to offer you a choice of courses which will allow you to follow the subjects which best fit your needs and interests. We can draw on our experience of the UCAS application process to help with your submission to your preferred university or to gain qualifications needed for the career of your choice.

Life in the Sixth Form is not only about academic success but also personal and social development. However, the key requirements are simple: choose the right courses, be prepared to work hard and maintain good attendance; complete all assignments and assessments and work in partnership with the school. The work is demanding but also rewarding as it allows you the opportunity to explore your own interests within your chosen subjects.

All students are expected to maintain high standards of courtesy and behaviour and take pride in their appearance and their school. Whilst being a distinct

group of students, the Sixth Form is an extension of our successful school and continues the traditions and values of William de Ferrers.

We pride ourselves on our knowledge of each and every student’s strengths and aspirations and in turn have high expectations of them.

Sixth Formers play an important part in the life of the school and are role models for students in lower years.

I hope this prospectus will give you a flavour of our Sixth Form and that you will take the opportunity to find out more about us. I look forward to welcoming you to the William de Ferrers Sixth Form.

Neal McGowan Headteacher

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A SCHOOL COMMUNITY LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM IS DIFFERENT TO THE REST OF THE SCHOOL AND CAN BE DEMANDING. TO BE SUCCESSFUL, SELF-MOTIVATION AND GOOD ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS ARE VERY IMPORTANT, WITH SIXTH FORM STUDENTS EXPECTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE TO THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL IN THEIR ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOUR AND DRESS. There are opportunities to support younger students such as through the paired reading scheme, peer mentoring and our sports leaders’ programme.

A Head Boy and Head Girl and two Deputies are elected each year and act as ambassadors for the whole school, not just the Sixth Form.

In addition, students in both Years 12 and 13 are encouraged to become prefects and senior prefects to work alongside staff with duties both in and outside the classroom.

The Sixth Form organise and take part in charity days such as Children in Need and Red Nose Day as well as events for lower school pupils.

Students in Year 12 also have responsibility for producing and selling the school’s Year Book, an exciting project that is dependent on student creativity and commitment.

We value the importance of visiting theatre groups and individual speakers to help inform students, develop debate on important issues and raise awareness of social issues in preparation for students’ future paths.

This is also reflected in our renowned ‘Insight Into Management’ residential at the University of Kent which all our Year Twelve students take part in and the work experience which takes place in the last two weeks of the summer term.

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“ TEACHING IN THE SIXTH FORM HAS RAPIDLY IMPROVED AS A RESULT OF HIGHER EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT STUDENTS CAN ACHIEVE.” OFSTED 2015

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LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THE USE OF A SIXTH FORM CENTRE, WHICH IN ADDITION TO A PRIVATE STUDY AREA AND SEPARATE SOCIAL SPACE, INCLUDES A CAFÉ WHICH SELLS DRINKS AND SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. There is a strong pastoral system of support and this helps Sixth Form students to prepare for university life by learning how to study independently and use their time effectively. We embrace the use of ICT and mobile technology to enhance learning and study. Students are strongly encouraged to bring laptops or other portable devices to school.

Sixth Form staff are based in the Sixth Form Centre and are on hand to help oversee studies and offer informal conversations and mentoring if students need academic support or just a friendly chat.

There is no school uniform in the Sixth Form. However, in order to maintain standards within the school there is a strictly enforced dress code.

A number of courses involve some expenditure on the part of the student for materials, equipment, visits and fieldwork. The school offers a bursary scheme that benefits students who may suffer financial hardship.

Early during the summer term the school offers Year 12 a UCAS information event to provide students and parents with details of the process for applying to university. This is followed by support and advice at every step of the application process provided by experienced Sixth Form staff and Form Tutors.

We also offer opportunities for trips, fieldwork and visits, both at home and abroad. We have excellent links with the top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is thriving in the Sixth Form.

“ MORE STUDENTS ARE PLANNING TO GO TO UNIVERSITY AS A RESULT OF A TARGETED UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS PROGRAMME.” OFSTED 2015

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CURRICULUM CHOICE

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO BE MADE BEFORE MAKING YOUR FINAL SUBJECT CHOICES. WHEN TRYING TO DECIDE, THINK ABOUT IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITIES AND SKILLS THE COURSE DEMANDS AND WHETHER YOU WILL FIND THE SUBJECT INTERESTING. Do you need the subject in order to follow a chosen career path or university course? How well are you doing in Year 11? Are you reaching your potential? Your GCSE results and the point score calculated from them heavily influence which courses will be open to you in the Sixth Form.

Please read the information on the application form and in the course directory when choosing your subjects and if you require clarification do not hesitate to contact us.

We expect you to commit to fulfilling your true potential and in return you can expect from us subject expertise delivered in an innovative and exciting way, together with a strong pastoral support programme to help and guide you through Sixth Form and beyond.

We can offer you a wide ranging enrichment programme to broaden your experience and guidance and support as you choose university courses and consider your career choices. We believe that academic monitoring and tracking is vital to ensure steady and impressive progress and we will show a dedication to ensuring you reach your goals.

If you choose to make an application for a university place, as a large number of our students do, we will provide access to a wide range of support including visiting speakers and individual careers advice.

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WHO CAN JOIN THE SIXTH FORM? THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES NEAR AND FAR, WE HELP STUDENTS TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP. Year 12 in the Sixth Form is open to all young people who wish to study full-time for A Level courses, who meet both the general entry requirements and the subject specific criteria for the courses they wish to follow. We also offer a range of Level 3 BTEC courses.

The school offers three academic pathways for students to follow:

THE GREEN PATHWAY Students on the Green Pathway take four A-Levels and are recommended to have a GCSE point score of 46 or above.

Students have the option to drop down to three A-Levels in Year 13.

THE RED PATHWAY Students on the Red Pathway take one vocational/applied qualification and up to three A-Levels. The number of A-Levels taken depends on whether they choose a single or a double vocational/ applied qualification. Students on this pathway are recommended to have a point score between 40 and 46.

THE GOLD PATHWAY

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Students on the Gold Pathway take at least two vocational/applied subjects and, if required, have the option to resit GCSE Maths or English in order to achieve a Grade C. Students on this pathway will have a point score of between 36 and 40.

Information about the subjects that can be taken in the Sixth Form can be found in the Sixth Form course directory which is available from the Sixth Form reception and on the school website.

To work out your average GCSE point score, add together the number of points awarded to each subject and divide by the number of subjects.

A* – 58

A – 52

B – 46

C – 40

D – 34

E – 28

F – 22

G – 16

Note: Short courses are included in this calculation as a half GCSE.

To continue with a subject into Year 13, students must have passed the AS Level or if no examination is part of the course then all Year 12 modules must have been completed to an appropriate and satisfactory standard. Every student will be considered individually and minimum target grades, effort and attainment throughout the year will be taken into consideration. However, progression will ultimately be at the discretion of the school.

“ TEACHERS MAKE STUDENTS THINK MORE DEEPLY BY ASKING EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS AND STUDENTS WORK TOGETHER WELL IN WHOLE-CLASS ACTIVITIES, IN GROUPS AND ON THEIR OWN.” OFSTED 2015

Trinity Square, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5JU Telephone: 01245 326326 Email: mainoffice@williamdeferrers.essex.sch.uk

www.williamdeferrers.essex.sch.uk

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AN ACADEMY FOR THE COMMUNIT Y