Ringmer Sixth Form Prospectus

Sixth form

Welcome

to Ringmer Sixth Form

I would like to thank you for considering us for what is an important stage in your life. At Ringmer we are proud of our small and inclusive environment. Whether you are aiming to go into further education, an apprenticeship or employment we offer a range of courses to suit your needs.

and provide opportunities for students to build their confidence and leadership skills through volunteering within college and the local community, as well as through relevant work experience. We provide on-going careers advice, as well as supporting students in planning for their future after college, be it progressing towards employment or applying to university.

With a maximum possible intake of 180 students we aim to provide a personalised Sixth Form experience where all staff and students are known to each other. Personal Mentors support students on a one-to-one basis and monitor their progress and attainment. They also act as a single point of contact with home.

This is an important crossroads for you and as Head of Sixth Form I would like you to know that I am available throughout the year to meet with you to discuss your future options.

Learning and teaching focuses on developing creativity and independent thought. It builds on our expertise across a range of subjects within the 11–16 college. We believe the role of the college is to develop the whole person

Paul Burchett, Assistant Principal Head of Sixth Form

I look forward to meeting with you.

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Life in the

Sixth Form

You may feel that Sixth Form life will continue in a similar vain to your experience of college thus far but there are many clear differences between the two. The Ringmer Sixth Form experience has been designed to prepare you for university and the world of work.

You will find that the structure of your college day is different.

Not all your lessons are timetabled with a teacher. You will need to take more responsibility for your learning. Teachers will expect you to prepare for lessons by reading ahead in a subject, carrying out research, presenting your own thoughts, generating your own ideas or questions. Higher grades will be achieved through demonstrating an ability to craft an argument, analyse scenarios and identify weaknesses in the arguments of others. Your teachers will support you in developing these skills but you must ensure that you are fully committed to working independently and putting in the required effort to achieve to your full potential.

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A Modern

Learning Environment

The Sixth Form is a modern purpose built environment set at the back of the college campus. There is a dedicated quite study room along with a group study area adjacent to the dedicated cafeteria. Wi-Fi Internet access is available throughout the college campus. If you do not wish to bring in your own laptop PCs are available in the quite study room.

You will have access to state of the art engineering and design technology suites, two Apple Mac suites for media and music technology, a studio with a soundproofed recording booth and blue screen technology for film production, as well as a dedicated dance studio.

There is a dedicated Art room where students are provided with their own studio space which they are encouraged to decorate and evolve over their time in the college. The Sixth Form also has a dedicated Textiles studio. There are two dedicated, general classrooms both of which include access to PCs. Video conferencing facilities exist in the small seminar room and all classrooms contain interactive whiteboards for teaching and learning.

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A Supportive & Nurturing Community Effective guidance and support is vital to ensuring your success and personal growth. At Ringmer Sixth Form all students have a named mentor. They are available for one-to-one discussions about your learning needs. They will help you set targets for progress, listen to issues you may have about your learning as well as being a point of contact for home. In addition to your mentor you will also have access to a pastoral manager, an enrichment manager as well as the Assistant Principal who leads the Sixth Form, all of whom you will get to know within our small nurturing community.

In the dedicated daily mentor sessions there are opportunities to participate in discussions and presentations linked to your personal development, such as Personal, Social, and Health issues, the local PCSO, gap year volunteering organisations, safedriving etc. Study skills are addressed during this time in order to support you with the transition between GCSE and advanced level learning. You will also have time to prepare for applying to university and have access to advice on possible careers.

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Ensuring an

Enriched Experience At Ringmer we recognise that academic achievement is one facet of supporting you in reaching your true potential. In the modern world it is vital that you develop a range of additional competencies. Team-work, creativity, tenacity, leadership and integrity are skills often described as lacking in college leavers by employers. We will provide a range of opportunities for you to develop these skills through leadership opportunities within the college, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, mentor activities, volunteering and work experience.

There are many opportunities to show leadership qualities as part of the Sixth Form such as the termly role of the face of the Sixth Form. This involves promoting the Sixth Form at various events, running student voice within the Sixth Form and representing the interests of the Sixth Form on the whole college council. Aside from this high profile role you may also support main school students through peer-mentoring, sports coaching and charity events. Sixth Formers also take on roles in college performances, both front and back of house.

Students throughout the college are encouraged to set up and lead societies or clubs based on their interests. Sixth Formers tend to take on volunteering roles supporting these clubs and societies. Linked to the volunteering is the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award which requires students to spend 3 hours per week involved in volunteering, developing a new skill and a physical endeavour and culminates in a summer expedition.

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Supporting your

Next Step

The process for ‘moving on’ will also commence as soon as you start at Ringmer Sixth Form. We will provide careers advice through our pastoral support system as well as support sessions to take you through the UCAS application process.

In year 12 you will have the opportunity to attend a Higher Education Fair to collect various prospectuses and meet with representatives from higher education establishments. You will be supported in applying for Year 12 summer programs such as those run by Oxford and Cambridge or the Sutton Trust if we identify you as meeting the application requirements.

In year 13 we will support you in finalising your applications and preparing for interviews, including the opportunity to take a mock interview. Your offer grades will be factored into the college target setting and teaching staff will use these to help track your progress. On results day in year 13 staff will be available to support you in finalising your place. Examples of courses Ringmer Sixth Form students have moved on to study include: Music Production, Nursing, Maths, Business, Sport Management and English courses at university.

At Ringmer Sixth Form we encourage students to continue in education beyond the Sixth Form in order to realise their full potential. We will provide advice and guidance as to the costs of continuing in education given the current economic climate and recent announcements regarding student funding.

However, not all students will move on to higher education and Ringmer students in the past have progressed into employment, apprenticeships or further education. Your mentor may also arrange a personal appointment for you as we aim to support you in making the right choice moving on from the Sixth Form.

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Ringmer Community College and Sixth Form Lewes Road, Ringmer, Lewes BN8 5RB T. 01273 812220 F. 01273 813961 E. reception@ringmeracademy.org www.ringmeracademy.org.uk