Voyager Sixth Form Prospectus 2015-16

SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS 2016

An Academy of the

WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL

The Voyager Academy has established its reputation as a really good Sixth Form centre in Peterborough. This reputation is based on strong academic success, a significant range of courses appropriate to student needs, exceptional student leadership opportunities, high levels of student satisfaction and an outstanding success rate in gaining places at the best universities for a variety of subjects.

It is well known that the teaching and facilities for Media, Dance, Drama, Music and Art at the Voyager Academy are exceptional.

Facilities and achievement are also very impressive across other key areas of the Sixth Form. Overall, students achieved an A-E pass rate above the national average and 70.4% of grades were A*-C. The Voyager Academy is seeking to be at the leading edge of creating opportunities for students. For example, in 2014–2015: • 8 students attended a 1 week residential trips to leading Universities including Durham, Edinburgh and Nottingham.

• 3 STEM scholars attended 1 week residentials relating to Forensic Science and Astrophysics • Students led trips to Paris including Disneyland and London • Students undertook Duke of Edinburgh Gold The best way to learn about our Sixth Form is to meet our students, who will tell you what it is like to study here. You are very welcome to visit and see The Voyager Sixth Form at work.

Scott Hudson

The Sixth Form is good. Students make good progress, and teachers have high expectations of what they can achieve.

Ofsted February 2014

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My experience in Sixth Form has been great; there is a lot of support and help, as well as lots of opportunities that have helped to strengthen my application for Uni. Amina Ahmed

Daniel Taylor Director of Sixth Form (Assistant Principal) It is a very exciting time to be leading our Sixth Form; numbers are continuing to grow and results continue to improve. This year our year 13 and 14 students achieved our best results with the A*-C reaching 70.4%. We were also pleased that the A*-E pass rate remained above the national average at 98.2%. I hope that you will make the decision to share in the success of Voyager 6.

Our academic and vocational successes have seen our Sixth Form numbers expand. This means we are big enough to be able to offer a diverse range of subjects. Our priority is to get to know all our students well enough to offer the support and guidance so they choose subjects that enable them to achieve their ambitions in terms of university or career choices. We will help you choose a set of subjects you will both enjoy and be successful in.

The Sixth Form team are committed to making the transition to Sixth Form as smooth as possible.

The team will also be there on GCSE results day to offer support and guidance and ensure you are still happy with your choices.

Damon Lewis Sixth Form Progress Leader Ensuring that individual students make the progress expected of them and fulfil their ambitions is central to the success of The Voyager Sixth Form. This involves constant tracking of performance and introducing timely interventions to ensure our students achieve in line with the highest of academic expectations.

Students moving on from The Voyager Sixth Form are well supported and I particularly enjoy helping our students, whether with their applications for training, employment or university. Some of our alumni this year have gone on to study a range of areas such as Business, Education Studies, Fashion Buying, Criminology, Tourism, Creative Writing, Nursing, Accountancy, Maths, Economics, Art, Dance, Performing Arts, Psychology and Law. Students will have a Sixth Form tutor who will be able to give you specialised advice linked to next steps such as employment or university. They will also ensure you play a full and active role in the life of the school.

SUPPORTING YOU TO SUCCEED 3

Paul Taylor Sixth Form Student Engagement Co-ordinator In the Voyager Sixth Form, we aim to offer students a variety of opportunities including student leadership, voluntary work, extra-curricular activities, work experience, running the school magazine and taking part in trips and expeditions.

I co-ordinate these opportunities, to ensure students are more attractive to employers and universities.

Anne Mason Sixth Form Intensive Adviser I am here to help you make the right choices regarding your future. When you join the Sixth Form, if you are unsure of your subjects, or your next steps, I can support you, whether it’s the UCAS process, helping with an application or personal statement, or if you are looking for an apprenticeship, employment or training. Whether it’s the UCAS process, helping with an application or personal statement, or if you are looking for an apprenticeship, employment or training, I can help!

Sarah Olson Sixth Form Student Support Adviser I am here to ensure you succeed and will closely monitor attendance and punctuality. I am here to make sure you get to the right place at the right time so you get the best results possible. Students who need financial support can apply for a bursary and I organise payments.

Tutor Team We now also have a dedicated tutoring team of Sixth Form only tutors who specialise in Sixth Form teaching and preparation for life after Sixth Form such as University, Apprenticeships and Employment.

Leadership in the Sixth Form is good. Leaders track students’ progress well, and interventions are put in place where necessary.

Teaching is improving and achievement is rising.

Ofsted February 2014

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SIXTH FORM SUCCESS Voyager Sixth Form students continue to make exceptional progress.

The school has achieved consistently high pass rates. In 2015 the A Level results saw the A*-B rate remain constant, whilst the A*-C rate improved significantly from 65% in 2014 to 70.4% in 2015. The A*-E pass rate stayed above the national average. The breakdown is detailed below:

•

A*- B

37%

•

A*- C

70.4%

•

A*- E

98.2%

The Voyager Academy Sixth Form has been identified as a strength of the school by Ofsted on its last two visits. This recognises the fact that students make significant progress between their GCSE and A levels.

Achievement in the Sixth Form is good. Students make good progress in most subjects.

Behaviour is good...Students have positive attitudes to their work and take pride in the quality of their outcomes.

Ofsted February 2014

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SIXTH FORM OPPORTUNITIES

We actively encourage our Sixth Form students to take up some of the many opportunities we provide for their wider development. Whether it is in support of a university or employment application or simply to have a more diverse CV. Taking part in enrichment, voluntary activities and student leadership will give you an advantage.

Our Sixth Form students all commit to 15 minutes a week (or 10 hours in the year) of service to the school. These activities include mentoring, translating, decorating, paired reading and performances. All students are then awarded a nationally recognized volunteering certificate.

Other opportunities include: trips and visits in the UK and abroad, visits to universities, work experience, sports activities, Duke of Edinburgh, leading roles in performances, Peterborough Youth MP and Associate Governor roles.

Aided by the school, over the summer I have taken part in a Sutton Trust summer school and went to Edinburgh University for five days to experience university life, and also to Wales to climb Snowdon to complete DofE Gold.

Matteo Spremulli

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APPLYING TO VOYAGER 6

Thursday 12th November Open Evening December

Early application interviews*

Friday 18th December

Early application deadline

January

Remaining early application interviews

Friday 26th February

Additional applications deadline **

March – May

Additional application interviews

June

Voyager 6 Induction

August

Results day – Voyager Academy students will receive a letter confirming their place or inviting them to a results surgery if there are any problems.

Post-Results surgery with the Director of

Sixth Form and Sixth Form Lead Progress to resolve any problems.

Applicants from other schools should attend the PostResults surgery to show their results and to confirm place

September

Start Sixth Form studies .

*Offers will be sent to you within one week of interview Responses will be needed within 2 weeks to secure your place **We will accept applications until September but for 2015 we were very over subscribed and this is likely to be the case again this year. We would recommend an early application to guarantee a place.

The Sixth Form leadership help and support every decision I make in order to fulfil my potential and aspire higher, even endeavouring to offer me a subject that was not originally offered as a course, which is something no other centre was willing to do.

Douglas Henderson

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Voyager 6 offers a wide range of courses designed to meet the needs of all our students and to prepare them for today’s higher education and employment markets.

A Level courses are academic Level 3 qualifications, offering a good foundation for higher education and employment. At the end of the first year you will achieve an AS Level. If your grades are strong enough, you will then go on to complete the full A level at the end of year 2.

BTEC Level 3 courses are vocationally-based and are designed as a preparation for employment or higher vocational qualifications (such as nursing). In each year of the BTEC you will achieve a qualification.

BTEC Level 2 and GCSE courses are one-year programmes of study.

Students who complete Level 2 in Sixth Form and achieve Merits or above will often go on to start A Levels / BTEC Level 3.

On the next page the subjects we are able to offer are listed. If there is something else you want to do let us know, as if there is enough demand we will always endeavour to offer it.

The academy offers a broad range of subjects, and students receive good quality advice and guidance about which most suit them.

Ofsted February 2014

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VOYAGER 6 COURSES A Level:

Level 3 BTEC / OCR

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Art (Fine) Biology Business Studies Chemistry Citizenship Drama and Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Literature Film Studies French Geography German History Mathematics Media Studies Photography Physics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish Textiles Travel and Tourism

A Levels in Community Languages are also available for a number of Languages. Recently we have had students sit exams in Chinese, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese and Russian.

Applied Science Business Early Years Education (Child Care) Creative Digital Media Production Criminology Engineering Extended Project Health and Social Care IT (Practitioners) Massage Therapy Music (Performance) Music Technology Performing Arts – Acting Performing Arts – Dance Sport

Level 2 BTEC / OCR • • • • • • • • • • • •

Art & Design Beauty Therapy Business Early Years Education (Child Care) Creative Digital Media Finance IFS Health and Social Care Photography Sports Leadership Textiles Travel and Tourism Workskills/ Community Volunteering

GCSE*: * All students who do not achieve at least a C grade in English and Maths will receive lessons to help them achieve this grade.

Course details are available on our website www.thevoyager.co.uk

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JOINING OUR SIXTH FORM

Teaching in the Sixth Form is good. Lessons maintain the students’ interests and develop their knowledge, key skills and wider learning.

Ofsted February 2014

To start courses in our Sixth Form we will need to be convinced of your commitment to your studies as demonstrated on both your application and when you are interviewed. You will need to have the following minimum GCSE or equivalent qualifications to study:

AS / A Level •

5 C grades and above (preferably including English and Maths)

•

You must have achieved a C in the subjects you wish to study but some teachers may prefer a B grade

•

To study AS Maths you must have at least a B for GCSE

•

To study AS Physics, Chemistry or Biology you must have a B in that Science or a BB in Science and additional Science

•

To study Psychology you must have a C or above in GCSE Science

Level 3 BTEC Nationals and OCR Cambridge Technical •

5 C grades and above

•

Teachers prefer you to have a achieved at least a Merit in the subjects you wish to study at level 3

Level 2 BTEC Firsts and OCR National •

Fewer than 5 A*- C grades or 5 GCSE grades D-E

Any Level 2 BTEC or OCR qualification will be taken as 1 GCSE.

We will look at the following when considering your application: •

Your school or college report

•

Your attendance and behaviour record

•

Your estimated and actual examination grades

MEDIA ARTS AT VOYAGER 6

Media Arts Specialism The Media Arts at The Voyager are vibrant, thriving and central to the life of the Academy. We have an environment that is state of the art, where every student’s abilities and interests are recognised, valued and engaged in a broad range of contexts.

By providing our students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the professional equipment that is needed to produce professional results, we are able to equip them with the relevant skills they can take into university, employment and beyond.

Stage Productions Each year we undertake a full Academy stage production. Last year we performed Back to the 80s. Sixth Form students were fully involved in the production and many had leading roles.

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BEYOND SIXTH FORM Sixth Form study is an important period for all students. It is an opportunity to specialise in specific areas, if they have a particular career focus, or the chance to gain a broad range of skills and qualifications if they are keeping an open mind.

Voyager 6 caters for all. There is a range of pathways students can take after Sixth Form – university, employment, apprenticeship programmes and work experience placements.

Opposite you can see where those who achieved places at University in 2015 have ended up and what subjects they are studying.

The chart below shows where our students progressed to in 2015.

Voyager 6 Leavers Destinations 2015 University Employment Further Education Apprenticeship Army

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Student

Reading

Institution

Farhan Adil

Accountancy and Finance

Leeds Beckett University

Visba Ahmed

Tourism and Events Management

University of Westminster

Jessica Atkinson

Education Studies and Special and Inclusive Education Nottingham Trent University

Rebecca Bloodworth

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

New College Stamford

Courteney Campbell

Film Studies

De Montfort University

Rebecca Cave

Education and Childhood Studies

Anglia Ruskin University

Emilia Djalo

Fashion Buying (with Marketing)

De Montfort University

Kirstin Donovan

Creative Writing and Drama Studies

De Montfort University

Hannah Fox

Primary Education: Later Years (with QTS)

Leeds Trinity University

Paulina Gluch

Law with a Modern Language

University of Leicester

Mariam Hayat

Education and Training

New College Stamford

Alysha Kassam

Psychosocial Studies

University Centre Peterborough

Olga Kazanova

International Business with Language (4 years)

University of Birmingham

Sabina Kouser

International Relations

University of Leicester

Roheena Naseri

International Tourism Management (Sandwich)

University of Bedfordshire

Kayleigh O’Neill

Nursing (Adult)

University of Lincoln

Chloe Pettit

Performing Arts

De Montfort University

Emily Raines

Event Management

University of Bedfordshire

Robert Riddell

Human Resource Management (with placement)

Manchester Metropolitan University

Muhammad Sabeel

Criminology

Leeds Beckett University

Mindaugas Savicius

Business Studies with Marketing

University of West London

Shahmaila Shah

Open Degree

The Open University

Holly Sheppard

English

University of Lincoln

Geovannie Simms

Dance Studies

University of Roehampton

Tarondeep Singh

Economics

Coventry University

Shanee Spalding

Criminology and Psychology

Leeds Beckett University

Leah Spencer

Economics

University of East Anglia

Taherra Tarmohamed

Education Studies

University of Wolverhampton

Nicholas Toomey

Law

Manchester Metropolitan University

Shay Walsh

Criminology and Psychology

Coventry University

Yue Ling Zhao

Mathematics

University of Keele

Staff have always encouraged me and supported me in every single way – academically and personally; giving me amazing opportunities which helped me to apply for Medicine this year.

Ridah Khan

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

KAYLEY ALLPRESS

I took A Level English Language, Business, Media and AS level Economics. I achieved ABB, enabling me to go to The University of Nottingham, where I currently read a Management degree. I have referred to things numerous times in my degree that I was taught in my A Level Business. However, I would say that the subject that has contributed most is Economics. I thoroughly enjoyed Economics at A Level. The Economic modules at university are some of the more challenging however, I feel I have the upper hand from already studying topics that arise. The thing I enjoyed most about The Voyager Sixth Form is how supportive the teachers were. I can honestly say that in all of my chosen subjects I had a teacher that really cared, and wanted me to do well. Not only were my teachers supportive with regards to the subject, but were also very approachable for any other problems I may have had.

SAMANTHA COOPER

I recently graduated from the University of York with a degree in English Language and Linguistics. The two years I spent at the Voyager Sixth Form were my favourite school years!

My teachers provided unconditional support, helping me to achieve the grades required for university (A* in Business, A in Media, A in English Language, C in French, and C in AS Critical Thinking). I received a lot of support: from choosing my A levels at the very start of the journey to applying for universities. I really appreciated the extra time and effort that each of the teachers put in and this encouraged me to develop a strong work ethic that helped me when completing my degree. What I loved most about the Voyager was the array of opportunities provided for each student: I was able to partake in producing a local magazine, Seasons Entertainment, which gave me a good insight into the magazine industry and has since inspired me to pursue a career in publishing.

Studying at the Voyager Sixth Form gave me the opportunity to stay at Durham University for a week’s residential, which has now provided me with the scope to study there in the future.

Alesso Jepson

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A SAMPLE OF OUR ALUMNI

I’m currently working as an Edit Assistant for a Post-production house in central London.

I recently graduated from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication with a BA Honours in Editing and Post-production. I studied A Level Applied Business, ICT, Critical Thinking and Media Studies. Sixth form at the Voyager was a great experience as it allowed me to focus my energy on subjects I enjoyed. I was fortunate enough to be taught by excellent teachers who were enthusiastic about their subjects and were determined to help students get the best grades possible. My time in Sixth Form was a crucial point in time where I chose what field I wanted to specialise in, and having such great teachers around to advise me was invaluable.

I’m currently a student at Loughborough University studying Retailing, Marketing & Management. My professional placement is based in the School of Business & Economics at Loughborough University. At Voyager Sixth Form I Studied A-level Applied Business, Media Studies and Travel & Tourism. When starting my A Levels, I chose my subjects and my end goal and from there the teachers at the Voyager showed which direction to take in order to get me where I wanted to be. Through their support I developed as a person, a learner and an achiever, by helping me understand the full potential that I could reach as a student. I am very grateful for the immense amount of time and effort put in to helping me get to where I am today which without a doubt, you will receive too!

I am in my 2nd year as an Economics with Accounting student at City University London.

In Sixth Form I took A level Economics, Mathematics, Business and AS Travel & Tourism.

When I started Sixth Form I never thought that I will be studying at one of the top Universities in London. However, with the help of excellent and passionate teaching staff at the Voyager Academy I was able to achieve AABC and secure my place at University.

The whole learning experience at the Voyager Academy has been very enjoyable as you are given a lot of opportunities to develop and learn new skills. I believe that if you are passionate about going to further education, the Voyager Academy is a place for you, as you will be taught by excellent staff and you will be given all the support that you need to succeed. The Sixth Form at the Voyager Academy will prepare you for University and will also provide you with the skills and knowledge for your future.

RYAN LAUNCHBURY

KATERINA KOUFLIS

MANTAS BEIVYDAS

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The Voyager 6 The Voyager Academy Mountsteven Avenue Walton Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE4 6HX sixthform@thevoyager.co.uk 01733 383888 www.thevoyager.co.uk

An Academy of the