Radnor Sixth Form Prospectus 2013

Sixth Form Prospectus

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Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain; awake but one, and in, what myriads rise!

Alexander Pope

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Welcome to Radnor House I am delighted you are considering our Sixth Form to further your school career.

Radnor House prides itself on seeing students as individuals in all that they do and enabling our young men and women to strive for excellence in every aspect of school life.

The Sixth Form at Radnor House will give you the tools and opportunities to be successful at university and beyond. This includes the expectation that the latest technology will play a central role in your learning as will an innovative approach to careers advice and work experience.

We want our students to achieve academically but are also acutely aware that developing the whole person is equally important; therefore students receive the highest and most specialised form of academic, pastoral and cocurricular support possible. Pastoral wellbeing is central to academic achievement which is why the care and attention provided to the individual at Radnor House is aimed at supporting happy and enthusiastic young people.

We understand that choosing the correct Sixth Form environment is an important and sometimes daunting task. Your years in the Sixth Form are a time of great development, discovery, fun and challenge; you will discover and learn a great deal and be faced with new choices and opportunities to excite and motivate you. Making the correct decision now will help shape the person that you become; our environment will enable you to choose the path that will guide you to happiness, success and fulfilment.

This prospectus provides an overview of why Radnor House is such a unique and exciting place. Of course, the best way to understand how our Sixth Form operates, and what it feels like to be a member, is to immerse yourself into the Radnor House experience. I will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have about the special culture at the heart of the school and how we can work together to help you take the next step on your journey into adulthood.

I look forward to welcoming you to our Sixth Form very soon.

David Paton MA Head

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About Us Located in stunning historic buildings on the banks of the River Thames in South West London, our Sixth Form offers opportunities for young people to stand out from the crowd.

Building on our excellent reputation and recent ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted inspection, our new Sixth Formers will receive a first class learning experience that will prepare them for university and employment.

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Your Pastoral Wellbeing In the Sixth Form, perhaps more than any other time in your life, high quality schoolbased pastoral support is vital.

You will be placed in a tutor group led by a specially chosen Sixth Form tutor who will guide you through the next two years. Tutor groups are encouraged to see themselves as an integrated unit with all members taking responsibility to foster a ‘family atmosphere’ accompanied by their tutor.

Each Sixth Form tutor is the primary point of contact for pastoral matters and is responsible for creating a supportive environment in which you feel valued, secure and able to devote your best efforts to your learning.

In addition to daily morning briefings, your tutor group will meet for an extended period of time each week. This time will allow personal and group reflection on the past week, as well as providing the opportunity for important guidance on university applications, the delivery of work experience programmes and enrichment opportunities.

All Sixth Formers should see themselves as ambassadors of exemplary standards for the rest of the school to emulate. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the wider pastoral life of the school community through acting as a school prefect and holding a range of responsibilities including being attached to a certain Form in a mentor capacity, as a House Captain or as Head Boy or Head Girl.

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Academic Curriculum At Radnor House you will have the opportunity to undertake four or five AS Level courses in the Lower Sixth and three or four A2 Level courses during the Upper Sixth. In addition, in the Lower Sixth you will undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and Critical Thinking as part of your enrichment opportunities.

The broad range of A Levels on offer allows all students, no matter their strengths, the opportunity to flourish and pursue their passions.

The EPQ will help you prepare for the rigorous study required for success at leading universities. Developing independent research skills, the ability to summarise and analyse different texts and produce extended pieces of work are highly valued by leading academic institutes.

Critical Thinking will provide you with the tools to evaluate and present arguments and allow you to engage more fully with the content of your chosen subjects. You will become better able to look beyond an issue with which you are presented and respond on several levels, adding greater depth to your knowledge and understanding.

Radnor House provides an academically rigorous education and maintains the highest standards of teaching and learning through regular reflection and assessment.

Our small class sizes and highly motivated teaching staff ensure that lessons are dynamic, stretching and inspirational.

Progress is monitored throughout the two year programme and you and your parents will be given regular updates.

We expect you to aim for Russell Group universities, the best art colleges or specialist institutions and achieve outstanding results in your courses. If you wish to study at Oxford or Cambridge, or apply to read Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Sciences, you will receive special support for your applications.

For further guidance on A Level choices, please contact the Director of Sixth or refer to the separate A Level options booklet.

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The Future The main focus of Radnor House Sixth Form is to prepare you for your future life either at university or the world of work.

We want the young men and women who leave us to be well-rounded, with a desire to succeed in their chosen field whilst having a passion for enquiry.

You will be presented with myriad opportunities for personal development.

Our Careers Programme will encourage you to give considerable thought to future careers during your Sixth Form years. Whilst many young adults might still be deciding which path to take in life, it is important that you are prepared for entering an increasingly competitive job market. You will receive guidance in CV writing, take part in mock interviews, attend networking events and hear from a range of professionals through our Lecture Programme.

Sixth Form Lecture Programme You will have access to regular guest speakers covering various career options, as well as speakers from the world of business, sport and the arts. The Lecture Programme is aimed at inspiring you to fulfil and surpass your potential and broaden your understanding of the world you inhabit.

Radnorian Society All Sixth Form leavers will automatically be enrolled in the Radnorian Society following the completion of their A Level courses.

The Radnorian Society is designed to promote and encourage sporting, cultural, charitable and social activities for the benefit of its members and the wider community. It will enable you to keep in touch with current and previous Radnorians through networking and social events. More information is available in the Radnorian Society handbook and online.

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Enrichment Radnor House provides an extensive range of clubs and societies for you to take part in. Recent clubs have included Fashion Design, Mountaineering, Computer Programming, Japanese, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Rowing, Model United Nations and subject specific societies. These provide a tremendous opportunity to gain new skills and experiences and Sixth Form students nominate at least two activities each term.

Sport

Performing Arts

As part of the Sixth Form curriculum, students have the opportunity to take part in one afternoon of sport a week. Radnor House aims to capture the enthusiasm of all our students to promote a life-long enjoyment of physical activity.

Music and Drama play a central role in the development of Radnor House students.

Most students participate in a choir, ensemble or production at some point in their school career. As well as organised school groups, there are opportunities to perform in and lead House Music events and the Sixth Form revue. Developing the confidence to perform in front of groups of people is a highly desirable skill and is easily transferable to the workplace and beyond.

Radnor House enjoys a regular and highly competitive fixture list across several sports.

In addition, the school also has a strong rowing programme and competes regularly on the Thames. Students are encouraged to represent their school in as many sports as possible. Our Sixth Form teams lead the way for the school and set the example for sportsmanship and fair play for all years.

For those students who prefer personal challenge to team sports, Radnor House provides opportunities at local Health Clubs and organisations.

Debating Society Radnor House places high value on the ability to formulate and present arguments on given topics. The Debating Society meets regularly and competes successfully against other schools. Members of the Sixth Form take the lead in organising fellow pupils and helping them develop their public speaking skills.

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General Information Study Periods

Dress Code

Students are expected to use any time wisely when they are not in lessons and, as such, should take the opportunity afforded by any specified time in their timetable to deepen their understanding of their subjects. If a student has performed well throughout Lower Sixth and has received good grades in their AS exams then, after a conversation with the Director of Sixth, they will be encouraged to make use of the Common Room or Riverside Terrace Cafe during their study periods.

Students will be required to dress in professional business attire as members of our Sixth Form. A detailed dress code is available separately but in general terms, we are preparing leaders of the future and therefore expect the highest standards of students and staff.

Facilities We understand the importance of technology in an ever-increasing digital world and you are encouraged to utilise a range of devices. Radnor House boasts a state of the art Mac suite, two additional PC labs and a bank of laptops and other portable devices.

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Entrance procedure Admission to Radnor House is by successful completion of an entry procedure prior to the academic year of entry. Arrangements can be made for students to undertake this procedure at other times during the year, particularly if their parents are relocating to the London area from other parts of the UK or internationally.

Where a student is applying for admission from outside the local area, arrangements can be made for the student to take written papers at their existing school.

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Radnor House Pope’s Villa Cross Deep Twickenham Middlesex TW1 4QG Telephone: 0044 (0)208 891 6264 Email: info@radnorhouse.org Online: www.radnorhouse.org Designed and produced by www.communitas-pr.co.uk

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