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I am delighted you are interested in applying to Avon Valley Sixth Form. We are very proud of all our students and their many achievements and we will provide you with support and encouragement while you study with us, whether your aim is for university entrance, to begin an apprenticeship or enter the job market. You’ll find we really value the contribution our sixth formers make to Avon Valley College and we will reward your commitment with a high level of teaching and one-to-one support.
Our results are excellent and we provide specialised sixth form facilities including a common room, study rooms, and computer rooms with dedicated WiFi to support your studies.
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The fulfillment of every student’s potential is central to the college’s ethos. OFSTED 2011
We will expect you to work hard to achieve your personal targets but we understand that life in the sixth form is also about developing your skills and confidence. Alongside your academic programme you’ll make new friends, enjoy extracurricular activities
including trips and Rag Week, and be able to take advantage of our Specialist Sports College facilities, including use of the Fitness Centre. We hope you’ll take time to look through this prospectus and discover all that Avon Valley can offer you. We want our sixth formers to aspire to excellence - in their studies and as young adults and will work with you to ensure you reach your full potential.
Achieving potential
Welcome to Avon Valley Sixth Form…
Mark Avoth, Principal
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Developed to meet your needs… small enough to care - large enough to help you succeed Avon Valley Sixth Form has been developed specifically to meet the needs of our students. We are a small and caring sixth form with an excellent reputation for the quality of our pastoral care and we will support you fully as you begin to take responsibility for your own learning. As Head of Sixth Form it is my priority to ensure you are matched with the best possible courses for your chosen career and receive the personal advice and guidance you need to feel secure and be successful. My aim is for you to enjoy your time with us, develop real skills and gain the experience needed to enter the world
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of work or to continue in further education.
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Students feel safe, enjoy their learning and achieve well.
OFSTED 2011
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We will expect you to work hard, but in return we will work with you to achieve your goals. Our teaching standards are high and we provide a team of advisors to act as learning mentors, support you, help you to track your progress, develop your learning skills and offer careers advice. In addition to developing academically we hope you will also achieve
Go to www.avonvalleycollege.com for more information
greater independence and responsibility as you become an important part of our caring community. Alongside some exclusive sixth form events and activities organised by the Student Executive there are also opportunities to support the work of the whole school including participating in our annual Rag Week, a huge charity event raising money for Children in Need. I am immensely proud of our whole team and the day-to-day commitment they offer to all our students, and hope you will want to find out more about Avon Valley Sixth Form and what we can offer to you. Sue Lucas Head of Sixth Form
“A typical day as a sixth form student at Avon Valley College begins with going up to register with our advisors. Any notices or important information are given to us through them and then we’re free to leave or stay and socialise with the rest of the group.
My timetable includes five hours of ‘free’ or study periods. I tend to delegate some of these to specific course work, but it’s not all study. When I have free time I can relax and enjoy the sixth form facilities such as the pool table and socialise with my friends.”
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I am enjoying my first year here and am pleased that the sixth form is so friendly and welcoming. Chris Hinds
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Community feel
Life in the Sixth Form
A typical student day… The Avon Valley day begins with student registration at 8.20am. We divide the college day into five one-hour periods, starting at 8.40pm.
The pattern of a typical day is: We get a 15 minute break at 10.40am and I normally go up to the study area to check my pigeon hole. Lunch begins at 1pm and is usually spent in the sixth form common room, where we can eat, socialise and listen to music. The sixth form is very much a community, with people coming and going all day so the common room and study areas are rarely empty.
8.20 Advisor Group registration 12.00 period 4 8.40 period 1 1.00 lunch 9.40 period 2 1.40 afternoon registration 10.40 break 1.45 period 5 11.00 period 3 2.45 extra curricular activities / enrichment programme Year 12 students are expected to attend all day, but as you develop your study habits and show real commitment to your courses you will gain more independence to plan your day, allowing you to come in for individual lessons, or stay all day and enjoy the use of our study facilities and common room.
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Personal development & pastoral care
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Avon Valley Sixth Form has really helped me decide my future. I had terrific support from my advisors and teachers. You get out of Sixth Form what you put in. Tyler Brockway
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We are very proud of our approach to personal development and the support we offer to all our students. Advisor groups are small, with up to 15 students, and each group has a dedicated Pastoral Coordinator. Alongside these key staff members we also provide a Careers Coordinator, specific support to HM Forces students and their families, a Personal Life Coach and a Teaching Assistant for those with Special Needs. Our students also benefit from an insight to the world of employment with regular visits from industrial mentors, and further motivational visits from sporting celebrities, including British Olympians. With such first-class support it is very unlikely that any of our students drop out, or fail to complete their courses.
Family focused
As well as offering you all the support you need to make the most of your abilities we will also keep your parents informed of your progress. You will be able to bring them along to regular parent evenings, and a special evening for those considering applying to university. They will also be able to keep up with all the news from Avon Valley College in our regular newsletters.
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Go to www.avonvalleycollege.com for more information
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Helen Jenkins MBE
Special Educational Needs
Moving from Key Stage 4 to Post 16 education can cause additional concerns for any student with Special Educational Needs. We will work with you to ensure your transition is as smooth as possible, liaising as necessary with your parents or carers, and staff from the Integrated Youth Service, to create an individual learning plan that is right for you. Dependent on your interests and learning style we can help you to gain nationally recognised qualifications including vocationally-based courses with extended work experience. Our Special Education Needs Coordinator is a member of the British Dyslexia Association and a qualified
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Students with special educational needs and /or learning disabilities make similar progress to their peers because of the high quality individual and personalised support programmes which are put in place. OFSTED 2011
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teacher for those with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD). She is also authorised to assess students who may qualify for special arrangements during examinations, and can liaise with universities to ensure any student
with a specific learning requirement receives appropriate provision.
Support to HM Forces
Alongside the college pastoral care team we also offer further, specific support to HM Forces students and their families. We have first-hand knowledge of the many unique concerns of service life and, as the number of service personnel on Salisbury Plain increases, our team will be able to provide relevant help and support as and when required.
Help and support
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I have always found Avon Valley College to be caring and supportive. As a parent and foster carer, I have looked after many young people and with the help of Avon Valley they are all following the careers of their choosing. Their choice of academic and vocational courses took them on to Higher and Further Education and they all had a really good time along the way.
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Beyond qualifications Coming to Avon Valley Sixth Form is not just about gaining formal qualifications. We want you to enjoy your time with us, open your eyes to new experiences and become a valuable part of our College and the wider community. When not developing your mind you can relax in a dedicated common room with pool table, HiFi and student shop. You will also have access to our £400,000 fitness centre with gym, dance studio and multi-games area. We’ll encourage you to enjoy offsite activities as well. Alongside career and university trips we also run annual ski and theatre trips, sports excursions to Wimbledon and Twickenham, a life skills conference and dance workshops. Our students have even visited Kenya.
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Go to www.avonvalleycollege.com for more information
I’m hoping to study Performing Arts at University and the course at Avon Valley is very practical. One of its best elements is its industry focus - along with the freedom we are given in devising and rehearsal time. Avon Valley College has really helped me to develop my confidence. I have had the opportunity to take part in many College productions, played and sung at the Oscars Evenings when the College celebrates student successes and I am also a member of the Musical Theatre in Salisbury.
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My time here has taught me how to work to the best of my ability; it’s also provided the support to let me really enjoy college life.
New experiences
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Being a sixth form student at Avon Valley College is really enjoyable and fulfilling. I’ve been able to complete a lot of independent work thanks to a huge amount of personal support from all my teachers and advisors.
Natasha George, Head Girl
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Teacher student relationships are good – much better than year 11.
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Clive Timothy
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There is a wide range of well-established extracurricular and enrichment activities on offer. OFSTED 2011
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Learning for Life
We offer a range of learning paths suitable for most students, from those aspiring to university entrance to those taking the first step to further vocational qualifications.
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I’m aiming for a career in Science or Engineering and therefore studying Physics, Mathematics and History. I will need good grades for my university place and the teacher’s help, support and encouragement is helping me to achieve the results I am aiming for.
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Ross Geddes
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Many of our students are new to Avon Valley Sixth Form. They find our personalised approach to studying refreshing and quickly become a part of our small, caring community.
Courses that suit your style of learning
Our coursework-based qualifications offer industry-recognised pathways and include both one and two year courses. These run alongside more traditional examination-based qualifications allowing you to choose a study programme based on the combination of courses best-suited to your learning style. Whichever courses you choose you will be well supported. Your advisor will see you every day and monitor your progress and welfare. You will also benefit from weekly development sessions and more academic 1:1 meetings. Your lessons will be carefully structured to develop your skills and you will be encouraged to begin thinking and working independently. Our aim is to help you prepare for the world of work or further education, not just by achieving the right qualifications, but also by developing as a person, gaining the confidence to succeed in your chosen career.
Go to www.avonvalleycollege.com for more information
To help develop your confidence we will encourage you to play an active role throughout the college. Our Head Boy and Girl lead a dynamic sixth form Student Executive, students run the school sports day, drama production and the Christmas Show and assist with lower school lessons; some are also paid to help out with specific projects such as IT
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development. All students also have the opportunity to serve on committees, take part in voluntary activities and become involved in organising the annual Rag Week. We have a strong focus on employability. We will try to provide you with every opportunity to take on the roles you will require for successful employment and develop the necessary skills to succeed.
Creating the right environment
We are committed to providing the right environment to help you learn. At Avon Valley Sixth Form you will benefit from private study suites with high-quality ICT and a first-rate careers library including an interactive careers guidance programme. A Learning Resource Centre provides a further selection of reference materials.
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The college’s impressive on-site vocational provision… is particularly effective in promoting students’ future economic wellbeing through a range of practical qualification routes. Students were unanimous in their praise for this provision
Sixth form has been full of opportunities and I have established good relationships with my teachers.
OFSTED 2011
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Personalised approach
Nurturing employability
Vicki Bingley
All our students
enjoy:
3 Effective student-centred teaching 3 Regular academic monitoring 3 High-quality feedback 3 Individual mentoring 3 A supportive caring community and opportunities to
grow
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Choosing to study A levels at Avon Valley was probably my greatest decisions yet. It was the best 2 years of my life. The teachers were brilliant and I found some of my best friends. We had a great laugh together and, being such a compact group, you get to know everybody really well. It was really hard to leave!
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Matt Tyler Former Head Boy
Students value the good range of support from their teachers and individual learning mentors
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OFSTED 2011
Sharing in success While you are at Avon Valley Sixth Form we will support and encourage your success at every stage of your sixth form career and reward your hard work and achievements. Student assemblies publicly acknowledge ongoing successes culminating in a special Leavers Assembly in July. We also mark specific achievements with letters to parents and carers, and outstanding achievements are further celebrated at our Oscars evening. We are proud of all our students – past and present, and encouraged by their individual success stories. You will find our past students in many fields including teaching, scientific research, entertainment, childcare, medicine, the media and the armed forces. Some work for large employers, some run their own businesses: very few are not in education, employment or training (NEET). All our students leave us well-equipped with the skills they need to go on to university, take up further training opportunities or join the workforce.
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My time at Avon Valley College was fantastic. The opportunities available through studies and extra- curricular activities, combined with the support I received from the staff gave me the skills and confidence to achieve. I went on to Gloucestershire University to study Sports Coaching and Sports Development. It has always been my dream to work in cricket. I had always played for fun. Getting a full time job with Gloucestershire Cricket Board has meant that with hard work and determination my dream became a reality.
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Jamie Mitchell
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Go to www.avonvalleycollege.com
2012 Wiltshire Young Coach of the year
At Avon Valley it was netball and javelin. I had a PE mentor as well as a local coach and very sporty parents and went on to win several English School Titles and AAAs Championships, breaking local and national records in the javelin. After school my sport continued alongside a military career. I broke the British Senior Javelin Record, represented England at netball and won a bronze medal at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. In 2007 I transferred into the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, my proudest achievement to date as it was also the hardest to achieve. Following 12 years in Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan I left the Army and am now personal trainer and family coach to a member of Qatar’s royal family.
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Good luck with whatever you set your sights on.
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Kelly Morgan
Pride in our students
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My time at Avon Valley College was fundamental to my development both as an individual and a sports person. I studied Sociology, English and PE at A level, but my passion was always for sport.
Avon Valley College was definitely the right choice for me especially when it came to the advice I received before going to university.
It really helped prepare me for the unknown.
University was a great experience that I would recommend to anyone. I learnt about myself and was able to develop skills I didn’t know I had! Even though I am not using my degree in my current job, I am using the skills I developed at Avon Valley and university. I love working with children with special needs. I am challenged each day and often go home tired but feel I have made a real difference.
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Rachel Webster
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Choose the right course for you
It’s not always easy to choose your sixth form courses. However, our induction programme has been developed to help you with your choices. We run open days and evenings throughout the year when you can find out more from our subject teachers and current students. We also offer a special induction day to give you a real feel of life at Avon Valley Sixth Form with taster sessions in your chosen subjects. We hope you’ll like what you see and feel confident of your choice when you apply to join our Sixth Form.
How to apply It is easy to apply to Avon Valley Sixth Form. You can complete the application form in this pack, or download it from www.avonvalleycollege.com Please send your completed form to: Shirley Peach, Avon Valley Sixth Form Administration, Avon Valley College, Recreation Road, Durrington, Salisbury SP4 8HH
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Avon Valley College is the place to take you forward in life.
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Lewis Faber, Head Boy
What happens then? We will let you know when we get your application form and ask you to come in and meet the Head of the Sixth Form to discuss your choice of courses. Following that meeting we will write to you with a provisional offer of a place at Avon Valley Sixth Form, dependent upon your results. If you get the results you need we will send you all the information required to join us. If you don’t manage to get the required grades, or would like to change your course options, we can still help. We will invite you to come along for a further interview to look again at your options. During that final interview you will receive confirmation of an offer and full joining information.
I am about to go to Japan on an exchange programme linked to my BA in Animation. Avon Valley College really helped me to achieve my dream. They take students on despite varying circumstances and give them the opportunity to be able to express themselves, do well on the course and set them up to excel in higher education afterwards. “I took a BTEC in Art and Design and went on to a Foundation course at Wiltshire College before being accepted to the Arts University, Bournemouth. That initial BTEC really set me up to succeed. The art course was really diverse; you are never taught one discipline but are given the opportunity to expand your experiences in any direction. “My dream is to work in animation, ideally for Disney. I am about to study Anime and work on live animation projects in Japan. Who knows where I may be in two years time. Thanks to Avon Valley College, for me the sky really is the limit.
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Dan Collins
Go to www.avonvalleycollege.com for more information
Avon Valley College
Durrington
Amesbury Salisbury
Avon Valley College Recreation Road, Durrington, Salisbury SP4 8HH Telephone: 01980 652467 Email: sixthform@avonvalleycollege.com
www.avonvalleycollege.com