Gryphon school sixth form prospectus

Sixth Form

2014/15

Sixth Form Students receive outstanding care, guidance and support

ofsted 2010/11

the Gryphon Sixth Form is a large, successful and vibrant community of over 440 students, many of whom join us from neighbouring state and independent schools. aiming high and enabling students to achieve their potential is embedded in the ethos of the Gryphon School Sixth Form. We offer our students high academic standards within a very caring and supportive school community. resources and facilities are outstanding and are continually updated to

head oF Sixth Form

jane tutton

Welcome

meet student needs. there is WiFi access throughout the School. our modern common room adjoins cafĂŠ@Gryphon which offers students all day access to hot and cold food and drinks. our state-of-the-art library has dedicated student study space and access to over 70 computers. the enthusiasm, innovation and commitment of our teaching and pastoral staff help challenge and support every individual so that students are keen to learn. as a consequence our a level results are amongst the highest in the South West and we attract students from a wide area. the School runs an extensive bus service from outlying areas.

Whilst the Sixth Form brings new found freedoms (such as no uniform and study periods on the timetable) and increased responsibility, it is also a demanding two years in which students must decide upon the direction of their immediate and long term futures. to help them, all students have a tutor to offer guidance and support through their a level or Btec studies, with additional help from their head of Year and the head of Sixth Form.

We want everyone to feel engaged and excited by learning; confident, happy, secure and valued as a member of our Sixth Form community.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Subjects the size of our Sixth Form combined with the flexibility of our timetables means we are able to offer a wide and varied combination of a level and Btec subjects which caters to the individual needs of our students. advice about course choices, number of subjects and entry requirements is available on the school website. Please note that courses will only run if numbers are viable. there is outstanding provision for all students including those with specific learning needs.

applied Business applied ict art & design (Fine art) art & design (Photography) Biology Btec applied Science Btec health & Social care Btec it Practitioners Btec Sport

ofsted 2010/11 Btec travel & tourism chemistry classics (ancient history) design & technology (Food) design & technology (Product design) drama & theatre Studies economics english language & literature

Students ‘are set challenging targets and a high level of support is given to any student who is not meeting the school’s high expectations.’

english literature extended Project Qualification (ePQ) French GcSe english & mathematics (re-sits) Geography German history law

mathematics & Further mathematics media Studies music Physics Psychology religious Studies (Philosophy & ethics) Spanish Sports Studies

Peer mentors School council

Student Governors debating Society amnesty international

Public Speaking duke of edinburgh award

Philosophy club Battle of the Bands

choirs Swing Band concerts abbey carol Service

drama Productions rock challenge Film club

French in Primary Schools Football rugby netball

cricket hockey Fitness Suite tennis Fundraising Yoga

curricular

extra

Prefects

Study

Visits • annual oxbridge conference and ucaS convention • Bristol crown court (law)

• cern laboratory, Switzerland (Physics) • cornwall and dartmoor (Geography)

We are Proud oF our Wide ranGe oF reSidential and daY ViSitS Which SuPPort StudY acroSS the ranGe oF Sixth Form SuBjectS.

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• cultural Visits to china, india, japan, rwanda and the united States • design technology innovations exhibition, cardiff • ethics conference (re) • exhibitions (art and Photography) • iceland (Science and Geography) • international annual music tour Germany, France, holland, ireland and austria • local and london theatre Visits (drama and theatre Studies) • london, jack the ripper tour and the old Bailey (Psychology) • new York (art and Photography) • Sutton trust residentials • taster days at universities in london • university of nottingham medlink

looking

to the future

our results are amongst the best in the South West and the majority of our leavers go on to university with students regularly securing places at oxford and cambridge and at russell Group universities. they follow a wide range of vocational degree programmes including medicine, teaching, architecture, Business management and law as well as subject specific degrees such as languages and english literature. however we also see a number of students investigating alternatives to university, including apprenticeships in areas such as law, Finance, it and engineering. the School has a dedicated careers advice and Guidance manager, who works with students and parents delivering careers information and guidance.

Sixth Form students receive a full programme of progression related activities to enable them to achieve their individual career goals: • individual careers guidance interviews • Visit to a category ‘a’ ucaS convention • Work shadowing opportunities • careers cafés – talks from professionals, businesses and employers • oxbridge conference for early deadline students • Visits to employers and apprenticeship providers We recognise that young people have many different career ambitions and at the Gryphon we strive to ensure that our students make career decisions that satisfy their best interests. our growing cohort of alumni boasts students in a broad variety of careers, from medicine to the media, many of whom are available to inspire and advise current students.

destinations 2012/13 university degree: Specialist college employment/apprenticeship/training : (including armed Forces)

81% 4% 15%

www.gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

30+ a level

95%

85% a*-c 62% a*-B 34% a or a* over 94% at least 1 a*-c

97%

course completion every year the Gryphon School, Sherborne, dorset dt9 4eQ

01935 813122

e: office@gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

the Gryphon School is a company limited by guarantee registered in england with company number 08130468

designed and Printed by Shelleys the Printers

61% distinction Plus (highest possible level 3 Btec grade)

excellence

go to university of choice including many to highly prized russell Group universities

academic

StudYinG in SherBorne: SerVinG dorSet and SomerSet

450

over students/ courses and 5 Btec courses