IPSWICH HIGH SCHOOL ORBIT PROGRAMME
Orbit Programme What is the Orbit Programme? The Orbit Programme brings together all that our Sixth Form students do outside of their A Level curriculum, giving them opportunities to enhance and demonstrate their skills and accomplishments. Students will be able to use their experiences to give breadth and detail to their university personal statements or apprentice applications. As universities and employers highly value the skills of their applicants, the Orbit Programme allows students to have all the attributes required for successful applications. How does it work? The Orbit Programme is made up of four main elements which ‘orbit’ the A Level curriculum. Participation across all of these areas is logged in each student’s Orbit Diary, a useful tool to look back on when writing personal statements or applying for jobs.
Careers and University Guidance
Volunteering
A Levels
Skills for Life
Enrichment
Cookery
EPQ
MOOC Current Affairs
Orbit Programme (continued) 1. Skills for Life Students will undertake their Skills for Life Orbit Programme session each week on Mondays during Period 5. Each Term they will chose from one of the following four options: EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) The EPQ allows each student to embark on a largely self-directed and self-motivated project. Students must choose a topic, plan, research and develop their idea and decide on their finished product. This will take place throughout Year 12 with presentations given in the Autumn Term of Year 13. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) Over 10 million students a year now undertake a MOOC; a fully online course, typically run by universities, they offer a huge range of subject areas. We utilise the learning platform FutureLearn to facilitate our students taking MOOCS in any subject of interest. MOOCS vary in length and content and we encourage students to start with a short course (4 weeks at 1 or 2 hours a week) to get used to online learning and how they run. MOOCS are a great way of gaining more subject knowledge but also building skills in self-discipline and time management. With more and more university degree courses now including an online element, they are a great way to prepare for Higher Education. Students can undertake a MOOC at any time during Sixth Form and not just during the timetabled Orbit period each week. They are trusted to use their time effectively each week to complete MOOCs. Current Affairs This a group-based discussion led by the students, with Mr Hastings’ guidance, about interesting and significant stories and issues in the news. This will be particularly valuable for those interested in careers or university subjects including Politics, Economics, Law, Media and for those applying for courses with an interview as part of the admissions process. Cookery This is a 12 week course mainly aimed at Year 13 students in preparation for university however Year 12 can take part if there is space. This is run by the Food Studies department and will focus on cooking nutritionally balanced food on a budget.
Orbit Programme (continued) 2. Enrichment As in the lower year groups of the school, Sixth Form students have the opportunity to take enrichment activities every day. For sixth formers, academic enrichment options become more important and we encourage participation in relevant activities including Model United Nations, Debating and the Medical Society (MedSoc). Participation in these enrichments are logged in Orbit Diaries and we encourage students to think about the skills they have gained from everything they have undertaken. 3. Careers and University Guidance We want all of our Sixth Form students to leave us knowing what they want to achieve next and having the skills and confidence to achieve it. In Sixth Form, guidance becomes tailored to each student’s individual strengths, plans and interests. The programme in the Sixth Form includes attendance at UCAS Fairs and university Open Days, sessions for those applying for Oxbridge or Medicine-related programmes and an exciting lecture series with interesting lectures from professionals and academics who can share their experiences. However, our careers advice offers more than this ‘traditional’ path. We provide guidance for any course at any university in the UK, Europe or worldwide and support for those wishing to go on to Apprenticeships or vocational courses. 4. Volunteering It is expected that all sixth formers will regularly volunteer their time to help other members of the school community. This may be through their role as subject ambassador, leading an enrichment activity, and helping with Prep School swimming or coaching sport for example. Sixth Formers can act as mentors for pupils throughout the school and learn leadership and coaching skills. Again, their participation and experiences are logged in their Orbit Diaries. More Information Please contact the Director of Sixth Form, Mr Hastings for further information about the Orbit Programme: R.Hastings@ipswichhighschool.co.uk
ipswichhighschool.co.uk Telephone 01473 780201 | Fax 01473 780985 | Email enquiries@ipswichhighschool.co.uk | Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk IP9 1AZ