Birkenhead School - Sixth Form Prospectus

SixTH FORM PROSPEC TuS & iNFORMATiON BOOkLET

From the Wallasey tunnel

From the Birkenhead tunnel

Leave the M53 at exit 3, turn left and follow the A552 in the direction of Birkenhead, almost immediately passing under a railway bridge.

After about 400 yards, turn left at traffic lights into Holm Lane (Swan Hotel on corner).

Turn right immediately after tunnel toll, following signs for Heswall and Tranmere Rovers Football Ground, on to Borough Road (A552). At the third set of traffic lights turn right up the hill – Balls Road East. Continue up this road through two sets of lights – (Williamson Art Gallery on right-hand side at second set).

Take first right turn (still Holm Lane) and proceed to top of hill where Holm Lane bends left into Talbot Road. Continue along Talbot Road to Bidston Road, passing St Saviour’s Church on right (traffic lights at this point.) Take second turn right into Beresford Road.

Continue until the road bends sharply right.

At this point bear left into Gerald Road. At the lights at the top of Gerald Road, turn right – (St Saviour’s Church on your right-hand side).

Take second right-hand turn into Beresford Road.

School is on the left-hand side (Headmaster’s Office, Bursar’s Office and Staff Common Room – first house after Holy Name Church).

From Chester Leave the M53 at exit 3, turn right and follow instructions from Wallasey Tunnel (above).

Please note that Beresford Road is one-way only.

Birkenhead School admissions

Debbie Roberts Birkenhead School The Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, Wirral CH43 2JD T: 0151 651 3009 E: Debbie.Roberts@birkenheadschool.co.uk www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

2014/15

Birkenhead School

Welcome to the Sixth Form at Birkenhead School as the annual a-level results are published, it is always gratifying to see not only the many outstanding individual performances, but also to note the vast majority of our sixth Formers winning places in their chosen course at their first-choice university.

First-rate teaching in small groups combined with excellent facilities provide the right environment for success. at the same time, students learn to benefit from the independence which the sixth Form offers, meaning that in the end the success is their own. as well as providing the gateway to higher education, the sixth Form at Birkenhead school provides opportunities for individual development in the widest sense. leadership, teamwork, and personal initiative are actively encouraged, as students assume their role as senior members of the school, with a responsibility for other members of the community and for the ethos of the school as a whole. outside of the curriculum there are many opportunities for sixth Formers to broaden their experience and prepare for life beyond school: our unique Beyond the Curriculum courses offer students an insight into fashion, law, it, philosophy, media and so much more. students have the opportunity to take on positions of responsibility as Prefects and Peer mentors. they may organise house drama productions, become an nCo in

the CCF, or else take on a leading role on the student Council. our debating and youth Parliament teams are a real force to be reckoned with, frequently winning places at national and international finals. Participation in team sport and music is very much to the fore, as are the academic research groups in science, politics, philosophy and public-speaking. no matter what your interests and motivations, entry into the Birkenhead sixth Form offers an exciting and stimulating opportunity to get involved and to excel.

CONTENTS FACILITIES & OPPORTUNITIES

2

THE CURRICULUM

4

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

5

THE CREATIVE ARTS

6

SPORT

6

2014 EXAM RESULTS

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ADMISSIONS AND FEES

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i hope that in reading our sixth Form Prospectus you will see just how many opportunities there are available. the size of the sixth Form means that each individual is nurtured and esteemed within our open and friendly school community. Come for a taster day and see it for yourself.

dr Jeremy h Grundy headmaster

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Facilities

&Opportunities

Sixth Form students at Birkenhead School have access to some of the best facilities on the Wirral.

As well as the first-class facilities around the beautiful campus, our Sixth Form is based in their very own Sixth Form Centre. This forms a hub for all Sixth Form students where they can relax and socialise in the common room or work in the quiet study rooms.

There is an iT suite, games room, TV facilities and a dedicated coffee shop, solely for Sixth Form use.

There are also a range of exciting and interesting opportunities available to Sixth Form students. These include the chance to get involved in optional extras such as debating, School productions and drama, the Chapel Choir and musical recitals, Science Olympiad competitions and ‘Science in the Community’, academic and peer mentoring, advanced tutorial groups (providing preparation for the most competitive university courses) and much more.

Regular field trips take place during course study, as well as an annual Sixth Form outdoor pursuits trip.

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The

Curriculum We offer a range of subjects to our Sixth Form students, including: art

english language

mathematics

Biology

english literature

music

Business studies

French

sports studies

Chemistry

Further mathematics

Physical education

Classical Civilisation

Geography

Physics

Beyond the

design technology Product design

German

Psychology

Curriculum

Greek

religious studies

design & technology systems Control

history

spanish

economics

iCt

theatre studies

latin

Please note that provision of teaching in some of the above subjects is dependent on demand and staffing.

We advise that you select subjects for which you have already demonstrated an aptitude and, as far as possible, a combination of subjects which takes account of your career intentions. Although many courses at university will require specific AS/A2 level subjects, it is by no means so in all cases. it is also very important that you choose subjects you really want to study because this will help you when you make the step up from AS to A2 level work. Students are most likely to achieve success in subjects which they enjoy. it is also very likely that their future intentions will be affected rather more by the quality of their AS/A2 level grades than by the actual subjects they have studied. More than 50% of careers chosen by graduates are not linked to a specific subject.

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To follow through a subject to AS Level a student will need to have obtained a minimum of 6 GCSE ‘passes’ (i.e. grade C or above) and at least an A in the chosen subjects - grade B is sometimes considered where students have shown particular commitment and aptitude to succeed. in the case of subjects which have not been taken at GCSE relevant other subjects will be taken into account. if in doubt, ask Mr Parry, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, for advice.

We recognise that the classroom is only a small part of the story. Our co-curricular activities are designed to both complement and extend learning in the classroom through an enriching programme of activities that stretch both mind and imagination.

Learning in our Sixth Form is about so much more than the subjects you choose to study.

Away from your studies, we offer an extensive programme of co-curricular activities, ranging from sports to science clubs to our very own Combined Cadet Force, all of which are open to you from your very first day.

And to stimulate your imagination further, we hold weekly lectures from guest speakers who are Captains of industry, leading professionals, Old Birkonians and field specialists. These speakers come and explore their specialist fields of interests and give you an insight into careers and options you may never have even thought of!

in addition, our Sixth Form students have the opportunity to take part in our ‘Beyond the Curriculum’ workshops, which include a range of ‘interest’ courses. in recent years, these have included politics, law, fashion design, Dutch, Mandarin, singing and much, much more!

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The Creative

Arts individual expression and creativity are key to developing students’ confidence, attitude and expertise across our drama, music and art provision.

Students in our Sixth Form are encouraged to take opportunities to express themselves through a calendar of productions, performances and showcases throughout the academic year.

2014

Exam Results a-leVel summary By suBJeCt 2014 suBJeCt

a*

Art

a 1

3

Biology

7

Business Studies Chemistry

5

Design Technology Product Design

3

10

Economics

4

2

French

Great emphasis is placed on the importance of physical resilience and robustness with our school sport programme. From the very first day students are invited to engage in sport and to be ambitious in reaching their goals, regardless of level and ability.

Many of our students regularly achieve representative honours at county, national and international levels and pupils are inspired by the example of first class sport coaches and teaching staff.

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1

2

4

2

4

2

1

5

1

2

1

1

3

1

2

1

2

1

Geography

1

2

German

1

History

4

1

iCT

2

1 1

Latin

1

Maths

5

13

2

2

Physics

2

2

3

1

1

3

Religious Education Spanish

1

1

1

1

Further Maths

d

1

3

English Language English Literature

C

1

Design Technology Systems and Control

SPORT

B

1

1

1

1

Overall percentage pass rate at A-Level

20%

Candidates achieved A* grades in all their subjects at A-Level

383

Average total points score at A-Level

58%

Candidates achieved A* – A grades in all their subjects at A-Level

110

Average A-Level point score per entry

80%

Candidates achieved A* – B grades in all their subjects at A-Level

100%

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Admissions and Fees Our full admissions policy is available on our website.

Birkenhead School educates boys and girls from 3 months to 18 years. it selects students on the basis of their academic aptitude and their ability to benefit from the kind of education offered by the School. in selecting students at 16 for admission to the School’s Sixth Form, we are looking for academic potential to proceed to Higher Education. We also seek students with wideranging interests and talents who are prepared to participate in the broader life of the School.

Academic ability is assessed at age 16 by means of GCSE results, an interview and by references from candidates’ secondary schools.

The School’s policy is to apply its admissions criteria to all potential and current students regardless of any disability of which it is aware. in order to encourage a strong academic ethos for all students, the School offers a number of scholarships at 11 and 16, awarded solely on ability.

Parents who are offered a place for their child will be required to secure this place with a deposit of £300. This deposit is refundable upon the child’s completion of their education at Birkenhead School, providing all fees and charges have been met.

Fees

additional CharGes

For the Current aCademiC year 2014/15

For the Current aCademiC year 2014/15

lower and upper sixth Form £3580 per term

homework Club

For admissions Please ContaCt the headmasters Pa

debbie roberts

Fees include tuition, a wide range of cocurricular activities, almost all text books and materials, examination fees (not re-sits), fieldwork trips, whole year-group trips, travel to sporting fixtures and travel and personal accident insurance.

£6.20 per day (1 hour session) £10.20 per day (2 hour session)

Debbie.Roberts@birkenheadschool.co.uk Telephone 0151 651 3009

Charges for any ‘extras’ will be advised individually.

An additional £15.00 is added to the fees for the Michaelmas Term for all pupils in the Senior School, giving students life membership of the Old Birkonians’ Society when they leave the School.

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