Boost Academic Support Programme 2017-2018
Introduction At King’s we are wholeheartedly committed to the provision of the very best opportunities for each and every girl in the school, and that commitment ranges from initiatives such as the Mars Society, which will culminate in a live radio link between King’s High and the International Space Station, to a lunchtime support session for students who need some additional academic guidance to enable them to thrive in a particular subject. We celebrate the exceptional talents and skills of all of our students, whilst offering superb academic support to boost skills and develop confidence as the girls progress through the school. Recently, we launched Inspire, our programme for academic enrichment, and it has been exciting to see so many girls making the most of the opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom. We are now delighted to launch Boost, an equivalent programme which brings together the impressive range of academic support sessions, bespoke individual guidance, small group sessions, and our outstanding student mentoring scheme. These systems are vital in enabling each girl to realise their full academic potential. No matter how talented or able the student, there may come a time in a girl’s school life when she needs some additional support in her academic work. Our Boost Programme offers bespoke and tailored solutions to make sure that girls have access to positive, encouraging and effective support and guidance. This booklet will introduce you to the various ways in which we can do this. Dr SJ Burley Deputy Head (Academic)
Meet the Boost Team The Boost Team is led by Mrs Bridie McSorley, who co-ordinates the programme and liaises with parents, girls and academic staff to ensure that the pupil’s needs are being met. For any enquiries about the Boost Programme, please contact Mrs McSorley (b.mcsorley@kingshighwarwick.co.uk)
What is Boost? Boost is the new programme for academic support at King’s. It is designed to offer the positive support and encouragement, alongside specific learning strategies and additional provision, to ensure
that every girl at King’s High can thrive and achieve her full potential. The Boost programme is open to every girl in the school. By contacting the Boost Team, girls will be able to access expert advice and support, including a whole range of activities from our sixthform mentoring programme to bespoke core skills workshops.
What academic support can Boost offer me? The Boost Team is focused on the individual needs of each girl, so they work to understand the specific academic and learning needs before developing an action plan with targeted support strategies. They will communicate very closely with parents throughout this process. The academic support available at King’s includes:
Regular meetings with our expert Boost Team
One-to-one tutorials sessions on core skills and core subjects
Small group intensive mini-courses on core skills
Sixth Form academic mentoring programme
Department workshops and study clinics
Personalised learning using digital technology to support progress
Regular communication with teaching staff and parents to ensure that teaching is responsive to individual learning needs
Occasional talks for parents and students about study skills and specific learning needs
Boost’s Weekly Support Sessions There are two weekly lunchtimes sessions run by our expert team and designed to offer tailored academic support and guidance. Anyone interested in attending should speak to or email Mrs McSorley: b.mcsorley@kingshighwarwick.co.uk Wednesdays 1:50-2:25pm KS3, Innovation Centre ‘Fun Games to Boost Memory’ is a popular mini-course to support and improve memory skills. KS3 students can sign up via SOCS for an initial four week and then six-week course. Thursdays 1:15-1:50pm KS3, KS4 and KS5, Innovation Centre This is a drop in learning support session to offer bespoke support for any girl in the school. These sessions respond to the individual needs of the girls.
Boost’s Student Mentoring Scheme Boost’s exceptional Student Mentoring Programme has a great track record of successful interventions to boost girl’s confidence and develop core skills.
If a student feels that they would benefit from some additional support in a particular subject, we appoint a student mentor (normally in the Sixth Form) to meet weekly with their ‘tutee’. During these sessions the girls cover key areas of the course and offer tips, advice and strategies to build core skills and confidence. The programme has been enormously successful and enjoyed equally by the ’tutee’ and ’mentor’. It has excellent academic outcomes whilst also fostering a sense of leadership and responsibility. Anyone who feels they would benefit from being part of the Boost Mentoring scheme should contact MRs McSorley or their Head of Key Stage.
Boost’s Weekly Department Clinics and Workshops Our academic departments at King’s run a huge array of support sessions, drop in clinics, and revision clubs each week. The list below outlines the current provision for this. Students interested in attending should speak with their subject teacher.
Boost’s Bespoke One-to-One Tuition In addition to the weekly Boost lunchtime support sessions, the department clinics and student mentoring scheme, it is also possible to arrange for bespoke one-to-one tuition with a member of expert Boost Team. These 35 minute sessions will take place before, after school or at lunchtime. Each session will cost £21.90; a sequence of five tutorials will cost £100. The Boost Team is focused on the individual needs of each girl, so they will work to understand the specific learning needs before developing an action plan with targeted support strategies. They will communicate very closely with parents throughout this process before finalising the content and arrangements for a series of tailored one-to-one tutorials that will take place. To discuss arrangements for one-to-one tutorials, please contact Mrs McSorley on b.mcsorley@kingshighwarwick.co.uk
Boost’s Small Group Mini-Courses The Boost Team will also be running a series of intensive core skills courses in a range of areas. The sessions will be tailored to provide bespoke advice and strategies for improvement and the small group size (approximately four students) will allow for personalised coaching and support. The Boost mini-courses are designed to improve key skills that will enable girls to thrive in the classroom. Courses on offer include: BOOST core English skills course BOOST core Maths skills course BOOST core revision strategies course BOOST core memory skills course It is likely that each course will consist of eight 35 minute sessions, although this may vary depending on the needs of the group. Girls attending an 8 session Boost course will be charged £99.20 for the course at a rate of £12.40 per session. To discuss arrangements for the Boost mini-courses, please contact Mrs McSorley on b.mcsorley@kingshighwarwick.co.uk