The Sixth Form An introduction for students and parents September 2019
Contents Sixth Form privileges The Sixth Form common room Use of the sports centre Signing out
18 18 18 18
Dress & appearance guidelines
19
Sport dress code
20
Personal property
20
Transport
20
Posts of responsibility
21
The Sixth Form committee
21
Becoming a Prefect
21
Welcome from the Head of Sixth Form The Sixth Form team
3
Pastoral care: The pastoral structure Your tutor Tutorial period Sixth Form assemblies Registration and attendance Counselling
5 5 5 5 5 6 6
The Medical Centre & absence
7
Communications for parents
7
The school day
8
The two week timetable
9
The curriculum: The core The electives The Latymer Diploma The learning journal Private study Life skills Service in the community
10 10 10 11 12 12 12 13
Conduct: Conduct Academic expectations Mobile phone policy for Sixth Formers Signing out Use of the Internet Missing a lesson, match fixture or rehearsal Lateness
Map of school site
14-15
Note to parents
24
Extra-curricular activities Games & PE
16 16
FAQs
25
UCAS applications and careers
17
The Latymer learner profile
26-27
4
22 22 22 23 23 23 23
Welcome / 3
Welcome Whether you are new to the School or have graduated to the Sixth Form from Year 11, I hope you will find this manual a valuable document. It contains information about how the Sixth Form operates, and advice on taking advantage of all the opportunities available to Latymerian Sixth Formers. Success in your academic studies will, of course, be your primary concern, but you will also want to involve yourself fully in the extra-curricular life of the School, in music, drama, sport and societies, as well as leadership and service activities. Although your final A Level and Pre-U examinations are almost two years away, it is vital to realise the importance of the Lower Sixth year, in the summer of which you will be sitting examinations in all your subjects. The results of these will offer concrete evidence which will determine the predicted grades to be included in the school reference that accompanies your university application, so be careful not to fall into the trap of resting on your laurels after your GCSEs. If you follow the advice in this manual, I am confident you will be able to obtain a place on a course at a university of your preference. In the Sixth Form you will enjoy a number of privileges. Please remember, however, that privilege brings responsibility and that we expect you, in return, to help in the running of the School and to set a good example to the younger pupils at all times. My best wishes for an enjoyable and successful Sixth Form experience. Rachel Collier Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form) July 2019
4 / The Sixth Form team
The Sixth Form team
Mrs R Collier, Assistant Head, Head of Sixth Form rcc@latymer-upper.org
Mrs S Adams Head of Upper Sixth sma@latymer-upper.org
Mrs S Fordyce Head of Lower Sixth sjf@latymer-upper.org
Mr S Burns Assistant Head of Upper Sixth sbb@latymer-upper.org
Mr J Haines Assistant Head of Lower Sixth jdh@latymer-upper.org
Mr M Holmes Director of University Admissions mgh@latymer-upper.org
Mrs B Farrington Sixth Form Administrator bpf@latymer-upper.org
Pastoral care: the pastoral structure; your tutor; Sixth Form assemblies / 5
Pastoral care The pastoral structure Mrs Collier, Assistant Head, has overall academic and pastoral responsibility for the Sixth Form. Her study can be found on the ground floor of York House, opposite the University and Careers Centre. The Head of the Lower Sixth, Mrs Fordyce is responsible for the academic and pastoral welfare of the Lower Sixth. She is assisted by Mr Haines, the Assistant Head of the Lower Sixth. Their office is next to the Sixth Form common room. The Head of Upper Sixth is Mrs Adams and she is assisted by Mr Burns. Their office is also next to the Sixth Form common room. The Sixth Form Administrator is Mrs Farrington, whose office is located on the ground floor of York House, opposite Mrs Collier’s study. All of the team operate an ‘open door’ policy, and are available to see students at any time about any matter that may be concerning them.
Your tutor At the beginning of the Sixth Form you are assigned to a tutor in whose form you will stay for the duration of your time in the School. Your tutor is responsible for monitoring your academic progress, helping you to complete your UCAS form, assisting you in resolving any difficulties and talking to your subject teachers on your behalf. You should always speak to them in the first instance if you need help.
Tutorial period In Week A, following the Sixth Form assembly, there is a compulsory 45 minute tutorial period. This will be used for such things as administrative tasks, pastoral talks and group work. It is a valuable time during which to get to know your form and tutor. L6 forms have an additional fortnightly tutorial period for the purpose of monitoring progress towards the Latymer Diploma.
Sixth Form assemblies Wednesday Friday
Week A
Sixth Form assembly Main Hall, 8.30am L6 assembly Theatre, 8.30am
Tuesday Friday
Week B
Sixth Form assembly Main Hall, 8.30am U6 assembly Theatre, 8.30am
6 / Pastoral care: registration & attendance; counselling
Registration & attendance Registration is at 8.25am each day, even if the day begins with a private study period. We expect you to be punctual for registration. If you are ill contact the absence team in good time on absence@latymer-upper.org. If you have a music or LAMDA lesson during registration, you must sign in with Mrs Dawson in advance. Afternoon registration is done in class at the start of Period 6. If you have a free afternoon, with no lessons or commitments after school, then you are excused (unless you have had this privilege withdrawn – see Conduct section). If a lesson is cancelled because a teacher is absent, you should still go to your timetabled classroom, unless given permission to leave. If you want to have unusual leave of absence, your parents should write to Mrs Collier. You will be allowed (by arrangement with your tutor) to attend commitments such as driving tests, open days (from January in the L6) and interviews, although we reserve the right to limit these to protect lesson time. Unless involved in an official School event, you may not remain on site unsupervised after the Library shuts at 6.00pm. No student should go home or miss a lesson for reasons of illness without first having seen the school nurse. If she is unavailable, then you must seek permission to leave from your Head of Year or Mrs Collier.
Counselling Many students will run into problems of an academic, or of a more social and personal nature, at some point during their time in the Sixth Form. Usually you will want to turn to your tutor, though you should also feel able to speak to any member of the Sixth Form team at any time. If you would rather not speak to a member of the teaching staff, the School Counsellors could be of assistance, in which case you can either see your Head of Year or Mrs Collier to arrange a referral or you can self-refer by text or email to: Katy Burgess at kjb@latymer-upper.org or 07906 580558 Sam McManus at spm@latymer-upper.org or 07783 222729 M Jolly at mpj@latymer-upper.org or 07495 993605
The Medical Centre & absence; communications / 7
The Medical Centre & absence If you need to take medicine at school, your parent should either email the school nurse or send in a letter with you stating when you need to take it. The email for both school nurses is nurse@latymer-upper.org
All medicines need to be labelled clearly with your name and tutor group. Medicine must be left with one of the nurses in Medical Room 1. All students with an inhaler for asthma or an Epipen will need to carry this on their person; a spare can be kept in Medical Room 1 but it needs to be clearly labelled. Medical and dental appointments should be made outside school hours where possible. If you need to leave school during the day, your parent should email absence@latymer-upper.org in advance. They should also email this address if you are ill as soon as they can in the morning. If you feel unwell during the school day you should go to the school nurses who are located in Medical Rooms 1 and 2. Students should not contact parents directly or leave school without permission from one of the school nurses. If the nurse feels that you are too unwell to stay in school they will contact your parent and arrange for you to go home. The Medical Rooms are open from 8am until 6pm.
Communications for parents Latymer Portal This site is the “one stop shop� for parents. When you start at the School they will be sent login details and asked to sign up to the Latymer Portal. Here they will find all information pertinent to you, including your timetables, reports, announcements and wider school topics of interest. School Post Information and letters are emailed to parents using School Post. If they have any problems with access they should contact the Office Manager, Lindsey Smith at lss@latymer-upper.org Classlist Communications between parents in the year group or tutor groups are made easy via the Classlist app. This can be downloaded on either Android or iOS devices.
8 / The school day
The school day 8:25
Registration
8:55
Period 1
9:40
Period 2
10:25
Period 3
11:10
Break
11:40
Period 4
12:25
Period 5
13:40 for 6th form lunch every day except Weds when it is 13:00
Lunch
14:30
Period 6
15:15
Period 7
16:00
End of school
Two week timetable / 9
Two week timetable
Latymer operates on a two week timetable that we call week A and week B. This is clearly labelled on both Firefly and the Latymer Portal but it can still be confusing initially. This is the yearly overview: Sept 2019
October November December
w/c 2 Sept
9 Sept
16 Sept
23 Sept
Week A (A1) 3 days (Wed- Fri)
Week B (B1)
Week A (A2)
Week B (B2)
7 Oct
Week B (B3)
14 Oct
28 Oct
4 Nov
Week A (A4)
21 Oct
11 Nov
18 Nov
25 Nov
Week B (B4)
2 Dec
Week A (A5)
9 Dec
Half Term Week B (B5) 16 Dec
Week A (A6) 23 Dec
Week A (A7)
Christmas Holiday
Jan 2020
6 Jan
13 Jan
20 Jan
February
3 Feb
10 Feb
17 Feb
24 Feb
2 Mar
9 Mar
16 Mar
23 Mar
March
Week B (B9)
Week A (A8)
Week A (A10)
Week B (B8)
Half Term
Christmas Holiday 27 Jan
Week B (B10)
Week B (B10)
Week A (A11)
Week B (B11)
April
6 Apr
13 Apr
20 Apr
27 Apr
May
4 May
11 May
18 May
25 May
June
July
Week A (A14) 4 days (Mon-Thurs) (BH)
1 Jun
Week B (B15) Y7/ Y12 Exam Week Y8-10 6 Jul
Week B (B17)
Easter Holiday Week B (B14)
8 Jun
Week A (A16)
Week A (A13)
Week A (A15) 4 days (Mon-Thurs) 15 Jun
Week B (B16)
30 Dec
Christmas Holiday
Week A (A9)
Week A (A10)
Easter Holiday
Week A (A3)
Half Term
Week B (B6)
Week B (B7) (11+) 3 days (Wed-Fri)
30 Sept
30 Mar
Easter Holiday
Week B (B13)
Half Term 22 Jun
Week A (A17)
29 Jun
Activities Week
10 / The curriculum: the core; the electives
The curriculum
Sixth Formers at Latymer follow an exciting and innovative curriculum that takes account of both the changes to A Levels and university expectations and the need to educate students for the complex, interconnected and everchanging world. We want our students to be academic, rounded and grounded. So the curriculum offers both depth and extension, alongside breadth and opportunity. What’s more, we want to provide a means of acknowledging how students contribute to the wider life of the School. The Sixth Form curriculum has three main features: a common core, elective courses and a Latymer Diploma or Leaver’s Certificate.
* Those choosing the Extended Project as an elective (see below) will undertake this course as part of their study towards that qualification.
The core All students follow the core curriculum. At its heart lies the requirement for all students to study three full A Levels or Pre-U courses – this is the academic requirement that universities expect. In addition, we help to prepare students for university study by including a 10-week course on Research Skills and different types and theories of knowledge. All students take Games, undertake Service in the Community and complete a series of Life Skills units.
Electives summary Students take one or more of the following: • Extended Project (dissertation, investigation, artefact) • Latymer Individual Research Report (e.g. equivalent of 3000 words) • One or two-term academic elective courses internally created and certificated (exploring new areas of knowledge) • A 4th A Level or Pre-U course • Modern/classical language – ab initio or continuing (AS Level) • Maths or English Literature course (to AS) • Extra Service
Core summary 1. Three A Levels or Pre-U 2. Knowledge and Research Skills course* 3. Games options 4. Service 5. Life Skills carousel
The electives In addition to the core, students have the opportunity to take a number of elective courses. We are keen for students to extend their academic studies beyond their three A Levels; to undertake an Extended Project (or Latymer Individual Research Report) and take advantage of the opportunity to follow one or more Latymer-designed short courses that will add breadth and interest to a Sixth Former’s academic diet.
The curriculum: Latymer Diploma / 11
The Latymer Diploma Depending on the courses taken and responsibilities and engagement in cocurricular activities, students will qualify for a Latymer Diploma at one of three levels (pass, merit, distinction). This will recognise a student’s achievement across the range of school activity. To qualify for the Latymer Diploma students must have fulfilled the requirements of the core, maintained a personal, reflective learning journal, and garnered at least 6 credits from the electives and co-curricular activities on offer in the Sixth Form. Pass – 6 credits; merit – 7 credits; distinction – 8+ credits Credits are calculated on the following scale: For elective courses: • 1 unit elective = 1 credit • 2 unit elective = 2 credits • EPQ = 3 credits • Latymer Research Report = 1 credit • AS Mathematics/English/Modern Language = 2 credits • Ab initio language = 1 credit per term studied (usually 2 terms) • 4th full A Level/Pre-U = 3 credits
For co-curricular activities: • Extra Service (including Round Square or School International Service) = 1 credit • School representation: regular sports team, drama, music, debating, MUN, etc. = 1 or 2 credits (depending) • Key leadership roles = e.g. Prefect, Round Square committee, captain of sports team, School Council, and similar = 1 credit • Extra–curricular activity (regular commitment over two terms or equivalent) = 1 credit • World Challenge/D of E silver/gold = 1 or 2 credit(s) We hope every Sixth Form student will qualify for the Latymer Diploma that recognises personal development, contribution and achievements both academic and co-curricular. You might also like to reflect on the Latymer learner profile at the back of this booklet.
12 / The learning journal; private study; Life Skills
The learning journal A key requirement of the Latymer Diploma will be the keeping of a reflective learning journal, which will draw together a student’s reflections upon the various strands of the Sixth Form curriculum. (Many universities now have similar expectations of their undergraduate students.) Tutors will ring-fence time for this activity and will encourage students to share their reflections on their personal development and progress towards the habits of the Latymer learner profile.
Private study
For many Sixth Formers, learning to manage ‘free’ periods constructively is one of the most challenging aspects of the transition to Sixth Form. To help you adjust to new study routines you will be asked (during the Autumn Term) to choose a maximum of five of these periods per fortnight as ‘frees’. The rest you will use for work in the Library (or in a specialised area such as the Art studios). At the end of the first term, if you have shown the ability to manage your work effectively, planning how you spend your ‘frees’ will be left up to you, as long as you continue to manage your work well. Wider reading and research beyond the syllabus is always encouraged and will benefit you in many ways, such as nurturing your intellectual curiosity and building your academic skills.
Life Skills
As well as helping you to develop the habits that reflect the Latymer learner profile, we aim to equip you with a range of ‘Life Skills’ relevant for life at university and beyond. Lower Sixth students will have two periods per fortnight (either Monday A 6&7 or Monday B 6&7) dedicated to a rolling programme of four modules, with four lessons per module, unless otherwise indicated: 1. Financial wellbeing 2. Communication skills for employment 3. Cookery & nutrition 4. Practical skills (2 lessons)
Service in the Community / 13
Service in the Community As part of the Latymer curriculum there is an expectation that all Lower Sixth Formers will participate in our Service in the Community scheme. We believe that being involved in helping others in the local community is of great value to the wider education of our students, encouraging social responsibility and developing a sense of self-awareness. Most placements will involve visiting once a week for between 1 and 2 hours depending on the nature of the work. It is expected that all students will be involved for at least one term, but some may wish to continue for longer. (Extra Service is recognised by an extra credit towards the Latymer Diploma.) The scheme is administered by Mr Wright and students’ engagement with the programme is monitored by form tutors. In addition to Service in the Community, Latymer Sixth Formers devote their time readily and generously to a variety of activities within school. Students should aim to involve themselves in at least one of: Academic Mentoring, Peer Mentoring, Round Square committee, Sixth Form committee, Duke of Edinburgh, RAIS£ or leadership of a society.
14 / Map
2
SCHOOL MAP
Edward Latymer Theatre & Arts Centre Ground
First
Second
LATYMER UPPER SCHOOL SITE AND TEACHING ROOMS
THEATRE
MPR1
MS1
MPR2 MPR3 MPR4 MPR5
MS2
MPR6 MPR7
to LPAC
Atrium
1
School Nurse
Library, Science & ABC Block Ground
First
06
SC
LIBRARY
SC
07
SC
11
SC
01
05
SC
D9
09
SC
12
SC
SC
10
SC
C1 B3 B2 B1
8
B4 B5 B6
C3 C4
B7
C7 C6 C5
York House Ground
2
C8 C4
1 8
First
School Shop
School Office
E Block & 61 Weltje Road
Ground
First
Second
E5
E10
E2
E6
E3
E8
Third
reet King St
7
BIG STUDIO
13
SC
SC
D10
Third
08
04
SC
IT Helpdesk
to D Block
Second 03
02
SC
Cafe
MPR8
7
Map / 15
3
Third
4
SPORTS CENTRE Ground
First
D Block & Dining Ground
First to Big Studio
Pool
S3
S2
S1 GYM
A2
Student Dining
A3
STUDIO
STUDIO
Second Staff Dining
Sports Hall
Kitchen
A7
A8
STUDIO
Rive
Boat House
STUDIO
r Tha
rt rcou Rive
Road
mes Upp
3
er M
all
4 6
5
Main Building & Design
Ground
5 6
5
M A I N
4 3 2
H A L L
oad R e ltj
12
We 6
13
Latymer Performing Arts Centre (LPAC)
Ground
First
Second
P24 RECITAL HALL
P23 P22
P25
18 19 20
P38 P37
34
21
33
P26 P27
P35 P36
P28
P34
DANCE & DRAMA STUDIO
41 42 43 44 45
22 23
to Arts Centre
P11
Reception
39 38 37 36 35
Third
Foyer
RECITAL HALL
First
24
32 31
25
30
46
Design Computers & Mezzanine
P21
P32
P31
WS2 WS3 SENIOR WORKSHOP
ENGINEERING WORKSHOP
WS1 JUNIOR WORKSHOP
28 DESIGN STUDIO
16 / Extra-curricular activities & societies; Games & PE
Extra-curricular activities & societies Latymer provides many opportunities for personal development in sport, music and drama, and has a wide range of clubs and societies which we encourage students to support and help to run. Being involved will allow you to demonstrate key aspects of your character such as resilience or leadership when it comes to applying to UCAS or for employment. You should aim to use your Lower Sixth year to experience as many activities as possible. Make sure you attend the Activities Fair at the start of the Autumn Term to sign up for a wonderful variety of clubs, or see your Head of Year to begin your own!
Games & PE
All students are required to participate in Sixth Form Games on a Wednesday afternoon. A very wide variety of fun and competitive sport is offered, enabling everyone to find something they enjoy. Please email Mrs Roch or Mrs Rimmer (sport@latymer-upper.org) if you have any queries about your option. Those who absent themselves from Games without good reason will be regarded as having truanted from class. (Please see Conduct section.)
If you are feeling unwell please ask your parents to email offsport@latymerupper.org by 10.30am on the day or as soon afterwards as possible. Those off Games must report at 2.30pm to the library, where they must remain until 4pm. You must not miss Games without a parental email or authorisation from the nurse or your Head of Year. Please do not arrange driving lessons or doctor’s appointments during this time.
UCAS applications & careers / 17
UCAS applications & careers The Universities and Careers Department is opposite Mrs Collier’s study in York House. It provides a specialised resources centre with up-to-date information on universities, courses and future careers. Deciding what course to follow and which university to apply to is not easy. In your third term, you will have an individual interview with a specialist Higher Education Advisor who will prepare a report and suggested action plan. You will also want to seek advice from your subject teachers, Head of Year or Mr Holmes – Director of University Admissions – who can be consulted at any time about Higher Education plans. Additionally, students can seek specific advice from Mr Eddison, who co-ordinates applications to Oxford and Cambridge, Mrs Pender, who advises on medical applications and Mr Ware who advises on and co-ordinates all international and summer school applications, including to the USA, Canada, Ireland and Europe. The application process begins in the Spring Term with an introduction to Unifrog, followed (in March) by our Higher Education Launch, at which time you will receive the School’s own comprehensive guide to UCAS application. You are advised, though, to start your own research earlier, so that your plans are all but finalised by the end of the Lower Sixth year. The Universities and Careers Department is open daily from 8am to 5pm and is also available for consultation by appointment; see the list below for individual staff. In the Summer Term there is a UCAS training day devoted to the UCAS process, covering the online application system and drafting your personal statement. After this, with input from all your teachers, your tutor prepares a confidential draft reference for Mr Holmes to add to the application form. The reference will comment in detail on your academic progress, predict your likely A Level/Pre-U results, and comment further on your interests, your contributions to school life and general character. The completed application form must be submitted online by the beginning of November in the Upper Sixth year, or by early September for Oxbridge and medical applicants. Staff contact details
Mrs S Greene, scg@latymer-upper.org Mr M Holmes, mgh@latymer-upper.org Mr S Ware, snw@latymer-upper.org Mr S Eddison, sce@latymer-upper.org Mrs K Pender, kcp@latymer-upper.org
18 / Sixth Form privileges: the common room; use of the Sports Centre; signing out
Sixth Form privileges The common room Sixth Formers enjoy the exclusive use of the common room on the ground floor of the ACD Block in which to relax and socialise. There is a set of very simple common room rules that students are asked to follow: • The speaker may be used and music may be played outside normal lesson time, but volume levels should reflect the fact that there are classrooms and offices nearby. • It is the responsibility of each individual student to dispose of his/her litter in the bins available. If all students keep to the common room rules, everyone will be able to enjoy this shared facility fully. (Mistreatment of the room may lead to its closure for a day.) The Atrium café is also open to Sixth Formers all day – including private study periods – from 8.30am to 5pm. (Please make sure that you clear away your own crockery and litter.) Use of the sports centre Sixth Formers may use the gym during private study periods.
Signing out All Sixth Formers are allowed out of school at lunch times. Upper Sixth students may also leave the site from morning break onwards, provided that they have no commitments, academic or extracurricular. Lower Sixth students, however, may not leave the site at any time before 12.50pm (during period 5). A student with a free afternoon, with no lessons, appointments or extra-curricular obligations, is permitted to ‘sign out’ to go home from 12.50pm via the biometric reader. This privilege does not apply to L6 students in the first half of the Autumn Term and is subsequently at the discretion of the Head of Year.
Dress & appearance guidelines / 19
Dress & appearance guidelines The transition to the Sixth Form is marked most visibly by what students wear to school. In recognition of their growing independence and maturity, Sixth Formers are no longer required to wear a uniform and are offered individual choice about what they wear. Your general appearance and attire should be appropriate for a learning environment; it should be decent, comfortable and practical. You should also consider how your appearance reflects on the School and your position as role models for the younger pupils. On certain occasions all Sixth Formers, whatever their gender, will be required to wear a tailored suit, with ties being optional. These new arrangements for Sixth Formers are the result of student feedback and are being trialled for the academic year 2019-2020, giving this cohort of students the chance to demonstrate how ‘no dress code’ can work. If successful they will be incorporated into the new, whole-School uniform policy which will come into force in September 2020. Heads of Year and the Head of Sixth Form may issue more specific stipulations about dress from time to time, and the School reserves the right to deem a Sixth Former’s appearance inappropriate. In such instances the decision of the Head of Sixth Form is final.
20 / Sport dress code; personal property; transport
Sport dress code
Transport
All students are expected to wear appropriate kit noting the following guidelines: • Latymer branded kit is ideal
In pursuit of the School’s wider ‘green’ policies, Sixth Formers are discouraged from driving to school. Upper Mall is a private road and students are not allowed to park there. In the interests of the School’s good relations with local residents, Sixth Formers are asked to abide strictly by this ruling.
•
All tops must cover the shoulders and midriff
•
Sports shorts, leggings and/or tracksuit bottoms are expected
•
Appropriate sports footwear must be worn
•
No casual or leisure wear is allowed
•
The School reserves the right to judge what is appropriate kit for a school sporting activity.
Personal property All students are provided with a locker sufficiently large to contain books, games kit and an overcoat. Students are provided with a numbered key and are responsible for its return at the end of the year and may incur a charge if it is lost.
Students may only carry fellow students as passengers in their cars to and from school or Wood Lane with the written authorisation of the parents of both the driver and the passenger, which should be sent to the Head of Year. Bicycle sheds are available in both playgrounds and, for the Upper Sixth only, at the end of the covered walkway at the front of school. Entrance is by PIN code from Facilities. 16+ student ZIP Oyster photocard scheme For 16-19 year old students in full-time education who are residents of London, the 16+ Oyster photocard currently enables the holder to travel free of charge on London’s buses and trams.
Posts of responsibility; the Sixth Form committee; becoming a Prefect/ 21
Posts of responsibility
Privilege brings with it responsibility. As senior members of the school community, Sixth Formers are expected to set the highest standards of behaviour, dress and commitment. At all times we expect Sixth Formers to show strong, positive and responsible leadership, particularly to younger members of the School.
The Sixth Form committee
The Sixth Form committee, whose members are elected from both the Lower and Upper Sixth years early in the Autumn Term, exists to run Sixth Form affairs and particularly the management of the Sixth Form common room. The committee has responsibility for the provision, use and financing of its facilities, and of events and activities such as Band Night and the Leavers’ Ball, and meets regularly under the chairmanship of Mrs Collier to discuss matters of concern to the Sixth Form. The Sixth Form is represented by committee members on the School Council. Other ways in which you can exercise your leadership skills are through Service in the Community, involvement in the School’s Round Square committee and by running clubs, societies and teams, or finding a place on Activities Week as a group helper.
Becoming a Prefect
Much of the organisation and good running of the School is in the hands of the School Captains, Vice Captains, and School Prefects, who work under the supervision of Mrs Collier. Any Lower Sixth Former can apply, in the Spring Term, for selection as a School Prefect. Applicants should have accumulated a strong and varied record of extracurricular, service and leadership activities in the first two terms of their Lower Sixth year. Following a selection process in March, 40 School Prefects will be appointed, to serve for a year from the Summer Term of the Lower Sixth. School Prefects’ responsibilities include supervision of younger pupils during mid-morning and lunch breaks, representing the School at open days and key events and taking on ambassadorial duties as requested by senior staff. Their wider responsibilities are recognised by additional privileges. Those appointed to School Prefect positions are eligible to apply to run as candidates for election as School Captain/Vice Captain. Up to ten candidates are selected for an election campaign which runs in the weeks following the L6 exams at the start of the Summer Term. The two School Captains and two Vice Captains elected (by students and staff) take up office after the summer half term, serving for a year until they leave School.
22 / Conduct; Academic Expectations; Mobile Phone Policy for Sixth Formers
Conduct Sixth Form students are expected to maintain high standards of behaviour and good manners, conducting themselves well and respecting others at all times both at school and offsite. They are expected to be helpful, responsible, courteous and positive. Smoking is strictly forbidden at all times in the school day, as is visiting the pub. Students gathering to smoke near the School give a very poor impression. Students discovered drinking in a pub under the age of 18 at any time are liable to be reported to the landlord and to face further disciplinary action from School. When school rules and regulations are breached at Latymer, staff will seek to support students in changing their behaviour using an escalating ladder of sanctions. You can find full details of the School’s behaviour policy and other student policies on the intranet: resources/pastoral/pupil resources.
Academic expectations
In the Sixth Form you are expected to develop independent and rigorous working habits. You are also expected to take responsibility for managing your homework successfully alongside all of your other commitments. Some students, however, run into trouble with the workload required for academic success at A Level. In this case your teachers, tutor and Head of Year will work with you to overcome any issues preventing you from performing at your best. In cases of ongoing incidents due to unsatisfactory effort and commitment, sanctions may be considered.
Mobile phone policy for Sixth Formers
All mobile phones must be switched off and out of sight for the duration of Tutor Time, assemblies and lessons, unless a teacher has given permission to use a mobile device. Students are not permitted to use their mobile phones when moving around the School site. Mobile phones may be used in the following areas: form rooms, library (for research), Sixth Form common room, Sixth Form work room, Atrium cafĂŠ area.
Signing out; use of the Internet; missing a lesson, match fixture or rehearsal; lateness / 23
Signing out
Signing out procedures are given on page 18. Students are required to ‘sign out’ (and back in, when returning), using their biometric fingerprint, if they leave School between 8.25am and 4pm. Any student who leaves the School site at an unauthorised time, for however short a period, or without using the biometric registration system is likely to have their Sixth Form privileges withdrawn.
Lateness
Expectations of punctual and regular attendance are outlined in the ‘Registration and attendance’ section of this booklet. If you fail to arrive at registration in good time, and certainly by 8.25am, sanctions will follow. Those who accrue three lates in a half term period will be required to serve an 8am detention on a Friday; six lates incur an earlier Friday detention at 7.40am.
Use of the Internet All Sixth Form students have access to the School’s IT facilities, an individual school email account, and an iPad. Please refer to the Acceptable Use Policy on the Intranet or the IT department if you have any queries about your use of IT.
Missing a lesson, match fixture or rehearsal Missing a lesson (including Games), a match fixture or a rehearsal is considered to be very serious and sanctions should be expected. Confusing the week in the A/B timetable is not considered to be a valid excuse for missing a class.
24 / Note to parents
Note to parents Every pupil is expected to attend school punctually at 8.25am every day, even if they have a ‘free’ first thing. Permission to be absent during term time will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, e.g. on compassionate grounds. In such an instance please email Mrs Collier, Head of Sixth Form (rcc@latymer-upper.org). If your son/daughter is ill, please contact the School before 8.30am on each day of absence. This should be by email to absence@latymer-upper.org, copying in the form tutor, or by telephoning the school nurse on 020 3004 0299. Where an absence lasts for more than five days, a doctor’s certificate will be required. If your son/daughter is unfit for Games, please email offsport@latymer-upper. org by 10.30am on the day or as soon as possible after this. Where routine absences can be predicted in advance, such as dental appointments, open days, interviews or driving tests, please email absence@latymer-upper. org, again copying in the form tutor. Students are asked to avoid using Wednesday afternoon games sessions for appointments of this kind. If a student needs to leave during the school day, e.g. for medical appointments, they must sign out and sign in with Mrs Gill Dawson, the Attendance Officer.
Later in the year students will want to attend university open days, indeed we encourage them to take up to 3 school days to do so (but not during the first term of the L6 year). A week prior to visiting a university, students should email their tutors for permission and then also email their teachers to let them know they will be out of class. We would be grateful for your assistance in ensuring that students attend fixtures, rehearsals and other obligations at the weekend. Finally, please do let us know if we can help with any problems which may arise. We hope that you will feel able to contact your son’s or daughter’s tutor or their Head of Year. Good communication between home and school will ensure that the students mature into responsible and successful adults with the minimum of difficulty. Please note: all School policies can be found in full on the Parent Portal in the School information section, or on the School website under School rules and policies.
FAQs / 25
FAQs What do I do if...
Who do I speak to if...
•
I am late for registration? Sign in with Mrs Dawson, Attendance Officer.
•
I want to change a subject choice? Tutor; Head of Year, Mrs Collier – in this order.
•
I am ill during the day? Report to nurse’s surgery off the Atrium.
•
•
I have no afternoon lessons? With your tutor’s agreement, you may sign out.
I need advice about university? Tutor; Head of Year; Mrs Collier; Mr Holmes; Mr Eddison (Oxbridge); Mr Flitcroft (Careers); Mr Ware (Overseas); Mrs Pender (medical).
•
I need to be absent – for doctor’s appointment etc? Tutor; parental email to absence@latymer-upper.org
•
I want to start a new society/club? Ms L Cole (Assistant Head, co-curricular).
•
I am unhappy? Tutor; Head of Year; Assistant Head of Year; nurse; school counsellor.
•
I am unfit for Games? Parent emails offsport@latymer-upper.org Report to the library at 2.30pm and stay until 4pm.
•
I have a problem with my Games option? Contact Sally Roch, PE Administrator on sport@latymer-upper.org.
•
I lose one of my possessions? Go to Lost Property or Reception, or see your tutor or Head of Year.
Who... • is my Head of Year? L6th: Mrs S Fordyce (Assistant Head of Year: Mr J Haines) U6th: Mrs S Adams (Assistant Head of Year: Mr S Burns) •
is my Head of Division? Mrs Collier
26 / The Latymer learner profile
The Latymer learner profile The overarching aims of a Latymer education are: • to provide our pupils with a life-changing education that equips and inspires them to excel in the wider world, • to enable all our pupils to flourish as human beings in an ever more complex and connected world, • to have the dispositions and skills to be the best that they can be, and • to be a positive influence on the world around them. Our aim is that, on graduating from Latymer Upper School, each Latymerian will have developed the necessary dispositions and skills to be a lifelong learner, a global citizen and successful in adult life. So Latymerian graduates will: be confident in themselves, reflective, mindful and self-aware. They can assess and understand their intellectual, emotional and physical strengths and limitations in order to support their learning, personal development and wellbeing.
be principled and responsible role models and influencers. They are trustworthy and act with integrity and honesty, with a developed sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity, beliefs and rights of others. They seek to act ethically and take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
have a growth mindset that recognises intelligence and ability are not fixed but can be developed through effort combined be open-minded and tolerant. They have a critical appreciation of their with appropriate strategies and support. own cultures, values, traditions and personal histories and an interest show courage and resilience in the in and respect for the perspectives, face of challenge, uncertainty and the cultures, values and histories of other unfamiliar and will take appropriate risks individuals, groups and communities. in seeking to meet/overcome those challenges be they personal, intellectual, show empathy with and compassion social or physical. They actively seek to to others and have a commitment to challenge themselves and are not fearful action, service and charity borne out of making mistakes or failure, rather they of a genuine concern for their fellow seek to learn from their experience. human beings and the environment.
The Latymer learner profile / 27
be curious and questioning, both intellectually and more generally about the world around them. They have a love of learning and a desire to know, understand and explore concepts, ideas, problems and issues that have personal, local, national or global significance. be critical, creative, flexible, resourceful and reflective thinkers and problemsolvers. They can come to reasoned conclusions based on critical evaluation of relevant context and available evidence. They can apply rigorous logic where appropriate and can also seek and evaluate a range of views/arguments on more uncertain, subjective or ethical questions. be hard-working and committed be collaborative. They are eager to work with others to improve their learning, achieve shared goals, solve problems and assist and support their fellows. work effectively independently. They show initiative, are selfdirected and organised. be information and media literate and know how to research and evaluate information of different types and from different sources; they understand and recognise the importance of academic integrity.
have developed the skills of effective communication. They can communicate effectively in more than one language and through a variety of media (written, oral, visual, numerical, digital, physical etc.) They are effective listeners and observers. be global citizens: – interested in the world around them; – locally, nationally and globally; – view intercultural understanding as key to helping improve the world; – concerned for human rights, equity and social justice; – concerned about sustainability and the environment; – believe that people both as individuals and when working with others can make a difference; – disposed to act for a better world (in relation to lifestyle and in terms of participation).
“I realised I had made the right choice in choosing Latymer for the Sixth Form when I met some of the most politically, emotionally and world-aware students I have ever met.� Lally, Upper Sixth, 2019