Your New College - New College Doncaster

YOUR

NEW COLLEGE

New College Doncaster

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NCDONCASTER

CONTENTS 3 WELCOME

18 - 19

4 - 5

KEY STEPS TO ENROLMENT

20 - 21

6 - 7

YOUR SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

22 - 23

8 - 9 10 - 11 12 - 13 14 - 15 16 - 17

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YOUR ENRICHMENT

YOUR TRAVEL OPTIONS

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY

YOUR SUBJECT CHOICES

24 - 25 NEW COLLABORATIVE

LEARNING TRUST

YOUR RESULTS

26 - 27

YOUR PROGRESS

YOUR WELLBEING AND SUPPORT YOUR ASPIRATIONS

FAQS

Your New College

WELCOME We’re delighted that you’ve chosen New College Doncaster. Congratulations if you’ve already received a conditional offer of a place for September. If you’re a late applicant yet to have an interview, we’ll be contacting you by telephone this half term. With A level results that position the college at the top of the school performance tables in Doncaster and outstanding BTEC results, New College Doncaster is a centre of excellence for academic study. The college’s popularity continues to grow and applications for September are very strong.

This booklet is designed to share with you further information about our culture and what you can expect when you join us in September Brendon Fletcher Principal

My role is to ensure that you are well-supported and making excellent progress throughout your New College journey.

I want to make sure that your tutorial programme is really valuable to you, that your progress tutors are able to provide you with outstanding personal support and guidance, and that your teachers are able to put effective support in place for you when it’s needed. You will see me a lot around college and I am also a Geography teacher so some of you will also see me in a classroom. I’m really excited about getting to know our next group of Year 12 students.

Helen Jackson Vice Principal (Progress, Intervention and Support)

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New College Doncaster

Making sure your experience in the classroom is of the highest quality is my primary responsibility.

Part of my role is also to ensure that students are really well supported in preparing for the next stage of their education or career. You can expect to see lots of universities and employers in college to give you advice and guidance, and a really effective programme for students applying to highly competitive universities. I completed my Chemistry degree at the University of Cambridge and I am passionate about sciences.

Dan Wood Assistant Principal (Quality and Standards) My role in college is to work closely with teachers to ensure we are continually developing our practice, drawing on the latest research and evidence to ensure we are using methods known to lead to the best results. I will also ensure we are providing students with the study skills you need to thrive during your time at college: strategies for organisation and revision which have proven success. I am an English teacher and feel very fortunate that I will get to share my love of Literature and Language with some of you.

Ceri Boyle Assistant Principal My role in college is to ensure that your wider experiences in college help to support your own personal development. I’m interesting in making sure that your courses help to develop your employability skills and your readiness for university or employment, and that you have opportunities to enrich your learning in college. I also manage systems to track student attendance, which is an essential ingredient of success. Student feedback is important, and I am responsible for creating opportunities for you to share your views and comments about your experiences in college.

Scott Faulker Associate Assistant Principal

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Your New College

STEPS TO

ENROLLING We offer you our very best wishes as you receive your GCSE results this summer. We have been assured that the process of awarding grades will be as fair as possible and grades will therefore be used by us in the usual way to enrol you on the right courses. Conditional offers made at interview and the grades needed for our courses remain unchanged and will be based on the grades you receive this summer.

We’ll be setting students a number of summer independent learning activities for each of the subjects they have chosen to study. Look out for more information about this from us around May half term. This is to help you brush off the cobwebs and to hit the ground running in September in terms of your learning.

We are hoping to run an induction day at the end of the summer term if possible and will be in touch.

Here are some key dates for you: GCSE Results Day Thursday 20 August

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Enrolment Days Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 August We’ll let you know which of these days to attend and at what time.

This is when we review your GCSE results with you and make final decisions about your place at New College Doncaster and the subjects you’ll study with us. It’s extremely important that you let us know if you can’t attend on the day and time of your appointment by emailing studentservices@ ncdoncaster.ac.uk well in advance of the enrolment day.

Start of Teaching Friday 11 September (provisional)

If any of these arrangements change as a result of government decisions, we’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity.

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New College Doncaster

YOUR SIXTH FORM

COLLEGE

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Your New College

New College Doncaster is an academic sixth form which is different to both a school sixth form and a general further education college. All of our students are aged 16-19 and all of our students are studying academic qualifications, mostly A levels but a good number studying A level equivalent qualifications – applied general qualifications such as BTEC courses. New College is a stepping stone to university and your experience with us will feel different to Year 11. It’s not just the fact that students don’t wear uniforms and that we don’t have bells. It’s more about the adult relationship we develop with our students. We work hard to get the balance right – expecting students to work hard and make good progress, checking carefully that things are going well, but trusting you to use your time and the college facilities as a young adult and as an independent student.

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New College Doncaster

YOUR SUBJECT

CHOICES New College is the perfect size for sixth form study – we’re small enough to feel like a community but large enough to offer a huge range of subjects. This means you can genuinely choose the subjects that really excite you, that play to your strengths, that link to your future plans. We can tailor your combination of subjects to you as an individual.

Helping you to select the right courses is critically important, which is why your interview and your enrolment meeting after your GCSE results are so important. Don’t worry if you’ve changed your mind about your subjects, just let us know by emailing studentservices@ncdoncaster.ac.uk, or let us know when you enrol. It’s best to let us know as soon as you can though, just in case any subjects do become full up.

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Your New College

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New College Doncaster

YOUR

PROGRESS Throughout your time at New College you’ll know exactly how you are progressing. We use lots of assessment, including traditional exams, but also small, informal knowledge checks during lessons and within your homework (directed independent learning).

You’ll be receiving lots of regular feedback, reflecting on the areas you need to target, and addressing any weaknesses really quickly. This helps you to feel confident and in control, and it means you’ll be very wellprepared for your final exams. After each assessment your teacher will review any extra support you need and agree with you your next steps. You and your parents can check all of your assessment grades and a summary of agreed support and next steps through Cedar, our online portal. Each student will also have a progress tutor who will have the helicopter view of how you are getting on across all of your subjects.

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Your New College

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New College Doncaster

YOUR

RESULTS We are extremely proud of the results our students achieve at New College Doncaster: •

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We are positioned top of the government performance tables in Doncaster for progress in A level courses We are the only school or college in Doncaster where A level progress is above average The average A level grade achieved by New College students is the highest of all state schools and colleges in Doncaster Achievement rates are outstanding – we rank 4th out of 82 sixth form colleges nationally – students are supported to find the right courses and succeed in completing and passing them to very high levels 97% of New College students studying BTEC qualifications achieved distinction or distinction* grades last year, supporting very good progression to university, employment and high quality apprenticeships

Visit our website to find out more about our results and how we compare both locally and nationally.

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Your New College

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New College Doncaster

YOUR

WELLBEING AND SUPPORT New College is a place which embraces and celebrates our differences. We want all of our students to feel happy, valued and well-supported. Your progress tutor will often be your first port-of-call if you’re finding things tough. They can provide you with individual support or signpost you to other professionals that can also help, such as our team of counsellors or organisations outside of college. We run lots of events and campaigns throughout the year, helping students to stay safe and to make positive decisions which support good physical and mental health. We also have an experienced and committed team supporting students with additional learning needs (SEND) and a dedicated safeguarding team.

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Your New College

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New College Doncaster

YOUR

ASPIRATIONS At New College we provide tailored support for you so that you have the very best chance of progressing from New College to a great university, apprenticeship or job.

We’ll ask you to review your career plans at key points, so that we can signpost relevant talks by visiting universities or employers, or arrange for you a careers interview. We’ll support you in finding high quality work placements if you have particular careers in mind, such as medicine or teaching, or if you’re studying BTEC courses which include work placements, or if you’re considering work or apprenticeships rather than university. If you’re aiming for the very highest grades you’ll be able to take part in our excellence academy, focusing on preparation for applications to Russell Group universities, Oxford and Cambridge, and for very competitive degree courses which have extra hurdles to overcome. We’ll also create opportunities for you to engage with universities, employers or apprenticeship providers within the courses you are studying.

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Your New College

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New College Doncaster

YOUR

ENRICHMENT

At New College you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of sports, clubs, societies and trips. If you’re sporty, you might be interested in the football, rugby, netball or basketball teams, or perhaps our skiing trip to Italy? If you enjoy travel you could take part in World Challenge, fundraising for an expedition to a far-flung part of the world. We offer Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold. You could get involved in our students’ union executive team and stand for election, organising events, raising money for charity, giving a voice to the student body. You could get involved in lunchtime clubs such as the LGBT group, choir, college magazine, or debating group. There are also many opportunities to attend trips, or to join talks by visiting speakers, some of which will be organised within your courses, and some which are open to students across the college. At New College there is lots to get involved in outside of lessons and it’s a great way to make new friends, learn new skills, develop confidence and discover hidden talents.

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Your New College

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New College Doncaster

YOUR

TRAVEL OPTIONS Transport provision for college includes routes from locations in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Lincolnshire. This provision is a mixture of either public service buses or private college services.

You can currently get a bus directly to college from any of the locations opposite. We are currently reviewing our provision to make it more flexible and extend it to even more locations so please check our website for updates on the routes and services from your area. www.ncdoncaster.ac.uk/travel

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Your New College

FIND YOUR NEAREST LOCATION FROM THE LIST BELOW

Adwick Armthorpe Balby Barnby Dun Bawtry Belton Bentley Braithwell Branton Cantley Dinnington Doncaster Town Centre Dunscroft Dunsville Edenthorpe Edlington Epworth Harwoth

Hatfield Haxey Kirk Sandall Lakeside Ranskill Retford Rossington Scawsby South Axholme Stainforth Thorne Tickhill Town Moor

(Thorne Road)

Warmsworth Westwoodside Wheatley

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New College Doncaster

OUR FORMER

ST UDENTS Leah Macauley

Sir Thomas Wharton Academy Which courses did you study at New College?

Sociology, Law and Applied Science Tell us about your career plans I am currently studying BSc Honours in Paramedic Science at the University of Worcester, which I love so much. It has always been my dream and aspiration to achieve this. New College allowed me to get to where I am by offering so much help and support with everything from applying to university, going to open days, having visiting speakers from universities and helping us write our UCAS applications, so that they were the best that they could be. With all the help and support I received from New College, I also was offered an unconditional offer from Worcester, which is very rare in Paramedic Science. I wouldn’t have achieved this without the help from my teachers and tutors with writing my UCAS form and applying to universities. The staff push you to achieve to the best of your abilities in order to shine. I was told at school that I would never study science and would never be a paramedic, and I wouldn’t have got to where I am now without the staff at college. As well as this, they offer support and guidance right from the start to help you decide what you want to do and where you want to go after you leave New College.

Tell us a little bit about what it’s like studying at New College.

I fully enjoyed my two years of study at New College Doncaster. I was given opportunities within college such as being the Vice President of the student executive body, organising events and fundraisers, going on trips, and being able to improve my knowledge and my studies for the future. I had the ability at New College to experiment with who I was, and develop and grow from a teenager into a mature young woman ready to face the world and all its challenges. Deciding to move to New College after leaving high school was one of the best decisions I made. I believe this decision has got me where I am today. All the staff at New College, both teaching and senior staff are so kind and caring and are there to listen and support you even in the toughest of times, and set you on the right track.

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Your New College

Macaulay Calladine The Hayfield School

which courses did you study at New College?

Maths, Physics and Geography Tell us about your career plans On completion of my degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sheffield, I plan on taking a master’s degree. Following that, I hope to work in the aerospace industry designing either military or civil aircraft. New College massively helped in my transition to university.

Firstly, help from my subject teachers included showing me how to effectively balance my time between working and relaxing, improving my ability to work both individually and as a team, and gaining a sound academic background of the subjects so I was able to step up to university level more comfortably. Secondly, the college support team, which helped me with my UCAS application, played a major part in my easy transition to university by helping me understand the step up which I was about to undertake. As well as helping me with my UCAS application, the support team helped me to apply for a university scholarship with Boeing, which I was successful in gaining. The help I received from my Progress Tutor and the team was massive, as they gave me an understanding of what people within the industry are keen on hearing from a student, and how to effectively structure and write a personal statement. I could not have done it without them.

Tell us a little bit about what it’s like studying at New College.

New College Doncaster, for me, had a perfect balance between independence and support to enable students to get the most from their experience. The fact that I was in control of my free periods allowed me to manage my time well. It enabled me to be productive in both college work and extra-curricular activities, all whilst making new friends from other schools. I also enjoyed using a lot of the equipment in lessons, which further improved my learning. Some examples of these were the practical equipment used for experiments in physics, the fieldwork in geography and the use of iPads in maths. The best part of New College for me was the teachers and support staff who you could call upon for useful help at any point (something I miss now I am at university). The fact that all my teachers were very down to earth meant that I developed a good relationship with them, which made me enjoy the subjects much more and allowed me to enjoy my overall time at college.

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New College Doncaster

WHAT OUR

ST UDENTS SAY Ethan Geraghty

Queen Elizabeth’s High School Subjects Studied at New College Computer Science, Maths and Physics What has your experience of New College been like?

At New College Doncaster, the staff are friendly, helpful and the quality of teaching is outstanding. You can approach them if you are struggling with a topic or need support with work - they are always there for you. The college also provides resources to boost performance, such as computer hire, private study rooms and social spaces. There is a multitude of societies and clubs available to join. These include the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the Duke of Edinburgh award, World Challenge and many more. Another great thing is the accessibility of progress tutors and work experience coordinators, as they are always ready to assist.

They help you to organise work experience, university open days and provide the opportunity to view future careers. New College Doncaster has given me skills which will be useful when attending university and further on into my career and the world of work.

Future aspirations and how New College has prepared you for your next steps After completing my A-Levels at New College Doncaster, I plan to go to university to study Computer Science

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Your New College

William Bell Hill House

Which courses are you studying?

Computer Science, Maths and Economics What are your future aspirations?

I’m looking for a career in Computer Science after going to university. New College Doncaster has given me great opportunities to help me achieve this goal, through talks from current students and exclusive trips to universities.

Tell us a little bit about what it’s like studying at New College.

All the staff are very friendly and welcoming.

It’s been very easy to adjust from GCSE education to the New College environment.

Overall it’s been very enjoyable and I’m looking forward to next year.

Louise Wilson

De Warenne Academy Which courses are you studying?

Biology, Mathematics and Psychology What are your future aspirations?

After New College, I would like to go on to study in the field of biology at a Russell Group university.

The staff at New College have helped me narrow down my top university choices, and have given me critical advice regarding the courses in the field in which I want to study. My progress tutor has made me aware of university-led programmes which are useful to include on UCAS applications.

I have discovered extra-curricular opportunities at New College that I believe I would not have found elsewhere.

Tell us a little bit about what it’s like studying at New College.

Enrolling at New College was one of the best decisions I have made regarding my education.

All of the staff are very friendly and care about your well-being just as much as your education.

The atmosphere of the college is always upbeat and it’s a great place to be!

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New College Doncaster

What if I change my mind about my subject choices?

Not a problem. Just let us know by emailing studentservices@ncdoncaster. ac.uk. You can also change subjects at the induction day in July, or when you come to enrol. Changing subjects will obviously depend on there being space available on the course, and you achieving the subject entry requirements.

What if I don’t get the grades I need?

Don’t panic! For now, just keep working hard to get the best grades you can.

Remember that all of your subjects are important. We offer a huge number of courses all with different entry requirements, so if things don’t go quite to plan we’ll explore all of the other options that are available to you.

FAQs 26

What if I’ve also applied to my school sixth form?

That’s no problem. Remember that you are free to apply to as many places as you like and you don’t have to make your final decision until after your GCSE results, when you officially enrol. At this stage, any places you accept are simply provisional (and you can accept places at more than just one place, for the time being).

What if I haven’t been to a New College Taster Day? Lots of students will have spent a day with us, but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t. If you accept your conditional offer we’ll invite you to spend a day with us in July – your induction day – a great chance to get settled in and to find out more about the college before enrolling officially after the summer.

Your New College

OFFICIAL Check out our range of apparel including the official NC hoodie at ncdoncaster.ac.uk/nc-official

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NEW COLLEGE DONCASTER Hurst Lane, Auckley, Doncaster, DN9 3HG Phone: 01302 976777 Email: enquiries@ncdoncaster.ac.uk