PHHS-Y12 Handbook

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PRINCE HENRY’S HIGH SCHOOL

HANDBOOK YEAR 12

2014 2015 For Students and their Parents/ Guardians

Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s), This booklet has been compiled to help parents to keep fully informed about life and expectations in the Sixth Form in the hope that we can work together to achieve success for your son / daughter. It may be useful to refer to it at various stages of the year and to add key dates to your own diaries. If, however, you have any queries or concerns at any stage during the year please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Mr W. McGarvey Head of Sixth Form

Mrs C. Webb Head of Year 12

Dear Student, Welcome to the Sixth Form. You will find the next two years a completely different experience to your previous school life. Our expectations of you will be as high as ever in terms of your attendance, uniform and punctuality to lessons, but there is no doubt that you will find studying for AS Levels and A Levels liberating and empowering. You will have more freedom and independence than ever before, but coupled with this there must be an acceptance of the need to be responsible and self-disciplined.

The Sixth Form curriculum is varied and balanced and offers you a great deal of opportunity. You will also be more fortunate than your predecessors in terms of the facilities that the school can offer you. Do not be under any illusions, however, studying for AS and A Levels is extremely hard work and requires dedication and commitment.

Expect to be challenged in all aspects of school life. Expect to make life-long friendships and build excellent relationships with staff. Expect to feel ready and prepared to take on the next chapter in your life. Most importantly, expect to enjoy your time here and feel well supported in all you do. Our hope is that you find the next two years challenging and rewarding in every respect, both personally and intellectually.

Whenever you feel like you need help ask your teachers, form tutors and the Sixth Form team. The door is always open. Success is built on partnership.

Good luck.

Yours sincerely,

Mr W. McGarvey Head of Sixth Form

Mrs C. Webb Head of Year 12

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

THE SIXTH FORM TEAM

The Sixth Form team is made up of:

Mr W McGarvey Head of Sixth Form wm@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs C Webb Head of Year 12 cew@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mr J Martin Head of Year 13 jpm@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs N Tranter Sixth Form Administrator ntranter@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

Mrs R Johnson Sixth Form Attendance Officer rjohnson@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk

We are here to look after students’ welfare, answer questions and make sure that the next two years of each students’ life are as happy and productive as possible.

Every student will be in one of 11 tutor groups which will include a mix of current Prince Henry’s pupils and those who are joining us for the first time. Each tutor group is led by a tutor who will be the first port of call for students if they have any worries or concerns.

In the Sixth Form office we operate an open door policy where students can always ask call in for help and advice. Mrs Webb and Mr McGarvey are available to help with any academic pastoral or academic questions or concerns that students or parents may have.

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

THE SCHOOL DAY Please note new timings 9.05 am

Registration : Tutor Period or Assembly

9.25 am

Period 1

10.25 am

Period 2

11.30 am

Break

11.45 am

Period 3

12.45 pm

Lunchtime

1.30 pm

Period 4

2.30 pm

Period 5

3.35 pm

End of school

3.40 pm

Buses leave

We expect Sixth Form pupils to arrive promptly at registration and lessons, including Private Study lessons. Persistent lateness will result in detention on Wednesday afternoons. Pupils should also make sure that they do not arrive at their lessons eating and drinking.

“Teaching is more informal and there’s a lot more discussion of issues in the Sixth Form. You get more of an overview and debate helps people to share ideas and to learn from each other. The quantity of work is greater and there’s more pressure, obviously, but you soon get used to it and your motivation levels are higher.

There’s no straight recall of facts at A level. You need to be able to apply knowledge in different situations.”

“You have to stand on your own two feet more in the Sixth Form. I wasn’t prepared for that and at first I struggled with ten different things to do at once. I had to learn to prioritise things and to spread my work out sensibly over the week.”

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

SIXTH FORM PROCEDURES Registration: Students are registered in each individual lesson as well as in their tutor groups at 9.05 a.m. If a student fails to attend a timetabled lesson they will be expected to bring in a note explaining the absence, parents will be informed by text if notes are outstanding or if there are concerns about patterns of absence developing.

All absences and non-attendance of lessons will be checked daily.

Late procedure: pupils who arrive late for school should, immediately on arrival, sign in at the Sixth Form Office with a note explaining the reason for their lateness.

Sixth form absence procedure: in all cases of absence due to illness parents should phone Mrs Johnson on 01386 765588 and choose the Sixth Form option or email rjohnson@princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk. This needs to happen on the first day of absence between 8.00am and 1.00pm, and on any subsequent days. A further letter may also be required.

Requests for leave of absence: absence from lessons causes loss of continuity which can lead to problems and should therefore be kept to an absolute minimum.

Wherever possible, medical appointments should not be made in school time. Where unavoidable, school must be informed in advance (details as above for all 6th form absences) or by presenting a copy of the appointment slip to Mrs Johnson. Subject teachers must be informed, and you should attend for part of the lesson if timings allow. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with any work missed and if an absence is known about in advance they should see their teachers to collect work.

Students must ensure that they sign out / back in at the Sixth Form office.

Family holidays should not be taken in term time and requests for such holidays will not be authorised. Requests for other absences such as for sporting competitions or music exams should be made in advance via Mrs Johnson in the Sixth Form office, if necessary such requests can be discussed with the relevant Head of Year.

Driving lessons and tests: students must not miss academic lessons or timetabled private study periods to take driving lessons; however, lessons may be taken during a free period. We understand that there is little control over a test date, but would ask for a letter from a parent confirming the date and time of test.

Open day visits: students are encouraged to visit universities in the summer term but should try to limit their visits to 2 or 3 days out of school during the academic year.

Any additional visits should be made at the weekend. There are forms in the Sixth Form office which should be filled in and returned to Mrs Johnson. Every effort must be made to catch up on work, and students must inform teachers that they will be absent.

Signing in and out during the day Going off-site: Sixth Formers are allowed out of school at break and lunchtime, on Wednesday afternoons and during their free lesson, provided that they sign out officially and that they do not behave in such a way as may bring discredit on the school. Students should sign in and out in the signing out books which are kept in the main office and Sixth Form common room If students feel unwell during the day they should report to their subject teacher, explaining why they are unable to come to the lesson and then find a member of the Sixth Form team before signing out at the Sixth Form office. On no account should students go home without informing anyone.

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

APPEARANCE All pupils must conform to the Sixth Form Dress Code which sets the tone for the rest of the school in terms of appearance: Year 12 and 13 students’ dress should be smart and appropriate to their position as role models for those in lower years. The Sixth Form uniform differs from that of lower school and is designed to ensure that students are sensibly dressed in a way which does not distract from their studies.

Parents are respectfully requested to encourage students to conform to the school’s regulations over jewellery, hair styles, facial hair, tattoos and jackets.

Staff do not want to be involved in arguments with Sixth Formers about what is or is not acceptable, and if a member of the Sixth Form team deems an item of clothing or an aspect of appearance unsuitable or inappropriate, their decision is final.

DRIVING As the year progresses many Year 12 students will pass their driving test.

Consequently some of them will drive to school. Students wishing to bring a car on to the school premises must acquire a parking permit from Mrs Tranter in the Sixth Form Office that must be displayed in their car windscreen when parking in school. The school needs to keep a note of all student vehicle registration numbers and we ask students to notify us of any changes that occur so that a new permit can be given.

Please ensure that the students’ insurance covers any passengers your son / daughter may be transporting in their car.

Some young people have plenty of confidence in their own driving ability without perhaps being aware how easily a young child can step out from between parked cars in Victoria Avenue. We would therefore ask that students drive well below the speed limit when approaching and leaving school. Rapid and aggressive acceleration, even when within the speed limit, must be avoided. Unfortunately every year a handful of students are involved in crashes whilst driving to and from school so we would be grateful for parental support in encouraging students to drive with considerable care at all times, including the car parks where accidents have also occurred. It is a privilege for students to be allowed to bring their cars onto the school site and this privilege will be withdrawn if students are perceived to be driving too fast or in a manner which could cause an accident.

It would help our relationship with local residents if students could please park in the school car parks. There is no law preventing students from using the surrounding roads but it is easy to understand how local residents might feel if they are unable to park outside their own properties because our students have been too lazy to use the car parking which is provided on the school site. Students coming to school by car must respect the requirements that the school has of them and park responsibly in one of the designated car parks. Students must not park on any part of the school fields, on the grass verges or on any access roads. When driving on the school site students must exercise extreme care and caution.

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

USE OF PERSONAL ICT DEVICES Sixth Form students are allowed to bring their mobile phones into school but should only use them in the designated Sixth Form areas – Sixth Form Common Room and Private Study areas. Students using phones around the school site will have them confiscated and they will be given to Mr McGarvey or Mrs Webb for collection at the end of the day by the student.

Students can also bring other ICT equipment into school to help with their studying but do so at their own risk; the school holds no responsibility for the safe keeping or functionality of such devices. Students must not use any ICT devices in lessons unless it is being used as part of the lesson or with the express permission of the supervising teacher.

Devices with a compatible Wi-Fi connection may connect to the school’s wireless network to access the internet. This connection must run through the school’s proxy and is monitored. Students can log into the school system by inserting their email address. All students are required to adhere to the school’s acceptable use policy which they signed upon arrival at school.

SIXTH FORM STUDY AND WORK ETHIC The Sixth Form will be the first time when students are not in time-tabled lessons all day. They must therefore learn to use STUDY TIME effectively.

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We believe that students need encouragement to keep up with their studies, when students become behind with their work the situation becomes increasingly stressful for the students and they can find themselves in a situation where they feel that work is out of control. We aim to avoid this by ensuring that students keep on top of their work

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All Year 12 students will have timetabled study periods which will be supervised.

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There is always background reading, research, reviewing and learning to do even if ALL work that is to be marked has been completed and handed in.

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If students miss lessons with no reasonable excuse they will be expected to make up the missed work and cannot expect that teaching staff will go through work that has been missed.

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If work deadlines are missed and work is persistently late in the first instance this will be dealt with by departments. If problems continue then the students will be asked to discuss their work and attitude with Mrs Webb and Mrs McGarvey and work progress will be more formally overseen. Students may be given report cards to monitor their work and parents will be informed.

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Part-time employment must be kept in perspective in view of the above. 16 hours ceases to be classified as part-time and we believe students should be doing much less than this.

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

TUTOR TIME There are five key elements to Tutor time: • • • • •

To receive support and information from the Form Tutor Form tasks Student presentations Study skills (including discussion) Academic monitoring

The role that the tutor plays is a vital one. The Tutor Programme and other essential information will be disseminated to students during the tutor period (9.05 - 9.30 Monday to Friday). The Sixth Form Learning Agreement makes it clear that we expect all students to attend.

The Form Tutor is the first port of call for students who have any difficulties in Sixth form life and will also ultimately be writing references for students. It is therefore essential that students use the opportunities given in Tutor time and through the tutor programme to help their tutor to get to know them. The Tutor Programme has been designed to support all Year Twelve students during their studies and to provide a broader understanding of educational and social issues. In the Autumn Term students complete a variety of activities as a team, designed to develop key skills that are essential for success in the Sixth Form: Resourcefulness Resilience Reasoning Reflectiveness Responsibility During the Autumn term the focus on the activities will be on the tutor and tutees getting to know each other and tutor group bonding. There will be competitions and activities with points being awarded and each member of the tutor groups will be expected to deliver a presentation to the class.

In the Spring and Summer term the students are given guidance on Career Choices and University Applications. Students will be expected to work independently during tutor time to complete the Tutor Programme. Students will also be encouraged to give individual presentations to members of their tutor group on news worthy issues in order to supplement their General Studies work and develop their Key Skills.

The system of progress checks and monitoring of students is carried out during the Tutor period which is also one of the times when individual interviews take place.

Aims of the Tutor Programme: • • • • •

To enhance the confidence and self-esteem of every student To support student learning during the transition from GCSE to A level, focusing on the skills needed for independent learning To enhance the development of relationships in the tutor group and with the form tutor To develop team working skills, particularly communication To develop initiative, planning and organisational skills

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

YEAR 12 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2014 / 15 The Personal Development Programme is designed to provide students with learning experiences from outside their chosen AS subjects and to support them in their personal development in the sixth form, giving them the opportunities to develop new skills.

There are three strands to the Personal Development Programme and each of these is timetabled for 1 period each fortnight •

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The General Studies Lecture.

The General Studies Lecture programme is designed to extend general knowledge by covering a wide range of topics from the taxation system to stem cell research. Attendance at the lectures is compulsory for all Year 12 students and the programme will prepare students for the AS General Studies Examination which all Year 12 students sit in May 2015.

Enrichment Lecture A series of talks/workshops covering issues relevant to the health and welfare of Year 12 students. Outside speakers will cover topics such as personal safety, alcohol/drug abuse, safe driving and volunteering.

Electives Programme In the electives slot students will opt for an activity from the following list: (subject to availability). All students to opt for 1 elective in year 12.       

     

Duke of Edinburgh Gold award Young Enterprise Arts mark Silver and Gold Award Survival Cookery (1 term option) Mentoring younger students in school / Reading Buddies Community volunteering ( this may be done at a different time) Work experience – specialised work experience, suitable for medics/ nurses/caring professions where work experience is an essential component of the University application. This may be done at a different time, eg. Weds afternoon.

Multi-Gym fitness Jewellery making Photography Extended Project Qualification Critical thinking – an additional AS course Core Mathematics

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

HOW TO STUDY EFFECTIVELY The transition from GCSE to A level can be a difficult one. It is not simply the subject matter which becomes more complex but also the need to know how to study and how to manage time effectively. The aim of AS levels is to make this transition more gradual but students will still need to have acquired the type of study skills listed below by the time they enter Year 13. These will be introduced to students during Tutor Periods in the first term.

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How to give a presentation.

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Time Management.

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Learning to learn independently.

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Organisational and planning skills.

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Note Making Techniques.

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Multiple intelligences.

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Research skills.

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Effective Revision (vital for exams in January)

““Probably the hardest thing to get used to is having to do everything

yourself and take on all that responsibility. As long as you like the subjects that you do, the hard work is OK, in fact it’s enjoyable. The biggest problem is organisational...... The freedom you have breaks down barriers and you make new friends. Overall, it’s loads better than Year 11 because you’re trusted to be independent. I’m glad that I decided to say on. The teaching is good here, there are some nice coffee shops in Evesham for lunchtime and, of course, there’s the Christmas Ball.”

Students will also have input from ‘Elevate’ a company who specialise in developing study skills, this company will also deliver a presentation for parents on Tuesday 30th September in ACE at 6.30pm.

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

PROGRESS CHECKS AND REPORTS Regular monitoring of each student’s progress takes place throughout the Sixth Form.

If progress gives cause for concern, parents / guardians will be contacted.

A Parents’ Evening with Sixth Form tutors will take place on Tuesday 4th November 2014 where tutors will have information from departments about the start that has been made on AS courses. This will be followed up with a Parents’ Evening with subject teachers on Tuesday 20th January 2015. Mr McGarvey and Mrs Webb will also be available for consultation at both these meetings.

Students will sit formal mock examinations in the first week of the spring term and parents will be able to discuss the results at the January Parents’ Evening. At the end of March there will be a full report in all subjects which will provide further information for parents prior to the AS examinations in May. ALL students will sit their AS exams in May / June with results in August. The Parents’ Evening to discuss these results will be early in the autumn term of Year 13.

AS results are published on Thursday 13th 2015 August and students should avoid being away at this time as they may need to discuss the choices that they make for A2.

There is a minimum requirement of 2 D grades at AS to continue into Year 13.

“Year 12 is certainly different from the lower school. You’ve got to be more dependent on yourself, not your teachers. You have to arrange your own free time which you never have in Years 10 and 11. Even though you are only doing 3 or 4 subjects you can’t believe the amount of work involved. The subjects are a lot more intellectually challenging, too”.

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

CAREERS PROGRAMME During year 12 students will be given guidance to help them to prepare for their future in Higher Education, apprenticeships or immediate employment after ‘A’ levels.

January – July

A careers module is delivered during morning tutor period.

March

Hereford & Worcester Higher Education Fair

June onwards

Students, with the help of Sixth Form Tutors, research Higher Education courses.

June

Higher Education information evening for parents Next Step conference for students

Students are encouraged to have interviews with Chris Brewster our school Careers Advisor.

PAID EMPLOYMENT There is strong evidence from national research about the adverse effects of paid employment upon AS and A level performance. Our own research tends to indicated that on average 10 - 12 hours per week does not have a significant affect upon performance. Above this, though, students achieve grades well below what might have been expected.

“Sometimes you can still be made to feel like a lower school pupil, but the good points about being in the Sixth Form more than outweigh the bad. In the Sixth Form you do feel important and there are some privileges, like having your own common room and your own study areas. Having smaller classes makes you feel more involved in your own learning and your relationships with your teachers are completely different. As far as the work load goes, though, be prepared for a BIG shock. You have to balance your academic and your social life. A lack of self-discipline leads to almost certain failure. If you don’t sort it out you won’t last. I’ve seen it happen.”

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

IMPORTANT DATES FOR YEAR 12 A.

EXAMINATIONS

Examinations take place during two periods in the year: AS mock examinations: AS examinations:

January 5th – 9th 2015 May 11th - June 5th (provisional – Further Maths may be later)

In addition students may be involved in practical exams in some subjects at other times in the year. Students will need to prepare thoroughly over the Christmas break (22nd December – 2nd January) for their mock examinations as decisions about summer entries may be affected by poor results. Students who under-achieve in their mocks will retake the exams after a further revision period.

If a student is ill during the exams it is their responsibility to get a doctor’s note. This should be given to Mrs M Wall, the Examinations Secretary.

ALL queries regarding the exams should be addressed to the Examinations Secretary (whose office is in the House).

Students wil return to school in June after their AS level study leave and they will begin their A2 courses. It is therefore esssentail that students do not miss any school at this time.

Are you treated like an adult?

Question from a year 11 student

If you behave like an adult you are treated as an adult.

Answer from a past Sixth Form Student

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Year 12 Handbook 2014-15

B. OTHER IMPORTANT DATES Start of Term Year 12 Team Building afternoon Whole school photograph Talk to Year 12 parents – ‘Elevate’ Open Evening (school shuts 1.00pm) Teacher Education Day Half Term Year 12 Parents’ Evening with tutors Teacher Education Day Christmas Concert Term Ends – 1.00pm Term Starts AS mock examinations Year 12 Theatre Studies showcase Year 12 Art mock Year 12 Parents’ Evening (no report) Year 12 Food Technology practical Half Term School play Higher Education Fair Full Report Term Ends Term Starts Bank Holiday AS Art examination AS Exams start (provisional) Half Term Year 12 return for start to A2 courses Higher Education Evening – parents’ information Next Step Conference Summer concert Senior Prefects’ Team Building trip Speech Day End of Term A2/AS Results published Consultation Days

02.09.14 03.09.14 26.09.14 30.09.14 23.10.14 24.10.12 27 - 31.10.14 04.11.14 01.12.14 18.12.14 19.12.14 05.01.15 05 – 07.01.15 12.01.15 12- 16.01.15 20.01.15 04.02.15 16 - 20.02.15 19 - 21.03.15 20.03.15 (provisional) 26.03.15 (provisional) 28.03.15 13.04.15 04.05.15 05 – 08.05.15 13.05.13 25 – 29.05.15 08.06.15 (provisional) 11.06.15 17.06.15 23.06.15 25 - 26.06.15 03.07.15 17.07.13 13.08.15 13 – 14.08.15

The Transition to Year 13 AS levels will be assessed at an intermediate standard between GCSE and A level. To maintain the standard of A levels the A2 qualification will assess at a level above that of AS level. This means that it will NOT automatically be appropriate for all students to continue with a subject into Year 13. The AS level results of August of Year 12 will therefore be a major indicator of what is appropriate. At this stage we believe students should be aiming for a minimum of a grade C at AS level and they will not be able to continue in a subject if they do not attain at least a grade D. Where students drop a subject between Years 12 and 13 it may be appropriate for them to select an additional AS level. Individual support and advice will be given to all students about the transition from Year 12 to Year 13, BUT above all remember that the AS qualification is 50% of the marks for the full A level so the better a student does at AS level the more marks will already be in the bank for A2 level.

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