Sixth form handbook 2015 2016

S AL EGRAMMARS CHOOL

SI XTHFORM HANDBOOK 20152016 a s pi r e .a c t.a c hi ev e

SCHOOL DETAILS Sale Grammar School Marsland Road Sale Cheshire M33 3NH Tel: 0161 973 3217 Fax: 0161 976 4904 Website: www.salegrammar.co.uk Headteacher: Mr M Smallwood

SIXTH FORM STAFF Student Development Leader Sixth Form: Miss A Mattox (abm@salegrammar.co.uk) Sixth Form Administration:

Mrs A Nilsen (aen@salegrammar.co.uk)

Head of Progress and Learning Year 12:

Miss O Porter (okp@salegrammar.co.uk)

Head of Progress and Learning Year 13:

Miss C Davies (cd@salegrammar.co.uk)

FORM TUTORS Form 12S 12A 12L 12E 12G 12R 12M

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Form Tutor Mrs C Steen & Mrs R Ryder Mrs M Hughes Mr P Boudin Mrs S Howarth Ms A Alker Dr S Taylor Miss K Molloy

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Form 13S 13A 13L 13E 13G 13R 13M

Form Tutor Mr L Bailey Mrs A Irrgang Mrs E Starkey Mrs E Merron Mrs S Wollen & Mrs R Phillips Ms M Rodriguez Mr M Timms

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Contents ATTENDANCE .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Lates Procedure .................................................................................................................................. 5 Absence Procedure............................................................................................................................. 5 Illness During the Day ........................................................................................................................ 6 Leaving the School Site ...................................................................................................................... 6 AVAILABLE WORK AREAS ........................................................................................................................ 6 BEHAVIOUR AND CONDUCT ................................................................................................................... 6 COMMUNICATION IN THE SIXTH FORM ................................................................................................. 7 Sixth Form Student Emails ................................................................................................................. 7 VLE ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 Sixth Form Noticeboards.................................................................................................................... 7 Registration and Assemblies .............................................................................................................. 7 Communication with Parents/Carers ................................................................................................ 7 DRESS CODE ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Boys..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Girls ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 Students Studying PE ......................................................................................................................... 9 EMPLOYMENT ......................................................................................................................................... 9 ENRICHMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Academic Enrichment ...................................................................................................................... 10 Personal Enrichment ........................................................................................................................ 10 EQUIPMENT AND ORGANISATION ........................................................................................................ 11 EXAMS ................................................................................................................................................... 11 FINANCIAL SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................. 12 Discretionary Bursary ....................................................................................................................... 12 Vulnerable Bursary ........................................................................................................................... 12 HOLIDAYS .............................................................................................................................................. 12 HOME STUDY ........................................................................................................................................ 13 ICT ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Remote Desktop Services ................................................................................................................ 13 Ranger Portico .................................................................................................................................. 14 Office 365.......................................................................................................................................... 14 LOCKERS ................................................................................................................................................ 14 MOBILE PHONES ................................................................................................................................... 14

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MONITORING AND REPORTING ............................................................................................................ 14 PASTORAL SUPPORT ............................................................................................................................. 15 PRIVATE STUDY SESSIONS ..................................................................................................................... 16 SANCTIONS............................................................................................................................................ 16 SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP TEAM ........................................................................................................... 16 TIMETABLE AND CHANGING SUBJECTS ................................................................................................ 17 UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 17 UNIVERSITY OPEN DAY VISITS ............................................................................................................... 18 VEHICLES ............................................................................................................................................... 18 WORK EXPERIENCE ............................................................................................................................... 18

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ATTENDANCE A good attendance record is one of the basic expectations we have of our students and is a condition of a place in the Sixth Form.

All students in the Sixth Form must attend registration with their form tutors at 8:35am every morning. Important information is often passed on during this time. In addition students must attend all time tabled subject and enrichment lessons (both academic and personal).

Afternoon registration will take place at the beginning of period 5 by A-Level subject staff. If a student has a Private Study session at any point of the day they must use the thumbprint system in the Sixth Form area or Learning Resource Centre to register their attendance.

Failure to do this will result in the student being marked absent.

Students in Year 12 do not have home study periods. These may be granted to students in Year 13 who meet the criteria set out in the home study section of this handbook.

Lates Procedure If a student is late and arrives after the beginning of registration, they must sign in at Sixth Form Student Services stating the reason for their lateness. They will be issued with a late slip and will receive a twenty minute late detention at lunchtime that day. They should report to the Learning Resource Centre at 1:20pm to complete this detention.

Persistent lateness is not acceptable and will result in the student being referred to their Head of Progress and Learning or the Sixth Form Student Development Leader for further action. The school Intervention Practitioner, Mr Edgar, will also be consulted.

Absence Procedure If a student is absent through illness or other unavoidable circumstances, their absence should be reported in the morning by a parent or carer by telephoning the school on 0161 973 3217 or emailing Mrs Nilsen in Sixth Form Student Services (aen@salegrammar.co.uk).

Where an absence is known in advance e.g. medical appointments, driving tests etc. the school should be given prior notice either by written letter or email to Mrs Nilsen (aen@salegrammar.co.uk).

Students must then sign out at Sixth Form Student Services before leaving the premises.

Please note that routine medical appointments should not be made during lesson time and students should not be leaving the premises during the day for driving lessons.

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Illness During the Day If a student feels unwell during the day they should report to Sixth Form Student Services.

Parents will be contacted before permission is given to go home. Under no circumstances should students sign themselves out due to illness without speaking to a member of the Sixth Form Team.

Leaving the School Site Students are allowed to leave the school site during break and lunchtime only. They should use the thumbprint system in the Sixth Form area to sign out and sign in on their return.

Students are not allowed to leave the school site during private study sessions.

It is worth reminding students that attendance and punctuality data will form part of any reference that the school is asked to give on behalf of a student.

AVAILABLE WORK AREAS During private study sessions, students can work independently in E1 in the Sixth Form area, which is a quiet working space, or alternatively they can work silently in the Learning Resource Centre. Group work and discussion can take place in the Refectory.

BEHAVIOUR AND CONDUCT As senior members of the school community, Sixth Form students are expected to set an example to students lower down the school in terms of behaviour, dress code, attendance and attitude. All students are expected to behave sensibly, responsibly and respectfully.

All students are expected to conform to the Code of Conduct displayed in classrooms. Rules and standards will be consistently applied by all staff and parents are expected to support and uphold them.

A full copy of the school’s behaviour policy is available on the school website.

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COMMUNICATION IN THE SIXTH FORM Sixth Form students are expected to take greater responsibility for their own learning and progress and as such there are several systems of communication that should be used and checked regularly for vital information. They are as follows: Sixth Form Student Emails Each student will be issued with their own school email address. Staff will correspond with students through this system, so it is important that students should check their email accounts at least once a day to ensure they do not miss information from subject or pastoral staff. Where students communicate directly with staff, we ask that they do so using their school account only.

VLE Students are able to access the VLE both in and out of school. Staff are able to use this as a platform to set work as well as sending students updates and messages. Students should check this regularly.

Sixth Form Noticeboards The Sixth Form noticeboards are located in E1 and will be used to convey important information to students. It is important that students check these daily.

Registration and Assemblies Attendance at registration and assemblies is compulsory and are two crucial methods used to convey important information to students. It is essential that students arrive at these sessions promptly, which will take place one a fortnight in the Main Hall.

Communication with Parents/Carers It is important that effective communication exists between the school and parents/carers.

Systems to facilitate this include: School Comms SchoolComms enables us to contact parents by email or text. Parents will receive newsletters, bulletins, and general letters directly to their nominated email address.

Parent Gateway The Learning Gateway is an online portal that allows parents to view information relating to their child’s attendance, assessment, behaviour, achievement, timetable and annual reports. The Learning Gateway can also be utilised to update the school’s records with key information relating to your child through the Data Collection Wizard. This system also provides access to school calendar information, key letters and policies and an online a s p i r e

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parental collaboration area that includes surveys, blogs and announcements.

Staff may telephone parents from time to time, as and when the need arises. We would also encourage parents to contact school sooner rather than later if they have any issues or concerns they wish to discuss. Please contact subject teachers directly to discuss subject related issues. Form tutors, Heads of Progress and Learning and the Sixth Form Student Development Leader will be happy to discuss any pastoral concerns or general issues.

DRESS CODE All students are expected to observe the dress code which has been designed to be an appropriate preparation to the world of work. Failure to observe the dress code will result in students being asked to return home (irrespective of distance) to change. On their return, students should sign in at Sixth Form Student Services and report to either their Head of Progress or Learning or the Sixth Form Student Development Leader before returning to lessons. Persistent disregard of the dress code requirements will be considered a disciplinary issue.

Guidelines for the standard of dress are as follows: Boys     Girls    

A suit – professional in style and matching in both colour and material.

A shirt and tie.

A jumper may also be worn but is not an acceptable alternative to a suit jacket.

Smart shoes (not boots).

A suit – professional in style and matching in both colour and material (can be a skirt of appropriate length, trousers or a dress with matching jacket).

A smart blouse with sleeves.

A jumper may also be worn but is not an acceptable alternative to a suit jacket.

Smart shoes (not boots).

Please note the following items are not permissible:    

Denim or denim like material.

Lycra skirts.

Trainers, leisure footwear, flip-flops or boots.

Inappropriate, non-professional tops (t-shirts, vest tops, cropped tops, halter neck tops, strapless tops, hooded tops, revealing tops).

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In addition:    

A single stud earring is permissible in the Sixth Form. No additional earrings are to be worn.

No facial piercing.

No visible tattoos.

No extreme hair colours or styles.

Please note that outdoor wear (coats, scarves, hats) are not to be worn around the school.

These items can be placed in the Sixth Form cloakroom and lockers.

Students Studying PE There is an A-Level PE kit bundle available to purchase for those students studying A-Level PE. This is available through the retailer Squirrel Sports (www.squirrelsports.co.uk).

Any student who purchases this PE kit is permitted to wear this on the days they have a practical PE lesson.

Any student who does not purchase this kit should arrive at school in their normal professional dress and get changed into appropriate PE clothing at the start of their PE lesson. They should then change back into professional dress at the end of the lesson.

EMPLOYMENT Whilst the school accepts that students may have a part time job, it is vitally important that students do not prioritise paid employment above their Sixth Form studies as this will have a detrimental effect on their academic performance. The workload associated with studying A-Levels can be considered to be comparable to a full time job and we strongly advise students not to undertake more than 8 hours of paid employment per week.

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ENRICHMENT In addition to timetabled subject lessons, students are required to take part in both academic and personal enrichment activities. The aim of these sessions is to give students the opportunity to access a broad range of subjects, develop the skills necessary for further study and to foster a sense of well-being and personal enrichment.

Academic Enrichment Academic enrichment opportunities will be launched and offered to students in September and students can apply to complete one of the following options:    

General Studies Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Perspectives in Science Core Maths

Information regarding these options will be presented to students in an assembly. If they are successful in their application to complete their chosen enrichment option, then lessons will be timetabled from October. Full attendance at these sessions is required.

Personal Enrichment Personal enrichment modules are compulsory and will take place during Period 5 on Wednesdays. As with academic enrichment, full attendance is required and will form part of a student’s overall attendance figure. A range of options will be presented to students in September, from which they will select one per term. Possible options could include:          

Mock Bar Trial Young Enterprise Duke of Edinburgh National Citizen Service School Community Leadership Work Experience Performing Arts Community Art Study Skills Stress Management

 Sexual Health

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EQUIPMENT AND ORGANISATION Students are expected to arrive at lessons with all the equipment needed to work efficiently. This includes basic stationary such as pens of different colours, pencils, ruler, highlighters, an A4 pad of paper and a calculator if applicable. Students should also ensure that they organise their class notes in a secure ring binder for each subject. A lot of work is covered during the course of A-Level study and it pays for students to be highly organised from September.

EXAMS Before the exam season begins, students will receive an individual exam timetable detailing their entries. It is essential that students check their exam entries and any queries regarding these can be made to Mrs Marritt, Exams Officer (km@salegrammar.co.uk).

In the unlikely event that a student is unable to attend an exam due to illness, then a doctor’s note must be provided to explain the absence on the student’s return to school. In particular, the letter provided by the doctor must make it clear how the illness impacted the student’s health and therefore their ability to attend the exam. If a student has been negatively affected by extenuating circumstances during the exam period, then it may be possible to apply for special consideration with the exam board. Evidence will be required to support the application and it is at the exam board’s discretion as to whether any special consideration will actually be applied. If you feel this may be applicable to you then please contact one of the Sixth Form Team to discuss.

Decisions regarding a student’s transition from Year 12 to Year 13 will take account of student exam results, as well as internal assessments, attendance and punctuality.

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT There are two bursaries available to Sixth Form Students who meet the eligibility criteria.

Discretionary Bursary Applications for the Discretionary Bursary can be made by those students whose household income is below £25,000 per year. The bursary is to help students with education-related costs, including essentials such as travel, meals at school, equipment and educational visits.

Vulnerable Bursary To qualify for the Vulnerable Bursary, you must fall into one of the following categories:   

Be a Child in Care or a Care Leaver.

Be in receipt of Income Support or Universal Credit.

Be a disabled student in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payments.

Evidence will be required to support an application for either bursary. Further information and application/claim forms can be obtained from Mrs McPartland, Business Manager.

Claims for payment (with receipts) are to be submitted by the last day of the half term period, and payment will be made directly into a nominated bank account. Any claims made after the deadline will result in payment being delayed.

HOLIDAYS Holidays should not be taken during term time and permission will not be given for requests to take a student out of school, on holiday, during these periods.

Requests for a leave of absence for important events can be made and will be considered by the Headteacher. Students can obtain a Leave of Absence request form from Sixth Form Student Services or alternatively, can be found on the school website.

Requests for permission to attend university open days do not have to be made using this form. Please see the appropriate section of the handbook for details regarding these visits.

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HOME STUDY Students in Year 12 do not have home study periods. They are expected to attend school full time between the hours of 8:35am and 3:15pm every day. If a student does not have a timetabled lesson they should be completing private study on the school premises. They are not allowed to go home during these times.

Year 13 students may be granted up to a maximum of 4 home study periods per week after Christmas. The allocation of home study periods will be dependent upon a student’s attendance and punctuality record, as well as their progress measured against their minimum expected grades. Any student who does not meet these requirements or who fails to attend all lessons and enrichment sessions may have their home study privileges revoked.

If a Year 13 student is granted home study time in December, parents will be informed which sessions they have been permitted to take for their dedicated home study periods and these must remain the same each week.

Apart from at break and lunchtime students should not be leaving the premises at any time other than their allocated home study periods.

ICT Sixth Form students have access to ICT facilities in the Learning Resource Centre and the Sixth Form area. Laptops are available to be used in E1 and can be signed out from Sixth Form Student Services.

Students are able to bring in their own electronic devices to school, however this is at their own risk. If students wish to access the internet within school, they must register their device with ICT and in doing so, agree to abide by our Acceptable Use Policy, a copy of which is available from ICT. Sale Grammar School is committed to providing all students with facilities to access school resources while away from school. The following systems allow this to take place: Remote Desktop Services Sale Grammar School Remote Desktop Services allows students access to a virtual school computer while connected to the internet at home. This system can be utilised on a Windows or Macintosh computer or on tablet devices. The system gives students access to their work and shared network areas so that they may work on files created in school directly at home. A selection of software used in school is also made available on the Remote Desktop so that parents do not have to purchase software directly to support their child’s learning. Details on how to access this system are available on the school website.

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Ranger Portico Ranger Portico provides students the facility to access files they have created or are working with on the school ICT network. Students can upload files to an internet connected device, work on the file or files and then transfer the work back to the school network. This system does not require any additional software and can be accessed using any computer, tablet or smart phone. Details on how to access this system are available on the school website.

Office 365 Students sign into their Sixth Form email address via the Office 365 portal, located at https://login.microsoftonline.com/ or via the link on the VLE. In addition to accessing their email account, students are able to make use of the online storage and office software programmes that this portal includes.

LOCKERS Lockers are available to be used if students wish to do so and will be allocated in September.

Students should request a locker through Sixth Form Student Services.

MOBILE PHONES Mobile phones are not to be used around the school where they may be visible to students lower down the school. Sixth Form students are permitted to use their mobile phones in E1 or in the Refectory during private study sessions. They are not to be used in this area during break and lunchtime.

MONITORING AND REPORTING Upon entering the Sixth Form, students will be allocated a set of aspirational MEGs (Minimum Expected Grades) based upon their prior attainment at GCSE. Students will then allocate these MEGs to their individual A-Level subject choices and their progress will be measured against these grades.

At set points throughout the year, data will be collected from subject staff regarding each student’s progress, which will include an assessment of the student’s level of effort, independent study skills and organisation. Subject staff will also project an end of year/key stage grade based upon how the student is currently working. If this grade is below the student’s MEG then subject staff will discuss with students what they need to do to

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improve. Individuals who are below MEG in several subjects will be tracked by pastoral staff and a meeting will be held to formulate an Individual Action Plan (IAP) for that student. This document will be sent home and it is expected that parents/carers will discuss this with their child and help to support the school in monitoring that appropriate actions are taken by the student to get them back on track.

Students who continue to fall below MEG or who are failing to meet the expectations of behaviour and effort may be asked to attend Sixth Form Board with their parents. This meeting will take place with the Head of Progress and Learning, Sixth Form Student Development Leader and Assistant Headteacher and will focus on how the student will work to improve their performance whilst also identifying any support the school can offer.

Students who continue not to meet the academic or personal expectations of the Sixth Form may find their place is put at risk.

Reports will be sent to parents via the Learning Gateway. Reports can take one of two forms: Interim Reports – These are a brief snapshot of how the student is performing in terms of their effort, organisation and independent study. A grade is also given to indicate the subject staff’s opinion as to how they feel the student will perform at exam level, given their current level of work.

Full Reports – This will include all of the data found in an interim report but will also include written comments from subject staff assessing a student’s progress and setting them targets for improvement.

A Parents’ Evening will also be held to allow parent/carers the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress with their teachers. It is expected that students will also attend this evening.

PASTORAL SUPPORT A team of pastoral staff are available to help with any issues that arise concerning a student’s well-being and progress. Form tutors are the first point of contact for any concerns, and their contact details, along with those of the Heads of Progress and Learning and Sixth Form Student Development Leader can be found at the front of this handbook. If appropriate, meetings can be arranged to discuss issues of a confidential nature. The school also has a team of counsellors that students can be referred to by their Head of Progress and Learning if needed.

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PRIVATE STUDY SESSIONS Students should make use of their private study sessions to complete Extension Study and further work for their A-Level choices. There is a much higher expectation on students to complete independent work in the Sixth Form and students should ensure that they use their private study time effectively.

Students in Year 12 are not permitted to leave the school site during their private study time. Students in Year 13 are only allowed to leave the site if they have been allocated home study periods, of which parents will be informed. Students should be working independently on site during their remaining private study sessions.

All students must use the thumbprint system in the Sixth Form area and Learning Resource Centre to register their attendance during private study sessions.

SANCTIONS We hold high expectations of students in the Sixth Form with regard to attendance, punctuality, behaviour, dress code and attitude to work.

If students fail to meet these expectations then sanctions will be applied in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy, and therefore Sixth Form students should be aware that they can be placed in detention for failure to meet these expectations.

Continued disregard of school procedures and policies may put a student’s place in the Sixth Form at risk.

SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP TEAM The Sixth Form Leadership Team are our ambassadors for the school.Towards the end of Year 12 staff and students are asked to vote for students who they feel should be part of our Sixth Form Leadership Team. They are responsible for helping to organise and represent the school at key events, as well as acting on behalf of the student body. Roles of the leadership team include Head Boy and Head Girl, Deputies and Officers.

There is also the opportunity to become a Sixth Form Hall Representative, who attends Hall meetings and is responsible for helping organise Hall events such as Charity Day.

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TIMETABLE AND CHANGING SUBJECTS Students will receive their timetables in September and are expected to attend all sessions.

If, after starting a course, a student decides they would like to swap one of their A-Level choices, they must speak to their relevant subject staff and the Sixth Form Student Development Leader. Changes will only be considered up until the October half term and can only be accommodated if the new subject choice fits into the student’s timetable and if spaces on the new course are available.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS The vast majority of our students progress onto Higher Education, and applications to do so are made through the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). These applications will be completed during the Autumn Term of Year 13; however it is never too early for students to begin to research possible courses and higher education establishments. This is especially true for those courses requiring early application (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and Oxbridge).

Competition for university places is great and students are encouraged to seek work experience/voluntary work in their chosen field to enhance their applications.

Sessions will be delivered throughout the Sixth Form aimed at helping students to make competitive applications to university. Students should regularly check their school email and the noticeboards for information regarding UCAS applications and opportunities that may arise to help strengthen these applications.

A student’s performance in external exams, internal assessments and class work will be used to determine predicted grades used on a UCAS application. Staff will use their professional judgement to decide upon a predicted grade that is both positive and realistic, and students will have to be working at the highest level throughout Year 12 if they wish to be predicted the highest grades.

It should be noted that predicted grades for UCAS applications are not the same as the projected grades given on interim and written reports, with the former being an aspirational indication of what the student could achieve with hard work and dedication. The projected grades stated on reports indicate the grade that staff think the student will achieve based on their current progress.

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UNIVERSITY OPEN DAY VISITS Students are encouraged to make use of the large number of university open and taster days available to help them when deciding where to apply to university. Many universities run these open days at weekends, although permission will also be given for students to attend up to two open days per term during school time. Students wishing to attend open days that involve missing school must obtain a visit form from Sixth Form Student Services.

This form must be completed at least two days prior to the planned visit and signed by the student, parent/carer and relevant Head of Progress and Learning.

VEHICLES Students are not permitted to park in the school car park. We ask students who park on the surrounding roads to do so considerately ensuring they do not block access to any residential building.

WORK EXPERIENCE Work experience is seen as an important element of Post-16 study and is often an important factor in obtaining university places. We encourage students to actively seek work experience in their chosen field. This should be undertaken in the school holidays or at weekends, other than in exceptional circumstances. Any request to undertake work experience during term time should be made using the Leave of Absence form. A decision as to whether to grant permission for this work experience will be made by the Headteacher.

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