A career with Blackpool Sixth

A Career with Blackpool Sixth

About us We are a high-achieving sixth form, giving our students an excellent springboard to success. We educate the whole student, providing all with excellent teaching and opportunities for growth and personal development. We are recognised by Ofsted as an outstanding sixth form.

We are relatively small in size, with just over 2000 students and approximately 200 staff. This means that we are a close and caring community. We serve the whole Fylde Coast area, which includes Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Annes, as well as Blackpool and the surrounding towns and villages.

Blackpool Sixth is a friendly, positive and supportive place to work. In 2009, we became one of the first organisations in the country to be awarded the Investors in People Gold Award. Staff are committed to the needs and aspirations of our students and supported by an extensive programme of staff development.

Please read on to find out more about the our local area and what it is like to work here.

Felicity Greeves, Principal

Mission Statement ‘Inspiring learning, developing mind and character, building your future’

The Local Area Blackpool Sixth is located on the border of Blackpool and Lancashire, approximately 3 miles from the coast and close to the town of Poulton-le-Fylde.

Blackpool has a new 7 mile pedestrian and cycle friendly breathtaking seafront which plays host to contemporary artwork by pop artist Sir Peter Blake and stretches for 7 miles.

The stunning countryside of both the Ribble Valley and Lake District are in easy reach, as well as the wonderful Fylde coastline and towns including Lytham, St Annes and Cleveleys. The vibrant cities of Lancaster, Manchester and Liverpool are also within an hour of the college.

Photo credit Bernie Blackburn

Our Values • • • • • • •

Respect – for ourselves, for others, for the environment Excellence and High Aspirations – being the best we can be, by striving to be more Support – helping everyone to succeed Inclusion – valuing everyone equally and striving to overcome any barriers to success Integrity – acting according to our values and promises Global Citizenship – being active in improving our world and broadening horizons Enthusiasm – learning because we love to learn, teaching because we love to teach

Things to do Blackpool benefits greatly from tourism in the summer months so there are many local attractions to visit all year round including a sea life centre, theatres, a theme park, art galleries, parks, restaurants, high street shopping and the beautiful sea front.

Further afield you can enjoy the outdoors in nearby Forest of Bowland, Pendle Hill, West Pennine Moors and the National Parks of the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.

If you prefer to keep indoors there are many museums, historic houses, spas and health clubs and family attractions to visit.

For further details we recommend you visit the following websites: www.visitblackpool.com www.visitlancashire.com

Transport Links There are good transport links to the sixth form as we’re located 15 minutes from the M55 which connects to the M6.

Blackpool has strong rail links to many towns on the Fylde Coast and major cities including: Preston Manchester London

20 minutes 50 minutes 2hr30 minutes

Blackpool even has an international airport so you can easily jet off to the Mediterranean for a short break.

Blackpool is a national cycling town and dry bike storage and showers are available to all staff in college.

Successful Students Our A Level pass rate in 2012 was above the national average at over 98% and many of our students achieve a string of top level passes.

In 2012, over half of the qualifications achieved were top grades (A*, A, B or equivalent) including 273 A* A-level and distinction star BTEC grades.

Every year a number of students progress to Oxford and Cambridge and some 80% of students progress to university and other higher education courses. The remainder choose good career opportunities with further training.

Training

Pension Schemes

We offer a full and thorough induction programme for all new staff; this is supplemented for Newly Qualified Teachers with a comprehensive series of training sessions across the academic year. In addition, all new staff are allocated a mentor to support them through their probationary year.

Teaching staff are automatically entered into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and support staff into the Local Government Pension Scheme. Both schemes include generous employer contributions.

More information can be found at www.teacherspensions.co.uk or www.yourpensionservice.org.uk

Both teaching and support staff are involved in an annual programme of staff development, supported by individual performance management reviews and training and development plans.

Pay Scales

On top of the opportunities offered internally, staff now also benefit from a wider programme of Continuing Professional Development events offered by the Teaching School Alliance, which include nationally accredited programmes.

We pay competitive rates of pay based on the national pay scale for Sixth Form Colleges, which covers both teaching and support staff. Plus, the Professional Standards Payments (PSP) for teaching staff and the Support Staff Standards Payment (SSSP) for support staff.

Our Facilities Summer 2012 saw the completion of a £23.7 million development to our campus which has created an excellent learning environment and workplace.

Blackpool Sixth boasts first class facilities and state-of-the-art, professional standard equipment in all areas and ICT including the latest Apple Mac computers throughout the college. In August 2011, we opened a 300 seat theatre and drama studios which complement ‘The Frame’, our open-plan studio for visual arts. This followed the creation of new science laboratories and new classrooms throughout the campus.

There are also two large learning resource areas, a newly refurbished sports hall and gym, social areas and a variety of dining options including a Starbucks coffee shop.

Health and Wellness Blackpool Sixth takes a keen interest in the health and well being of our staff, which is described in our Well Being at Work Policy. Some examples of the initiatives in place include; • • • • • • • •

Regular Health MOT days Free on-site flu jabs offered to all staff Access to the newly refurbished gym Access to the Cycle to Work scheme Occupational Health support and advice Access to a confidential counselling service Option to join the ‘Medicash’ healthcare plan No smoking environment

Family Friendly Policies We recognise the importance of family life and have generous packages for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

We also offer a childcare voucher scheme to all staff which gives individuals significant savings on childcare costs.

Car Parking Free car parking is available to all staff, either on the college site or within a five minute walk of the campus on a private car park.

Holidays Teaching staff are contracted in line with the Sixth Form Colleges’ Forum (SFCF) to 195 working days per year, of which up to 1265 hours a year will be allocated by the College as ‘directed time’. The holiday entitlement for support staff begins at 22 days per year, plus 8 bank holidays and 3 efficiency days.

National Teaching School In 2011 we were awarded Teaching School status in partnership with Hodgson Academy. The Fylde Coast Teaching School Alliance will take a national and regional lead in both shaping and delivering the training and professional development of current and future generations of teachers. Working with high quality graduates and educational leaders of the future will enable us to maintain and improve our teaching standards to the benefit of all our students.

The Teaching School’s vision is to ensure outstanding learning opportunities for all students on the Fylde Coast, in order to enhance life chances. The Alliance will ensure excellent professional development both for current practitioners and leaders and for future recruits to the profession and aspiring leaders.

Through dynamic partnerships, the Alliance will make a significant contribution to raising standards in all associated schools. We embrace change and will seek to challenge complacency, revitalising learning and ensuring success for all; those learning, teaching and leading.

Blackpool Sixth Form College Blackpool Old Road Blackpool Lancashire FY3 7LR 01253 394911

Fylde Coast Teaching School Alliance Partnership to promote excellence in teaching, learning and leadership