Offer Booklet 2016

A guide to what you can expect when you join The Sixth Form College...

Welcome I would like to congratulate you on being offered a place at The Sixth Form College and welcome you to Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form. Your decision to apply to us here at the College means you are on a path to a bright and successful future as you will be studying at one of just 93 specialist colleges in England for 16-19 year old education.

We offer the widest choice of A Level programmes in Wirral, meaning we can offer personalised timetabling to ensure you have the opportunity to study a programme that meets your individual needs, achieve the best results possible and support you for your next move.

quality facilities and a strong community of students.

We believe in the potential of all individuals and we believe that our Sixth Form offers you the opportunity to make a successful transition from school to University and employment.

Moving from school to college can be a worrying time – but there is no need for it to be. We are always available to discuss things with you, whenever you need us. We have outstanding help and support to help you as a student at The Sixth Form College.

Last year we achieved record results with an overall pass rate of 99% and we outperformed 95% of other A Level providers in 2015 for the value-added to students’ grades and performance. More than 400 students successfully gained Higher Education places at Universities including Oxbridge and the prestigious Russell Group.

College life is an enjoyable and vibrant experience – with students aiming high to aspire, achieve and succeed in all they do. There is a mature and supportive atmosphere with a wide range of enrichment activities to suit all interests, high

Good luck with your exams this summer, and I look forward to seeing you at The Sixth Form College soon.

Kathryn Podmore Principal

Congratulations!

It is extremely competitive to achieve a place with us here at The Sixth Form College.

We received over 1300 applications in 2015 for Year 12 admissions.

Now that you have received your offer with us, you will need to confirm your acceptance. You can do this via email (enrol@bsfc.ac.uk) or by filling in and sending us the postcard enclosed in your offer letter.

Name: Date of Birth: Date of Interview: Email Address: I wish to accept my place at The Sixth Form College I do not wish to acce pt my place at The Sixth Form College www.facebook.com/ birkenheadsixthform college

@bsfc

What Happens Next?

Get Connected By keeping up to date with us, you will become part of our student community before you start in September.

Join our Facebook Freshers group for all new students joining the College in 2016. It contains lots of useful information throughout the year. facebook.com/bsfcfreshers Visit our student microsite for more of #whatyouneedtoknow before you join. You can also see who has previously joined from your school in the Student Alumni section. your.bsfc.ac.uk You can also find us on: Facebook: /birkenheadsixthformcollege Twitter: @BSFC Instagram: @BSFC_ Youtube Google+

Look out for our monthly newsletter! When you completed your application you will have automatically been added to our mailing list to receive our top news and student success stories. This is a great way to stay up-to-date with the opportunities that will be available to you when you join us in September.

Key Dates: NEW STUDENT EVENT THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2016 FRIDAY 1 JULY 2016 You will be invited to join one of our New Student Events. This day forms an important part of our admissions process and allows you to explore a day in the life of a Sixth Form College student.

It involves taster sessions in your chosen subjects, the chance to meet the staff and meet other students who are joining at the same time as you.

The taster sessions you attend will be based on your preferences discussed at your interview. This will give you a real insight into how your usual college day will look from September. It can also aid the decision process; if you are undecided between two subjects, try them both and make a more informed decision on your preferred programme of study.

On top of this, there will be a host of activities to meet new people and to help you settle in quickly.

ENROLMENT FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 2016 - THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER Enrolment is when you officially become a student at The Sixth Form College!

We will send you an appointment to attend on one of these dates nearer the time. During your enrolment we will confirm your GCSE results and agree your programme of study. If you have met the entry requirements for your chosen courses you will have the opportunity to ask any questions before we finalise your programme.

If there are any entry requirements that you have not met, we will discuss your options with you, this may include alternative courses. We do look at every student individually, so final decisions on your programme will be made after we have discussed this with you.

During enrolment your student ID will be organised.

It is important that you enrol on one of the above dates. If you are unable to, please advise the admissions team as soon as possible so that an alternative enrolment time can be agreed. Please be aware that if you enrol after these dates you will potentially have a more limited course choice.

Financial Support Most essential college costs such as course workbooks, textbooks, instruments and equipment are provided by the College free of charge.

The Sixth Form College has Bursary schemes available to assist students with low household income. This includes help with costs for transport, books, meals or other course related costs needed to help you to succeed at College.

There are several elements to the financial support available: • Guaranteed Bursary of £1,200* for students in most need and who meet the criteria • Income-assessed Bursary for students who meet The College’s Income Assessed Bursary Criteria • Hardship Fund – an emergency fund for students who experience short-term financial hardship and are struggling to meet costs associated with College

Guaranteed Bursary* A Guaranteed Bursary of £1,200 is available to students who are: • in care or a care leaver • a young person receiving income support (e.g. young parents, young people living independently,

young people who are registered as disabled) • or a young person receiving both Disability Living Allowance and Employment Support Allowance

Income-Assessed Bursary* An Income-Assessed Bursary is available to students if a Parent/ Parents receive the following: • Income Support / Income Based Job Seekers Allowance / Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) • Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190.

• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

Students who live over 3 miles away and whose parents are on Income Support may be entitled to a local authority supported bus pass.

The Income-Assessed Bursary consists of: A subsidised college meal PLUS either a solo bus pass OR a bus pass to cover the college’s own direct bus services OR £250 payable in 5 x £50 instalments.

In all circumstances attendance must be over 95%

• Guarantee Pension Credits • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Details are available by phoning 0151 606 2020. Students are still entitled to apply for the College’s income assessed bursary.

• During the initial roll out of the benefit, Universal Credit

For more information visit our website: http://www.bsfc.ac.uk/college-information/bursary-scheme * Details correct at time of printing for academic year 2015/2016

#BSFCFacts

Make use of Free Unlimited WiFii available across the college!

All students can download Microsoft Office 365 for free to use at home!

Frequently Asked Questions How many subjects will I study?

If you have achieved 5 GCSEs at A*-C (including Maths and/or English Language) you will study 4 AS Levels (or equivalent) in your first year.

In your second year you will study 3 subjects at A2 Level.

If you achieve below 5 GCSEs at A*-C you will study towards a BTEC Level 2 Diploma and will be enrolled onto Level 2 programmes in Maths and/or English Language.

What is the College Timetable?

Monday / Tuesday

9.00 – 4.15

Wednesday

9.30 – 3.00

Thursday

9.00 – 4.15

Friday

9.00 – 2.30

#BSFCFacts The HUB has over 130 computers for students to use as well as access to high speed internet and specialist software.

There are also over 9000 books, journals and other media for you to use.

Is it possible to visit the College before I start?

How many students go on to University?

Of course! If you or your parents would like to visit the college please contact Hilary Mitchell, Admissions Officer (enrol@bsfc.ac.uk), to book a tour with us and we would be happy to show you around. There will also be an opportunity to book on to a Talk & Tour session through the year, where you can attend a talk by our Admissions Department & be taken on a guided group tour of our facilities.

Over 400 students go onto University from the College each year- more than any other sixth form in Wirral!

What are the lunch facilities at the College?

Lunch lasts for 45 minutes. The student refectory, 8SQ, provides hot and cold meal options as well as a wide range of snacks and drinks. It is open throughout the day from 8:30am-3pm. There is also plenty of social space including our student conservatory.

I was a prefect at school - do you offer any similar opportunities?

There are opportunities to become a Student Ambassador or Head Boy or Head Girl. Student Ambassadors get involved in events and marketing activities at the College.

Do I need to attend College if I don’t have a lesson scheduled?

Students may not have lessons scheduled at certain times of the day. During this time you are encouraged to be in college using the study facilities, such as the Hub or Study Hall.

What do I wear?

At The Sixth Form College, you don’t need a uniform to succeed.

You are able to wear your own clothing, but we ask that you dress appropriately for the College environment.

Is Wi-Fi available at the College?

We provide FREE Wi-Fi throughout the college. This is just one of the excellent facilities and services our IT and Technical Services department provides!

Visit: your.bsfc.ac.uk for more FAQ’s and for #whatyouneedtoknow

What sets us apart from local school sixth forms?

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We’re experts in A Level and BTEC qualifications. Our priority and focus is Advanced Level study and our results are in the top 5% in the country.

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We have more A Levels and BTECs for students to choose from allowing us to tailor programmes to your ambitions and abilities - you are not restricted by option blocks.

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We have specialist sixth form teachers and support staff.

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We offer an adult approach to student learning, providing a stepping stone from school to the world of employment or university.

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We have invested £4m in learning environments designed for sixth form study.

– Max achieved A* grades in Mathematics, A’s in Physics and Chemistry. He is now studying Physics at the University of Bath.

#BSFCFacts We’re proud to provide a wide variety of support options to all students. > Tutorial Sessions > Personal Tutors > Learning Support > Mindfulness Sessions > Higher Education Guidance > Careers Guidance > Advanced Academic Writing Programme

More #BSFCFacts Our results put us in the Top Tier of Sixth Form Colleges nationally.

‘The Sixth Form College outperformed 95% of other A Level providers in 2015 for the value-added to students’ grades and performance’.

More Students Choose Us.

Over 1300 students applied to the college for September 2015.

More people are choosing to study with Wirral’s specialist Sixth Form college than ever before!

Watch our video online at bsfc.ac.uk to hear from our current students and why they decided we were their No.1 choice!

Get In The Driving Seat.

Learn to drive and get ahead of your peers!

Take advantage of exclusive deals and Theory Test sessions available to all students at The Sixth Form College.

with

Wirral’s No.1 sixth form

Any questions?

Call: 0151 652 5575 Email: enrol@bsfc.ac.uk Visit: www.bsfc.ac.uk facebook.com/birkenhead sixthformcollege Join our Facebook Freshers Group: facebook.com/groups/bsfcfreshers @BSFC Visit your.bsfc.ac.uk for more of #whatyouneedtoknow

The Sixth Form College - Birkenhead Park Road West, Claughton Village Prenton , Wirral CH43 8SQ T: 0151 652 5575 Find us on @ @BSFC