Post 16 Prospectus

Sherwood Hall Road Mansfield Notts NG18 2DY Tel: 01623 663450 Email: enquiries@tscacademy.org.uk

Whenever we welcome new visitors into The Samworth Church Academy, they very often comment on the sense of positivity, energy and general friendliness you feel as soon as you enter the building. Our Academy is a special place which is only confirmed when you meet with our young people and the staff that support them.

The Academy was established in 2008 by joint sponsors Sir David Samworth and the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. Their vision was to create an inclusive place where people and students come first and where students can be educated holistically as well as academically and leave prepared for a long and happy adult life – 70 plus great years.

Our emphasis and exploration of our Christian values, as well as our membership of the international Round Square organisation, encourages students to ‘Be The Best They Can Be’ and to explore their own (perhaps hidden) talents and potential in a wide range of ways. Our beautiful and lovingly cared for campus houses a range of sometimes unexpected facilities including a climbing wall, high ropes course, Dance Studio and Drama Pod, a Combined Cadet Force, a fully functioning hairdressing salon and well populated animal care unit. We are also committed to delivering the best academic education we can for our young people and to training and supporting our teachers to be the best and most innovative teachers they can be. Our teaching facilities are modern and well-equipped and we are always looking for ways to improve them further.

The Sixth Form at the Academy is no exception to this sense of purpose. We have dedicated areas for Sixth Form study but the overall philosophy is that our Sixth Formers are a fully integrated part of the Academy community. They are our student leaders and are expected to behave and interact with all at the Academy in a professional, friendly and caring manner. We provide many opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and develop as individuals in a way that will make them stand out on any future applications for university, apprenticeships or employment. Our Sixth Formers are exceptional young people and we are very proud of all of their achievements.

If you would like to find out more about what they get up to, this website is a great place to start but also please get in touch with any further questions or for a look around the Academy at work at any time of the year. We would be very happy to demonstrate how inspiring our students are and to give you a flavour of the wonderful things they achieve as they strive to ‘Be The Best They Can Be’.

Lisa McVeigh, Principal “Sixth Form offers round the clock support for all pupils, whatever your situation.”

Aaron Etches, Year 13 Student

Our vision is to create an environment that provides the best start to a bright future for all our students by giving them all the opportunity to be fully qualified for adult life, in the fullest sense of the term. Good qualifications are crucial to young people and their futures but we also know that other things are important to prepare young people for the challenges they face.

Forgiveness A culture of high expectation and challenge is met with an atmosphere of forgiveness and the willingness to “give it another go” if something goes wrong. We expect our students to be forgiving of themselves as well as others. It is this attitude that will build the resilience needed ready for work or further study.

“If we have a bad day, the next day we can forget it and start again.” Year 13 Student

Respect As an academy we strive not only to talk about respect, but to demonstrate it across the board. In Sixth Form this means working closely with each student as individuals, fostering great working relationships in preparation for the next stage. Everything from our business dress code to teaching methods are designed to reflect an attitude of respect for each other and our surroundings.

“Sixth Form treats everyone with equality and supports those who need extra help.” Year 13 Student Service We are in the business of developing future leaders and effective leaders always get stuck in. Here at The Samworth Church Academy this is no different. There are numerous opportunities to explore from one off service projects and fundraising activities to longer term commitments like the Archbishop of York Young leaders award and the Combined Cadet Force.

“Sixth Form is a community where everyone supports each other.“ Year 12 Student

Positivity For Sixth Form students and staff alike positivity is key, seeing the best in one another and in each and every situation is the route to a successful student career. We will work together as staff and student bodies to bring out the best in every student.

“There is always a positive attitude and vibe within the Sixth Form. The positive attitude helps you get the best results.” Year 13 Student

Vocation For many of our students this is the time when they are making some important decisions. Our aim is to support and guide each individual to reach their full potential not only in terms of academics but as young adults who can and will make a difference in their sphere of work and community.

“Sixth Form has allowed me to develop existing skills whilst discovering new ones.” Year 13 Student

“The teachers are always supportive and sixth form is like a big family where we support each other. You always know where to go if you need help.”

Ina Karklina, Year 13 Student

The Sixth Form is a relaxed but purposeful and disciplined setting. The Sixth Form is built on a combination of academic rigour, balance and our varied extra-curricular programme. Our students will understand the need for reliability and maturity, along with a wide-variety of other skills to prepare them for university and the workplace.

Our Sixth Form curriculum offer is rich and diverse. It is built around a desire for rigour, depth, academic fulfilment and individual choice for all our students. The rigorous academic programme and high quality teaching are designed to instil a love of learning for its own sake. We offer a wide range of A Level subjects and Vocational subjects, as well as the Extended Project Qualification which helps students to further improve their independent research and presentation skills.

Students are expected to spend a minimum of five hours per week as study time, outside of the timetabled lessons on each of their A Levels. Part of a student’s study time will be spent in timetabled private study periods in the dedicated Sixth Form study rooms which are off limits to those in the lower school.

Students will be supported by staff as they manage their own learning and develop lifelong learning strategies.

School uniform is replaced with that of a smart business appearance allowing a degree of individuality, whilst setting an example to younger pupils and acknowledging their progression towards Higher Education and the world of employment.

“Overall our Sixth Form relieves stress by promoting our freedom of studying with a well organised sixth form area.”

Brandon Drury, Year 12 Student

Life at The Samworth Church Academy Sixth Form isn’t all about study. Education should prepare young people for independent living, for university or for making a start in a chosen career. We encourage students to use their time in the Sixth Form to develop more than just academic knowledge and to pursue as wide a range of interests as possible. A broad programme of extracurricular activities provides the opportunity to extend academic study, to take up volunteering, to further sporting or cultural interests, to travel and to develop and explore independent ideas.

In addition to these activities, there are of course many sports and arts opportunities, overseas developing world projects and the popular Duke of Edinburgh Award programme. Students also have the opportunity to take part in externally recognised schemes such as the Sports Leaders Award and Early Teacher Training, Young Leaders Award, and Young Enterprise.

One expectation we have of all of our Sixth Formers is to run or assist in a lunch-time club or Period 6 for younger students and to carry out one duty per week. This requires time and commitment but the pay-off in terms of pleasure and appreciation from the younger pupils is immeasurable.

“Sixth Form is a strong and healthy environment that prepares you for adulthood and contains a lot of trust.�

Harry Salter, Year 12 Student

The general entrance requirement for the Sixth Form is four or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above and grade 4 or above in GCSE English Language and Maths. In addition to this, you will need to meet specific entrance requirements for each course you apply for (these are listed below). The courses you have studied for your GCSEs may impact on the choices open to you.

Accounting A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Maths

Animal Care BTEC

Grade 5 in Animal Care NQF

Art A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Art

Biology A Level

Grade 7 in GCSE Combined Science or Biology

Business Studies A Level

Grade 5 in GCSE Maths and English

Chemistry A Level

Grade 7 in GCSE Combined Science or Chemistry

Drama A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Drama and Grade 6 in GCSE English

Dance A Level

No specific requirements (see course guide)

English Literature A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Literature

English Language A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE English Language and Literature

French A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE French

Geography A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Geography, RS, or History

Hairdressing L2 C&G

No specific entry requirements

Health and Social Care BTEC

Grade 5 in any GCSE option subject

History A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE History or RS and Grade 5 in GCSE English

ICT A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Computing

Film Studies A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE English

Maths A Level

Grade 7 in GCSE Maths

Media A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE English

Music A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Music

Physical Education A Level

No specific requirements (see course guide)

Physics A Level

Grade 7 in GCSE Combined Science or Physics and Grade 6 in Maths

Product Design A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE Resistant Materials, Graphics or Electronics

Psychology A Level

Grade 5 in GCSE English and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths

Public Services BTEC

Grade 5 in GCSE English and Grade 5 in GCSE Maths

Religious Studies A Level

Grade 5 in GCSE Religious Studies and Grade 5 in GCSE English

Science BTEC

Grade 5 in GCSE Science

Sociology A Level

Grade 6 in GCSE English

“Sixth Form has allowed me to develop existing skills whilst discovering new ones.�

Abigail Nicholls, Year 13 Student

During the last 2 years students who have studied at The Samworth Church Academy Sixth Form have progressed to Universities across the country to read a wide range of disciplines. These include: Aston University

Pharmacy

Birmingham City University Coventry University

Sports Therapy

Imperial College London

Mathematics

Liverpool John Moores University Loughborough University

Business Management

Nottingham Trent University

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Bath University of Derby

Other Destinations include: Apprenticeships in AAA Digital Marketing, HMRC, Accountancy, and Digital Media.

Further College Education with Performers, Funky Studio, Vision, NCN and WNC.

Psychology

Air Transport Management, and Physics Finance, Accounting and Management, Physics, Psychology with Criminology, French with History, Law, Forensics, Health and Social Care, and Biomedical Science Education Studies, Aerospace, Engineering, Mathematics, Psychology, and Biomedicine Chemical Engineering

University of Hull

Criminology, Psychology, Art Therapy, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedicine, and Geography Chemistry

University of Kent

Biochemistry

University of Lincoln

English, Architecture, and Criminology Biology

University of Manchester University of Newcastle University of Wolverhampton Writtle University College York St John University

Biochemistry and Biology Dance and Drama Equine Performance and Business Management Sociology