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Why work at The Blackpool Sixth Form College?

Celebrating Staff Awards 2010

Outstanding Team 2010 (above)

Winners of Outstanding Contribution to the College Community 2010 and Outstanding Support Colleague 2010 (above)

Most enthusiastic Colleague 2010 and Outstanding Teacher 2010

The Blackpool Sixth Form College is a friendly, positive, and very supportive place to work, rated as Grade One: Outstanding by Ofsted in May 2009. Staff are highly committed to the needs and aspirations of our students. The recent growth in student numbers and planned curriculum developments has enabled the College to invest in new staff and new buildings. Staff choose to stay and build a career at College and staff turnover is low. In 2009 the College was one of the first organisations in the country to awarded Investors in People Gold Award. We have also achieved the Customer Service Excellence Award.

Most recently the College became the only College to be designated as one of the first 100 Teaching Schools.

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We are driven by core values: •

Respect - for ourselves, for others, for the environment

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Excellence and High Aspirations - being the best we can be, by striving to be more

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Support - helping everyone to succeed

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Inclusion - valuing everyone equally and striving to overcome any barriers to success

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Integrity - acting according to our values and promises

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Global Citizenship - being active in improving our world and broadening horizons

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Enthusiasm - learning because we love to learn, teaching because we love to teach

Benefits of working at the College include: •

Teaching School status

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Grade One: Outstanding College Ofsted May 2009

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Our students are delightful, very cooperative, well motivated and benefit from good parental support. The learner voice is highly valued.

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Excellent staff development opportunities and transparent succession planning strategies.

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Strong financial health.

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A single well-designed campus has undergone major redevelopment over recent years. The final phase is due to be completed in

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Attractive conditions of service for teachers and support staff and a track record of implementing national pay awards.

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A warm and welcoming community.

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An engaging induction programme for new staff with a structured approach to peer mentorship.

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A laptop provided for all full-time and significant fractional teaching staff.

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Completion of full NQT status in line with schools.

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Extensive and up to date learning resources.

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A committed and supportive governing body.

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Living in an exceptional semi rural environment with good access to national parks or major cities (Manchester and Liverpool each within one hour).

Introducing the College The College Mission Statement is: “Inspiring learning, developing mind and character, building your future.”

Background The Blackpool Sixth Form College was established in 1988 having previously been a Sixth Form centre serving a large 11-18 school. It enjoys a long established tradition and has since its beginning had purpose-built accommodation.

Our Catchment Area The College serves an area within a radius of some 20 miles known as the Fylde Coast.

The area depends heavily on tourism and leisure and related service industries. The population of some 330,000 live either in the denser urban clusters of Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Thornton Cleveleys and Fleetwood or in rural towns and villages. Our students come predominantly from Blackpool, Poulton and Wyre District, with approximately 50% of students living in Blackpool. An area of contrasts with Blackpool Pleasure Beach close to areas of outstanding natural beauty, students come from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of experiences.

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Students and Courses The focus of the College’s work is with full-time 16-19 year old students, who study at advanced level.

Applied vocational courses at advanced level were introduced in September 2005 and attract approximately 30% of learners. These have proven to be both popular and highly successful.

International Students 2011/12

Level 2 qualifiers programmes which offer a mix of GCSEs and specific applied pathways (ICT, Art, Health and Social/Child Care and Science) provide a second chance opportunity to approximately 80 students.

All Lower Sixth students follow a compulsory ‘core studies’ course which now includes Critical Thinking, General Studies and one key skill and a choice from over 60 recreational activities. Enrichment activities are an important feature of the College experience and include a wide range of work experience and community and voluntary work, as well as many sporting options at all levels. Educating the whole person is central to curriculum planning and delivery and is fully embedded within the College ethos.

Student Achievements Value Added AS 3, A2 3, BTEC 3, this puts College in the top 25% for Value Added achievements. The College promotes both personal, extra curricular achievement as well as academic achievement. With over 60 enrichment courses on offer, Staff with a particular interest or strength may choose to offer an enrichment opportunity for students. In addition some 90% of students progress to Higher Education or Level 4 each year.

Students from our Sporting Academies

Student achievement is formally recognised and a highly effective praise and reward system is in operation. The Principal meets with students on a regular basis and gains their views on all aspects of their College experience. Such ‘coffee mornings’ are highly valued by students. The Principal also leads the Gifted and Talented programme and actively engages with young people in order to raise aspirations. The College is fully supported by an active student council and a highly engaged Eco Council.

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Partnerships The Blackpool Sixth Form College wishes to work in partnership with the other providers of 14-19 education in the Fylde Coast. These include a large FE college, a land-based college, 16 High Schools (3 of which have sixth forms), 4 Independent Schools, 3 Special Schools and 2 Local Education Authorities, Blackpool and Lancashire. Many of our students are encouraged to get involved in community work in specialist schools and local organisations. College is actively engaged with enterprise projects and has taken a lead role in the development of the Diploma lines.

Organisation The College’s Senior Management Team consists of the Principal, Deputy Principal, Vice Principal Resources and Director of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and the Director of Finance and Personnel. There are 9 Heads of Curriculum Departments and 6 Cross College Managers.

Staff Health and Wellbeing Day

Staffing The College employs over 200 staff of which over 100 are teachers. Our staff are well qualified and encouraged to take part in numerous staff development opportunities, both external and internal. Performance management is a central feature of the college’s quality assurance calendar and individual targets reflect the College’s strategic plan.

New staff complete an induction programme and are assigned to a mentor.

All staff undertake a mid year and annual review of their performance with their line manager. On this occasion staff development needs are identified.

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Resources The College embarked on an ambitious campus redevelopment programme. Phase 1 of the £15M development opened in September 2008 and includes modern, state-of the-art facilities for Science and spacious, high tech teaching facilities for the Department of Sport, Tourism and Health. Phase 1 also includes a large, highly equipped Learning Resource Centre containing 120 top of the range computers.

Phase 2 provides a Visual Arts and Media building with new Reception and “Learning Lounge” and opened in the summer term of 2009.

The college’s new buildings

The College has an impressive array of IT facilities. With over 750 student desktop machines and 200 student laptops giving an enviable ratio of 1 computer for 2 students in the College. Practically all classrooms have modern interactive whiteboards and all classrooms have good audio facilities. Each department also has access to the latest learner response systems. Each teacher has a personal apple laptop, which facilitates easy and efficient access to the central student tracking systems. The College has the very latest hi spec infrastructure and now has 100% wifi coverage. As well as having fully equipped IT rooms most departments have laptop trolleys, which they can use within lessons to enhance elearning provision.

Equality and Diversity The College operates on the assumption that all people are of equal value and should receive equal opportunities, access and treatment. It is committed to identifying and actively challenging inequalities which arise from any of the protected characteristics.

Every effort is made to remove unjustifiable obstacles to equal opportunities. Currently all areas of the estate are accessible to wheelchair users. The College is a place where diversity is highly valued. The Every Child Matters agenda is fully embedded across the organisation and the student voice is actively sought and acted upon.

Visual Arts and Media Trip to Paris

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Ofsted May 2009 - Outstanding Effectiveness of provision Capacity to improve Achievements and standards Leadership and management Equality

Grade 1 Outstanding Grade 1 Outstanding Grade 2 Good Grade 1 Outstanding Grade 1 Outstanding

Humanities staff taking part in a team building activity at Go Ape!

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The Blackpool Sixth Form Community

Annual Long Service Awards

College Students and Staff working with a local school for Young People with Learning Difficulties and Disabilities in the BIG tidy up!

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We asked staff what they noted about the College……

Emma Case - Head of Mathematics (below) The College ethos is very supportive and all staff are always willing to help when required. As a new teacher to the college I was assigned a mentor from a different department within the college. All new teachers and members of staff also have half termly group meetings so that we can discuss our different experiences. I felt supported from day one by members of the department and through my induction process.

My line manager helped me to identify and organise my training needs and wants. The interview was a tough and challenging day, throughout which I was given the opportunity to show my strengths. A long process but I felt it was rewarding and I was able to learn from the experience. What I noticed about the College was the commitment of all to develop the students but also to ensure a suitable balance of work and support to me as both a teacher and a person.

Tracey Oakes - Performing Arts Tutor (left) The Blackpool Sixth Form College is a great place to work for many reasons. As a new member of staff it is great to be a part of the College as it is currently in a period of exciting change with new buildings and facilities being developed. I have always found the atmosphere within the college to be positive and encouraging, with of opportunity to meet with other staff. As a new member of staff I have received regular progress reviews which are always a two way process where I have been able to discuss my progress in a comfortable environment. The members of staff within my department have been a tremendous point of support and helped me settle in within days, and are still always available if needed.

The interview experience was a good opportunity to see the college in action, meet the staff and students and be given the chance to show my specialist strengths in a very positive and encouraging environment. In fact my first impression of the college was that it was friendly, lively and had a very ‘up beat’ feeling, and my time here as a teacher has only proved that to be true. As a performing arts tutor I have been given the opportunity to organise trips and a musical theatre showcase within the first year, which is great as I know that my work has made a positive impact upon student achievement and aspirations.

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Dave White - Performance Data Analyst/Timetable Officer (below) I started at the Blackpool Sixth Form College in March 2009 after completing my degree in the previous summer. I was looking for work in a forward-thinking organisation where I knew I would be challenged in an environment that would utilise all of my skills and help me develop as an individual. The College has easily provided this opportunity. From my first day I have been made to feel very welcome, not only within my team but across all departments; the friendliness and accessibility of the staff undoubtedly helped me to settle into my post. I believe that the dedication of all the staff body contribute much to the hardworking, respectful air with which students go about their day.

The support and training I have received during my time here, both organised and on the job, have been exemplary and in a short space of time I have been able to use these experiences to train others. Regular appraisals give me the chance to monitor how I am performing, and the raising of questions and ideas is actively encouraged at all times. This includes the interview process, where I was able to actively demonstrate what I could offer the College and to see in great detail what the aspirations of the College for its students and staff are. It is clear that this is an institution with a bright future – you have only to look at the new buildings and the improving examination results for proof – and one which is giving its students the best possible chances to maximise their potential.

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Joanne Mackie - Head of Learning Resources Centre and Directed Study (left) The first thing I noticed about BSFC was the ethos of continuous development and improvement which was evident both in the facilities and in the attitude of staff.

As a new member of staff I was assigned a mentor and received a well structured programme of training and meetings.

BSFC is a welcoming, supportive place to work with friendly staff and vibrant students.

The full day interview was a fantastic opportunity to meet various members of staff and students. It was also a positive two way process that gave me the opportunity to get a real feel of what the College is like.

Ben Wallace - Religious Studies Tutor (right) Since first starting at Blackpool Sixth Form I have been struck by the dedication and professionalism of staff in all areas of the college. From the building and resources to the staff and students, the college is a great place to walk into in the morning. Soon after confirming I would be working at the college I was put in contact with other new starters, and together, three of us were able to sort out a house to move into near to college.

This level of support has continued through the first weeks with strong internal training and being placed with an extremely friendly and welcoming department. I was really impressed by how organised and friendly the staff were at interview, who did their best to make an otherwise stressful day as welcoming as possible. Overall, I feel this is an accurate reflection of the college.

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Abby Jones, Psychology Tutor (centre) As an NQT I found Blackpool Sixth Form a very welcoming college, everyone is very supportive and helpful. In my first year I was assigned a mentor, which was really helpful; they showed me around the college, introduced me to various members of staff and helped me throughout the year with any issues I came across.

During my first year there were a number of induction sessions which allowed me to get to know other new members of staff, and helped me settle in to the college. There is a friendly atmosphere in the college, which is created by the warm staff and forthcoming students which makes the college an enjoyable place to work.

Sukhbinder Mahay, Biology and Medical Science Tutor (above, left) Working at The Blackpool Sixth Form College is stimulating and very rewarding. The student community is very vibrant and the ICT and paper resources available to students is impressive. As a Biology and Medical Science Tutor, the new modern science laboratories and the various ICT resources provide a purposeful and meaningful teaching and learning environment for both teachers and students. The college and the department are very supportive and guidance is always there if it is needed. If you are up for a challenge and looking to enhance your career in teaching, then this is definitely the place to be.

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