Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Sixth Form Prospectus

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Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS A member of The Williamson Trust

Founded

1701

Message from the Headteacher I am very pleased that you are considering Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School for your sixth form education. When you embark upon sixth form study, you begin an exciting but demanding journey, a journey on which we would be honoured to join you.

In order to succeed in an increasingly complex and competitive world, young people need academic qualifications of the highest order, as well as a strongly developed sense of resilience, resourcefulness and flexibility. However, although your academic progress is of the utmost importance, we at the Math believe that education is about more than gaining qualifications: it’s about building a better future for yourself and your community.

We want our sixth formers to go on to become

CONFIDENT, SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY members of society as well as leaders in their chosen fields. I hope that after reading this prospectus, you will have a better idea as to why we take such enormous pride in our establishment.

Mr E Hodges Headteacher

“Students gain m uch fr om being in the school's sixth f or m a n d r e c e i v e a n o u t s ta n d i n g e d u c at i on . �

Ofsted

Message from the Head of Sixth Form Welcome to the Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School Sixth Form Joining our Sixth Form is an important step in your education and involves a great deal of responsibility. As a senior student, you will be expected to work hard on behalf of both yourself and the wider school community.

As a young adult you will experience greater freedom than in Years 7-11, but are in turn expected to take responsibility for your own actions and for the welfare of others, setting a good example for our younger pupils. If you are prepared to take an active and conscientious role in our school community, then we would be delighted to receive your application and help you on your path to becoming a successful and capable individual.

Mr K Bailey Head of Sixth Form

LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM Entry to the Sixth Form

Year 13

Academic scholarship is central to life in our

Continuation into Year 13 will usually be

Sixth Form. Our courses are as demanding as

conditional on achieving a good pass in all AS

they are rewarding, so it is essential that

subjects.

prospective students have proved themselves capable of undertaking further study at the

Work in the Sixth Form

Math. Our entry requirements are therefore

The Math operates a 10-day fortnightly

as follows:

timetable cycle. In each cycle, the normal

Year 12

timetable allocation will be ten 1 hour lessons in

Students must have six GCSE passes at grade C

each AS Level subject.

or above, including English and Mathematics. In

We require Year 12 students to take four subjects

addition, we require at least a grade B or above

at AS level, along with an enrichment course.

in the four subjects that students intend to take to AS level. In the case of new courses, B grades or above in related subjects are acceptable.

Specific additional entry requirements apply to Mathematics and Science courses. We also require an average GCSE points score of at least 44 to ensure broad academic competence.

Participation in a weekly Games lesson is also required, to provide students with an opportunity for physical exercise and social interaction. Sixth formers have the use of a dedicated common room with IT facilities and a separate library area, as well as the freedom to leave the school at lunchtimes and set negotiated home study afternoons.

Given the challenging nature of A level courses, free time throughout the day is expected to be used for independent personal study.

Academic progress is monitored every six weeks and those who are experiencing difficulties will be offered appropriate support.

Life in the Sixth Form

Enrichment in the Sixth Form

Our aim is to provide a complete and outstanding

In addition to an exciting and varied academic

education that affords our students the

programme, we offer a wide range of extra-

opportunity to be successful in the modern world.

curricular and leadership development

That is why, in addition to our outstanding

opportunities to help our students improve their

academic programme, we have also fostered a

CVs, experience new things and really get the

dynamic and active community at our school.

most out of their time with us.

All students go through a four day induction

Our full range of sporting activities includes a

programme to facilitate the transition from GCSE.

girls’ Netball team and a ‘Rugby Academy’ for

An Open Evening for all applicants is held early in

talented rugby players.

the year and provides an opportunity for

We also offer students the chance to participate

prospective students to learn more about life in

in the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and the

the Sixth Form and how best to prepare for A

Debating Society, become members of the

Level study.

Charity Committee or act as Librarians.

All sixth formers have the opportunity to become

Other opportunities available for our students

Prefects, an important and highly valued role

include the chance to apply for a Music

within our community. In addition to this, many of

Scholarship, to help in our school drama

our students are involved in peer tutoring with

productions, to get involved in World Challenge

younger pupils and the House system is an

expeditions or to volunteer at local primary

integral part of school life. Membership of our

schools.

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sixth form is distinguished by our school uniform, which is to be correctly worn at all times.

Moving On During their time in our Sixth Form, students will be given thorough and timely guidance to help them make decisions about that all important ‘next step’. Our Year 12 summer term workshop programme is delivered by recent Year 13 leavers and focuses on the many options available after Sixth Form. Although we can offer guidance on a range of alternatives, including employment options and vocational courses, the majority of our students go on to university. Therefore UCAS preparation becomes a central feature of the weekly enrichment lesson programme towards the end of Year 12 and our Oxbridge preparation process plays a significant part at this time. Regular and informative sessions cover issues such as interview practice, course selection, career choice case studies and workplace skills.

The school employs a dedicated Careers Officer and has a well stocked careers library. In addition to this a ‘Next Steps’ evening is held annually and each student has a careers guidance interview to ensure they are making wise and informed decisions.

Math

Frequently asked questions How do I apply to the sixth form?

Does the school organise a taster day?

You can send in an application form via the ‘Your

We have a Sixth Form Open Evening and an

Choice in Medway’ website at

Induction Week, during which you will attend

www.yourchoiceinmedway.org.uk

lessons in your chosen subjects as well as having

What if the Sixth Form is full?

the opportunity to meet other applicants and

In the event that we are over-subscribed, current

staff.

students have first priority. In the case of new

I am currently at a school which follows an

students, we apply our over-subscription criteria

‘accelerated curriculum’, will this be a problem?

which can be found in our Admissions Policy.

Please see the Accelerated Curriculum section of

What if I studied some GCSE’s and some

our school website. Go to the ‘Academic

vocational courses?

Information’ tab and click ‘Sixth Form’.

The school will consider all nationally recognised

If I think I made the wrong choice of subject

qualifications, but we believe that GCSEs provide

can I change?

the best preparation for AS level study.

Hopefully, with careful consideration and by

Will I be interviewed to secure a place at the

attending our Open Evening and Induction, you

Math?

will choose subjects that are right for you.

All external applicants will receive a guidance

However, changes can be made early in the term

interview on appropriate course selection once

if necessary.

applications have been received. All internal

Can I claim the 16-19 Bursary?

applicants will receive guidance regarding

Yes, but instalment payments are related to

choices for the future.

attendance and academic performance.

“ S t u d e n t s t h r i v e w i t h i n i t s d i s t i n c t i v e e t h o s , e n a bl i n g them

to

succeed

a c a de m ic a l ly

and

to

de velop

into

c o n f i d e n t, w e l l - r o u n d e d i n d i v i d u a l s w h o a r e p r e pa r e d e x t r e m e ly w e l l f or t h e i r f u t u r e l i v e s . �

Ofsted

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Visit us to see for yourself what Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School can offer you.

“The and are

School’s high

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clearly

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va l u e s

the

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reflected students’ personal

de velopment and wellbeing.”

Ofsted

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School Maidstone Road Rochester Kent ME1 3EL Telephone: (01634) 844008 Fax: (01634) 818303

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Design & production SEA 01227 768808 www.sea-ltd.co.uk

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Email: office@sjwms.co.uk