Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 Prospectus, 2024

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POST 16 PROSPECTUS Grace Academy Darlaston are part of the Tove Learning Trust – a highly successful and growing multi-academy trust

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Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 I 1

Our Values We believe that all of our students and staff have the limitless potential to succeed; and with a positive attitude of mutual respect, genuine integrity and amazing grace, they can strive for intentional excellence.

At Grace Academy our aim is for everyone to work together to demonstrate our Christian ethos through our shared values of; •

Limitless POTENTIAL We can achieve so much more than we think we can

•

Genuine INTEGRITY Honesty and doing the right thing are what really counts

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Intentional EXCELLENCE Success doesn’t happen by mistake

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Mutual RESPECT Everyone deserves to feel valued and important

Amazing GRACE Life is better with fresh starts and second chances

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Our values make Grace Academy a better place to learn, work and achieve.

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Principal Post 16 Welcome Dear Parents, carers and students, We are delighted that your child has chosen Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 to continue their education. If you have not had the chance to come and see us, we would very much like you to come and meet us and have a tour of the school.

You can meet students and staff and see the academy hard at work. If you contact Reception, we will be more than happy to arrange this.

We are incredibly proud of our academy and our community.

We are proud of our happy students and staff, both of whom work together to achieve excellent results. As part of Tove Learning Trust our academy benefits from being in a strong partnership with a number of other schools. We are also supported by a number of Ethos staff as part of the Trust.

Grace Academy students thrive during their time here and visitors frequently comment on the excellent manners and behaviour of our students. We aim to give every student the very best education. The academy’s core set of values help students to develop into confident, successful and happy young adults, ready to face the future.

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Our Ofsted in April 2022 confirmed that we are a good school and much of what we offer is truly outstanding. Students behave well and make the most of the learning opportunities.

Students feel safe and valued by all the staff. Our excellent Level 3 results over the last few years show the progress that students make across a range of subjects, however, our staff know that academic achievement is only one part of success.

At Grace we have so much going on including a wide range of trips, visitors, presentations and sporting and creative opportunities for all students.

We are really excited about the chance to work in close partnership with you over the next 2 years. If you have any questions, please ask any member of staff and they will point you in the right direction to have your questions answered.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Henry Holland Henry Holland Principal

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Head of Post 16 Welcome We pride ourselves on our student focused approach and strive to ensure that every student who wishes to study with us here is given every opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We support every student here at Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 and give them extensive extra-curricular opportunities such as Team Building Skills, University Visits, Life Skills sessions and subject specific trips such as trips to Law Courts and a Forensic Science Day. We also support our students with constant careers advice with both interviews and UCAS applications. We strive to ensure that when a student leaves us at the end of their studies, they are ready for the next step in their life choices.

Our Post 16 Committee is very active and has a considerable voice within the academy. Charity initiatives, rewards trips and involvement throughout wider academy life are all great

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opportunities that come alongside being a member of the dynamic team. Being an 11-19 school, we offer students the opportunity to work with and support students in lower years by becoming peer mentors, reading buddies and mental health ambassadors. There are also opportunities for students to partake in paid work as duty assistants to assist throughout the wider academy.

If you have any questions or would like to book a visit to come and see our Post 16 provision, please do not hesitate to contact me on the email below.

Email: jamespountney@darlaston.graceacademy.org.uk

James Pountney James Pountney Head of Post 16

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Post 16 Life Here at Grace Academy Darlaston we aim to creative a supportive learning environment where students are supported in developing and realising their potential.

Our Post 16 experience offers:

•

A dedicated and caring Post 16 team committed to support you and helping you achieve your goals

Opportunities to extend and develop your personal and study skills through a wide range of enrichment activities

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A supportive and inclusive ethos based on our Grace Values of Potential, Integrity, Respect, Excellence and Grace

A rigorous teaching and assessment process that keeps students and parents informed of academic performance

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An experienced Personal Tutor who you will spend quality time with everyday

Dedicated support with the UCAS application process

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Off site trips to support your studies

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A challenging and developmental Tutor Time Programme that is designed to extend your skills and prepare you for the requirements of Post 16 study and beyond

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A comprehensive student support system

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Careers lessons and access to up-to-date information, advice and guidance (IAG) to support your next move to Higher Education, Apprenticeships or Employment

Enriching opportunities including:

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Peer mentoring

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Student leadership Team

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Mental Health Ambassadors

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Charity fundraising

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Unique Post 16 rewards scheme

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Pairing reading with lower school

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Social events outside of school hours

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High quality teaching in small groups with specialist teachers

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Post 16 Facilities Our dedicated Post 16 Area has been designed to offer you a modern, vibrant and stimulating learning space.

We have the added advantage of being an 11 to 19 establishment, whilst being able to offer a unique Post 16 environment embedded in a supportive school community. Our aim is to create a learning space where you can flourish academically, develop socially and most importantly enjoy your learning experience.

We can offer you: A flexible learning and digital environment with dedicated facilities to support and maximise your independent study

P Home Study An individual laptop to be taken to both

P home and lessons

P Independent study space Access to the school Library, with separate

P Post 16 sections

P Private outdoor space Kitchen area providing free tea, coffee, milk &

P squash with access to a fridge and microwave P Fast track Canteen access P 16 – 19 Bursary fund P Course materials e.g. Textbooks

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Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 I 7

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Courses & Entry Requirements We know that one size doesn’t fit all so we go to great lengths to tailor and personalise out curriculum to meet your individual needs. You can be confident that you will be joining a Post 16 with a culture of success.

We also ensure that our curriculum provides appropriate challenge and rigour for all our students.

A-LEVEL SUBJECT

Our courses each have their own individual entry criteria, however A Level courses will generally require a grade 5 in Maths and English, with our BTEC offering requiring a 4 in Maths and English.

Here are our core subjects we look to offer this year.

Based on student demand we are sometimes able to run additional courses.

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GCSE GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Art, Craft & Design

A-Level

5 in Maths and English

Biology

A-Level

6 in Maths, English and Science

Chemistry

A-Level

6 in Maths, English and Science

English

A-Level

6 in Maths and English

Geography

A-Level

6 in Maths and English

History

A-Level

5 in Maths and English

Maths

A-Level

6 in Maths and English

Physics

A-Level

6 in Maths, English and Science

Sociology

A-Level

5 in Maths and English

We offer a range of Advanced Level Course (A Levels) and BTEC Level 3 qualifications.

Those who have not yet obtained a grade 4 in Maths or English will be able to resit one of these alongside their Post 16 subjects.

QUALIFICATION

BTEC / WJEC SUBJECT

QUALIFICATION

GCSE GRADE REQUIREMENTS

Business

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

Computing

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

Health & Social Care

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

IT

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

Law

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

Psychology

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

Sport

BTEC

4 in Maths and English

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Next Steps Our Post 16 students leave us with the right qualifications and experiences to progress with whatever they decide to do next. This includes progression to Further Education University, Apprenticeships, Employment and ultimately enter many different professions.

Students who have decided to progress to University have successfully gained places across the UK including;

Others have gone into Apprenticeships and Employment in a range of areas including; •

Graphic Design

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University of Birmingham to study Accounting and Finance, Business Studies and Law

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Catering

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Cardiff University to study Software Engineering

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Electrical Engineering

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University of Liverpool to study Physical Sciences

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Photography

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Manchester University to study Computer Science

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University of Leicester to study History & Archaeology

UCAS

SERVICE

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CAREERS INTERVIEWS

1-2-1

SUPPORT

UCAS

SEMINARS

OPEN

EVENINGS

CAREER ADVISER

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Application Process Applications to Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 are made online, which can be accessed through the ‘Post 16’ section of our school website. www.darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk

SEPTEMBER 2024

15 OCTOBER 2024

FEBRUARY 2025

Introduction to Post 16 Assembly

Post 16 Open Evening 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Conditional offers made

MAY / JUNE 2025

JULY 2025

21 AUGUST 2025

GCSE exams – Good Luck!

Year 12 Induction Day

GCSE Results Day – All applicants confirm their place and subjects with the Post 16 team – in person, via email, on the phone

Scan here for more information and to apply

SEPTEMBER 2025 Join Grace Academy Darlaston Post 16 and start your next exciting adventure.

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Darlaston Grace Academy Darlaston, Herberts Park Road, Wednesbury, WS10 8QJ e: Enquiries@darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk t: 0121 568 3300 www.darlaston-graceacademy.org.uk GADarlaston

GraceAcademyDarlaston

www.tovelearning.org.uk

ToveLearningTrust

ToveLearningTrust

Registered company no: 07525820

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