Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
17 September 2015
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
The vision for the Sixth Form…
…to raise the aspirations of our young adults by nurturing
a passion for learning, enriching the student experience
and securing outcomes which exceed their
expectations…
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What does the Sixth Form involve?
• 3 or 4 subjects in Year 12 to AS Level, 3 subjects in Year 13 to A2 or full A Level
• A voluntary Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) across 15 months
• Curriculum Enrichment on Wednesday afternoons
• Building an impressive portfolio to impress Admissions Tutors and Employers
• Developing academically, personally and socially
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What are the school’s expectations of students?
 Professional environment
 Atmosphere conducive to study
 Setting their own expectations high
 Seeking to make a valuable contribution inside and outside the classroom
 Raising aspirations
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
Who are the key staff involved?
• Personal Tutor (maximum of 14 students per Tutor Group)
• A Level subject teachers
• Mr Woods – Head of Year 12
• Mrs Lawford – Sixth Form Administrator
• Dr Robertson – Head of Sixth Form
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
A Level is changing from September 2015.
The changes will affect most new Year 12 students
in the Sixth Form.
What do you consider to be the three most significant roles that a Sixth Form prefect will fulfil?
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Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What changes are taking place?
AS Levels will be decoupled from A Levels to become freestanding qualifications. This
means that AS results will no longer count towards the A Level.
Students will be assessed
at A Level at the end of Year 13 on everything they have learned
What do you consider to be the three most significant roles that a Sixth Form prefect will fulfil?
over two years in the Sixth Form.
The changes are happening across the next three years, with different subjects affected at
different times.
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Which subjects are affected this academic year, 2015-16?
New format of A Levels from Sept 2015
(Assessment at the end of Year 13)
Old format of A Levels
(AS in Year 12, A2 in Year 13)
Art and Design
Creative Writing
Biology
Drama and Theatre Studies
Business Studies
Geography
Chemistry
Information Technology
Computer Science
Mathematics and Further Mathematics
Form prefectStudies
will fulfil?
Economics What do you consider to be the three most significant roles that a SixthMedia
English Literature
Modern Foreign Languages
History
Music
Physics
Physical Education
Psychology
Politics
Product Design
Textiles
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Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How will I be assessed in the Sixth Form at Sweyne Park?
All students will sit AS Levels in all subjects at the end of Year 12. However, AS exam
results in those subjects which are changing this year (i.e. anything in the left hand
What do you consider to be the three most significant roles that a Sixth Form prefect will fulfil?
column in the previous table) will not count towards the final A Level grade.
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Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How will the assessment structure change in each subject?
All AS Level qualifications will in principle be assessed by examination only, with Art and
Design the only exception among the 2015 start subjects.
A Level assessment in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Business Studies and
What do you consider to be the three most significant roles that a Sixth Form prefect will fulfil?
Economics will be 100% by examination.
In Biology, Chemistry and Physics there will also be a separate assessment for practical
skills, which will be graded as either Pass or Fail.
A Level assessment in English Literature, History and Computer Science will be 80% by
examination and 20% by coursework.
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Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
Why is Year 12 so important?
• A Level is divided into two halves: AS + A2 = A Level (*)
• AS grades always have a significant bearing on A2 grades (*)
• You will need to revisit your Year 12 material at the end of Year 13 for full A Level (*)
• Universities make conditional offers based on predicted grades. The basis of this
AS results.
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What is the style of A Level work like?
• Hugely different from GCSE
• AS classes are smaller
• You see more than one subject specialist teacher several times a week – good
• Teachers do not spoon-feed – they direct, advise, facilitate and encourage
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How much work should students expect?
• Unlike GCSE, there is no homework timetable
• Expect homework every night
• Around 4 hours per subject per week is recommended
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How do students adjust to this new style?
• Students must prepare for lessons in advance
• Get into the habit of making notes in class and writing them up at home
• Organise your notes and files appropriately
• Make use of a student planner or diary. Record all work set and note down deadlines
• Revision should be an ongoing process. You cannot leave everything until Easter
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How do students balance so much in so little time?
• Organisation is essential
• Prioritise – progress at A Level is more important than extra-curricular pursuits
• Limit the number of hours’ paid employment you do
• Pace yourself – get lots of sleep!
• If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help!
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How do students excel in their subjects?
• Use private study time wisely
• Investigate and research your subject beyond the A Level syllabus
• Act on teachers’ feedback
• Challenge yourself with each piece of work
• Ensure a sensible balance between subjects
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What does the Extended Project Qualification involve?
• Opportunity to write or create an extended research project of entirely your choice
• EITHER 6,000 word essay OR investigative field study OR extended creative project
• Each student has a dedicated specialist supervisor
• Completed across 15 months
• Scaled down version of postgraduate research project – highly valued by universities
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What facilities are available to students?
• Dedicated Sixth Form teaching rooms in new Sixth Form block
• Sixth Form Library – computers and private study booths
• Sixth Form IT suite – computers and meeting room
• The Atrium, The Forum, The Piazza – study café and social space
• School Library – huge investment in A Level books and electronic resources
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What happens when in the Sixth Form?
September
First progress report – effort grades
October
Target grades published
Personalised target setting with Personal Tutors
November
‘Early applicant’ group identified
December
Second progress report – attainment, effort grades, attendance
Charity Week
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What happens when in the Sixth Form?
January
Raising Aspirations Week
Mock exams
February
AS Level target setting with Personal Tutors
March
Third progress report – full written commentary
Year 12 Consultation Evening
May
AS Level exams
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
What happens when in the Sixth Form?
June
AS to A2 / Full A Level transition – A2 teaching begins
UCAS process begins
Higher Education evening
July
Mock job interviews
August
Publication of AS exam results (Thurs 18 Aug)
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
How does this raise the aspirations of my son/daughter?
 Small tutor groups
 Personalised approach to form tutoring – undergraduate-style ‘Personal Tutors’
 Generous staff/student ratio in A Level classes
 Investment in personal development
 Support of entire community
Welcome to Sixth Form Evening
September 2015
Feel free to ask questions
on the way out