Year 13 Information
Tel : 01527 872375
sixthform@northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
NBHS6th
@NBHS6th
North Bromsgrove High School Information 2015/2016
Year 13 Handbook
September 2015
I am delighted that you have been successful enough to continue your studies with
us and look forward to working with you to ensure you access the best pathway for
your future. Whichever path you choose, obtaining the best possible grades in your
subjects is vital this year.
As you know it is so important that you take responsibility for your own success
straight away. Therefore keeping up with work set and asking for help when you
have difficulty should ensure you have a greater chance of achieving the grades
you want. Decide now that you are aiming high and commit yourself to hard work.
The Sixth Form Team are here to help and support you with developing your
independent study skills to be successful at A level and beyond.
This handbook will hopefully serve as a guide to the basic expectations and key
information for students/parents/carers for Year 13 study.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Sixth Form
Team as listed below. For further ease of reference there is a flow chart of
communication to assist any enquiry you may have.
I look forward to helping you make this a fantastic year.
Sarah Figg
Sixth Form team
Miss S Figg
Mr D Gleave
Miss H Skate
Head of Sixth Form: Senior Teacher
Dean of Students
Head of Year 12
Year 12 tutors:
Mr D Gleave
Mrs A Davidson
Miss D Price
Mrs J Evans/Mrs N Haley
Year 13 tutors:
Mrs K Mann
Miss S Chater
Mr R Williams
Mr M Horton/Mr J Holt
Contact details:
Email: sixthform@northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk
Tel: 01527 872375
Sixth Form Life – The Essentials
Sixth Form Day
Please note there is a slight change to the timetable from September 2015.
Tutor time is now moved to10.30 to 10.55 each day
Time
Period
8.30
8.45
8.50 – 9.40
9.40 – 10.30
10.30 – 10.55
10.55 – 11.15
11.15 – 12.05
12.05 – 12.55
12.55 – 1.35
1.35 – 2.25
2.25 – 3.15
Briefing
Warning bell
Period 1
Period 2
Tutor Time/Assembly
Break
Period 3
Period 4
Lunch
Period 5
Period 6
Personal Tutor Time/Assembly/Academic Coaching
Each morning students will meet with their personal tutors for 25 minutes. Personal
tutors will provide pastoral care and guidance and support academic achievement
and transition into Year 13 through our Academic Coaching Programme.
Independent study
Postive routines are vital in Year 13 and the key to success will be managing study
time out of lessons. It can be difficult to adjust to a reduced timetable of 3 subjects
and managing study; there are no ‘free’ lessons.
Out of lessons students should be working independently for 4-5 hours per subject
per week. This can take place in any of the suite of study rooms in the Sixth Form
Centre, the Library, the Dining Hall or in any area of the school pre-arranged with
subject staff – wifi is available across the whole site.
Settling into a study routine will be essential for those wishing to enter Further or
Higher Education. These skills will also be valuable for the world of work.
Independent study might consist of:
 Teacher set tasks, essays, research
 Revisiting/rewriting class notes to consolidate learning from the start
 Wider reading – reading around topics/subjects to develop understanding or
reading ahead
 Completing past examination papers/questions
 Preparing a presentation
 Watching a documentary or DVD related to your subject/topic and making
notes
 Reading a newspaper article relevant to your subject – some broadsheets have
sections dedicated to for example scientific or technical developments,
sociology and media, literature
Progress Reviews
A progress Review is sent home each half term which will indicate how students are
performing against target and also their efforts during half term. Dates of these
reviews are on the up to date calendar on the school website.
If a student is 1-2 grades below target, subject staff, personal tutor and student will
use Academic Coaching sessions to establish a way forward.
All Year 13 students are placed on a trial which starts on Monday 7 September and
ends on Monday 28 September. Students, parents/carers will be invited to discuss
success and areas of concern and a way forward where necessary. We are
committed to ensuring students achieve and being open and realistic about future
pathways.
Enrichment Activities
Enriching student life in sixth form is crucial to complement learning and develop skills
that universities and employers value, such as initiative, resilience and responsibility.
In Year 13, students will allocate at least two sessions a week for whole school
opportunities and enrichment activities. For example: College duties and
competitions, mentoring, Prefect duties, curriculum support, sports clubs, Duke of
Edinburgh and work experience. Students will identify their chosen activities with their
personal tutor and this will become part of their 600 hours study.
Honeycomb and OurSchoolsApp
All sixth form students are required to have access to an Electronic Learning
Plan (ELP), which consists of their programme of study, timetable and all sixth
form information. For this we use Honeycomb and OurSchoolsApp. Therefore
it is vital all sixth form students use both Apps.
Honeycomb is our electronic planner which is used to:
 Identify programme of study (PofS)
 Access independent study
 Contact students
 For students and staff to monitor completion of tasks
OurSchoolsApp is an innovative tool to improve sixth form – parent
communication, by allowing us to cascade information rapidly to parents,
quickly and easily. Using the system has been designed to be simple – both
for the sixth form and the parents. Below is a brief guide on how to use the
system, and to give some pointers on the sorts of information you could add.
Free download at App Store or Google Play
Windows phone and desktop version also
Attendance
Attendance is a crucial factor in determining success in academic studies. Students
are expected to attend at least 600 hours of timetabled classes, exams, academic
coaching sessions, personal tutor time and enrichment over the course of the year.
This expectation has to be met to become a full time student and is expected of all
students nationally at sixth form level. If you experience difficulty meeting this standard
due to unforeseen personal or medical circumstances you must inform your personal
tutor. Miss Figg will also be informed to offer the appropriate support and guidance.
Punctuality to lessons is an important habit and both attendance and punctuality are
commented on in all references. If a student is late for lessons more than three times
in any given half term, subject staff will raise this issue with a student and pass their
concerns to the relevant personal tutor.
Absence
Please telephone the Attendance office on the first day of absence. Year 13 students
are required to produce a medical note for absence for 3 days and over. At this
crucial point in their studies, staff, examination boards, universities admissions and
future employers need to be informed of any reason that may hinder achievement
and/or explain periods of absence.
Family holidays
Because full attendance is such an important factor in a student’s success and to
meet the 600 hours requirement to study full time A levels, we strongly advise that
parents do not arrange holidays in term time and students are not permitted to
arrange independent holidays in term time.
If a student has to have time off for a holiday or any other reason, then they should
see their personal tutor, Miss Figg or Mr Gleave at the earliest opportunity (at least 2
weeks in advance) and bring in an explanatory note from home. Students will be
expected to inform subject staff about missing lessons. Students should complete
work in advance of any vacation where possible. If not, they are responsible for
catching up missed work in the first week of return. Staff will not usually issue work for
those taking holidays.
Part Time Work
Whilst we recognise that many students start part-time employment whilst studying,
and that this can offer financial and personal work experience, it can also have a
negative impact on your studies.
We strongly recommend students:
 Work no more than 8 hours a week, preferably at weekends
 Do not undertake work that is unduly tiring e.g. that involves working late at night
affecting concentration or attendance the next day
 Are always available for timetabled or other commitments in sixth form
 Where a clash of commitments occurs, sixth form takes priority
16-19 Bursary
Our policy for the administration of the scheme is available on the school website.
For any further information about the scheme please contact the relevant personal
tutor.
Dress Code
The code is smart office wear, separates or a suit. Smart wear is required and
expectations have been updated after consultation with Sixth Form Council, parents
and staff, this now means:
A dark suit and tie for male students with white or pale coloured shirt;
Smart dark suit (skirt and jacket or tailored trousers and jacket) with pale coloured or
white blouse or dark dress for female students;
Formal footwear for all.
Denim, trainers, leggings, UGG style boots and hoodies are not acceptable.
Cars/Motorcycles
Students should only park in the bays at the far end of the car park, near the gate.
These are limited in number. Parking elsewhere is not permitted. Additional parking
is available in the bays on School Drive.
Study Rooms and Lockers
It is up to students to ensure that these facilities do not deteriorate. Clothing and
other belongings should not be left in the Sixth Form Centre overnight. There are
lockers available in the School. Students requiring a locker should ask at reception.
Examinations
When Year 13 students have completed A2 examinations they are not required to
attend lessons or revision sessions in that subject. We set an official date for study
leave which will be shared in May. This is generally the last Friday before Whitsun,
but can vary.
For each subject a students is studying you can find useful information on the
following websites:www.aqa.org.uk
www.edexcel.com
www.ocr.org.uk
www.wjec.co.uk
On these websites you will find details as to specifications (syllabus) and schemes of
work. There are past papers and mark schemes available, especially on the AQA
website. Edexcel have an online order form to download past papers (small charge
may apply).
Examination Dates
The main examination period is in May and June. May for AS and June for A Level
exams. Coursework will be ongoing and Departments will have highlighted dates for
drafts and completion via The Registry to allow for formative assessment to be
conducted.
Exit Interviews
Students who wish to terminate A2 study at any point in Year 13 before courses have
ended, have to complete an Exit Interview. This process is straightforward and only
happens in a minority of cases. Students meet with Head of Sixth Form to discuss
their intentions to enable the following:



We legally have to report on destinations for every young person who leaves
us, whether that be for university, further training, apprenticeship,
employment or relocation.
Examinations costs need to be explained and recovered. If a student fails to
complete any A level course and has been entered for the examinations, the
student has to pay these costs.
All relevant resources need to be returned
Timetables and Coursework
Once timetables have been agreed a copy of students’ timetables will be sent
home to parent(s)/carer(s) together with an overview of the assessment calendar for
all courses which will include details of coursework deadlines.
Should there be any amendments; students will be informed in good time.
The Registry
All coursework, formal assessment essays and Personal UCAS Statements will be
handed into The Registry.
Deadlines for each subject are overleaf
1. Coursework pieces (drafts and final submissions) are handed to The Registry.
2. A student signature is required.
3. Staff collect relevant coursework from The Registry by 4pm on the day of the
deadline.
4. Non submission by the deadline results in a U grade and a letter outlining the
issues failure to comply with the deadline causes.
Expectations & Formatting:
 All written work must be printed – memory sticks or email directly to staff is not
acceptable unless specifically specified by staff and sent via The Registry.
 Work that is printed or moving image needs to be in a specified format and
presented on a memory stick/DVD in the following formats e.g. wmv, jpeg etc
whatever applies. It is up to the student to check each file works and opens,
otherwise if staff cannot open the file a U grade will be awarded
Special Considerations:
Extensions to deadlines will only be given by a Faculty Leader in certain
circumstances. These comply with examination board requirements and are listed
below:
 temporary illness or accident/injury during the time frame of the assessment,
accompanied by a Dr’s note
 bereavement during the time frame of the assessment
 domestic crisis arising during the time frame of the assessment which has been
shared with personal tutor/Head of Year/Head of Sixth Form
 participation in sporting events or other competitions at an international level
which hinder the time frame of completion, e.g. representing country at an
international level in football or hockey
Coursework Deadlines for AS and A2
Draft Submission
Final Submission
AS/A2 Product Design 3D
Research and Design
Design Development
Making
19 October
30 November
18 February
Evaluation and Testing
23 April
Draft Submission
Final Submission
AS/A2 Textiles
Research and Design
Design Development
Making
Evaluation and Testing
19 October
30 November
18 February
23 April
Draft Submission
Final Submission
AS Art & Design, Fine Art
and Photography
Unit 1
29 January
Draft Submission
Final Submission
A2 Art & Design, Fine Art
and Photography
Personal Study – interim
assessment, Introduction
and Chapter 1
Unit 3 – Sketchbook &
Written Study
2 November
29 January
Draft Submission
Final Submission
AS/A2 Food Technology
Research and Design
25 September
Design Development
Making
Evaluation and Testing
Complete Submission
16 October
18 December
29 January
26 February
Draft Submission
Final Submission
23 March
4 April
26 February
22 January
30 November
23 March
22 April
18 April
18 March
22 February
15 January
22 April (Provisional)
Draft Submission
Final Submission
28 September
16 October
9 November
11 December & 14 January
27 November
26 February
11 December & 14 January
26 February
A2
English/Film/Media/Drama
English Language
English Literature
Media
Film – Research Project
Film – Productive Piece
Drama
A2 ICT
Background and
Investigation
Analysis and Deliverables
Design and Planning for
Implementation
Testing and
Documentation
Evaluation
Completed Report
11 March
29 April
Draft Submission
Final Submission
21 September
9 October
2 November
11 December & 5 February
20 November
11 March
15 April
15 April
29 April
Draft Submission
Final Submission
A2 Computer Science
Definition, Investigation
and Analysis
Design
Software Development
Documentation
Evaluation
Completed Report
AS Health & Social Care
Unit 2
Unit 3
27 November
26 February
Draft Submission
Final Submission
A2 Health & Social Care
Unit 10
Unit 16
21 January
28 April
A2 Biology
Residential planned
Coursework
Coursework Amendments
21-24 March inclusive
15 April
29 April
A2 Chemistry
A2 Physics
A2 History
AS/A2 Music
Harmony Exercise 1
Essay 1
Harmony Exercise 2
Essay 2
Harmony Exercise 3
Essay 3
Practice Composition Due
Harmony Exercise 4
Essay 4
23 March
Draft Submission
Final Submission
Monday 28 September
Monday 12 October
Monday 19 October
Monday 9 November
Monday 23 November
Monday 7 December
Friday 11 December
Monday 14 December
Monday 11 January
AS/A2 TPE
Oral Assessment
Practical Assessment
w/b 18 January
18 March (TBC)
Please note:
If a subject does not have any coursework, deadlines are not required.
Learner enrolment agreement:
Sixth Form Commitment:
We agree to provide:
 A curriculum offering a range of learning opportunities, including enrichment
opportunities
 Teaching and independent study tasks to support your academic progress
 A Personal Tutor who will support you and act as an Academic Coach to ensure
you make the transition to A level study
 Staff who will help you understand the expectations of A level study
 Regular progress reviews for you to act upon
 Parental reports on progress
 Information on post-18 pathways: UCAS information, Apprenticeships and
general career information
Student Commitment:
You agree to:
 Attend all personal tutor times, assemblies, Academic Coaching sessions,
timetabled lessons, examinations and enrichment activities – at least 600 hours
across the academic year
 Complete all independent study tasks 4-5 hours per week and lesson tasks.
 Meet coursework deadlines issued by staff through The Registry.
 Make effective use of study periods should they fall in the sixth form day, by using
the Study Rooms, Library and Dining Hall
 Inform and seek advice from subject staff or personal tutor if you have any
difficulty with any aspects of your studies
 Keep subject folders organised
 Accept a shared responsibility with others in the sixth form for good conduct in
school and for careful upkeep of sixth form areas
 Meet the smart dress code
 Accept a general responsibility for acting as a positive ambassador of the
learning community for Lower School students
 Adopt a sensible, mature approach with all staff
Parent/Carer commitment


I/We support the expectations and guidance as outlined and agree with the
standard of attendance.
I/We will confirm receipt of all progress views and communications and
endeavor to support my/our child achieve.
Key dates
Term Dates :
AUTUMN TERM 2015
TED DAY – Thursday 3 September 2015
Term starts: Friday 4 September 2015
Half term: Monday 26 October 2015 – Friday 30 October 2015
TED DAY – Wednesday 18 November 2015
Term ends: Friday 18 December 2015
SPRING TERM 2016
Term starts: Monday 4 January 2016
TED DAY: Tuesday 19 January 2016
Half Term: Monday 15 February 2016 – Friday 19 February 2016
Term ends: Wednesday 23 March 2016
TED DAY: Thursday 24 March 2016
SUMMER TERM 2016
Term starts: Monday 11 April 2016
Half Term: Monday 30 May 2016 – Friday 3 June 2016
TED DAY: Friday 8 July 2016
Term ends: Friday 22 July 2016
Other Key dates:
Wednesday
Wednesday
Monday
Monday
09-Sep
24-Sep
7-Sep
28-Sep
Thursday
Friday
Mon-Fri
Friday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Thursday
15- Oct
23-Oct
14-18 Dec
18-Dec
14-Jan
15-Jan
19-Jan
08-Feb
24-Feb
18-Mar
24-Mar
27-May
27-Jun
18-Aug
Y13 Expectations Evening
School photographer
Year 13 trial starts
Year 13 trial ends
UCAS Deadline Oxbridge, Medicine,
Veterinary
Sixth Form Progress Review issued
Sixth Form Assessment week
Sixth Form Progress Review issued
Y13 Parents’ Evening
UCAS Deadline
Training Day
Sixth Form mocks
Sixth Form mock results issued
Sixth form reports issued
Training Day
Sixth Form Progress Review issued
Sixth Form bridging activities
A Level results day
University Applications- UCAS
What is UCAS?
The University and College Admissions System
It is the only way to apply to a Higher Education System
Website: www.ucas.com – course search, directory and campus code, application form
etc.
Unistats: website for students to research and compare subjects and universities before
deciding where to apply – www.direct.gov.uk/unistats
How does it work?
Students complete the UCAS apply (online process) which contains four vital pieces of
information
 Personal details (DOB, address, examinations, results etc)
 Five choices of courses
 Exception: students can only choose four courses if they are applying for medicine,
dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science.
 Students can apply to either Oxford or Cambridge in the same year.
 UCAS will copy your son/daughters form to all of their chosen institutions
 A personal statement
 An Academic school reference
Some students will be invited for interview. From the offers made, students accept a firm
offer and an insurance offer. When the results come out in August, Universities will
decide if students have met the offer or not.
Extra
If your son / daughter has not received an offer or if they have declined all their offers
they will be given another opportunity to apply through UCAS Extra. This will occur
between February and July
Clearing
If a student does not achieve the firm offer grade, the University makes the decision as to
whether to accept or not. If the frim offer rejects any student, they may be automatically
given an insurance offer through UCAS, if the grades of the insurance offer are met. If a
student does not meet the insurance offer and the University does not accept the student
may be automatically placed into Clearing.
Clearing is a system that sorts out spare University places. It takes place immediately
after results and involves students contacting Universities directly.
UCAS Key Dates
Date
2nd October 2015
16th October 2015
6th November 2015
4th December 2015
15th January 2016
Details
Personal Statement to tutors
Reference deadline staff
Reference deadline tutors
UCAS deadline- Sixth Form
Official UCAS deadline
UCAS Tariff
(for information about the UCAS tariff: www.ucas.com/canda/tariff/index.html
GCE/AS
A
B
C
D
E
A LEVEL
A
B
C
D
E
GCE/Double
Award
Points
AA
AB
BB
BC
CC
CD
DD
DE
EE
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
50
40
30
20
10
UCAS Terms
Conditional Offer
Unconditional Offer
Firm Acceptance
Insurance Acceptance
Confirmation
Extra
Clearing
An offer made by a University or college
that requires you to achieve certain
exam grades or other conditions
An offer that a University or college
makes when you have met all the entry
requirements
An offer you accept as a firm first choice
An offer you accept as an insurance
choice in case you do not get the grades
you need for your firm first choice
UCAS will tell students when they have
met the conditions of their offer so that
they can take up the place
If you have used all your five choices
and received no offers or have declined
them – Extra gives you the opportunity
to apply for other courses without having
to wait for Clearing
The Clearing system enables unplaced
applicants to apply to any Universities
and colleges that still have vacancies
The
Learner
CARE & GUIDANCE
SEN
ATTENDANCE
CURRICULUM
Behaviour & Safety
Inclusion
Attainment
LAC
Holidays, illness or
medical
Subjects and
lessons
FORM or
PERSONAL TUTOR
CLASSROOM
TEACHER
College Tutor for the
student
As per student
timetable
HEAD OF YEAR
SENCO
Year 12: Miss H
Skate
Mrs S Duggal
ATTENDANCE
SUPPORT
Mrs K Middleton
SUBJECT LEADER
Teacher in charge of
subject area
Year 13: Miss S Figg
Dean of Students :
Mr D Gleave
HEAD OF FACULTY
Teacher in charge
subject or groups of
subjects
HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
Miss S Figg
ASSISTANT
HEADTEACHER
(PASTORAL)
Mr A Smith
DEPUTY HEADTEACHER
Mrs S Schofield
HEADTEACHER
Mr D Hadley-Pryce