SIXTH FORM GUIDE 2016/17

Transcription

1 SIXTH FORM GUIDE 2016/17

2 APPLY NOW ONLINE CALL US VISIT US AT OUR OPEN EVENTS SEE WEBSITE FOR EVENT DETAILS CONTENTS Welcome Why choose Deeside Sixth? Facilities Wide range of courses Academic support Progress to university Other progression routes Gifted & Talented Programme Seren Network Teaching standards and professionalism Outstanding care and support Enrichment and extracurricular activities Showcasing skills Note to parents Entry requirements 2

3 HELLO WELCOME Welcome to Deeside Sixth. Our students are at the centre of everything we do and we are confident that you will receive individual care, support and encouragement to flourish and achieve your goals. With the building of the brand new Deeside Sixth, our sixth form students will have modern state-of-the-art facilities for their exclusive use and will enjoy learning in specialist, well equipped teaching facilities. We hope this short guide about A Levels at Deeside Sixth, together with the college s Guide to Opportunities for , will give you a feel of what we offer and help you to make the decision to join our exciting sixth form on our journey to becoming one of the best in the country. We look forward to meeting you and making you welcome in September. Our new centre also offers an excellent library and cutting edge IT facilities which will support students study and independent research. David Jones OBE Principal and Chief Executive Alex Thomas Head of Deeside Sixth Form Centre PRINCIPAL@CAMBRIA.AC.UK TO GET IN TOUCH 3

4 WHY CHOOSE DEESIDE SIXTH? Deeside Sixth is a joint development between Coleg Cambria, local schools and Flintshire County Council. The 14.6 million state-of-the-art centre will provide a learning environment that uses the latest technology to offer enhanced curriculum options to A Level students. FACILITIES Deeside Sixth has specialist teaching facilities for each subject that allow students to enjoy their learning in the appropriate environment. All students will be able to utilise the latest technology in our ICT and Mac suites, as well as Chromebooks in all teaching rooms. There will be an Art studio with open air terrace, product design suite with 3D printer and laser cutter, Drama studio, Music centre and terrace and large Science lab. Students will be encouraged to use the new library and lecture theatre. 4

5 WIDE RANGE OF COURSES ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN ART AND DESIGN - PHOTOGRAPHY ART AND DESIGN - FINE ART ART AND DESIGN - TEXTILES ART AND DESIGN - GRAPHIC DESIGN BIOLOGY BUSINESS STUDIES CHEMISTRY DRAMA AND THEATRE STUDIES ECONOMICS ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENGLISH LITERATURE FRENCH FURTHER MATHEMATICS GEOGRAPHY GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS HISTORY INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY LAW MATHS - MECHANICS MATHS - STATISTICS MEDIA STUDIES MUSIC PHYSICS PRODUCT DESIGN PHYSICAL EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGY RELIGIOUS STUDIES SOCIOLOGY WELSH WELSH BACCALAUREATE (ADVANCED) 5

6 ACADEMIC SUPPORT Within each subject area there is a regular programme of assessment and support. Whilst all subjects set interim tests there is a formal mock exam week for both AS and A2 Level courses to provide a realistic exam experience. Two reports are issued each year outlining student performance and progress following key assessment activities. There is also an opportunity for parents and students to attend a Consultation Evening following mock examinations to meet subject tutors and discuss their progress. FREE WIFI All students are involved in planning their learning and setting targets for improvement through an Individual Learning Plan agreed with their tutor for each of their subjects. Many subjects provide tutorial support in addition to timetabled lessons to assist exam preparation. Students requiring additional support with their learning are offered this in the Library through specialist teams. Our French and Welsh A Level learners will also spend time with a native first language speaking assistant every week, giving them essential practice in the language that they are learning. PROGRESS TO UNIVERSITY We have an extensive programme of support and very good links with many prestigious universities. Deeside Sixth has a programme of talks and visits involving many universities, including Birmingham, Bangor University, Cardiff Medical School, Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool and the University of Law. Students are encouraged to attend Open Days, Challenges and Taster Days at their chosen universities, which can be highly motivational and enhance the chance of receiving course offers. 6 Students are supported throughout the university application process (UCAS), receiving excellent guidance from specialist advisers and experienced personal tutors. Support is also available in preparation for university interviews and for seeking relevant vocational work experience.

7 OTHER PROGRESSION ROUTES Students not opting to progress directly to university, are supported with applications to employment and higher apprenticeships. Students wishing to take gap years can also be assisted with their planning and applications by the Student Services Department. TO FIND OUT MORE CALL

8 GIFTED & TALENTED PROGRAMME This is a structured programme of support for students with exceptional GCSE results (mainly A*- As) which caters for their needs and aspirations. These students will be aiming for the top universities in world rankings and some of the most competitive academic courses. THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO: Broaden students horizons beyond their chosen subjects by applying their understanding to areas including Politics and Technology. Develop students higher level thinking, reasoning and analytical skills through an introduction to Philosophy and specific support in critical thinking. Provide academic research and writing skills through a major investigation into a topic of the student s choosing. Provide early advice on building a strong portfolio of relevant activities to support an application to the top universities. Provide targeted support for those students preparing for admissions tests such as UKCAT and the TSA. Provide specific support for those students preparing for interviews at Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group universities and for Medical courses. In addition students will have weekly sessions with a personal tutor and will be given specialist support preparing a polished UCAS application. The programme is validated through the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification, where the students will be targeted to achieve an A* grade. The qualification has provided a valuable enhancement to students profile and most students following the programme have received university offers including the Welsh Baccalaureate. SEREN NETWORK Deeside Sixth is also an active partner in the prestigious Seren Network which supports high achievers to reach their academic potential through a regular programme of super-curricular activities. 8

9 TEACHING STANDARDS AND PROFESSIONALISM Deeside Sixth is a friendly and vibrant learning community focused on high quality teaching and learning experiences in a caring and supportive environment. We are proud of our committed, well qualified and hardworking staff, some of whom are national and international examiners in their subject disciplines. Some staff support ESTYN on inspections of colleges in Wales and staff participate in national course developments with awarding bodies. All of our staff are involved in regular curriculum reviews and monitoring to ensure continuous quality improvement to benefit our learners. FIND OUT MORE AT 9

10 OUTSTANDING CARE AND SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS Deeside Sixth life is likely to be different to what students have been used to at school, but we are here to offer support every step of the way. Personal Tutor - Students receive individual support from a Personal Tutor from the first moment that they join Deeside Sixth. This tutor will help them settle into college, guide them through their courses, offer support through any difficult times, monitor progress closely and celebrate successes. Support is always positive and in the second year the Personal Tutor will help with applications to university and other destinations such as careers or gap years. We regard this as so important, that we invite parents into Deeside Sixth within the first few weeks of term, to meet their son or daughter s Personal Tutor. Our Additional Support Team works with students with additional learning needs to ensure everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. An Additional Learning Plan is agreed to help students achieve their college goals and appropriate specialist equipment is provided to support a student in their studies if required. Regular tutorials are arranged and help is available in our well resourced base area. Deeside Sixth has a Disability Statement containing more detailed information which is updated annually and can be found on our website - Student welfare is our priority and we will help overcome any obstacles to success, achievement and progression. We can help with expert careers advice and guidance and university support, financial advice, arranging work experience or individual counselling if a student has personal difficulties. 10

11 MORE THAN JUST A QUALIFICATION ENRICHMENT & EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Students leave not just with their final qualifications, but with a wealth of rich experiences and life enhancing skills. Our extensive enrichment programme helps students to develop personally and professionally for their future. It includes cultural, musical, sporting, entrepreneurial and volunteering opportunities that extend students horizons. Students also have a wide range of clubs and societies that they can join and throughout the academic year there are many course trips and visits planned. There are also a range of visiting speakers including local politicians, lecturers from universities plus Airbus apprenticeship talks. 11

12 SHOWCASING SKILLS At Deeside Sixth we offer opportunities for our students to showcase their skills and gain experience in a number of high profile competitions such as the Bank of England Target 2 Challenge, Physics Olympiad, Biology Olympiad, Glyndŵr University Journalism Prize and Royal Society of Chemistry Competition. CELEBRATING SUCCESS We are keen to recognise our students achievements and celebrate success, effort and endeavour. This is done constantly throughout the year with students being identified every week for their hard work, but particularly at the end of the final term when the most impressive students from every course are invited into college (with their parents) to attend the annual Endeavour Awards. ALUMNICAMBRIA Did you attend Coleg Cambria or any colleges that came before it? If so we would be really interested in hearing from you. Please visit or alumni@cambria.ac.uk We would love to hear your story! We are especially proud of those students who have left us for prestigious universities and careers, and we have developed an active alumni association, alumnicambria, which involves these former students in helping the development of those currently studying at the college. 12

13 NOTE TO PARENTS We feel that parents/guardians play a vital role in ensuring students success at Deeside Sixth and we are committed to establishing a successful and supportive relationship with them. We regularly communicate with parents/ guardians via letters, reports and consultation evenings to keep them informed of their son or daughter s progress. This includes feedback about their behaviour, homework and exam assessments and comments from their Personal Tutor. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY We re proud to have a college community that celebrates equality and diversity and ensures everyone is valued. As students and staff at Deeside Sixth we: Reflect the diverse communities we serve Respect and celebrate the different backgrounds and cultures of all learners, staff and visitors OUR EXPECTATIONS Deeside Sixth has high expectations of all students, including good attendance and punctuality so that they have the chance to achieve their full potential. Attendance and punctuality form part of the disciplined and reasonable behaviour we expect of all Deeside Sixth members. We have a disciplinary process designed to ensure that the learning environment is friendly, safe, civilised and focused on success. Have zero tolerance of bullying and harassment Treat all learners and staff equally and fairly Ensure learning and college services are accessible to all Challenge prejudice 13

14 ENTRY CRITERIA ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS HOW TO APPLY A minimum of 6 full course GCSEs grade C or above, including a grade C or above in one of GCSE English or GCSE English Language. (GCSE English Literature is NOT a substitute). All AS Level students will normally undertake 3 AS/A Level subjects plus the Welsh Baccalaureate at Advanced level. Where GCSE Maths grade C or above is not a requirement of the individual AS subject, students with a D or lower are required to undertake GCSE Maths during their course to enable appropriate progression to higher education or employment. Visit our website to find out more about our courses and apply online - You are also welcome to visit us at one of our Open Events. If you wish to discuss your options further our Admissions Department is here to help you so please contact us on FIND OUT MORE AT 14