WALSALL STUDIO SCHOOL. transforming your future... Small School, Big Difference PROSPECTUS FOR 2013 ENTRY

Transcription

1 WALSALL transforming your future... Small School, Big Difference PROSPECTUS FOR 2013 ENTRY

2 WELCOME TO WALSALL & SIXTH FORM CONTENTS Contents SECTION ONE INTRODUCTION Introduction to Walsall Studio School & Sixth Form The sponsor and partners In September 2013 we open a brand new home for education and training in Walsall town centre. Walsall Studio School & Sixth Form is located in the new Goldmine centre and offers a new approach to education for young people who achieve their very best through practical learning. Our unique Studio School, Studio Sixth and Studio Bridge programmes enable young people to achieve industryrecognised qualifications, build relationships with employers and get into employment or university. Specialising in Business Social Enterprise and a broad range of Creative and Digital disciplines Walsall Studio School and Sixth Form, is the perfect fit for year olds who are looking to develop their skills for employment in the 21st century. Our school provides an environment where enthusiasm for business, creativity and collaborative cross-curricular teamwork drive new learning and prepare students for a broad range of exciting career pathways. We will be delivering a personalised learning experience for all our students in a close-knit family environment where we prioritise personal discipline, respect and care for each other and our community. If you join us as a student I want you to know that we are here to (1) help you discover and follow your dreams (2) develop and apply your talents and (3) fuel the ambition you have for your future career. Our goal is to support you in being work-ready. We know that choosing a new school at the age of 14 or indeed deciding to join us at Sixth Form is a big decision and we want to give you as much information as possible to help you make your decision. We have a number of open events and activities planned for you and there is more information on our website We are a small school intent on making a big difference for young people and we would love to talk to you about the brand new unique opportunities at our Studio School & Sixth Form. Principal WALSALL transforming your future... SECTION TWO REAL WORK Live Projects Work Placements / Internships Progression into employment SECTION THREE COURSES & LEARNING Studio School: Years 10 & 11 for students aged 15 and 16 Studio Sixth: Years 12 & 13 for students aged 16 and 17 Studio Bridge: Unique opportunities for students aged 17 or 18 On separate inserts at the back of the prospectus: SECTION FOUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ACADEMY SECTION FIVE YOUR QUESTIONS SECTION SIX HOW TO APPLY Application and interview process 02 Published Entry Criteria 02

3 INTRODUCTION TO WALSALL & SIXTH FORM Walsall Studio School is a brand-new school and sixth form for year olds based within the state of the art 2.7m Goldmine centre (a 5 minute walk from Walsall train station and Saddlers Centre). The Studio School & Studio Sixth provides unique personalised learning pathways for young people in a range of established and cutting edge curriculum areas to prepare young people for the world of work, now and in the future. Walsall Studio School is small in numbers (with no more than 50 students in each year 10 & 11, and no more than 200 students in the sixth form). It is high in expectations (for all its students achievements) and broad in outlook (preparing students to reach confidently into a world of opportunity). For more information about what courses are available for you please see the pages listed below. : KS4 Year 10 & 11 Ages 14 & 15 GCSEs BTEC Firsts Page No. 07 SIXTH: SIXTH FORM Year 12 & 13 Ages 16 & 17 L2 BTEC Diplomas L3 BTEC Diplomas A Levels Page No. 08 BRIDGE: 1-YR FAST TRACKS Unique One-Year Programmes for 17 & 18 year olds Fast Track BTEC Qualifications as a bridge to employment or university Page No. 08 Young people have told us that they want to achieve more qualifications and higher grades. They know they need improve their employability skills and want to see that there are clear career pathways open to them. Along with our business and educational partners we, as the sponsor, will ensure Walsall Studio School delivers 21st century education for young people giving them hope, confidence and the skills and experiences they need to walk into their own bright future. Kevin Davis, CEO The Vine Trust Group Our key educational partner is Queen Mary s Grammar School who has been part of the design and development of the Walsall Studio School from the start. With our support, the school will provide an excellent education service whatever your talents and abilities. We will expect you to set your sights on excellence. In return, we will provide every one of you with the opportunity to realise your potential. We will expect to work alongside your parents, guardians and families to support and encourage high aspirations for you all. Tim Swain, Headmaster Queen Mary s Grammar School SECTION ONE INTRODUCTION The staff team at Walsall Studio School & Studio Sixth use the most successful approaches to teaching, learning and pastoral support. They are experts at facilitating student learning and discovery using projects throughout each year that require collaboration and creative teamwork. Walsall Studio School uses the CREATE framework of employability skills: Applying Knowledge, Communication, Relating to People, Enterprise, Thinking Skills and Emotional Intelligence. Walsall Studio School is for young people who achieve their best through practical hands on learning and for those who will benefit from the experience of working directly with employers at the same time as studying for nationally recognised qualifications. THE SPONSOR AND PARTNERS Business & Social Enterprise Specialism Walsall Studio School is sponsored by the Vine Trust Group. Known regionally and nationally for its entrepreneurial expertise and social enterprise activities, the Vine Trust provides specialist knowledge and skills in developing and nurturing an enterprising culture within the school. The sponsor has set the challenge of ensuring the seven key strands of enterprise: (1) Social, (2) cultural, (3) community, (4) commercial, (5) creative, (6) industrial, and (7) international enterprise form the basis and core theme of the school. Walsall Studio School will be one of the first in the region to offer students and their parents a unique opportunity to choose a new educational pathway in a practical learning environment at the age of 14+. The Walsall Studio School has secured the support of a number of key businesses, entrepreneurs and educational partners and the list continues to grow as more employers recognise the benefit of working directly with young people. (The up-to-date list of partner employers is available on our website)

4 WORK PLACEMENTS & INTERNSHIPS The most significant difference from your current school or sixth form is that you will spend up to 2 days a week in the workplace. When you join Walsall Studio School or Sixth Form you will be assigned one or more companies that you will work with during your time with us. If you join us in year 10 you will undertake a placement each week, which will form a key part of one of your vocational qualifications. In the sixth form you will undertake a paid work placement/internship, which will make you stand head and shoulders above the competition when the time comes for you to enter employment. With support from: IKEA BLACK COUNTRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WALSALL HOUSING GROUP ADULLAM HOUSING SALTMINE THEATRE COMPANY STRAND HARDWARE LTD PREMIER BUSINESS PARK KALL KWIK WARBURTONS WALSALL COUNCIL Go to Walsallstudioschool.co.uk/supporters for more information. SECTION TWO REAL WORK If you are looking for an education that will support you on your journey into your dream job, or a university degree on route to your dream job, the Walsall Studio School and Sixth Form is the ideal choice for you. PROGRESSION INTO EMPLOYMENT Students join Walsall Studio School at the end of Year 9 in existing School Students join Walsall Studio School at the end of Year 11 in existing School LIVE PROJECTS As a student at the Walsall Studio School you will benefit from Live Project Briefs where local employers contribute to setting the work you do and provide you with feedback on your assessment and achievements at the project s completion. Live project briefs provide you with opportunities to respond to the expectations of employers and experience of real work while learning within the studio school itself. Year 10 & 11 GCSEs & BTECs Work Placements Students join Walsall Studio School at the end of sixth form study elsewhere or having changed their mind about existing sixth form elsewhere SIXTH Sixth Form Main Voc BTEC Paid Work BRIDGE 17/18 yr olds Fast Track 1-Yr BTEC Internship UNIVERSITY EMPLOYMENT 05 06

5 Please note that the curriculum listed here is provisional and the final course offer is subject to change. : YEARS 10 & 11 FOR STUDENTS AGED 15 AND 16 GCSE & BTEC Vocational Qualifications Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11 An academic core of GCSE subjects Vocational qualifications in growth areas for jobs (valued by employers and Higher education) Live project briefs set by employers and a weekly industry placement The CREATE Framework of employability skills Additional subjects ensuring a balanced curriculum with extensive enrichment opportunities GCSE s 1 + Qualifications in year 10 and 11 In years 10 & 11 you will gain a range of GCSE and BTEC qualifications. We group them into 4 broad categories: (1) Core GCSE Subjects (2) Subjects that prepare you for life and employment in the 21st century (3) Subjects that are linked to culture, arts and our community (4) a bespoke vocational subject based on your work placement Preparing for Life & Employment in the 21st Century (inc. Specialism) 2 SIXTH FORM: YEARS 12 & 13 FOR STUDENTS AGED 16 AND 17 Vocational programmes tailored to meet the needs and interests of individual students, providing both suitable stretch and support in curriculum design to enable achievement at a range of Award/Certificate/Diplomas One Year L2 Diploma Programmes in each listed area (alongside re-sits of GCSE English and Maths as appropriate) Two Year L3 Extended Diploma (Subsidiary Diploma in Y12 topped-up to Extended Diploma in Y13 for 2 year sixth form students) in each listed area Two Year L3 Diploma/Extended Diploma with additional A Levels in English/Maths where appropriate BRIDGE: UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AGED 17 OR 18 One-Year L3 Diploma/Extended Diploma Programmes (FAST TRACK) in each listed area SECTION THREE COURSES & LEARNING English Maths Science ICT Chinese Mandarin (Optional, Additional)* Geography (Optional, Additional)* Culture, Arts & Our Community Choose either route 3 ROUTE 1: Design & Creative Media or ROUTE 2: Performing Arts: Music/Drama/Dance with Religious Education & PSHE integrated within each route + Business & Entrepreneurship (Inc. Social Enterprise) Digital & Creative Technology Work Placement-linked Award (BTEC) One only linked to placement *TBC with employer placements Business & Customer Service Professional Services / Accounts Engineering Culinary Arts & Hospitality Care Professions

6 PERSONALISED LEARNING Personalised Curriculum A bespoke personalised pathway can be developed for you by our team of coaches and partners. For example, additional A Level qualifications can be explored alongside your identified vocational specialist pathway - contact us to discuss your future! Business & Entrepreneurship Professional Services Business & Social Enterprise Customer Service Retail Engineering for the Digital Age 3D Design & Engineering Drawing Building / Product Design (CAD) Electronic & Communications (Principles & applications) Performing Arts (Theatre) Drama Dance Musical Theatre Creative Computer Science & IT New Media Web & Apps Software Development Data Manufacturing & Engineering Culinary Arts & Hospitality Hospitality & Events Catering Professional Cookery Customer Service Retail Entertainment Creation & Digital Media 3D Design & Animation Games Design Special Visual Effects (SFX) Film & Video Production New Media (Web & Apps) Advertising & Marketing Live Events Production Lighting & Visual Audio & Sound Live Internet TV Multi-camera Broadcast Radio Broadcast Video Production & Graphics Promotion & Sales ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES & EXTENDED CURRICULUM There will be many enrichment activities at the Walsall Studio School and they will develop each month as we respond to new opportunities. Initial enrichment activities are likely to include: Music Performances Dance and Performance Film Club Community Radio Sport and Fitness Computer Club FRAMEWORK The CREATE framework underpins all teaching, learning, work based and enrichment activities at the Studio School. The framework is based on the skills set identified by the CBI as most likely to enable people to succeed at work. Your development of these skills will be supported and monitored by our personal coaches. Communication Relating to others Enterprise and creative behaviour Applying knowledge Thinking Emotional intelligence The CREATE framework will promote the ethos of good citizenship, and help students to develop their CREATE skills. Our personal coaches provide individual students with a clear understanding of the skills they have already developed and are using and those which need further development. Production Arts Sound Engineering and 09 career aspirations. 06 Dance for video/film Acting for Camera Music & Music Technology Production Music Performance Creative Music Technology Live Sound Sonic Design Music Production Initial Advice & Guidance (Entry Criteria) We will always ensure you are studying at an appropriate level for you to achieve and progress. To study these pathways at Level 2 you will need at least 4xD grades at GCSE. To study these pathways at Level 3 you will need at least 4xC grades at GCSE. As part of initial advice and guidance we may ask you to participate in practical workshops to demonstrate your skill and ability in a particular area. VOCATIONAL SPECIALIST PATHWAYS ( SIXTH & BRIDGE) A range of A level subjects can be added to your chosen vocational pathway where it supports your

7 WALSALL transforming your future... In association with Walsall Studio School, The Goldmine Centre, 14a Lower Hall Lane, Walsall, West Midlands WS1 1RL. t f e. walsallstudioschool.co.uk Follow us on: Find us walsallstudioschool