Sixth Form Prospectus

BISHOP VESEY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL INSPIRATION AND EXCELLENCE Sixth Form Prospectus 2022-23

Inspiration and Excellence

Dear applicant, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar school is a very special place. Since the 16th Century, we have provided an outstanding, academically challenging and well-rounded education for able students, irrespective of background, from Birmingham and across the Midlands. Our academic profile at A Level is consistently in the top fifty schools nationally. Judging us outstanding in 2010, 2011 and 2014, OFSTED wrote in our most recent inspection “The Sixth Form is outstanding. Standards are consistently amongst the highest in the country”.

A high percentage of our students move on to prestigious Russell Group Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. We provide specialist support for a variety of applications and our students benefit from our numerous academic societies including Medicine, Dentistry and Politics, Philosophy and Law. We welcome current academics and professionals to our School on a regular basis, who provide our students with the inspiration and advice that helps them to make strong applications to the most competitive institutions. We also organise ‘Interview and Mini Medical Interview Preparation Days’ for courses that have specialised entry criteria. “Every opportunity is taken to bring in visiting speakers from business and the professions, and students are encouraged to attend careers fairs”. (OFSTED 2014) I am proud to head up a highly skilled Sixth Form Team who is passionate about developing the young people in our care. Pastoral care is outstanding. We have highly skilled and trained staff who can respond to the emotional needs of students during their A-Level studies. We strive to create an environment where students can fulfil their academic potential and develop the professional skills required for adult life. At BVGS we pride ourselves on excellent monitoring and early intervention as a means of helping all of our students to maximise their potential.

We also place a considerable emphasis on nurturing the whole person and offer an exciting range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities. Our extra-curricular provision is first-rate and wide ranging. Our Wednesday Games afternoon includes a wide range of sporting activities to reflect the varying interests and abilities of our students. Many of our students take part in competitive fixtures in Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, Cross Country and Netball, against other schools from across the Midlands and beyond. In addition, BVGS has a proud tradition in organising international sporting tours for our teams.

We also have an excellent reputation for Music and Drama. Many of our students are involved in Orchestras, Ensembles, Companies and Choirs at the highest level across the Midlands. There are regular performance opportunities across the year. The Clive Richards Music Centre houses excellent rehearsal and performance spaces as well as teaching by a variety peripatetic musicians.

The Department also facilitates performance opportunities at Birmingham Symphony Hall and European Music Tours for our students.

Our Co-curricular programme offers a wide range of opportunities for Sixth Form students. Examples include the Extended Project Qualification, Chess, Cooking, Formula 1 in schools and a stock market challenge.

Inspiration and Excellence

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Sixth Form students are also expected to make contributions to the school and local communities through participation in our ‘Enrichment Programme’. Students from the school volunteer in a range of charitable and ‘care’ institutions. They also act as academic mentors to our younger students and support activities with Primary schools.

The leadership potential of our Sixth Formers is nurtured and encouraged with our students filling a multitude of roles. Students feel empowered and trusted to bring about positive change across the school. Leadership opportunities are performed through our House System, School Council, Charity Team or as Mental Health Officers and Equality Officers.

A-Level study at BVGS is a linear process. From day one, students are prepared for examinations at the end of a two-year journey. Most students take three A-Levels but our highest achievers (based on GCSE results) have the opportunity to take four subjects. The academic success of our School is based around an assessment model, which guarantees all students at least two assessments per subject per half term. All of these assessments are followed by detailed feedback and are based on examination board criteria.

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School is constantly refining and improving the admissions process for entry to our Sixth Form. We are keen to welcome students who are both committed academics and willing participants in our flourishing school community.

Please note that for 2023, our initial admissions process involves an online application, which can be found on the homepage of the school website: www.bvgs.co.uk. This will open following the Sixth Form Open Evening and will close on 31st January 2023. If we receive a number of applications, which exceed our ‘PAN’ for 2023, we will request additional information from candidates, in accordance with our ‘Over Subscription Criteria’.

Prior to the commencement of Sixth Form study, BVGS will offer a number of induction opportunities to support your transition from Year 11 to Sixth Form study at BVGS. The focus for this process will be the provision of effective strategies aimed at ‘bridging the gap’ between GCSE and ALevel.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Ms V Miller

Mr D Robson

Head of Sixth Form

Headteacher

Inspiration and Excellence

Admissions Policy In the Sixth Form at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, we celebrate diversity. We encourage applications from our BVGS Year 11 students alongside students from Greater Birmingham and beyond. Our Sixth Form consists of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds: students attend from previously Comprehensive, Grammar and Independent sectors. We admit a minimum of 80 external students to our Sixth Form each year.

Admission to the Sixth Form is based on performance in a student’s best 8 GCSE results including English Language and Mathematics. Throughout the document this is referred to as ‘Best 8’.

Points are awarded for GCSE grades achieved in English Language and Mathematics, plus the best 6 grades achieved in other full course subjects.

A minimum score of 52 points in the ‘Best 8’ will be required to gain entry to Sixth Form.

Points are awarded as follows:

GCSE Grade Points 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 Other Grade Points Level 2 Distinction * (D*) 8.5 Level 2 Distinction (D) 7 Level 2 Merit (M) 5.5 Level 2 Pass (P2) 4 Level 1 Pass (P1) 2.5 Legacy and International GCSE Grade Points A* 9 A 7 B 6 C 5 D 4 E 3

Inspiration and Excellence

Important Supporting Detail   



Applicants will also require a minimum of a grade 5 in GCSE English Language and Mathematics in order to gain entry to the Sixth Form.

In order to be able to study a particular subject at A-Level, a minimum of a grade 7 at GCSE in that subject is expected (except in the case of Further Maths where a grade 8 GCSE is required) Where the subject has not been taken at GCSE, a specified equivalent subject will be used. For example if a student wishes to study A-Level Economics or Computer Science the GCSE grade for Mathematics will be used. In the case of Psychology we will take the GCSE Biology grade.

If a student wishes to take Physics at A-Level they must also undertake an A-Level in Mathematics.

Over Subscription Criteria Priority will always be given to students who have studied their GCSE qualifications at BVGS, if they meet the published entry criteria.

In September 2023 BVGS will admit a minimum of 80 external applications to Year 12.

In the case of over subscription, priority will be given to students based on the following criteria. The criteria will be applied in rank order:  Looked after children (in public care).  Students who have been eligible for Pupil Premium funding in Year 11  If an applicant has a best 8 subject score which is equal to another candidate, we shall then apply the average score of the 3 stated A-Level subjects or an equivalent subject if it is not taken at GCSE. If the data is still identical then a tie breaker will be applied based on close proximity to the school according to the straight line distance between home and school.  If a student meets the admissions requirement but we are unable to offer a place based on the criteria detailed above they will automatically be placed on a waiting list.

Inspiration and Excellence

Academic success Our excellent academic performance place us comfortably in the top state schools in the country for attainment.

'Bishop Vesey's Grammar School should be congratulated for their exceptional achievement.

They have proved themselves to be leading the field in improving GCSE outcomes for their students.'

Sue Williamson, Chief Executive, SSAT

A positive and disciplined learning community The school aims to establish a purposeful and efficient learning environment by:        

Promoting outstanding behaviour and discipline A school ethos of encouragement and rewards of academic and non-academic achievements including positive feedback, merits, certificates and colours.

Promoting self-discipline Ensuring fairness in the treatment of all Encouraging consistency of response to both positive and negative behaviour Providing a safe environment Encouraging a positive relationship with parents and carers A zero tolerance approach to bullying and prejudice of any kind

We pride ourselves on being a well-ordered and disciplined community which protects the safety and happiness of all our students.

Inspiration and Excellence

Pastoral care Outstanding pastoral care is central to the success of our school. We believe that happy learners are successful people. Every student has a Form Tutor with whom they have daily contact. Every year group has a Head of Year who fosters a positive team ethos for their students. In addition, there are learning mentors who are there to support students at each Key Stage.

As a school, we track student performance very carefully. The pastoral team are very alert to any dip in student performance or commitment.

Our Curriculum We will be offering the following A-levels. (Please note that there are inevitably some timetabling constraints, so not all combinations of subjects are possible, but we do our best to satisfy the vast majority of individual needs).         

 Geography  History  Mandarin  Mathematics  Music  Physical Education  Physics  Psychology  Religious Studies  Spanish BVGS also offer the ‘Extended Project Qualification’, as a ‘Co-curricular Option’ in Year 12.

Art and Design Biology Chemistry Computing Design Technology Economics English Literature French Further Mathematics

Inspiration and Excellence

Student Leadership Involving students in the running of the school and its activities is central to our aim to empower and share responsibility. Increased opportunities exist from Year 7 all the way to Sixth Form with a variety of roles including School Captains, Presidents of the School Council, House Captain, Charity, Mental Health, and Equality Officers.

The School Day 8:00 am 8.00 am 8.45 - 9.05am 3.05-3.15pm 4.05pm After school

Library opens Dining Room opens Registration/assembly School ends Library closes Extra-curricular activities

Week 2 Thursday p6 co-curricular period ends at 4.15pm for all students.

Music Students have the opportunity to partake in instrumental tuition from our vast array of visiting specialist teachers in woodwind, brass, percussion, strings, voice and keyboard.

The Music Department also runs a number of ensembles for students who perform at school concerts. The principal aim of these groups is to consolidate the work of our visiting staff and prepare students for public performances. There are plenty of opportunities for students to showcase their musical talents in assemblies, concerts, and on exciting Music Tours to various locations in Europe.

Inspiration and Excellence

Inter-school fixtures There are a large number of fixtures organised at all age levels in the major sports of rugby, hockey, rowing, crosscountry, athletics and cricket. We have an amazing fixture list featuring some of the top public schools in the country such as Shrewsbury, Warwick and Repton as well as local state schools. Some of these fixtures take place on Games afternoons but the majority take place on Saturdays or Sundays or at other times outside school hours.

An outward-looking community The school has a long established tradition of supporting both local and national charities.

This is done on a regular basis through form or year group charity efforts. Students, led by the School Charity Captain and their team, have recently raised funds for many different charities and organisations including the Edward’s Trust, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the United Nations High Commission for Refugee’s.

All the world’s a stage!

At BVGS, there are plenty of opportunities to perform. Drama flourishes here. We are currently working towards a production of ‘Animal Farm’. Students also get the opportunity to study LAMDA and take LAMDA exams. Results in LAMDA examinations are outstanding.

‘This is a high performing school where students make rapid progress and reach exceptionally high standards’ Ofsted 2014

Inspiration and Excellence

Leavers Destinations 2022 Oxbridge Cambridge Oxford Russell Group Birmingham

Bristol

Cardiff Durham Exeter Imperial College London King’s College London Leeds

11 4 7

Subjects Studying Chemical Engineering/ Mathematics/ Music/ Natural Sciences English Language and Literature/ Chemistry/ Philosophy, Politics and Economics/ History/ Economics and Management/ Physics 111 Subjects Studying 17 Medicine/ Biomedical Science/ Accounting and Finance/ Money, Banking and Finance/ Aerospace Engineering/ Psychology/ Economics/ Sociology/ English/ Chemistry/ Computer Science 9 BA Modern Languages/ Economics/ History/ Medicine/ History/ Mathematics/ Politics and International Relations/ Law/ Business and Management 2 Electrical and Electronic Engineering/ Human Geography 7 History/ Chemistry/ Biological Sciences/ Politics and International Relations/ Natural Sciences/ International Relations 1 English 1 Mathematics and Computer Science 3

Medicine/ Modern Languages

5

Medicine/ Chemical and Energy Engineering/ Mechanical Engineering/ Economics and Politics/ Music, Multimedia and Electronics Medicine/ Business Economics/ Geography/ Geography and Planning/ Geography (Science)/ International Business/ Psychology/ Aerospace Engineering/ Hispanic Studies with Italian/ Theoretical Physics/ Business Economics/ Business Management Economics and Economic History

Liverpool

14

London School of Economics and Political Science Manchester

1

Newcastle Nottingham

3 13

Queen’s University Belfast Sheffield

1

Southampton

2

15

5

Chemical Engineering/ Geography/ Chemistry/ Law/ Physics/ Politics and Modern History/ Medical Physiology/ Mathematics/ Accounting/ Economics and Finance/ Medicine/ Computer Science Computer Science (Game Engineering)/ Pharmacy/ Accounting and Finance Archaeology/ Medicine/ Mathematics/ Medical Physiology and Therapeutics/ Engineering and Physical Sciences/ Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering/ Biotechnology/ Law/ American and Canadian Studies/ Engineering and Physical Sciences/ History/ Law/ Psychology Pharmaceutical Sciences Economics/ Civil Engineering/ Law/ Psychology/ Accounting and Financial Management Aeronautics/ Oceanography Inspiration and Excellence

Warwick

8

York Other Universities Aberystwyth Aston

4 43 1 8

Bath BIMM Birmingham City Buckinghamshire New De Montford Derby East Anglia Keele Lancaster

3 1 2 1

Leeds Beckett Leicester

1 5

Loughborough Nottingham Trent Portsmouth Royal Veterinary College, University of London Sheffield Hallam St Andrews Surrey Swansea Apprenticeships Engineering Paramedic

2 1 1 1

Accounting and Finance Forensic Psychology Engineering Law Sports and Exercise Science/ Physics/ Geography/ Biochemistry/ Mechanical Engineering/ Psychology Business Economics Medical Biochemistry/ Midwifery with Leadership/ Medicine/ Business Economics/ Medical Biochemistry Architecture/ Computer Science and Mathematics Civil Engineering Renewable Energy Engineering Veterinary Medicine

1 1 2 1

Physiotherapy English Economics/ Veterinary Pharmacy

2 1

Mott MacDonald, Cundall NHS

1 1 1 1 7

History and Politics/ Philosophy, Politics and Economics/ Mathematics and Statistics/ Computer Science/ Biochemistry/ Biological Sciences/ Neuroscience/ Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry Actuarial Science/ History and Politics/ Theoretical Physics/ History Subjects Studying Geography Economics and Management/ Medicine/ Mechanical Engineering/ Optometry/ Pharmacy/ Mathematics Economics/ Civil Engineering/ Pharmacy Song writing and Music Production Accounting and Finance/ Filmmaking Air Transport with Commercial Pilot Training

Inspiration and Excellence

A- Level Results 2022 Subject Biology Chemistry Physics Mathematics Mathematics Further Computer Studies/Computing Fine Art Geography History Economics Religious Studies Psychology English Literature French Spanish Punjabi Turkish Music Sport/PE Studies Total

Entries A* 91 87 52 130 25 16 4 35 42 34 10 37 25 11 11 1 1 6 17 635

22 15 17 34 12 6 0 8 22 8 4 19 8 2 1 0 1 2 7 188

A

B

39 13 31 30 19 11 46 19 8 1 6 2 3 1 15 11 17 3 20 4 4 2 11 5 13 1 5 1 6 3 1 0 0 0 4 0 4 5 252 112

Inspiration and Excellence

C

D

E

0

U A*-B%

10 6 3 20 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 53

7 4 1 8 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 23

0 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

81 87 90 76 84 87.5 100 97 100 94 100 95 88 73 91 100 100 100 94 86.93