Sixth Form
Your
AL O P T IO N
02
A LEVEL
Your Springboard to Success starts with your Personalised Curriculum. You will choose three A Levels to study over the course of the next two years. Exceptional students may choose an additional A level to complement their studies. Students should take advantage of tutor and specialist advice in School before making their final choices.
The tailored programme of Personal Development in the Sixth Form begins on the very first day of term and focuses on your physical and mental well-being throughout the Sixth Form and beyond. The programme supports effective learning, supportive friendships and the development of your personal interests in and outside of school.
Preparation for the Future is a unique programme of opportunities at Channing. From our excellent careers service to Channing Lectures, the highly valued EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), UCAS support to the Oxbridge Programme, we are experts in helping you realise your university, career and future aspirations.
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‘The quality of pupils’ achievements and learning is exceptional’ Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), April 2015. Channing School was rated at the highest level in all areas. Please read the full report which is available on our website: www.channing.co.uk
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Contents Your Springboard to Success
02
Welcome to Channing Sixth Form
06
Life in The Sixth Form
08
Your Personalised Curriculum
10
Personal Development
12
Preparation for the Future
14
Channing Best Bits
16
Examination Results
18
Leavers’ Destinations
20
The Admissions Process
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Welcome to Channing Sixth Form “Open the glass doors to the new state-of-the-ar t Sixth Form Centre at Channing and you’ll immediately get a sense that something special awaits. This is a place to realise your ambitions, to make friends for life and experience independence, not only in the educational choices you will need to make, but in the freedom you have to express yourself, contribute to a lively, suppor tive community and discover new skills and talents! There are so many reasons to choose Channing. Here are just a few...
Mrs Barbara Elliott, Headmistress
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Springboard to Success Do you dream of winning a place at Oxbridge or one of the elite Russell Group universities? If so, Channing can help turn that dream into reality. It’s not enough to get good A Level grades (and we know how to help you get those A*s and As); Universities are looking for so much more nowadays and we know how to support you to realise your ambitions and equip you with the life skills you need in order to succeed in the next stage of your education.
Thinking of the future Whatever your career aspirations, our dedicated and highly experienced staff will be there to guide you every step of the way. We will help you identify what it is you want to study, where you want to study it (be it be in the UK or abroad) and exactly what it is you need to do to get there. Our bespoke university application programme is rigorous; the support, interview practice and work experience contacts we provide are second to none. In short, our expertise ensures that, each year, our Sixth Formers go on to study at some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Academic Excellence We will help you grow both personally and intellectually. Our A Level classes are small, our teachers are all specialists in their subject areas and their lessons will challenge, stretch and inspire.
The result is that our students work hard because they want to, not because they have to. Our consistently excellent A Level results and individual success stories speak for themselves.
Exploring the Wider World We encourage you to develop a love of learning and an intellectual curiosity about the world in which you live. That means going to exhibitions, attending conferences and visiting museums, art galleries and the theatre. Channing’s close proximity to Central London enables us to organise trips on an almost daily basis and allows you to access the best in the world’s greatest city.
Friends for Life Channing students always talk fondly of their time in the Sixth Form; the fun they have, the friends they make and the opportunities it gives them to take a leading role in the life of the school. Our standards are high and places are limited but I would urge you to come and see for yourself and apply. We would love to meet you.”
Mrs Barbara Elliott
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Life in the Sixth Form Director of Sixth Form, Ms J Newman, met with Channing Head Girls Zoe and Maisie to reflect on life in the Sixth Form. JN: Your two years in the Sixth Form will be the most
exciting and rewarding of your school career. You will be studying subjects you enjoy in a completely different way to GCSE whilst embarking on the lengthy process of applying for university.
Maisie: You’ll also be enjoying the state-of-the-art facilities in our fantastic Sixth Form centre!
JN: Great surroundings aside, the Sixth Form is
without doubt the most challenging part of your time at school. We will give you far more responsibility and independence in order to prepare you for university and your career and support you in your transition to adulthood. Now more than ever, young people need to be equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed in the workplace. Channing is the ideal place to acquire those skills and you’ll also leave here as a determined, independent-thinking individual who is not afraid to make her own decisions.
Zoe: We are a close community- unlike very much
larger Sixth Forms: here, staff and pupils know each other by name and if we want to share ideas or need some help, there is always someone willing to spend time with us.
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JN: For example, some students might start a subject at
A Level only to discover that it’s not what they thought. If it’s within the first few weeks, we will help students find another course and make sure they catch up on any work missed.
Maisie: In the Sixth Form we have been challenged to
contribute thoughts and opinions more than ever before and as a result, feel listened to and appreciated for our contribution. We work in much smaller classes and we all benefit from the individual attention this allows.
JN: You are academically challenged and offered
numerous opportunities for leadership in the school community. Our Sixth Form Officers are role models for the whole school and set the standard exceptionally high.
You set the tone and your relationship with the younger girls leads them to respect you and follow your lead.
universities. Staff keep in touch with their old Colleges and can provide a huge wealth of experience, expertise and advice.
Zoe: There are so many leadership opportunities
Zoe: Being in a mixed form of Year 12 and Year
at this school, and we all make the best of them. For example, we have an Officer Team, who help guide subject and year specific activities throughout the year. These leadership opportunities enable us to help with our team building skills, management capabilities and cooperation skills as we are able to interact with lower years and each other.
Maisie: We are both doing Gold Duke of
Edinburgh at the moment and the expeditions are definitely some of our Channing highlights so far! Hiking and camping with the same group of people for a week definitely forms strong friendships, meaning we have a good time whilst learning key life skills and finding ways to demonstrate our leadership skills. In Sixth Form we have the opportunity to run our own clubs. I’ve loved running a history film club as it’s furthered my own knowledge and allowed me to show some of my favourite films to others!
JN: During Year 12, you will be invited to attend
a series of lectures and presentations on Post 18 choices from our Head of Careers, external speakers (including Admissions Tutors from universities) and of course, me. You should try and go to as many as you can - the information is invaluable. We also run sessions on the UCAS process, the writing of personal statements and subject specific sessions led by tutors who attended Russell Group universities. Plus many teachers are graduates of Oxford and Cambridge and we know exactly what it takes to win a place at the UK’s most academically demanding
13 students means that Year 12s are exposed to the UCAS experience early on. Additional weekly support is given to all students interested in studying medicine, dentistry and veterinary science at university.
Maisie: At Channing, we are so fortunate to have
such a wide variety of speakers regularly coming to give talks. Just this year we have had talks about drugs, body positivity, feminist poetry, and internet safety. Whilst covering compulsory subjects such as sex education and first aid, we also learn about themes such as mental health disorders, positivity and gender and sexuality. At the beginning of this year, Sophia and I presented a PSHE lesson on negative language that girls face and how that can limit their potential.
Zoe: Hard work aside, there are also plenty of
opportunities to develop your personal interests. I have pursued my love for netball throughout my time in the Sixth Form. I train with the school team and an outside club. This has taught me how to manage my time and commitments.
JN: With many opportunities to work collaboratively, students quickly bond and there is a natural and very strong sense of mutual support. It’s an exciting time, but also there is some anxiety about ‘the future’. However, Channing knows how to guide you through your next steps at a pace which allows you to enjoy your time as well as making those all-important decisions!
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Your Personalised Curriculum Current A Level Entry Criteria You should achieve at least Grade 7s, or equivalent (A grades), in the subjects to be taken at A Level to qualify for entry into the Sixth Form. Most students in our Sixth Form will have at least 9 or 10 GCSEs, the majority at 9/8/7, A* or A Grade. These must include English and Maths. For individual subjects please check the specific entry requirements, as listed over the following few pages.
Advice on choosing your A Levels- Ms J Newman The Sixth Form curriculum is carefully structured around the need for breadth and diversity. However, our students are actively encouraged to study subjects that they enjoy and areas where they naturally excel. Before selecting subjects it is important for you to consider a number of factors. Firstly, consider whether you have a specific career or university in mind. You will not be able to apply to some university courses without having taken some specific A-levels (and achieved the right grades in them too, of course). For example, a degree in Economics at a top university will require Mathematics at A Level. Equally if you are considering a career in Medicine, you must have A level Chemistry plus at least one from Biology, Mathematics and Physics. For more information look at the UCAS website and investigate the typical A level requirements and make sure you will meet those requirements with your subject choices. Secondly, take time to consider your academic strengths. Some people are more suited to essay based courses such as History and English Literature, whilst others are more confident with a more numerical approach. Making decisions about academic options is potentially exciting but also somewhat daunting. Take into account the amount of coursework or practical elements involved and specific skills required. Talk to the Year 12 and 13 students who are studying at Channing – what is A level Government and Politics really like? Three A-levels are a lot tougher than GCSEs. The reason you take a particular subject is usually one (or more) of these three scenarios: you need it to pursue a particular career; it’s a subject you enjoy and are good at; or it’s a subject you’ve not studied before but you think will suit you. Either way, be prepared for a big jump in the level of difficulty when you transition from GCSE to A level.You will also see differences in the way you’re taught and in what is expected of you.
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How it works... Choose three A Level courses A LEVEL
A LEVEL
A LEVEL
ART | BIOLOGY | CHEMISTRY | CLASSICAL CIVILISATION DRAMA AND THEATRE | ECONOMICS | ENGLISH LITERATURE | FRENCH FURTHER MATHEMATICS | GEOGRAPHY | HISTORY | LATIN MATHEMATICS | MUSIC | PHYSICS | POLITICS | SPANISH *
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Exceptional students may add a 4th A Level A LEVEL ANY OF THE ABOVE
= Your Personalised Curriculum *A LEVEL GERMAN AND CLASSICAL GREEK MAY BE OFFERED, SUBJECT TO DEMAND
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Personal Development With Mrs R Williams As Assistant Director of Sixth Form, it is my pleasure to manage and advise you on the programmes and activities on offer at Channing, beyond the A-level curriculum. I passionately believe that, as educators, we have a duty to prepare you for the next stage of your journey. Now (more than ever), young women need to be fully equipped with the necessary academic and life skills to succeed in the workplace, and the world at large. The exceptional pastoral care, varied enrichment activities, community service and volunteering programme, leadership and team building opportunities, in addition to the careers advice, and UCAS and Oxbridge preparation, are as important as the subjects being studied for examinations.
Pastoral Care Your key advocate will be your form tutor and we have a team of 18 experienced tutors and co-tutors. Being in smaller groups than before means having the opportunity to know your teaching staff and your tutor much better, enabling them to support and guide you through every stage of your sixth form career. Get to know them - they will be writing your UCAS reference!
Physical Well-being Your regular sessions of physical exercise in the Sixth Form will not only be fun (think Zumba, Yoga and Aerobics to name a few), but they have many additional benefits. Studies have linked regular exercise with stress relief, improved selfconfidence, heightened brain performance, boosts in memory, creativity and the ability to learn new things. So your weekly work out might just be the thing you need to finish that essay!
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PSHE Preparing you for the next steps is a crucial apart of the PSHE programme. We are fortunate to have regular visits from Channing Alumnae and guest speakers who are always keen to come in and share their experiences of life beyond school: university courses, gap year opportunites and careers. In addition, both PSHE and form time are opportunities for you, your form and your tutor to discuss the many and varied issues you are facing during these important years in a safe and supportive environment.
Leadership and Team Building Whether it is as a Head Girl, a School Officer or one of the House Captains, participating in House competitions and debates, leading assemblies and PSHE lessons, or taking part in student panels, we are immensely proud of the way our students immerse themselves in the life of the school and make such a positive contribution. In Year 12, form seniors work with lower years in supporting Form Tutors. In addition, many Year 12s take on the role of mentor for younger students in particular subject areas. The array of extra-curricular clubs and societies on offer in the sixth form is quite staggering - ranging from Fem Soc to the Gardening Club. Many are run by or founded by the Sixth Form pupils themselves. In addition, the very successful and popular Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award is undertaken by many students. There is also the opportunity to take part in the rewarding Young Enterprise scheme and gain a taste of the world of work and the excitement of running your own business as an entrepreneur.
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Preparation for the Future The Enrichment Programme You will also have opportunities to extend your independent learning through the enrichment programme. This currently includes: Critical Thinking, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), Financial Awareness, Creative Writing, Current Affairs, Debating, Art and Drama, amongst others. It is a flexible programme where students can take several courses over the year.
Careers To support all aspirations, Dr Coupland has extended the Sixth Form Careers provision and, with the help of Mrs Lush, our Careers Assistant, organises a comprehensive programme of preparation. This includes an individual careers interview with an external advisor for every student. We strongly advise that you complete several work shadowing placements to experience a taster of various career roles and fields. The careers department works in close association with the Channing Parents Association to develop the Channing Work Experience Directory. This facility offers sixth formers the opportunity to apply for placement with a host from the Channing Community. We want you to create links and relationships that will guide you and support you through your next decade, your first job, your first promotion and your first tax return! Then we want you to come back to us as mentors and support others.
Community Service & Volunteering We are always impressed with the commitment and time already spent by many of our students in voluntary work in their own communities. Our voluntary work programme has links with several of our local community organisiations, who have built up close links with the school. Our aim is for every student in Year 12 to be engaged in a community service project, either organised by themselves or through our links.
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ICT Skills Channing Sixth Form is a hugely technology-rich learning environment. All Sixth Formers have an iPad and access to Chrome books to support learning and provide access to resources. The iPads and ‘Firefly’, our Virtual Learning Environment, help you to develop your education beyond the classroom. Our provision of technology at Channing will give you a more empowering role in your own education. You have been the first generation to benefit from broadband and digital communications and as a result of this, you are developing fundamentally different communication habits from previous generations. We strive to help you make considered, conscious decisions about the use of technology both inside and outside school. We know that technology alone will not replace collaboration, good judgment and problem-solving abilities. However, we do provide an environment that will support you through the Sixth Form stage in your educational career and prepare you for the next, very important step.
UCAS & Oxbridge The UCAS process at Channing starts in Year 12, with a full programme of visiting Admissions Tutors, expert speakers and tutor group conversations, beginning the process of matching your degree aspirations with the ideal university. We will help you make a compelling personal statement and your process of drafting and redrafting begins. In Year 13, with the support and guidance of your personal tutors and Heads of Department, you will be ready to submit your application, after a final support meeting with Mrs Elliott. If your university sights have been set on Oxford or Cambridge, or have a special application (including medicine, veterinary medicine or dentistry), you will receive the expert advice and support of Dr Coupland and her specialist mentor team of teachers, alumnae, parents and other expert advisors, in order to give you the best possible chance of securing an interview and ultimately, the offer of a place.
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Channing Best Bits!
We asked current Sixth Form students what they enjoyed most about life in the Sixth Form Jess
A chance to study new subjects I have really enjoyed Economics, which I have never studied before.
Lily
The freedom of expression... and plenty of good coffee to fuel my studies!
Amy
There is a very strong sense of community in the Sixth Form, we are all in it together!
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Anjuli
I really look forward to my Maths lessons they are challenging but very engaging.
Alice
There is a real freedom to study your chosen subjects at a much greater depth.
Lydia
We have very suppor tive teachers who help us prepare for the future and enjoy a true mutual respect for each other.
Lorna
I think, for me, it’s the Gold Duke of Edinburgh. It’s seriously challenging but we work together as a team to meet the demands we face!
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Examination Results A Level Results 2017
(2016 results in brackets)
A* GRADES 23.7%(26.3%); A GRADES 41.6%(43.2%); B GRADES 23.2%(21.3%); C GRADES 8.8%(6.7%); D GRADES 2.6%(2.1%); E GRADES 0%(0.5%). A* - B % GRADES = 88.4% (90.7%). A* – E % GRADES =100% (100%) NUMBER ENTERED
A*
A
B
C
D
E
Art & Design
9 (12)
3(8)
4(4)
2(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Biology
20(14)
7(5)
8(3)
3(3)
2(2)
0(1)
0(0)
Chemistry
18(17)
5(4)
10(6)
1(3)
1(3)
1(0)
0(1)
Classical Civilisation
2(5)
0(1)
2(3)
0(1)
0(0)
0(0)
0 (0)
Drama & Theatre Studies
2(4)
0(1)
0(3)
1(0)
1(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Economics
14(15)
3(4)
5(8)
6(2)
0(1)
0(0)
0(0)
English Literature
15(18)
6(12)
4(5)
4(1)
1(0)
0(0)
0(0)
French
10(8)
2(1)
5(7)
2(0)
1(0)
0(0)
0(0)
2(3)
2(1)
0(0)
0(1)
0(1)
0(0)
0(0)
11(11)
4(1)
4(6)
3(4)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(3)
0(0)
0(1)
0(2)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
17(18)
3(2)
7(8)
4(5)
3(3)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
19(17)
2(3)
7(8)
3(6)
5(0)
2(0)
0(0)
5(7)
2(3)
2(2)
1(2)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
28(26)
5(5)
11(11)
8(5)
2(3)
2(2)
0(0)
Music
4(3)
1(0)
2(2)
1(1)
0(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Physics
4(3)
0(0)
1(2)
2(1)
1(0)
0(0)
0(0)
Spanish
10(8)
0(0)
7(4)
3(3)
0(0)
0(1)
0(0)
SUBJECT
Further Mathematics Geography German Government & Politics Greek(Ancient) History Latin Mathematics
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Musicians Leora and Alexandra celebrate their A level success. Leora heads to Cambridge whilst Alexandra departs for Oxford, both to read music.
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Recent Leavers’ Destinations SUBJECT
UNIVERSITY
SUBJECT
UNIVERSITY
Zoology
Aberystwyth
Engineering
King’s College, London
Pharmacy
Bath
Medicine
Leeds
English
Birmingham
English & Philosophy
Leeds
Geography
Birmingham
Arabic and Spanish
Leeds
Biochemistry
Birmingham
Geography
Leeds
International Management
Leeds
Veterinary Science
Liverpool Manchester
Early Childhood Education and Care
Brighton
Politics, Philosophy & Ethics
Brighton
Medicine
Bristol
Geography with International Study
Film & Television
Bristol
Economics
Manchester
English
Bristol
Politics
Manchester
Sociology
Bristol
Interior Design
Manchester Met
History
Cambridge
History
Newcastle
History
Cambridge
Geography
Nottingham
Music
Cambridge
Business Management
Nottingham
Art Foundation
City & Guilds
Nottingham Trent
Modern Languages
Durham
Pharmacology (with year in industry)
History
Durham
History
Oxford
Applied Psychology
Durham
History
Oxford
Music
Durham
Music
Oxford
Anthropology
Durham
History
Oxford
Classics
Edinburgh
International Business (Spanish)
Regent’s London
History
Edinburgh
Politics
Sheffield
Chemistry with Environmental & Sustainable Chemistry and a Year Aboad
International Relations and Politics
Sheffield
Edinburgh
Engineering
Sheffield
Mathematics
Surrey
History
Edinburgh
Economics and Psychology
Sussex
English Literature
Edinburgh
Psychology
Edinburgh
International Relations / Human, Social and Political Science
Tokyo (full scholarship)
English and French
Edinburgh
Natural Sciences
UCL
English and Film Studies with Study Abroad
Exeter
Pharmacy
UCL
Mathematics
UCL
Medicinal Chemistry
Exeter
Chemistry
UCL
History / Theatre Studies
Kent
Hispanic Studies with French
Warwick
Social Anthropology
Kent
Psychology
York
Medicine
King’s College, London
Molecular Biology
York
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The Admissions Process
Academic scholarships are available on the strength of girls’ academic potential and contribution to the school community and the result of the scholarship examination. Progression from Year 12 to Year 13 is at the discretion of the Headmistress.
Sixth Form Admissions Sixth Form applicants have an interview with the Headmistress and with the Director of Sixth Form and another senior teacher. The candidate’s present school is asked for a reference and for GCSE predictions. Places are offered and are conditional on candidates’ meeting the entrance requirements.
Scholarships and bursaries. Academic scholarships are available for applicants of exceptional ability and potential. Applicants who apply for a scholarship must sit the scholarship examination.
Advice from Mrs Maureen McHarg, Registrar
Transfer to the Sixth Form Girls at Channing are offered places in the Sixth Form on the basis of their record in the Senior School. The typical academic profile of a student entering Year 12 is 9 or 10 GCSE grades at Grade 7 or above (A or A* equivalent), including English and Maths. Achievement of Grade 7 (A) is expected in subjects pursued in the Sixth Form and a 7 (A) at GCSE Maths is a requirement for those studying Maths at A Level.
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Music and Art scholarships of up to 50% of the tuition fees are also offered, on the result of an audition or presentation and discussion of a portfolio of work. Bursaries are available for up to 100% of the tuition fees, dependent on the financial circumstances of applicants. Please contact me (mmcharg@channing. co.uk) for an application form and a copy of our scholarship and bursary policies. Alternatively, you can visit our website: channing.co.uk to obtain this information.
Independent Day School for Girls aged 4-18
Headmistress: Mrs B M Elliott MA (CANTAB) The Bank, Highgate, London N6 5HF Tel: 0208 340 2328 Email: admissions@channing.co.uk Contact the Registrar on 0208 340 2328 or email admissions@channing.co.uk for all admissions enquiries