Hillview School for Girls Post 16 Prospectus

H i l lv i e w s c h o o L A

PERFORMING

A RT S

C O L L E G E

P o s t- 16

Welcome to Hillview Sixth Form is an exciting place to study. This brochure illustrates some of its key features. I hope that you will want to find out more about us, if you do not already know the Sixth Form here. Come and see our excellent modern facilities and talk to staff and students. We have a growing reputation for Post-16 studies, with more and more students both staying on into the Sixth Form (70% of Year 11 most recently) and joining us from other schools.

It is clear that there are two main reasons for this: • We offer a very broad range of courses across the whole spectrum of academic and vocational qualifications, including at different levels • The standard of teaching is very high, with an excellent record of examination success. Results in the creative arts, and also in a number of other subjects, are exceptional.

We are a friendly but focused community. Students here enjoy their whole Hillview experience but they are serious about their learning and know how important it is to achieve good results to open up future opportunities. With your commitment we will help you to succeed in every way that we can, through personal support, high expectations and clear goals.

I look forward to meeting you - and working with you if you decide to join our highly successful Sixth Form.

Stephen Bovey Headteacher

Hillview School Post-16 education is an exciting prospect for students whether their future plans involve study at university or vocational courses to improve future prospects. Hillview Sixth Form will provide the high quality opportunities which will enable students to reach the best possible standards of achievement in academic and personal development in a happy and supportive environment.

Choosing where, and what, to study at Sixth Form are important decisions both for the student and for parents and all factors need to be taken into account. We hope this course booklet helps you choose the best courses for you from a wide range of choices.

Hillview offers a large, popular Sixth Form with an outstanding reputation for teaching and a broad curriculum, which has been extended to include additional courses taught at Hayesbrook School, giving students an even greater choice of courses.

The school offers excellent modern facilities and we have high expectations for all our students. The progress of Sixth Form students is monitored rigorously, with consultation evenings, regular progress and written reports to confirm satisfactory performance in work, attendance and general attitude.

I sincerely look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Zara Abbotts Head of Post-16

A wonderful

place to

study

Hillview is a large, friendly and successful Sixth Form community, in which our students benefit from an excellent academic and vocational curriculum, dynamic and motivated teaching and a modern environment with first class facilities.

Our Sixth Form is a popular choice both for existing Hillview students and many who join us from other schools.

The diversity and excellence of our academic and vocational curriculum is supported by a fantastic new school building which has provided our Sixth Form with a dedicated study area with full ICT access, as well as a Sixth Form common room which is used as a work/social area.

“ Students enjoy being in the sixth form.

They are mature and confident young people who contribute much to school life� – Ofsted We have high expectations of our Sixth Form and our excellent results reflect our approach. Hillview Sixth Formers can expect an appropriate balance of individual study time together with a structured tutorial programme.

Students will also benefit from regular academic monitoring, play an active role in determining personal targets and receive regular written reports. We also place a strong emphasis on the importance, and benefit to be gained, from taking responsibility in the wider life of the school community and the Sixth Form will provide numerous opportunities for students to take part in extra-curricular activities both here and at Hayesbrook.

A Curriculum

for the 21st

Century

Selecting the right course for you is a vital decision and here at Hillview we do our best to make sure you choose the right route whether you are an existing student or you are joining our Sixth Form from another school.

We offer a comprehensive range of Post-16 courses. These range from AS/A2 level, BTEC Level 2 and CACHE Level 3 to NVQs. Students will also follow a course in General Studies or complete an Extended Project throughout their time in the school.

GCSE grades are the most reliable indicator of success on any Sixth Form course. For this reason grade requirements are set for Sixth Form entry.

Our entry policy also relies heavily upon teacher recommendation as well as mock exam results and predicted grades. More details about how courses are structured are set out in the course booklet.

“ Leadership and management are very good and students receive much practical and caring support to achieve their goals.” – Ofsted

A Specialist Performing

Arts College Hillview is proud of its status as a Specialist Performing Arts College and Ofsted has recognised that the provision and standard of Performing Arts courses at Hillview is ‘outstanding’.

The facilities in the faculty available to students are second to none and enable students to fulfil their potential in a host of Arts subjects. Numerous Hillview students, having benefited from our innovative and dynamic courses, have gone on to further study in prestigious institutions for the Arts.

“ Standards in the performing arts are exceptionally good. Students appreciate and enjoy all these subjects and the wealth of activities in the lunch hour and after school.” – Ofsted

Achieving Success for your

Future

Moving On..... We know how important it is to make sure that the next step after Sixth Form is the right one. All students have ongoing access to quality guidance with regard to UCAS applications and professional careers advice. Our Careers and UCAS advisor is available to provide specialist support throughout the University and application process.

This is achieved through UCAS workshops and Vocational Preparation slots.

“ The school’s links with the community are exceptional, as is the positive atmosphere generated by the focus on ‘stimulating creativity to raise achievement’.” – Ofsted

H i l lv i e w s c h o o L A

P E R F O R M I N G

A RT S

C O L L E G E

Brionne Gardens, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2HE Tel: 01732 352793 Fax: 01732 368718 Email: admin@hillview.kent.sch.uk Web: www.hillview.kent.sch.uk