ST PETER’S SIXTH FORM
Sixth Form provision is ‘Good’ – Ofsted July 2016
An Academy of
WELCOME FROM THE HEAD TEACHER
Thank you for taking an interest in our Sixth Form. At St Peter’s School we know every student. Not only their name, their strengths and their interests, but also what they need to do to become successful adults in the future. We encourage our Post-16 students to be positive role models for our younger students. From delivering assemblies on Macmillan Cancer Support to speaking to parents and prospective students, our sixth formers are able to demonstrate their maturity and desire to help others. Such leadership opportunities support students to develop the skills that industry wants – the confidence to speak to a variety of audiences, the ability to work effectively with different people and the willingness to take on responsibility. The range of qualifications we offer allows students to move on to university, higher level apprenticeships and employment. Our students have a strong track record of securing places at prestigious universities or with high profile local employers. Students choose to come to St Peter’s Sixth Form because they are confident that they will achieve success. As a result of the positive relationships between students and staff, good quality teaching, and support and guidance, our Post-16 students achieve examination results that demonstrate they have made excellent progress at St Peter’s School. In September 2016, St Peter’s School joined The Cam Academy Trust and we believe that this partnership will bring about further positive changes. If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to contact the Sixth Form team.
Christopher Bennet Head Teacher, St Peter’s School
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THE SIXTH FORM STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM As Sixth Form Head Girl and Head Boy, it is our pleasure to welcome you to St Peter’s, a school that has become our home over the last couple of years. When looking at where you want to go to continue your education, there are many aspects you need to consider. These include the quality of teaching, support from staff and the enrichment opportunities you will receive. As students who looked at many Post-16 options and contemplated many different locations, we are very pleased we chose St Peter’s Sixth Form. It has given us everything we could have wanted from a Sixth Form and has allowed us to enjoy the whole experience, while still achieving good grades. The relatively small size of our Sixth Form means that students and teachers are able to build good relationships with each other and students are able to receive one -to-one support from their subject teachers. With a wide variety of subjects to choose from, students leave at the end of Year 13 with the knowledge and understanding needed for their higher education. Students’ progress is monitored regularly, allowing teachers to ensure that all students are reaching, and are aware of, their full academic potential.
The Sixth Form experience would not be complete without being able to access opportunities that have previously been unavailable to you. At St Peter’s there is a range of opportunities, from supporting younger students and doing voluntary work, to completing programmes like Young Enterprise, Duke of Edinburgh and work experience. This allows students at St Peter’s to leave with skills that will benefit them throughout the world of work. We are really happy at St Peter’s Sixth Form and think that you will be too. The real sense of community and friendship means that we are excited to come to school every day and develop both academically and personally. We know that whenever there is a problem, all teachers will be happy to help and will ensure that our time here is both enjoyable and worthwhile. We wish you the best of luck in your Sixth Form application and we look forward to welcoming you to St Peter’s.
Phoebe Ruddock, Head Girl and James Osborne Head Boy
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STUDY PROGRAMMES We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, mixing academic and vocational courses with appropriate work experience, study time and enrichment. We have designed the curriculum to meet the varying needs of our students, to allow them to progress to their destination of choice at the end of Year 13. We offer a range of A levels alongside more vocational Level 3 courses and ensure that those students who did not achieve a grade C in GCSE English and/or Maths have the opportunity to retake in Year 12. We encourage all students taking the A level route to start four AS levels with the intention that they specialise in three during Year 13.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS To enrol in the Sixth Form, we expect all students to have at least five A*-C grades or Grade 5 at GCSE. Many of the academic courses require a B or Grade 6 in the subject being studied. Many of our courses have specific entry requirements and these can be found in the course booklets located in the Sixth Form area of the website. www.stpeters.cambs.sch.uk
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‘Rigorous monitoring of students’ progress, attendance and welfare is leading to significant improvements in academic and work-related qualifications’ – Ofsted July 2016
COURSES AVAILABLE A LEVELS
VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Art and Design
BTEC Music Technology
Biology
BTEC Information Technology
Chemistry
BTEC Performing Arts
Computer Science
BTEC Applied Science
Core Maths
BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development
English Language
OCR Cambridge Technical Sport and Physical Activity
English Literature
OCR Cambridge Technical Business Studies
French Further Maths Geography
OTHER COURSES
German
CYQ Level 2 Gym based trainer course
History
CYQ Level 3 Personal Trainer course
Maths EPQ PE GCSE Maths Physics
GCSE English
Product Design Psychology Sociology
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SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE We pride ourselves on the guidance that we offer all students in the Sixth Form, whether it is linked to progress, welfare or careers. Every student is allocated a tutor who will get to know them very well. Students meet their tutor individually for a weekly mentoring session, where they can discuss issues about their progress and welfare, or explore what is going well. Tutors and the Head of Sixth Form liaise with teachers and monitor students’ progress on every step of their journey. The transition from GCSE to A level can sometimes be challenging, and we therefore believe that communication between staff, students and parents is vital. In addition to the Sixth Form team, students also have access to Laura Jenkins, the school Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) officer, who is always on hand to help with CVs, applications for apprenticeships and jobs, and advice about their future career intentions.
WHAT WE DO TO ENABLE SIXTH FORM STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL: • Nurture talent and encourage individuality • Provide one-to-one support • Offer careers advice • Give assistance at every stage of the university entrance procedure
‘Weekly tutorials enable staff to mentor students, keep in touch with them and to discuss issues about their progress and welfare.’ – Ofsted July 2016
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ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES Giving students the opportunity to take part in activities outside their timetabled lessons enables them to further develop their skills and knowledge, and helps to set their university and job applications apart from others. In an environment where everybody is competing for a limited number of university places and apprenticeships, having the chance to take part in additional activities, like the range we offer, is vital. We are very pleased to be able to offer the following enrichment activities to students in the Sixth Form: • Young Enterprise • Duke of Edinburgh • STEM Scholars through Villiers Park Educational Trust • Ladder to Law • Student Mentoring – both academic and pastoral • Lesson support • Fitness Qualifications • Educational visits to New York • Volunteering in Ghana • Fund raising activities – Race for Life, Macmillan Coffee Morning, Children in Need and many more • Theatre visits • Social Events such as the Leavers’ Ball
WORK EXPERIENCE
• Local primary schools
For some students, work experience is an important element of their Study Programmes, as it gives them the opportunity to see what the world of work is really like. We have created some great partnerships with local establishments, and students have participated in work experience or work shadowing at the following places:
• Adenbrooke’s Hospital • Fulbourn Hospital • Local GP surgeries • Leornard Cheshire Homes • Hinchingbrooke Hospital • PricewaterhouseCooper • In-school ICT department
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APPLICATION TIMELINE
TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016 Open Evening for prospective students
NOVEMBER All students in Year 11 interviewed by members of the Sixth Form team, and applications made
DECEMBER Courses finalised. Deadline for all applications December 20th 2016
JANUARY Conditional offers made to all students
APRIL Letter and information about the start of Year 12 sent to Year 11 students
AUGUST 2017 Members of the Sixth Form team available on results day to discuss options and to resolve any issues.
‘Improved information, advice and guidance is raising awareness of the opportunities for further education provided locally, and this is ensuring that students stay on into the Sixth Form because they can choose a clear, academic or vocational route into higher education.’ – Ofsted July 2016
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STUDENT DESTINATIONS Whether it is a place secured at University, an apprenticeship or full time employment, we are always proud to see our students move onto the next stage of their journey. In 2016 we ensured that all students left St Peter’s School with a planned destination. 73% of our students secured places at university, with students heading off to places such as the University of Cambridge, Sheffield, Newcastle and Exeter. Anglia Ruskin University Bangor University Bishop Grosseteste, Lincoln Bishop Grosseteste, Lincoln Brunel University, London Buckinghamshire New University Cambridge Regional College Coventry University Exeter University Manchester Metropolitan University Northampton University Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Trent University Nottingham Trent University Teeside University University Centre, Peterborough University of Bedfordshire University of Bedfordshire University of Birmingham University of Brighton University of Cambridge University of East Anglia University of Hertfordshire University of Hull University of Kent University of Lincoln University of Newcastle University of Sheffield University of Surrey Writtle College
Business Management Systems Zoology with Marine Zoology Education Studies Sociology Sport, Health and Exercise Science Football Business and Marketing Art Foundation Course Economics Conservation Biology and Ecology Business Management Law Criminology Education Studies and Early Years Primary Education Biomedical Sciences Finance and Accounting PE with QTS Secondary Sports Journalism English Literature and Philosophy English Language and Linguistics Natural Sciences (Physics) Medicine Sports Studies Combined Languages Chemistry International Tourism Management Psychology Civil Engineering Physics Equine Therapy
‘Retention rates are higher than average. The large majority of students leaving Year 13 this year have secured a place at university.’ – Ofsted July 2016
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STUDENT VIEWS SAMANTHA NEWMAN – ST PETER’S SIXTH FORM ALUMNI While at St Peter’s, I studied English Language, Psychology and PE, and I am now in my first year at Newcastle University where I am reading Psychology. St Peter’s Sixth Form is incredibly different to the lower school; you will experience true independent learning, you will be given time to study and you will have the chance to experience a range of different enrichment opportunities. There is an incredible amount of support in preparation for exams – intervention lessons, one-to-one sessions and set exam style questions so that you get the very best grades on results day. If you do feel like you are struggling with your subjects, the Sixth Form team will help – all you need to do is ask. I was given good advice and support when applying to university. My tutor was always on hand to help with my personal statement, and the Sixth Form team was always happy to discuss my university choices.
MEGHAN SIMMS – YEAR 13 I had a difficult start to Year 12 choosing a subject that I realised wasn’t right for me. The advice I received from the Sixth Form team was excellent. They made sure that any problems that I faced were sorted out, making sure my Sixth Form experience was as enjoyable as possible. If I had any concerns, I knew they would always listen and support me. If it wasn’t for their dedication, I wouldn’t be on the right courses to get me into university.
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IAYAT RIAZ – ST PETER’S SIXTH FORM ALUMNI As an undergraduate reading English Literature in my final year at the University of Westminster, I am living proof that it is possible, with the appropriate amount of guidance, support and faith, for an average student who failed his first year to be given a second chance, and to be able to own the moment of being accepted into his first choice of university. During my time at St Peter’s Sixth Form, I studied English Language and Literature, Sociology and ICT. In addition, I had the opportunity to co-chair the school’s book club, champion the school library, represent the Sixth Form as part of its leadership team and help to organise the Sixth Form’s relief trip to Ghana. This helped me to understand the fundamental principles of the Sixth Form’s core values of hard work and equal reward. A tight unit of support, comprising staff members and students has helped to cultivate the Sixth Form’s friendly, studious approach and for bringing the best out in its pupils.
VICTORIA ALCOCK – ST PETER’S SIXTH FORM ALUMNI While at St Peter’s Sixth Form, I studied Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics and achieved A* A* A A and I’m now reading Natural Sciences at Cambridge University. If it wasn’t for the encouragement and support I received from the Sixth Form, I wouldn’t even have considered applying to Cambridge. The quality of teaching in science and maths is what gave me confidence in my application.
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St Peter’s Sixth Form St Peter’s Road Huntingdon, PE29 7DD 01480 459581 office@stpeters.cambs.sch.uk www.stpeters.cambs.sch.uk
An Academy of
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