PROSPECTUS
2017
WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL The Voyager Academy has established its reputation as a really good Sixth Form centre in Peterborough. This reputation is based on strong academic success, a significant range of courses appropriate to student needs, exceptional student leadership opportunities, high levels of student satisfaction and an outstanding success rate in gaining places at the best universities for a variety of subjects. It is well known that the teaching and facilities for Media, Dance, Drama, Music and Art at The Voyager Academy are exceptional. Facilities and achievement are also very impressive across other key areas of the Sixth Form. Overall, students achieved an A – E pass rate at the national average and 44% of A level and equivalent grades were awarded A*-B. . The Voyager Academy is seeking to be at the leading edge of creating opportunities for students. For example, in 2015 – 2016: • Students took part in the Lessons from Auschwitz project in Poland • Three of our Scientists took park in one-week residentials in Neuroscience, Ecology and Evolution and Environmental Chemistry • One student represented the school in Israel for the Lessons from Auschwitz project • The bi-annual Camps International trip went ahead with a one month residential in Ecuador over the summer holidays • Students undertook Duke of Edinburgh Gold • Students undertook a one-week residential at leading universities as a pre-cursor to applying • Our candidate for the Peterborough Youth MP won and represents schools across the city • We took part in and won the Youth Speaks competition through the Rotary Club The best way to learn about our Sixth Form is to meet our students, who will tell you what it is like to study here. You are very welcome to visit and see The Voyager Sixth Form at work.
Scott Hudson Principal at The Voyager Academy
The quality of education in the Sixth Form is good. Ofsted January 2016
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Damon Lewis Director of Sixth Form (Assistant Principal) It is a very exciting time to be leading our Sixth Form. This year our Year 13 and 14 students achieved the highest number of top grades ever with an impressive 44% of qualifications being A*-B or the equivalent. We also saw the largest ever number of students securing places at university, rising from 33 in 2015 to 77 in 2016. I hope that you will make the decision to share in the success of Voyager 6. Our academic and vocational successes have seen our Sixth Form numbers expand. This means we are big enough to be able to offer a diverse range of subjects. Our priority is to get to know all our students well enough to offer the support and guidance so they choose subjects that enable them to achieve their ambitions in terms of university or career choices. We will help you choose a set of subjects you will both enjoy and be successful in. The Sixth Form team are committed to making the transition to Sixth Form as smooth as possible. The team will also be there on GCSE results day to offer support and guidance and ensure you are still happy with your choices. Ensuring that individual students make the progress expected of them and fulfil their ambitions is central to the success of The Voyager Sixth Form. This involves constant tracking of performance and introducing timely interventions to ensure our students achieve in line with the highest of academic expectations. Students moving on from The Voyager Sixth Form are well supported and I particularly enjoy helping our students, whether with their applications are for training, employment or university. Some of our alumni this year have gone on to study a range of areas such as Medicine, Economics, Teacher Training Fashion Buying, Mathematics, Tourism, Physics, Nursing, Accountancy, Maths, Economics, Art, Paelobiology, Performing Arts, Psychology and Law.
My experience in Sixth Form has been great; there is a lot of support and help, as well as lots of opportunities that have helped to strengthen my application for Uni. Amina Ahmed
Students will have a Sixth Form tutor who will be able to give them specialised advice linked to next steps such as employment or university. They will also ensure students play a full and active role in the life of the school.
SUPPORTING YOU TO SUCCEED 3
Anne Mason Sixth Form Intensive Adviser I am here to help you make the right choices regarding your future. When you join the Sixth Form, if you are unsure of your subjects, or your next steps, I can support you. Whether it’s the UCAS process, helping with an application or personal statement, or if you are looking for an apprenticeship, employment or training, I can help!
Yvonne McMenemy Sixth Form Student Support Adviser (Progress) I am here to ensure that you are making the required progress in each of your lessons by supporting (and sometimes challenging) you through your time here. I will help to ensure your have the required skills and attitude to be a successful Sixth Form student.
Sarah Olson Sixth Form Student Support Adviser (Attendance) I am here to ensure you succeed and will closely monitor attendance and punctuality. I am here to make sure you get to the right place at the right time so you get the best results possible. Students who need financial support can apply for a bursary and I organise payments.
Tutor Team We also have a dedicated tutoring team of Sixth Form only tutors, who specialise in this form of teaching and preparation for life after Sixth Form such as university, apprenticeships and employment.
Learners are very positive about the Sixth Form and the help and advice they receive from subject staff and the sixth form team. They feel they are well prepared for their next steps in life. Ofsted January 2016
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SIXTH FORM SUCCESS Voyager 6 students continue to make exceptional progress. In 2016 the school saw a significant rise in the number of students gaining A*-B grades (or equivalent) which was 44%. The overall pass rate remained unchanged at the national average of 98%. The breakdown is detailed below:
•
A*- B
44%
•
A*- C
68%
•
A*- E
98%
The Voyager Academy Sixth Form has been identified as a strength of the school by Ofsted on its last two visits. This recognises the fact that students make significant progress between their GCSE and A levels.
The Sixth Form has some very great teachers that are dedicated to the students, they spend many hours in and out of school working on how to improve the students grades, which makes me really happy! Marcin Wypech
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SIXTH FORM OPPORTUNITIES
We actively encourage our Sixth Form students to take up some of the many opportunities we provide for their wider development. Whether it is in support of a university or employment application or simply to have a more diverse CV. Taking part in enrichment, voluntary activities and student leadership will give you an advantage. Like all students in the school, our Sixth Form students are expected to make ‘pledges,’ seven promises in line with the school’s values. These also allow our students to show they are fully prepared for life after us. Other opportunities include trips and visits in the UK and abroad, visits to universities, work experience, sports activities, Duke of Edinburgh, leading roles in performances and Peterborough Youth MP.
The Sixth Form learners participate well in the main academy and help younger ones, for example through mentoring. They are articulate and thoughtful about their views. Behaviour in the Sixth Form is exemplary. Ofsted January 2016
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APPLYING TO VOYAGER 6
Thursday 10th November
Open Evening and first applications accepted
December
Early application interviews*
Wednesday 21st December Early application deadline January
Remaining early application interviews
Friday 17th February
Additional applications deadline **
March – May
Additional application interviews
27th & 28th June
Voyager 6 Induction
Thursday 24th August
Results Day – Voyager Academy students will receive a letter confirming their place or inviting them to a results surgery if there are any problems.
Post-Results surgery with the Director of Sixth Form to resolve any problems.
Applicants from other schools should attend the Post-Results surgery to show their results and to confirm their place
September
Start Sixth Form studies.
* Offers will be sent to you within one week of interview. Responses will be needed within two weeks to secure your place ** We will accept applications until September, but for 2015 and 2016 we were very over-subscribed and this is likely to be the case again this year. We would recommend an early application to guarantee a place.
The Sixth Form leadership help and support every decision I make in order to fulfil my potential and aspire higher, even endeavouring to offer me a subject that was not originally offered as a course, which is something no other centre was willing to do. Douglas Henderson
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Voyager 6 offers a wide range of courses designed to meet the needs of all our students and to prepare them for today’s higher education and employment markets. A Level courses are academic Level 3 qualifications, offering a good foundation for higher education and employment. At the end of the first year you will achieve an AS Level. If your grades are strong enough, you will then go on to complete the full A level at the end of year 2. BTEC / OCR Level 3 Level 3 courses are vocationally-based and are designed as a preparation for employment or higher vocational qualifications (such as nursing). n each year of the BTEC you will achieve a qualification. BTEC Level 2 and GCSE courses are one-year programmes of study. Students who complete Level 2 in Sixth Form and achieve Merits or above will often go on to start A Levels / BTEC Level 3. On the next page the subjects we are able to offer are listed. If there is something else you want to do let us know, as if there is enough demand we will always endeavour to offer it.
The range of courses provided is good and matches the range of needs effectively. Ofsted January 2016
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VOYAGER 6 COURSES A Level:
Level 3 BTEC / OCR
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Art (Fine) Biology Business Studies Chemistry Citizenship Design Technology Drama and Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Literature Film Studies French Geography History Mathematics Media Studies Photography Physics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish Textiles
A Levels in Community Languages are also available for a number of Languages. Recently we have had students sit exams in Chinese, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese and Russian.
Applied Science Business Early Years Education (Child Care) Creative Digital Media Production Criminology Extended Project Health and Social Care IT (Practitioners) Massage Therapy Music (Performance) Music Technology (2 A level equivalent) Performing Arts – Acting Performing Arts – Dance Sport Travel and Tourism
Level 2 BTEC / OCR • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Art & Design Beauty Therapy Business Early Years Education (Child Care) Creative Digital Media Finance IFS Health and Social Care IT Photography Science Sports Leadership Textiles Travel and Tourism
GCSE*: * Students that do not achieve 5+ in English GCSE and Maths GCSE are required to continue to study these subjects and will attend lessons until they achieve these grades.
Course details are available on our website www.thevoyager.co.uk
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JOINING OUR SIXTH FORM
To start courses at Voyager 6 we will need to be convinced of your commitment to your studies, demonstrated on your application and when you are interviewed. You will need to have the following minimum GCSE or equivalent qualifications as detailed:
The Sixth Form is well led and managed and learners’ progress is effectively checked and supported. Ofsted January 2016
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AS / A Level •
•
6 good grades (A*– C or 5 – 9) preferably including English and Maths You must have achieved a C or 4 in the subjects you wish to study but some teachers may prefer a B+ or 5+ grade
•
To study AS Maths you must have at least a 5+ for GCSE
•
To study AS Physics, Chemistry or Biology you must have a B in that Science or a BB in Science and additional Science
•
To study Psychology you must have a C or above in GCSE Science
Level 3 BTEC Nationals and OCR Cambridge Technical •
•
6 good grades (A* – C or 5 – 9) preferably including English and Maths Teachers prefer you to have a achieved at least a Merit in the subjects you wish to study at Level 3
Level 2 BTEC Firsts and OCR National •
A minimum of 6 passes (D+ or 3+) grades or above
Any Level 2 BTEC or OCR qualification will be taken as 1 GCSE.
We will look at the following when considering your application: • Your school or college report • Your attendance and behaviour record • Your estimated and actual examination grades
Since I have come to Voyager for Sixth Form, I have come to very much enjoy school life. This is due to the large amount of freedom and responsibilities that is given to the Sixth Form students, and I have found that teachers are happy for you to explore your interests. Kate Schneider
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MEDIA ARTS AT VOYAGER 6
Media Arts Specialism The Media Arts at The Voyager are vibrant, thriving and central to the life of the Academy. We have an environment that is state of the art, where every student’s abilities and interests are recognised, valued and engaged in a broad range of contexts. By providing our students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the professional equipment that is needed to produce professional results, we are able to equip them with the relevant skills they can take into university, employment and beyond.
Stage Productions Each year we undertake a full Academy stage production. Last year we performed Little Shop of Horrors. Sixth Form students were fully involved in the production and many had leading roles.
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BEYOND SIXTH FORM Sixth Form study is an important period for all students. It is an opportunity to specialise in specific areas if they have a particular career focus, or the chance to gain a broad range of skills and qualifications if they are keeping an open mind. Voyager 6 caters for all. There is a range of pathways students can take after Sixth Form – university, employment, apprenticeship programmes and work experience placements. Overleaf, you can see where those who achieved places at University in 2016 have ended up and what subjects they are studying. The chart below shows where our students progressed to in 2016.
University Further Education Employment Apprenticeship Army
On completion of their courses, all learners move on to higher education, employment or training. An increasing proportion are going to university when they finish and, for the vast majority, they are the first in their family to do so. Ofsted January 2016
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UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS Destination
Student
Reading
Academy of Contemporary Music
George Smith
Music and Creative Artistry (Music Industry Practice)
Kiran Khan
Law
Ma'Isah Rashid
Law
Toseef Anjam
Sports Science
Bangor University
Ruta Grigaityte
Criminology and Criminal Justice
Bedfordshire University
Sameena Khatoon
Education - Primary QTS
Birmingham University
Alessio Jepson
Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironments
Birmingham City University
Francine Cozzetto
Primary Education with QTS
Benjamin Monk
Primary Education with QTS (3 Years)
Melanie Wright
Primary Education with QTS (3 Years)
Viktorija Zlatkute
Events Management
Hannah Damani
Psychology with Professional Development
Mykolas Grublys
Mathematics (4 years)
Evie O’Hanlon
Stadium and Events Management
Georgia Heard
Illustration and Graphics
Anglia Ruskin University
Bishop Grosseteste University Bournemouth University Brunel University Buckinghamshire University
Coventry University
De Montfort University
Derby University Durham University
Ethical Hacking and Network Security
Luke Woods
English
Thomas Holmshaw
History
Homa Nouri
Health Studies
Iram Raza
Education Studies
Kajal Karki
Health Studies
Sadia Elisha
Law LLB
Niam Singh
Motorsport Engineering Foundation
Sean Parkinson
Mathematics Foundation
Douglas Henderson
Economics with Management with Study Abroad
Jack Cave
Business and Management with Business Placement
East 15 Acting School
Louise Garwood
Theatre Arts
Leeds Trinity University
Tara Arden
Business and Marketing
Harry Edwards
International Business Management
Jake Rapp
Politics and Sociology
Jasmin Aranyi
Bio-Veterinary Science
Leonard Chatonzwa
Accountancy and Finance
Lucy Martin
Law
Megan Corby
Events Management
Morgan Barnes
Accountancy and Finance
Samama Tahir
Law
Sean David Roberts
Business and Marketing
Lincoln University
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Jas Hothi
In 2016, Voyager 6 saw a record number of students secure a place at university, more than double the number from last year – an incredible success and a credit to the academy.
Destination
Student
Loughborough University
Mohammed Habeeb Rabbani Computer Science
Middlesex University
Rukhsana Akhtar
International Tourism Management
New College Nottingham
Alina Hussain
Law
Rodenas Karpavicius
Education Studies
Tamara Mason
Psychology and Counselling
Eleanor Jones
Health and Social Care
Emma Bennetto
Primary Education (QTS)
George Buttle
Business Management and Economics
Georgia Yakan
Photography/Photography in Europe
Jack Sheppard
Economics
Neelam Afzal
Psychology with Criminology
Olivia Hogan
Media and Communication and Society
Rukhsar Zafar
Criminology
Saliyha Mawji
Business Management and Economics
Shaun Davies
Business
Northampton University
Nottingham Trent University
Reading
Harry Launchbury
Finance, Accounting and Management
Matteo Spremulli
Mathematics and Economics
Roehampton University
Katie Blunt
English Language and Linguistics
Sheffield Hallam University
Josh Kinsey
Business Studies
St George's University London
Ridah Khan
Medicine
Staffordshire University
Eric Harvey Baker
Music Technology
The Manchester College
Jelena Kalmane
Contemporary Art Practice
Nottingham University
The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama Lewis Goakes
Drama, Applied Theatre and Education
University for the Creative Arts
Jodie Lambert
Digital Film and Screen Arts
University of Bradford
Kunzah Saeed
Mechanical Engineering (4 years)
University of Chester
Lillianna Armstrong
Music
Heather Thomas
International Development with Politics & Overseas
Megan Somers
Business Finance and Management
Harriet-Rose Woodhams
Health Promotion
Karl Foreman
Economics
Mo Vickramathithan
Economics
Melisa Bazane
Events Management
University of Hertfordshire
Tia Wright
Photography
University of Leicester
Amina Ahmed
Law
University of Manchester
Eleisha Ward
Adult Nursing
University of Suffolk
Marvin Zimmerman
History
University of West London
Amanda Alksere
Airline and Airport Management with Placement
University of East Anglia University of East London University of Greenwich
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The Voyager 6 at The Voyager Academy Mountsteven Avenue Peterborough, PE4 6HX sixthform@thevoyager.co.uk 01733 383888 www.thevoyager.co.uk