A to Z of Sixth Form
ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
Typically at Freemen’s, students study three A Levels, with Further Mathematics available as a fourth. Information on the Sixth Form curriculum can be found in the Sixth Form A Level Options Booklet. Most students studying three A levels also opt to take the Extended Project qualification, which gives students an opportunity to carry out independent research into a topic of their own choosing and interest, for which they will be assigned a supervisor. Work on the extended projects begins in Lower 6 and is completed by the beginning of the autumn term of Upper 6. Please also see ‘Free Minds’ on page 9
ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES
It is important that the School has up to date addresses (including email), together with telephone (mobile and landline) numbers. In the event of an emergency, it is essential that parents can be contacted without delay. The School must be notified immediately of any changes.
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
To view this policy, please visit our website: www.freemens.org/policies
BYOD - BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE
Sixth Form students are expected to bring a personal device – be that a laptop or tablet of their choice - to support their learning. Main House has been specifically designed with flexibility and versatility at is core, catering for seamless wireless connection throughout, no matter where you are in the building. The aim of the ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) programme is to provide choice and flexibility in how each student wishes to use technology for their learning. For example, those students who opt for Drama, Art, Music or Design Technology, may wish to bring an iPad or Apple Mac to School to support their need to take photos, use video footage or to use the device in a more creative way. Students who have chosen more essay-based subjects, may wish to bring a more traditional laptop, giving them full keyboard functionality for note taking and research.
Although each student may choose their preferred device, we do insist that the device they choose can run Office 365 - the learning platform we use for resources and classwork, notably Microsoft Teams. Therefore, the devices, which work best with Google applications, such as a Chrome Book, are not advised, as this will create a barrier in the student’s ability to use the School’s IT infrastructure and resources.
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CATERING
The School offers a cafeteria service managed by Sodexo. There is always a choice of menu which includes a variety of salads and fresh fruit as and when available. Parents should inform the Catering Manager of any special dietary needs using the Sodexo Food Allergy Request Form. A Sixth Form Café is available throughout the day in the Sixth Form Centre for students. Students can purchase breakfast or lunch from the Café. It serves light meals, pastries, snacks and hot and cold drinks.
CAREERS
Careers guidance is overseen by the Head of Future Pathways and focuses on applications to university, both in the UK and abroad, degree apprenticeships, employment and gap year opportunities. Along with your tutor and Heads of Department, the Sixth Form Careers Team will help to answer any UCAS queries that you might have. Students in Lower 6 are instructed on how to choose an appropriate pathway post A Level, complete a UCAS form and write personal statements. There is targeted help for students aspiring to Oxford or Cambridge and for future medics, dentists and vets and those wishing to apply to overseas universities.
Students have access to extensive resources in the Careers Room, as well as to the careers staff who provide advice to year groups, small groups and individuals. In addition, a number of visiting speakers in specific career areas come into the School for lunchtime talks and year group assemblies.
Support is available during the School day to answer any questions that you might have. Along with the careers programme, the school hosts
a Careers and GAP convention each year in the Autumn Term. It is attended by a wide variety of organisations. You should aim to attend and to discover as much as you can. Don’t hesitate to ask questions at the various stands and to take away –and read! – the available literature
CHARITIES AND RAG WEEK
Charities are actively supported throughout the School, as anyone who has already been with us will know. In keeping with our traditions, the Sixth Form functions just like the Junior School and Upper School in voting to support charities, usually for a year at a time. There is a small committee of organisers who co-ordinate events, and anyone who wishes to help or even perhaps to propose a charity for adoption should come forward in September. RAG (Raise and Give) Week is usually held in the Spring Term. Other fundraising events are held during the year.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The purpose of the Code of Conduct, which is issued as a booklet to all pupils when they join the School, and the School Rules that go with it, is to outline what is expected from each member of the School if our communal life is to be both orderly and pleasant. It is hoped that, with this guide, and within the framework of these rules, each may find a way to make his or her special contribution, while at the same time preparing to live as a worthwhile citizen in the outside world.
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COMPUTER USAGE
All pupils are entitled to use the School’s network facilities. All pupils are assigned school email addresses which, for network security purposes, they are encouraged to use in preference to private email accounts. There is WIFI connectivity throughout the School. Some laptops are available for your use in the Senior Library. The Sixth Form Centre has wireless access to the School’s network and the internet. A printer is available in Main House for students’ use. You should ensure your device is charged ready for lessons each day but devices can be charged in the study spaces on the ground floor of Main House and there are sockets in a number of teaching rooms. See also BYOD on page 5.
COMMON ROOM
The Sixth Form has a superb facility in the newly restored Main House. The Common Room is housed in the former Dining Room where there is comfortable seating and a café serving breakfast and light meals. There are a number of large quiet and silent study spaces on the ground floor for exclusive Sixth Form use. See ‘Study Periods’ on page 13.
DRIVING
Only Upper 6 students living more than 1.5 miles from the School and with a full driving licence are permitted to drive and park on site. They must apply for a permit by emailing: adrian.parkin@freemens.org and display this in their windscreen/dashboard. Parking is limited for Sixth Form students and is allocated on a first come first served basis. Parking is not guaranteed for all pupils on site.
All drivers should be familiar with and abide by the requirements explained in the part of the permission form which is retained. Failure to comply will risk losing the privilege of bringing a car to school. It is particularly important that high standards of driving and conduct are maintained at all times, special attention being necessary in the car park, which at certain times of the day is busy and congested. All Sixth Form drivers must obey the traffic-flow system, drive slowly and pay appropriate attention to the needs of pedestrians, some of whom will be very young, and other motorists. The same conditions apply to motorcyclists, who should use the same form, although there have been very few in recent years. For insurance purposes, no learner drivers are allowed to drive in the School grounds at any time. The Park is private property owned by the City of London Corporation.
However you travel, you should set a good example to others at all times, especially younger pupils. This is most important when you are arriving at or leaving school, and when you go into Ashtead Village. Parents, younger pupils and members of the public see you as role models and senior representatives of the School. Please also see ‘Parking’ on page 12
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DRESS CODE
Sixth Form students have the privilege of a special dress code rather than a uniform. You are expected to dress smartly in accordance with the code, and to maintain high standards of dress and appearance as high profile senior pupils. Both younger pupils and parents are very much aware of Sixth Formers’ public appearance so you are expected to arrive at and leave school properly dressed so as to set a good example. Jackets for both ladies and gentlemen should be worn around the school. If you have any questions about the suitability of particular items of clothing, please ask the Head of Sixth Form or Assistant Head of Sixth Form. The Head of Sixth Form, and the Heads of Year reserve the right to decide on the appropriateness of any aspects of clothing or personal appearance. Any Sixth Form student deemed to be inappropriately dressed may be sent home to get changed.
For full details please the School website: www.freemens.org/uniform
EMAIL
It is Freemen’s policy to communicate information such as school trip details and other notices via the weekly newsletter, which is distributed via email on a Friday. Changes to sporting fixtures will be notified earlier by text message if necessary. Parents should ensure that the Senior School Office has been notified of their current email address and any future changes. Urgent communication should not be sent by email to the teacher, as teaching staff may not access their email during the day, as they are teaching. Staff will aim to respond to emails in two working days, but an email (or phone call) to the Senior School Reception is the best option.
EMERGENCIES
In the event of an emergency affecting an individual pupil, the School will make every effort to contact parents / guardians. Failing this, the School Terms and Conditions require the School to have the authority to act in loco parentis if necessary. Please also see ‘Addresses, Telephone Numbers and Email Addresses’ on page 5.
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FIRE ALARM AND EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS
Emergency evacuation procedures are clearly displayed in all buildings. All pupils should familiarise themselves with the instructions pinned to notice boards. When the alarm (a continuous siren) sounds, everyone must immediately leave buildings and proceed to the assembly point on the field in front of the Pavilion. The Sixth Form are expected to set a good example to the rest of the school, walking quickly and in silence to the assembly point and lining up promptly for the roll call. Regular evacuation practices are held without warning throughout the school year.
FREEMEN’S SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (FSA)
The FSA is the parents’ association and promotes a lively programme of events which enables personal and social contact between parents / guardians of present pupils. Members are much involved in the community life of the School and a strong fundraising element ensures good funding to assist the School with purchases of valuable resources which benefits the whole School.
FREE MINDS
Free Minds is a unique programme of study for students in Lower 6. The programme is free in the sense of being free from an examination curriculum, even though academically rigorous in its own right, but also liberal with a small L, open to a range of viewpoints and taking interest in the wider world around us.
It follows the format of a university ‘Liberal Arts’ programme as found in the US, and increasingly in UK higher education such as the degree course at King’s College, London. This sort of course is exceptionally highly regarded by employers. It builds on the great academic strengths of the teachers at Freemen’s who hold over 100 degrees in a wide range of disciplines.
Lower 6 students (apart from those doing Further Maths) will pick five courses. Each course will last for six weeks and consists of a one hour seminar per week.
Students will rank their choices in September and as many of their first preferences as possible will be allocated.
FACULTIES:
• FOUNDATIONS: Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, Classics.
• WORLD: Geography, Business and Economics, History, Psychology.
• LANGUAGE: English, Modern Foreign Languages.
• SCIENCE: Maths, Sciences, Computing.
• ARTS: Drama, Art, Music.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY
All students are expected to consider the health and safety of others as well as themselves. They should report any matters causing concern to their Form Tutor or, if urgent, to any member of staff. Instructions and emergency procedures regarding the evacuation of the School in the event of a fire are displayed across the School site. The School liaises with the local Fire Brigade and with the City of London Corporation Fire Officer to ensure that procedures are kept up to date. Fire drills take place frequently and form part of the School’s Health and Safety Policy.
The School undertakes to promote Health and Safety in all aspects of its educational provision. Hazardous activities in the classrooms, science laboratories, sport, trips and visits and extra-curricular activities are risk assessed and procedures altered according to circumstances.
HOUSES
The School has a vertical House System, with each pupil being assigned on entry to one of the three houses: Gresham, Hale and Whittington.
The three Houses compete for the Cock House Shield by participating in various competitions. Every pupil is encouraged to contribute to this by entering some, or all, of the many House Competitions held throughout the year and their efforts are co-ordinated by the Heads of Houses. We aim to make it possible for all pupils to contribute in some way towards this competition. The merits and distinctions awarded to the pupils throughout the year also count towards the Cock House Shield.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
The Sixth Form Centre in Main House offers a number of purpose built areas for independent private study. The Orangery is a silent study room and the adjacent Quiet Study Room is available as an additional study space. The Old Library is a dedicated Sixth Form Library and is a device free room for those looking to escape with a book or make use of the subject text books (reference only) and university prospectuses that are housed here. Also see ‘Study Periods’ on page 13.
LEARNING SUPPORT
The Learning Support Manager may be approached for advice on study methods and extra support.
LIBRARY
The libraries lie at the heart of the School and play an important part in day-to-day life. Staffed by a professional librarian and two assistant librarians, they are modern spacious environments ideally suited to support the School’s aims of encouraging reading for pleasure and developing independent learning. The Senior Library is the perfect place for private study or catching up on the latest fiction. Class bookings also make the most of the research facilities. The Library offers a wide range of resources:
• more than 16,000 books;
• curriculum-related and leisure interest magazines and journals;
• daily newspapers;
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• DVDs;
• subscriptions to numerous online databases for academic research (password access).
LOCKERS, PERSONAL POSSESSIONS, BAGS
Lockers are available in Main House (lower ground floor) for all pupils. You will need to supply your own padlock. You should keep valuable items and money safely on you at all times or leave them at home. Locker storage for large kit bags on Games and squad days is available in the covered areas at the back of Main House (down the stairs near the changing facilities). You should not leave bags on the floor of the entrance lobbies, particularly in front of doors, where they may block fire exits or create a trip hazard. Keep tablets and other personal devices protected from damage in school bags or lockers when not in use.
symptoms for 48 hours before they return. They should be symptom-free for 24 hours if they have had a temperature. If it is decided that a pupil is not fit for lessons, a School Nurse will contact parents/guardians and request that the pupil be collected. It would be appreciated if pupils could be collected promptly.
MEDICAL CENTRE
The Medical Centre is staffed by fully qualified nurses. Medical information about pupils is kept securely in the Medical Centre. It is the parents’ responsibility to keep the School informed in writing of any changes to their child’s health or medical requirements. The School must be notified of any infectious diseases immediately so that appropriate action can be taken. The same procedure should be followed in the event of head lice or nits. Regular head checks by parents / guardians are recommended. Pupils should not be sent to school if they are unwell. In the case of diarrhoea and vomiting, pupils must be free of
If a pupil requires hospitalisation, the parent / guardian will be contacted and requested to travel with the pupil to the hospital. If that is not possible the pupil will be accompanied to hospital in an ambulance, school minibus or taxi by a member of the teaching or support staff, who will remain with the pupil until a parent / guardian arrives.
ADMINISTERING MEDICINES
Pupils who need to have medicine with them at all times (e.g. epipens, inhalers, insulin) must know how to self-administer such medication. Spare named medication must be lodged with the Medical Centre. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure their child has the medication with them.
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NUTS
We are a nut-aware school, but we must be particularly cautious in the Junior School where traces of nuts can easily be transferred. As well as boarders with nut allergies, we must also be aware that visitors to the School may suffer from allergies. Therefore nut based products are NOT permitted. This includes chocolate spreads that contain nuts, such as Nutella. These are potentially dangerous and will be confiscated if found.
PARENTAL CONTACT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESPONSIBILITY
Though your studies come first, the Sixth Form is also the time when you may make your mark as a senior member of the School community. Your wider involvement is usually very enjoyable and rewarding, not only in terms of the personal satisfaction, but also because you gain confidence when leading others, organising, collaborating, speaking in meetings and to groups, and so on. It is always possible – and much to be encouraged – that initiatives will be taken by you and your peers. Sixth Formers have traditionally taken the lead on a number of occasions, such as Open Days. Also see ‘Prefects’ on page 13).
Contact with parents is greatly valued by us andit is important you feel that you can contact us whenever there is a problem, whether social or academic. Sometimes circumstances at home change and it is helpful if we are alerted to these changes. Form Tutors and Heads of Year are likely to be closely involved with your son or daughter and should be your first point of contact. Mrs Stewart (Head of Sixth Form), the Deputy Heads and the Headmaster are also willing to be involved if necessary but an arranged appointment is required to meet with any member of staff. There may be occasions when parents wish to contact pupils during the School day. Owing to the nature of the School site and the spread of teaching rooms, it can be very time consuming to find a pupil and deliver a message. We recognise that there will be times when this is necessary, but request that messages to pupils should be confined to when there is an emergency.
PARENTS’ EVENINGS AND INFORMATION EVENINGS
Within the first two weeks of the Autumn Term, there will be an informal ‘Meet the Tutors Evening’ where form staff will be available to answer questions and respond to any initial concerns. A Parents’ Evening will be held in the Spring Term.
PARKING
A one-way traffic system operates in the grounds at all times and you are asked to adhere to this rigidly. Uniformed Schoolkeepers are often present to direct traffic and parents are asked to co-operate with their instructions in order to ensure pupil safety and to enable them to organise a steady flow of traffic through the
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grounds. Parking in front of Main House, opposite the Assembly Hall and by the Music School is reserved for those who work at the School. Parents should drop their children off at the bus stop or in the car park and allow them to walk up to the School. Parking on the School drive is forbidden at any time and there is a 5mph speed limit within the school grounds.
PEER MENTORING
Students in Lower 6 can apply to become peer mentors to younger pupils. There are several strands to this: academic, mental health, Junior School Homework Club and Senior School pastoral peer mentoring. They are given support and training in developing these skills.
POLICIES
See our website: www.freemens.org/policies
PREFECTS (SCHOOL)
Being a Prefect at Freemen’s carries much responsibility and is a highly sought after role. Prefects strongly contribute to the successful daily operations of the School. Applications for School Prefect are invited in the Spring Term in Lower 6. Any student wishing to be considered should follow the guidance given by the Head of Sixth Form. Along with this the Head of Sixth Form will consult all members of the Sixth Form, teachers, tutors, House staff and the School’s Senior Leadership Team.
PREFECTS (JUNIOR SCHOOL)
Each year, several members of Lower 6 volunteer to assist Junior School class teachers by spending some time at the start of each day in classroom administration.
PSHE
All students in the Sixth Form have a one hour timetabled PSHE lesson every fortnight where they learn about a range of topics including finance, personal relationships, healthy lifestyles and preparing for life beyond school.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
Lower 6 students lead the School Council and discuss issues raised by other pupils in the school.
SCHOOL COUNSELLOR
This is currently carried out by Lucy Douglas who can be contacted on 07476 789 835 or by emailing counsellor@freemens.org
STUDY PERIODS
You are expected to make good use of your free time. Whilst we do not want you wasting your time or disturbing others during your study lessons, it is appreciated that some respite may be appropriate at times in your schedules. We do not permit students to take driving lessons during study periods or lunch times as we expect them to use the time to develop their skills of independent learning and to embrace the co-curricular opportunities the School provides. You will be expected to spend your private study periods profitably in the Sixth Form designated study areas in Main House or some other place of work approved by your tutor. If you have elected to do a Focused Study Period (instead of the EPQ) this will appear on your timetable and be supervised by staff. The Senior Library in the Haywood Centre
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may also be used for individual private study, but you are encouraged to use the dedicated quiet and silent spaces on the ground floor of the Sixth Form Centre in Main House. Some academic departments may also make their facilities available to you.
We expect you to adopt a responsible attitude towards work and the study facilities, keeping up to date with your assignments and respecting the needs of others to work undisturbed. Your tutor will monitor and discuss your working arrangements with you. Your tutor will discuss time management during the induction process as well as at other times. You will be given a student planner to record details of assignments, practices, rehearsals, etc. Use it sensibly and you should be able to stay on top of things. If at any time you start getting behind or begin to see work piling up, talk to your tutor and subject teachers about temporary and long-term solutions. Expect to be busy and, at times, tired, particularly towards the end of term but also be confident that you can and will cope - if you are organised and conscientious. We have a long history of high academic achievers who also participate fully and with enjoyment in other areas of School life: music, drama, sport, societies, activities etc. If they can do it, so can you.
TUTORS
Your tutor will be of great importance to you in the Sixth Form. Apart from routine administration, he or she should be the first person you normally turn to if you need to discuss any aspect, academic or pastoral, of your time at school. Your tutor will want to get to know you well, and to try to see you as a whole person. Quite possibly he or she will teach you in one of your academic subjects, and will be aware of your participation in House activities, which in the Sixth Form allow you to enjoy organising and leading others, developing your management and personal skills.
Your tutor will talk to you about how you manage your time, what extra-curricular and outside interests you have (including part-time jobs), how your coursework and other assignments are progressing, and what directions you are thinking of taking when you leave school: higher education possibilities, GAP year opportunities, etc. During Lower 6 your tutor will individually discuss in detail with you your subject choices and plans for higher education, training or employment, which for many pupils is an essential phase in the post-18 decision- making process. Your tutor will also help you to set your targets and will monitor your academic progress.
In the university (UCAS) application process, your tutor will play a very active part, discussing courses and institutions with you, helping you to complete your form and particularly to draft and improve your Personal Statement. Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, your tutor will write the School’s reference, which constitutes a vital part of your application
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TUTOR GROUPS
There are 18 tutor groups. Tutor groups are year and House based and have approximately 11-12 students in each group. As well as reporting daily to your Tutor for registration, you will attend two / three tutorial sessions each week.
TRANSPORT
There are buses to and from school throughout Surrey and Ashtead Train Station For more information, download the Travel Options Booklet from our website: www.freemens.org/transport
anonymous email system for reporting any concerns you might have about friends, which staff will then follow up.
WORK: HOW MUCH SHOULD I WORK?
WEBSITE
There is a dedicated section of the school website at www.freemens.org for Parents which contains specific Year Group notices as well as the latest news about the Houses, Careers, Libraries and sports department. Simply click on Parents in the red bar in the top right hand corner of the website. You will be asked to login. You will be informed of the user name and password in the first edition of In The Bag in September.
WHO CAN I TALK TO?
You should always feel that there is someone to talk to. Apart from your fellow students and depending upon the subject matter, your tutor, any of your subject teachers, the Chaplain, the Head of Sixth Form, Heads of Year, School Nurses, School Counsellor (by appointment) or Boarding House staff, reception staff, should all lend you a sympathetic ear. We also have a confidential and
There is no certain answer here: different people need more or less time, and the amount you are expected to do will vary from week to week and subject to subject. However, on average you should, in Lower 6, expect to do around four hours’ work in each of your main subjects per week outside lessons, and around six hours per subject in Upper 6.
Expect to make your own decisions about working voluntarily. At this stage, “I’ve done all my work; there’s nothing I can do” is not the full story, since review, reading around, revision notes, advance investigation etc. in a subject are always possible and sensible. Besides, most people want to be well-read and informed, which means keeping up with current affairs (by reading newspapers or BBC News online), reading fiction, philosophy, theory – in short anything which can help to develop ideas and views. The most successful university applications are those with evidence of individual research, demonstrating a real enthusiasm for your subjects.
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