Introduction P2
Sixth Form Contacts
P3
The School Day P4
A to Z of Sixth Form P5
LEAD FREEMEN’S A to Z of the Sixth Form
Campus Map
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Introduction
Sixth Form Contacts
We are delighted to be welcoming you to the Sixth Form at Freemen’s. Whether you are now joining Freemen’s for the Sixth Form or if you have been here since Form 1, you will probably find that your two years pass rapidly. Before you know it, you will be attending briefings about university entrance, going on Open Day visits, preparing for another round of external examinations and waiting anxiously for results! The Sixth Form at Freemen’s is special. You will be asked to take risks during your time with us both academically and mentally. We hope that you will tackle the challenges set before you with purpose and a positive attitude. You will make life-long friends and we hope that in two years’ time you will not only take with you some great memories of your time in the Sixth Form but also that you will feel more confident in tackling the challenges that life will throw at you.
Senior School Reception: 01372 822421 seniorreception@freemens.org
Senior School Absences: seniorabsence@freemens.org
Head of Sixth Form: Mr Dolan 01372 8224184 Richard.Dolan@freemens.org
Senior School Office: 01372 822470 Mrs Moss Amanda.Moss@freemens.org 01372 822490 Mrs Feeley Mrs Ryckaert Mrs Shelton Music Coordinator: Mrs Grover 01372 822438 Samantha.Grover@freemens.org
It is very true that you will only get out of the Sixth Form as much as you put in. The Freemen’s Sixth Form will offer you remarkable opportunities in the coming months: to develop your knowledge, skills and expertise in your chosen subjects; to participate in senior games and physical activities; to take leading roles for your House; to take part in high quality music and drama performances; to take leading initiatives in the Sixth Form and the rest of the School; and, to develop interests and talents you may not have previously discovered. All these and many other possibilities will be available to you.
Assistant Head of Sixth Form: Mr Parkin Adrian.Parkin@freemens.org
This booklet will give you a flavour of how the Sixth Form operates.
Head of Upper 6: Mrs Marvin Justine.marvin@freemens.org
Our Mission: We want children at Freemen’s to learn, to lead and to make a difference.
Our Aims: We will do this by: • nurturing a community of learners – adults and children – who are ambitious about what they might achieve in and out of the classroom; • providing relevant opportunities for pupils to expand their horizons intellectually and socially; athletically and creatively; emotionally and spiritually; • establishing an environment at Freemen’s where everyone involved in the community is respected, trusted and supported; • encouraging responsibility and capability; honesty and reliability; pride and passion; • promoting determination and innovation; flexibility and adaptability; kindness and consideration; • fostering in our pupils the confidence, curiosity, independence and wisdom to succeed in the next stages of their lives.
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Courtesy of Clive Totman
Head of Lower 6: Mrs Stewart Sarah.Stewart@freemens.org
Head of Sixth Form Careers: Miss Willis Rebecca.Willis@freemens.org Medical Sciences Co-ordinator: Mrs Fox Raylene.Fox@freemens.org EPQ Co-ordinator: Mrs Pennington Harriet.Pennington@freemens.org
Sports Administrator: Mrs Clarke 01372 822419 sport@freemens.org Medical Centre: 01372 822451 medical@freemens.org
Free Minds Co-ordinator: Mr Wright Timothy.wright@freemens.org
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The School Day
The School day runs from 8.35am through six periods of 60 minutes to 4.00pm, with many extra-curricular activities taking place during lunch and after school. Morning Session 8.45am 9.45am 10.40-11.00am 11.00am 12.00pm 1.00pm
Registration Period 1 Period 2 Mid-morning break Period 3 Period 4 Lunch break
Afternoon Session 2.05pm 3.00pm 4.00pm
Registration Period 5 Period 6 Classes finish
Presence on Site
All pupils are expected to be present on site throughout the school day. Both the Upper 6 and Lower 6 have the privilege of signing out early, at 1pm (when they have no afternoon lessons) and 3pm respectively. However, this is only allowed once the students have demonstrated they are coping with their workload. Any Upper 6 who leaves the school site during the lunch period must sign out at the reception in the Haywood Centre and sign back in immediately upon return. This is an essential Health and Safety requirement. Lower 6 do not have the privilege of leaving the school site during the lunch period.
A to Z of Sixth Form
A
Academic Programme
Catering
The School offers a cafeteria service managed by Typically at Freemen’s, students study three A Levels, Sodexo. There is always a choice of menu which with Further Mathematics available as a fourth. includes a variety of salads and fresh fruit as and when available. Parents should inform the Catering Information on the Sixth Form curriculum and Manager of any special dietary needs using the current changes to it can be found in the Sixth Form Sodexo Food Allergy Request Form. A Sixth Form Curriculum Booklet. Café is available throughout the day in the Sixth Form Centre for students. Students can purchase The Extended Project qualification gives students an breakfast or lunch from the Café. It serves light opportunity to carry out independent research into meals, pastries, snacks and hot and cold drinks. a topic of their own choosing and interest, for which Careers each pupil will be assigned a supervisor. Work on the Much of the Careers Guidance in the Sixth Form extended projects begins in Lower 6 and continues revolves around application to university and/or over the summer holidays and is completed by the Modern Apprenticeships. Along with your tutor beginning of the autumn term of Upper 6. and Heads of Department, the Sixth Form Careers (see also Free Minds) team will help to answer any UCAS query that you might have. Students in Lower 6 are instructed Addresses, Telephone Numbers and Email on how to choose an appropriate pathway post A Addresses Level, complete a UCAS form and write personal It is important that the School has up to date statements. There is targeted help for students addresses (including email), together with telephone aspiring to Oxford or Cambridge and for future (mobile and landline) numbers. In the event of medics, dentists and vets. Students have access to an emergency, it is essential that parents can be extensive resources in the Careers Room, as well contacted without delay. The School must be notified as to the careers staff who provide advice to year immediately of any changes. groups, small groups and individuals. In addition, a number of visiting speakers in specific career Anti-bullying Policy areas come into the School for lunchtime talks See our website: www.freemens.org/policies and year group assemblies.
B
BYOD - Bring Your Own Device
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C
L6 students are expected to provide a personal device themselves and bring it into School every day. They will use their device for administration, research, preparing assignments and otherworks.
Support is available during the School day to answer any questions that you might have. Miss Willis is responsible for the Sixth Form Careers programme which involves lectures, seminars and workshops. 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.
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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 week is held in the Autumn term. Other fundraising events are held during the year.
Computer Facilities
All pupils are entitled to use the School’s computers and 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. The Sixth Form Centre contains a small suite of computers, with a networked printer, expressly for use by Sixth Form pupils. You are expected to use the facilities responsibly, and to report any problems or malfunctions promptly to a member of staff. Computers are available for your use in the Senior Library and in many departmental areas, the Multimedia Rooms and the three Computing Laboratories (two in the Haywood Centre and one in the Junior School). You should not interrupt classes in progress, but there is generally no objection to your asking staff in advance whether there may be a computer for you to use during a private study period. The Sixth Form Centre has wireless access to the School’s network and the internet. You are welcome to bring your own laptop or tablet into school, but it remains your responsibility and should be stored in your locker when not in use.
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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.
Computer Usage
When a pupil arrives in the School they will sign an ICT Safe Usage Agreement. It is important that all pupils read this carefully and are aware of what they may and may not do whilst using ICT in School. The Agreement covers both School owned and personal devices. In particular, pupils may NOT use their own Wifi hot-spots which connect via the School internet as this can affect the Wifi signal. Pupils must also take particular care with pop-ups and cookies, which are often of an inappropriate nature and will be flagged up by the ICT department.
Common Room
The Sixth Form now has a modern and businesslike environment where students can work and socialise. On the first floor of the Sixth Form Centre there is a seating area meant for quiet reading. There are also two quiet study rooms for the Sixth Form to use.
Driving
Only Upper 6 pupils 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 from Suzanne.Wilding@cityoflondon.gov.uk and display this in their windscreen/dashboard. Parking is limited for Sixth Form pupils and is allocated on a first come first served basis. Parking is not guaranteed for all pupils on site.
D
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 learners 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. (See “Parking” on page 11)
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 gentlemen and ladies should be worn around the school. If you have any questions about the suitability of particular items of clothing 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 see the website: www.freemens.org/uniform
It is Freemen’s policy to communicate information such as school trip details via email and the school website. The weekly newsletter, In The Bag is distributed via email on a Friday. Changes to sporting fixtures will be notified earlier by Clarion Call text message if necessary. Parents should ensure that the Senior School Office has been notified of their current email address and any future changes. For emailing members of staff, parents should email teacher@freemens. org and put the name of the teacher in the subject box. Staff contacts are on the website. 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. An email (or phone call) to the Senior School Reception is the best option.
E
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. See “Addresses, Telephone Numbers and Email Addresses” on page 5
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F
Freemen’s School Association (FSA)
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.
The FSA is the parents’/guardians’ 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 benefit the whole pupil population.
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.
Fire Alarm and Emergency Evacuations
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.
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.
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
H
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 extracurricular activities are risk assessed and procedures altered according to circumstances.
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In The Bag (ITB)
This is the Senior School weekly newsletter, distributed via email on Fridays. It details the following week’s events and notifies parents of any changes to the calendar. It is therefore vital that ITB is read thoroughly on a weekly basis in conjunction with the relevant notices in the Parents’ section of the school website.
Lockers, personal possessions, bags
On arrival in the Sixth Form, a pupil may request the use of a locker, for which there is no charge. All keys are supplied by the Assistant Head of Sixth Form. If you leave your key at home, you may borrow the master key to access your locker. You should keep valuable items and money safely on you at all times or leave them at home. Do not leave purses or wallets in unattended bags or jackets even for a few minutes. Schools and colleges are well known targets for casual thieves who can walk through premises largely unnoticed at certain times.
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Please make use of the bag storage in the foyer and do not leave bags on the floor of the foyer, particularly in front of doors.
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.
L
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 • DVDs • Subscriptions to numerous online databases for academic research (password access)
Learning Support
The Learning Support Manager, Mr Andrew Illingworth, may be approached for advice on study methods and extra support.
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M
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 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. 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 son or daughter has the medication with them. For pupils under 16 years old, all other medication should be handed to the Medical Centre for administration and safekeeping, and the appropriate permission form completed and signed by a parent.
N
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.
O
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. (See “Prefects (School)” on page 12)
Parental Contact
Contact with parents is greatly valued by us and it 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. Mr Dolan (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. (See “In The Bag (ITB)” on page 9)
Peer Mentoring
Students in Lower 6 can apply to become peer mentors to Senior School pupils. The peer mentoring service runs weekly in the Senior School and pupils can come and talk to the peer mentors about anything that is worrying them. Training for the peer mentors takes place. The students are also given guidelines for confidentiality and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Parents’ Evenings and Information Evenings
P
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 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.
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Policies
See our website: www.freemens.org/policies
Prefects (School)
Being a Prefect at Freemen’s carries much responsibility and is highly sought after. 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, most members of Lower 6 assist Junior School class teachers by spending some time at the start of each day in classroom administration. The role involves settling pupils down, reassuring younger ones, helping with routine matters like collecting homework, and generally ensuring that the class starts its day well. Steady commitment is needed to be a successful Form Prefect, but the satisfaction to be obtained from doing the job well is considerable. Many excellent relationships have been built up over the years between Form Prefects and their classes. Usually, the job is taken on for at least a term, and you need to be at school by 8.30am each morning. The Assistant Head of Sixth Form and senior Upper 6 pupils administer the scheme.
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Transport
There are buses to and from school throughout Surrey and Ashtead Train Station For more information, see the Getting to School brochure or go to our website: www.freemens.org/transport
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 789835 or by emailing counsellor@freemens.org
Tutors
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. You will be expected to spend your private study periods profitably in the library, Sixth Form designated study areas or some other place of work approved by your tutor. The Senior Library in the Haywood Centre may be used for individual private study, as may the studies in the Sixth Form Centre. Some academic departments may also make their facilities available to you. We expect you to assume 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.
Tutor Groups
There are 23 tutor groups. Tutor groups are year group based and have approximately 11 in each group. As well as reporting daily to your Tutor for registration, you will attend three tutorial sessions each week.
U Uniform
Sixth Form are not required to wear a uniform, but do have strict dress code requirements. For a full list of dress code requirements, see Dress Code on page 7 or please refer to the website: www.freemens.org/uniform
T
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 decisionmaking 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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W 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.
Whom can I talk to?
You should always feel that there is someone to talk to. Apart from your fellow students (including the Peer Mentors) and depending upon the subject matter, your tutor, any of your subject teachers, the Chaplain, the Head of Sixth Form, the Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Heads of Year, School Nurses, or Boarding House staff should all lend you a sympathetic ear. There is also an external counsellor, Lucy Douglas (07476 789835, counsellor@freemens.org), whom you may contact in confidence.
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Work: how much should I work?
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 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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City of London Freemen’s School Ashtead Park Ashtead Surrey KT21 1ET www.freemens.org @HelloFreemens
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