The Cottesloe School
SIXTH FORM Inspiring ACHIEVEMENT
Welcome
“The Cottesloe sixth form is more than just a sixth form - it is a family!� Student
The Cottesloe School has a vibrant and successful Sixth Form, with the key aim of supporting students in achieving the success they need to pursue their chosen goals. Sixth Form education will always be a stepping-stone to a variety of future possibilities, including training, employment, Further and Higher Education. Students wishing to extend their education beyond the age of sixteen can stay on into the Sixth Form to study AS Levels in Year 12 and continue onto A2 Levels or further AS Levels in Year 13. Alongside these there are a number of Applied A Levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications being offered. There is also scope to re-sit key GCSE subjects if appropriate. Our wide range of courses means that there are plenty to choose from and once you have made that choice our staff will ensure that your time in the Sixth Form will be stimulating, challenging and fruitful.
challenging periods of their educational lifetime. We seek to equip students with not only the academic qualifications needed but also the personal skills and experience to succeed in life.
We offer a caring and supportive environment which drives students to achieve success during one of the most
Alan Youngs Head of Sixth Form
Former students will attest that they enjoyed the Sixth Form more then any other part of their time at school. Future students will grow in every sense of the word and be confronted with all of the opportunities and responsibilities afforded A Level students at the Cottesloe School. Our aim is to provide the most stimulating educational environment with the highest level of support and care. If you are committed to seizing all of the opportunities that Sixth Form life can offer and getting the best from your education, I hope you will take up the challenge and join us.
Curriculum Choices We provide a broad range of personalised courses to match the abilities and demands of sixth form students. We maximise access to Higher Education and training through an extensive range of traditional A Levels, Applied A Levels and BTEC courses.We also provide students with the opportunity to study for the AQA Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Most students are expected to study four subjects at AS Level and continue with at least three of these at A2 Level. Full details of the courses typically offered can be found in the pocket at the back of this brochure.
“The difference between voluntary and compulsory education is huge. The Cottesloe School staff have helped me make great progress in the sixth form.” STUDENT
Making the Right Choice As part of the application process, students will have the opportunity to discuss their potential choices with a member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team during a scheduled meeting. If students are struggling to make a choice then follow up meetings are arranged. This ensures that students choose effective combinations of subjects to give them the best opportunity of competing for places in higher education, employment and training. During a three day induction process after the GCSE examinations have finished, students will also have the opportunity to experience a ‘taster’ session in some of the more unfamiliar subjects offered. They will also follow a two day formal timetable of their preferred A Level subject choices. This is designed to get students started on their courses ahead of time and provide summer work in order that they can prepare for September.
Enrichment and Additional Studies In addition to the academic courses offered in the Sixth Form, students are expected to gain experience to broaden their life skills and enhance their personal profile ready for when they leave school and are applying for higher education, further training and work. All Year 12 Students give up an hour a week to engage in curriculum support where they will aid one of the subject areas currently being studied in the delivery of the Key Stage 3 and 4 Curriculum. Year 13 students also give an hour a week to community support inside or outside of school. This might include peer mentoring or volunteer work. Time is allocated on a Wednesday afternoon for games and leisure activities such as rugby netball, football and weight training. This time can also be used to fulfill the work experience requirements of a particular course or higher education requirement such as teaching. At the end of Year 12 students have the opportunity to study for an AQA Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This is an independent enquiry carried out by the student whilst supported by a Staff Mentor. These are becoming increasingly popular with universities and employers who see it as clear evidence of a candidate’s ability to work independently. In addition to these opportunities, students also organise their own entertainment, social activities and fund raising events. Each year culminates in an end of exam celebration in the form of a prom at a local hotel.
Sixth Form Study The Sixth Form provides a radically different experience to the one which students have become accustomed to in years 7 to 11. Students must be quick to acknowledge the substantial increase in workload and expectation which will be placed upon them from the moment they arrive. They will be taking a much more collaborative approach to their learning, and having to carefully manage their study time in order to stand any chance of keeping on top of their workload. We endeavour to provide an environment which is both facilitating and stimulating for private study. We also encourage a collaborative approach where members of staff are always on hand to help but where students are encouraged to support one another. Each form group is a mixture of year 12 and year 13 students. We believe that the year 13 students can help the year 12 students to make a smooth transition to the Sixth Form developing an effective work ethos and picking up other good work habits. The school day follows the same format as the main school, with a 20 minute registration period in the morning followed by five 1 hour lessons each day. We expect students to be prompt to form-time in the morning and make use of the 20 minutes to plan their day and start their work. Students will typically have five guided learning hours per subject and are expected to match that time in private study. Students will soon come to realise the value of the study periods afforded them.
“The Cottesloe School provides excellent support, education and experiences for every student� STUDENT
Trips and Visits Students at The Cottesloe School benefit from a wide range of well organised and relevant educational visits arranged by experienced and motivated staff. In recent years students have had the opportunity to take part in a range of field trips in this country along with overseas visits to New York, Iceland, Berlin, Barcelona and Switzerland. Students will also be afforded opportunities to attend subject specific visits, such as conferences in London held by exam boards, coursework specific visits as well as theatre and museum visits to improve their subject knowledge.
Student Support and Pastoral Care The Cottesloe Sixth Form is a small learning community where students are supported to achieve their full potential and develop the knowledge and skills needed for Further Education, work and life. We are able to offer smaller class sizes which allow the teaching staff to spend more time focusing on the needs of individual students. It also provides a comfortable atmosphere for students to get involved and contribute to the lesson. All students are part of a form group and will have a form tutor who will look after and support the group throughout their time in The Sixth Form. As a school we are able to offer the level of support and guidance required by students at this stage of their education. Students who have attended The Cottesloe School in years 7-11 can take advantage of the continuity of being taught and supported by staff who already know them as individuals and understand their abilities and ambitions. Students who are new to The Cottesloe School will quickly feel part of our welcoming close knit community, thanks to the smaller class sizes, members of their form group and the support of staff and students.
Monitoring and Reporting We attempt to offer the necessary help and support to aid the difficult transition into the Sixth Form. The students are issued with aspirational Target Grades at the start of Year 12 based on their performance at GCSE. Their performance in relation to these grades is formally assessed at the end of each half term. Students have the opportunity to discuss their progress with either their Form Tutor or a member of the Sixth Form Leadership team at any point. There are also tutorial sessions each week where a student can discuss personal performance and any personal issues which they may have. We attempt to identify problems relating to issues such as poor attendance, poor attitude to learning or a student struggling with the workload as early as possible and put interventions in place. Parents are kept aware throughout this process and are encouraged to support both the student and the school in resolving any problems which might occur. A formal progress report will go home to parents in the Autumn and Spring terms. This is supplemented by two consultation evenings where parents can discuss student progress with individual subject teachers.
Facilities The Sixth Form is housed in a purpose built Sixth Form Centre which provides students with their own space to learn, study independently and socialise. This is the hub of all Sixth Form activities and is where a great deal of the Sixth Form teaching will take place. It contains a large study room equipped with computers for students to use during their study periods. Students also have use of the Library as well as a canteen where food and drink is available throughout the day. All of these areas are networked for internet access to enable students to use either school or personal laptops. Many of the facilities and classrooms have been built and refurbished in recent years to provide a high quality learning environment. The most recent addition to the school is a £3 million Sports Hub adding to the extensive outdoor facilities.
Higher Education and Careers Every year a significant proportion of students apply to go to universities throughout the UK including Oxford and Cambridge. For those wanting to enter Higher Education after Sixth Form, we provide a structured programme of guidance and support. We hold an information evening for parents and students to explain the university application process in February. All students thinking of applying to university will attend the regional Higher Education Fair where the vast majority of the UK’s universities will be represented. Experts from local universities will also come into school to provide information to students and parents regarding the application process and how to secure a place at your chosen University. We have a dedicated UCAS Personal Statement workshop to help with the most challenging aspect of the application and on-going help will be provided by the Sixth Form staff. Running alongside this we have a careers advice programme providing information and guidance on a broad range of different aspects. This includes where to look, preparation of CV, interview technique and personal profiles. Students will also have access to careers literature and a number of information presentations and links to appropriate websites via the Sixth Form home page.
Extended Learning and Guidance We have a number of external agencies who come into the school to provide information regarding a range of current issues and life skills. These include: • Thames Valley Police – Internet safety and personal security • Safe Drive Stay Alive – Awareness for young drivers • Buckinghamshire Fire Service – Vehicle safety • Natwest Bank – Managing personal finance • Wendy Gough - Testicular/breast cancer awareness • Ad-action – Drugs/alcohol awareness • Oxford Brookes University – University applications /student finance
“The Sixth Form Leadership team has fully supported me in everything I have done. This resulted in my opting to stay at the Cottesloe School rather than go to the Grammar” STUDENT Testimonies Anna Nicholls – The University of Birmingham - Law “I studied A Levels in English Language, Law and a Business Studies Diploma at The Cottesloe Sixth Form. When I finished my A Levels I went to the University of Birmingham where I studied Law and Gained a First Class Honours Degree. My future plans are to study at the University of Law, pass my Bar exams and study for a Masters Degree at Oxford University”
Heather Naghi – Sheffield Hallam University - Nursing “I studied A Levels in English Literature, Performing Arts, Psychology and Business Studies. I attended Sheffield Hallam University and studied Adult Nursing. I chose this because I had previous experience working in a hospital environment. I am now employed as a Registered Nurse at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, on a general surgical ward.”
Kerry Huggett – Nottingham Trent University - Forensic Science “I studied Biology, Chemistry, Law, Art and General Studies at the Cottesloe School Sixth Form. I attended Nottingham Trent University and studied a 4 Year BSc (Hons) Forensic Science, with a sandwich placement. During my third year at University I applied to undertake a full-time unpaid placement at Nottinghamshire Police as an Assistant Crime Scene Investigator where I was employed for 12 months - during this time I examined vehicles that had been used in crime across the County. This placement enabled me to achieve a Diploma in Professional Practise with a Commendation, alongside my First Class Honours Degree.”
Why Choose The Cottesloe Sixth Form? • Our Sixth Form has a proven track record of outstanding academic success. • We have Experienced A-Level teachers. • Our Sixth Form has a wide subject choice – we typically offer 26 A Levels and 6 Applied A Level and BTEC Courses. • We provide smaller classes giving the opportunity to achieve the best standards possible. • Our Sixth Form provides private dedicated study areas with computer support. • Our Sixth Form team is experienced at monitoring your progress and helping you to achieve your potential. They will give you advice and support in planning your future. • There are many opportunities to develop your personal skills and gain valuable experience for future applications. • Our Sixth Form welcomes a large number of new students each year, both from the local area and further afield. • Our Sixth Form runs a special programme for gifted and talented students. This includes the opportunity to undertake an Extended Project Qualification. • There are numerous opportunities to take up positions of responsibility within the school.
“Sixth form has really helped me prepare for the future” STUDENT
“Relationships with teachers evolve as you move into the sixth form, they have been there to help me through the final years of my schooling” STUDENT
The Cottesloe School
SIXTH FORM
The Cottesloe School
SIXTH FORM Aylesbury Road, Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 0NY
Telephone: 01296 688 264 Fax: 01296 681 729 Email: office@cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk
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