CALDER VI Achieving your potential
Calder VI has several unique features which make it a very special place to work and study. OFSTED
WELCOME TO
CALDER VI Calder Sixth Form has a very simple aim: to help every one of our students to achieve their potential so they can progress on to their chosen career path. As a Sixth Form, at the heart of our local community, we offer a rich academic programme alongside many diverse enrichment opportunities, aiming to ensure that all of our students develop a wide range of skills and attributes. The majority of our students have been with us throughout their secondary school education, however we now have increasing numbers of students joining us from other schools for their Sixth Form experience. As a school we offer over twenty five subjects at A level and five Level 3 BTEC courses that complement individual programmes of study. This wide range of courses allows us to accommodate student choice and offer the breadth of study that our Post 16 students deserve. Throughout their sixth-form experience, Calder VI students receive first class personal and academic support; we believe that such provision and challenge has underpinned our year-on-year improvement in student achievement and the positive feedback we get from our students. Whilst the majority of our students choose to progress to university, some students do choose a different pathway. In all cases, students receive the guidance needed to support a move to the ‘next step’. The core of what makes Calder VI so special is a fusion of the academic rigour of a traditional Sixth Form with the range of opportunities afforded by being part of a community-based college. Mr A Guise Headteacher
ACHIEVING YOUR POTENTIAL
Students in Years 12 and 13 are expected to study three courses. These courses can be at A Level and/or BTEC Level 3. We understand how demanding sixth form study can be and this is why we have increased teaching time for every subject. Students have five taught hours per subject each week and, on top of this, they can attend subject specialism drop-ins at the start of each day. Our faculties are staffed by subject specialists who are all qualified to teach Key Stage 5. The provision of high quality learning experiences (known as EPIC lessons that involve ‘engagement, pace, imagination and innovation, challenge and creativity’) is a focus for all teachers. Obviously students are also expected to complete independent work for each subject area and task lists are available for all students.
THE CALDER VI EXPERIENCE: WITHIN THE CURRICULUM
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Through aspirational target-setting, clear tracking of student achievement and regular progress reports, we work in partnership with both students and parents to ensure all students are well supported in reaching high standards of academic achievement. Whilst student achievement has significantly improved over the last three years, the school’s ‘unflinching drive for the highest standards’ (Ofsted, 2015) continues to encourage our students to aim high and ‘think big’ to achieve their personal best in all that they do. We achieved the best academic A Level results in the school’s history in 2015-2016 and we are confident that results are going to get better and better. Our subject teachers, Learning Managers and student buddying systems all contribute to the fantastic achievements of Calder VI.
PATHWAYS At Calder VI we want to ensure that we enable all students to develop lifelong skills and are ready to enter either Higher Education or the world of work. We are proud of our pastoral programme and pathway preparation. In Year 12, all students are part of a form group and attend a one-hour tutorial with their tutor each week. Our brand new pastoral programme is based on the recently published ‘A Level Mindset’ book written by Key Stage 5 research specialists. We also enable all students to travel to Russell Group and local universities, with the sixth form team, free of charge. These trips take place in the summer term. For students who would like to apply for an apprenticeship, we have a weekly drop-in clinic with The Apprentice Finder, Adrian Bird. In Year 13, students attend a one-hour UCAS tutorial lesson every week and are guided through the application process from start to finish.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, STUDENT SUPPORT AND ENRICHMENT Core to the success of Calder VI is the support for our students. The Director of Calder VI is supported by three Learning Managers and a team of experienced Key Stage 5 tutors. Students follow a comprehensive pastoral programme in Years 12 and 13 and undertake a one-week work experience placement at the end of their first year. There is an exciting array of enrichment activities for students to sign up to on a Wednesday afternoon. Recent activities include sports coaching, first aid training, language learning, driving theory and teaching placements. We are also fortunate to have links with Thomson Reuters who have invited students to take part in work experience afternoons and mock interviews during their enrichment time. Students in Year 12 also complete the FutureLearn ‘preparation for university’ module and graduate from this course with a certificate that is recognised by many universities and employers.
THE CALDER VI EXPERIENCE: BEYOND THE CURRICULUM
APPLYING TO CALDER VI: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS At Calder VI we focus entirely on Level 3 Courses (A Levels/Applied A-level/ BTEC) and our basic entry requirements are: • Minimum of 5 A* - C grades (or equivalent) in different subjects at GCSE/BTEC • Most subjects also require passes in English and Maths at a Level 4 or above. Some subjects also have specific requirements for entry. Please check the subject specific information sheets for more details, which are available from Faculties during Open Evening or online after Open Evening. Our application form is in this prospectus and is also available to download from the Calder High School website. The deadline for applications is January 31st 2017 with interviews beginning in February 2017. Further applications will only be considered where there is availability on courses. Interviews will be completed by April 2017. If you have not had an interview by the end of March, please contact the administration team at Calder VI. All offers of places are provisional on students’ GCSE results in August; this does mean that we cannot offer a guaranteed place. Whether a course runs is also dependent on student numbers.
CALDER VI Achieving your potential
Brier Hey Lane, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire HX7 5QN PHONE: 01422 883213 | FAX: 01422 881876 | E-MAIL: admin@calderhigh.calderdale.sch.uk
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