Southern Consortium Sixth Form
Welcome to the Southern Consortium Sixth Form The Southern Consortium Sixth Form is an academically successful sixth form based in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham across five Good and Outstanding schools, namely; Dagenham Park CofE school, Eastbury Community school, Jo Richardson Community school, Riverside school and Sydney Russell school. At the Southern Consortium we are committed to excellence in education. We specialise in courses for 16-18 year olds, offering a rich and varied curriculum to A Level and Vocational Level 3 students. Students studying at the Southern Consortium Sixth Form benefit from ‘state of the art’ buildings equipped with the latest technology, large teaching spaces and dedicated sixth form facilities ensuring a sophisticated and stimulating learning environment. Students are also able to enjoy access to sports facilities including fitness suite and dedicated sports pitches. In addition, students are continually supported by an excellent team of staff to ensure that they fulfil their academic potential and are well prepared to progress to the best Universities and other institutions with global reputations for excellence. Approximately 90% of Southern Consortium students at the end of their two years of study progress to University. A personalised approach during the UCAS process ensures that a significant proportion of students progress to Russell Group universities, with a small proportion taking up offers of Apprenticeships. The Southern Consortium offers both the security of the school environment, whilst the Consortium arrangement (across five schools) provides the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
“Outstanding leadership and governance have ensured teaching is good and that standards have risen for the past five years and continue to do so.� OFSTED 2013
The Vision
The Ethos
To be an outstanding sixth form provider that delivers excellent teaching and learning to all students enabling them to fulfil their academic potential and successfully progress to the next stage of their educational career.
The development of confident and resilient independent learners who fulfil their potential in a supportive and challenging academic environment.
“The school offers an exceptionally caring and challenging education to enable all its students to succeed.”
The Southern Consortium Sixth Form offers students: • Excellent university guidance, including one to one sessions on preparing students UCAS applications • Opportunities to participate in university led aspiration programmes, including Russell Group universities • Career guidance • Opportunities to develop leadership and team building skills as part of the Enhance programme and organised team building days • Opportunities to participate in a range of sporting activities as part of the Enhance programme • Extensive range of A Level and Level 3 Vocational courses • Excellent teaching and learning within the classroom • Strong pastoral support to meet individual needs • Regular challenging and robust assessments to monitor and track students’ progress against individual progress grades • Dedicated sixth form facilities that includes well equipped space for independent study, group work and social time during breaks If you are unable to attend our Sixth Form Open Evening you can find information on our website www.southernconsortium.org.uk If you need to speak to someone, you will find the contact details of the Consortium Vice Principals on the website. You can email any of the Vice Principals regarding the sixth form. Alternatively, you can telephone any of the five Consortium schools and ask to speak to a member of the sixth form team.
Admission – we will:
Teaching and Learning – we will:
• Give you the relevant information that you need about the courses that we provide in an understandable way so that you can make appropriate choices • Give you the opportunity to talk to our staff and ask questions about courses at the autumn term Sixth Form Open Evening • Give you at least two personal interviews, once you have submitted your application form to discuss course choices and give you further guidance • Treat all applications fairly
• Provide a high quality learning environment which is equipped for 21st century learning • Provide high quality lessons with teaching that is matched to your needs • Encourage you to succeed and listen to your comments and feedback • Provide regular assessments that will challenge you in your learning and provide feedback so you can have confidence in your ability and readiness for external exams
Academic and Personal Support – we will: • Provide clear, accurate advice and guidance to enable you to plan and implement the next step on your educational pathway • Allocate you a form tutor who will provide pastoral care and support throughout your time in the sixth form • Provide specialist support and guidance with UCAS applications and interviews • Regularly review your progress, through challenging and robust assessments, providing feedback on what you have done well and how you can improve further • Ensure that you receive additional support, if required, to help you successfully compete your courses and fulfil your academic potential • Hold high expectations of you and expect you to give your full commitment to your studies
Our “motto” at the Southern Consortium is “your stepping stone to success.” If you are a young person, with a desire to succeed in your studies, then the Southern Consortium Sixth Form is for you.
“All leaders and managers are highly ambitious for students.”
“We have a fantastic job, working with students of all abilities and backgrounds: helping them to define their goals and supporting them as they mature into independent learners.�
A message from the Southern Consortium Sixth Form Vice Principals: We have a fantastic job, working with students of all abilities and backgrounds; helping them to define their goals and supporting them as they mature into independent learners. Students in the Southern Consortium enjoy high quality support from specialist Sixth Form teams, academic mentors, administrators and leaders. The Sixth Form team work together to support students through any difficult times, and they are ready to celebrate with you as you succeed and achieve.
“Students take their learning seriously.” OFSTED 2013
“Teaching is good, characterised by the ability to engage students actively in learning.” OFSTED 2011
If you join the Southern Consortium you will be part of a school and Consortium community. There will be many chances to develop imagination, consideration, responsibility and leadership. You can take up opportunities offered to you and you can follow your own passions. There is a wide variety of courses within the Consortium, both traditional academic and vocational, taught in specialist areas by highly qualified and dedicated staff. Students from the Southern Consortium progress onto Universities, such as Portsmouth, Manchester and Cambridge. There are now musicians and engineers, business students and criminologists, biochemists and lawyers, dancers and historians… who have begun their careers as students at the Southern Consortium Sixth Form in Barking and Dagenham.
Courses on Offer: A Level courses Art Biology Business Studies Chemistry Computing Drama & Theatre Design and Technology (Engineering) Economics English Literature Extended Project Qualification French Geography German Government & Politics History ICT
Mathematics Further Mathematics Media Studies Music Photography Physical Education Physics Psychology Religious Studies Sociology Spanish
BTEC Vocational Level 3 courses Extended Diploma in Business Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Extended Diploma in ICT Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Extended Diploma in Sport Science
Choosing a Course
“All Year 12 Students within the Southern Consortium take part in an Enhance programme.”
Enhance Programme All Year 12 students within the Southern Consortium take part in an Enhance programme. The Enhance programme aims to add depth and breadth to the range of skills students can offer and to ensure that our students are able to effectively compete for places at the best universities. Equally, students progressing to the World of Work need to ensure that they have skills that are valued by employers. The Enhance programme aims to help students acquire these skills. Outlined below is a list of the Enhance subjects on offer within the Southern Consortium. This is taken in addition to the student’s core curriculum offer. Enhance subjects are selected at the start of September in Year 12.
It is important that you choose the courses most suitable for you. A Level and Vocational Level 3 course have an entry criterion which will help you and your parents select the courses that will lead to success. Please refer to the Consortium website for an outline of the entry criteria www.southernconsortium.org.uk. You will be provided with at least two personal interviews, once you have submitted your application form, to discuss course choices and give you further guidance.
• • • • • • • • • • •
Duke of Edinburgh Award Young Enterprise AS Community Languages Volunteering Multi-Faith Musical Instrument Lessons Champion Readers Mentoring Programme First Give Football Netball
• • • • • • • • • • •
Swimming Literacy & Numeracy Skills Mindfulness University Skills Thinking Hard (A* A students) Debate Society Amnesty Group Cooking on a budget Christian Fellowship Arts Award Young Interpreters
“Teachers use their good subject knowledge and information about students’ abilities to plan activities that engage and challenge all learners.” OFSTED 2011
“Sports and competition in the true Olympian spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.�
“Teachers are generous with their time and students benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities.� OFSTED 2013
Sporting Activities Sports and competition in the true Olympian spirit of fair play and sportsmanship. Southern Consortium schools have the opportunity to show their competitive sporting prowess in the inter-school competitions. The most established of which is the football, which has been keenly fought for over the last couple of years changing hands to add to the competitiveness! A more recent addition has been the Chess competition, identifying future Grand-Masters, and this year it is hoped that both Table-Tennis and Badminton will hit the target. Success in competitive games against other sixth form providers has been enjoyed recently in both Netball and Football. In a non-competitive element many of the students opt to follow a course of sport & fitness during their enhance time. A great addition has been the option of swimming lessons, which is great fun but also a lifesaver.
University and Beyond Higher Education We consider the Southern Consortium Sixth Form the perfect stepping stone to Higher Education, prioritising the continuing academic advancement of our students. In an increasingly competitive job market, a good Degree is becoming a mandatory requirement for getting started in a successful career. At the Southern Consortium we feel it is our duty to encourage students to aim higher and have a University place as the final goal of their time with us. And, for the vast majority of our students, that goal is ultimately one they achieve. Working alongside our partner universities, at the Southern Consortium we prepare students for working life with an innovative and tailored range of activities and mentoring designed to help you market your achievements and your potential to prospective universities. From the Summer Term of Year 12 we provide one-to-one tuition for every student regarding their University application ensuring that a significant number progress to Russell Group Universities. Personalised career advice and guidance is also provided for the small number of students who decide to take up offers of Apprenticeships.
“Students make good progress in the Sixth Form from their starting point. About three quarters of students who undertake full A Level courses progress to university. These facts reflect the good teaching, the enthusiastic and studious participation of students, as well as the strong guidance and support they receive.� OFSTED 2011
“As you would expect, the majority of subject areas within the Southern Consortium provide some learning outside of the classroom setting.�
Sixth Form Induction & Activities As you would expect, the majority of subject areas within the Southern Consortium provide some learning outside of the classroom setting. These include a wide range of off-site trips.
Year 13 Induction trip to Stubbers
Year 12 Induction trip to Blackland Farm
Activities include raft-building (in the lake), high ropes, and team problem-solving.
Situated in the glorious Sussex countryside, Blackland Farm is a multipurpose activity centre. It is located on a 120-acre site comprising woodland and grassed areas.
The Southern Consortium takes a ‘holistic’ approach to learning, acknowledging that learning is rarely confined to a classroom setting.
The day aims to achieve the introduction of students to one another in a friendly and enjoyable environment, and will also introduce them to elements of: • • • • • •
Working in teams Developing working relationships Co-operation in and between teams Creative problem-solving Interpersonal co-operation Organisational skills
Activities include abseiling and high ropes.
“There is a very broad range of subjects and activities on offer for students, which interest and excite them and provide them with highly positive experiences of learning.” OFSTED 2013
This action-packed day comprises of four 90 minute activity sessions, which is great for building team morale through a day of adventurous activity.
Close to Central London On the door step of Central London means that Southern Consortium students have access to one of most important capital cities in the world. Our subject staff ensure that students fully benefit from being so close to the cultural capital and plan regular trips and events taking advantage of the opportunities on offer. Recent trips include visits to St. Pauls, Tate Art galleries, House of Commons, British Library, Museums, numerous theatres, seminars at London Russell Group universities, and participation in activities and events at the Barbican centre. Every attempt is made to ensure that Southern Consortium students become global citizens equipped to succeed in an ever competitive world.
The Consortium Facilities All of the five school Sixth Forms within the Southern Consortium have specialist and dedicated Sixth Form areas for the use of Sixth Form students. All of the facilities are in purpose-built, new or relatively new buildings, and are therefore equipped with state of the art resources. All students within the Southern Consortium can be confident that their learning will be taking place in the best possible physical environment, with up to the minute resources available for use by both students and staff alike.
Facilities include: • Large classrooms equipped with the very latest advancements in learning technology • Fully equipped private study area exclusively for the use of Sixth Form students • Music studio • Dance studio • Media suite • Café area All Sixth Form students also have access to a gym, sports hall and sports pitches.
“Good relationships between adults and students contribute to a positive climate for learning in school.” OFSTED 2013
Consortium Transport The Consortium provides a friendly and efficient bus service (free to students), which transports students at lesson changes between Consortium school sites.
“All of the five school Sixth Forms within the Southern Consortium have specialist and dedicated Sixth Form areas for the use of Sixth Form students.”
“All Consortium staff not only help students fulfil their potential academically, but also provide a supportive platform for them throughout their time at the Sixth Form.�
“Staff go out of their way to ensure that the right courses, at the appropriate level, are readily available for all… rates for successful completion of courses are good.” OFSTED 2011
Academic Mentoring Academic Mentors not only help students fulfil their potential academically, but provide a supportive platform for them throughout their time at the Sixth Form. Study Skills Every year, all students are provided with the opportunity to participate in a study skills session (from expert providers) to enhance their independent study skills.
Academic Mentors Each school site within the Southern Consortium has a dedicated Sixth Form Academic Mentor. This member of staff supports students in their development of the skills that are required to succeed academically. These include the further development of literacy skills and independent study skills, as well as organisational skills and exam techniques.
“Students receive excellent personal advice about their option and how to deal with any academic or social difficulties or issues they face.”
“The support and care offered to students by all the staff are a real strength of the school. The pastoral teams provide a wide range of very effective interventions.” OFSTED 2013
Support and Guidance We are committed to working with you to achieve your goals. Academic support is provided by a dedicated team of teachers, tutors and mentors who are there to help and guide you every step of the way. Sixth Form Management Teams Each school Sixth Form within the Southern Consortium has a specialist team of staff to ensure the effective day to day running of the Sixth Form. This team of staff ensure through a range of policies, procedure and intervention strategies, that each individual student achieves their full potential during their time with us, and is fully equipped to take the next step – usually to Higher Education and sometimes the World of Work. Hence the motto… “Your Stepping Stone to Success”
16-19 Bursary The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a government scheme intended to help the most vulnerable 16-19 year olds in full-time education. The scheme is made up of two parts: a weekly term time payment of £30 per week to the most vulnerable students and a discretionary fund to students in receipt of Free School Meals.
“Students are set very challenging targets and their progress towards them is carefully tracked.” “The school has used additional government funding together with its own resources, to support a wide range of students in need of extra help. The progress of these students is good and often outstanding.”
“We are committed to working with you to achieve your goals. Academic support is provided by a dedicated team of teachers, tutors and mentors who are there to help and guide you every step of the way.�
Your Future Choosing your pathway at 16 is a big decision – almost certainly the biggest you’ve made since your GCSE options. The Southern Consortium provides superb opportunities. Our staff have got an excellent track record of doing everything they can to help you achieve your ambitions – through the huge range of courses, superb teaching and facilities, and personal support form tutors. The team concentrates on getting students excellent results and making sure it’s also an enjoyable time for all students, with a fantastic range of sports, social and enhance activities to complement academic studies. The hard work, high expectations, and high standards get amazing results. If you’re ready to aspire, achieve and enjoy the next two years the Southern Consortium is an ideal choice.
“The school offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses which are well matched to students’ needs and they make good progress.” “Teaching in the Sixth Form is consistently good or better. Teachers have good subject knowledge and use a wide range of teaching methods to ensure that students develop independence and are able to learn by active experience.” OFSTED 2013
“Choosing your pathway at 16 is a big decision – almost certainly the biggest you’ve made since your GCSE options.”
Southern Consortium Sixth Form Your Stepping Stone to Success Please see our website for further details and how to apply www.southernconsortium.org.uk or call 0208 724 8160 Designed & Produced by FSE Design Tel: 01933 303520 www.fsedesign.co.uk