WELCOME TO
SHARNBROOK ACADEMY SIXTH FORM We are delighted that you are considering joining Sharnbrook Sixth Form. Our Sixth Form is an integral part of Sharnbrook Academy, a very successful comprehensive school located in beautiful, rural North Bedfordshire. Our academy motto, ‘Excellence, Care and Opportunity for All’, epitomises our shared belief that all students can achieve, and we encourage, challenge and support everyone to realise their potential. Effort, hard work and success is expected and celebrated, and creativity is nurtured. Sharnbrook has a longstanding reputation for high student achievement. We pride ourselves on our rigorous academic standards and expert teaching and learning. As a result, our students regularly attain excellent examination grades at the end of key stage five, opening pathways to access world class universities, prestigious degree apprenticeships and competitive career opportunities. Situated on a large, campus-style site, we
are privileged to offer outstanding facilities, a broad post-16 curriculum and extensive supplementary curriculum opportunities for all our students. We encourage our Sixth Formers to play an active role in the life of the wider school, whilst ensuring that they have the space and time to focus on their studies, personal development and preparation for the future. Sixth Form students benefit from fully equipped, dedicated study areas and facilities, a bespoke enrichment programme, a Sixth Form cafe and a specialist Sixth Form team who ensure that each of our students receive the care, guidance and support needed to secure their first-choice destination. I hope this prospectus will provide you with an overview of the excellent education that we offer for all of our students and enable you to make an informed decision about your next steps after Year 11. Mrs C Raku Headteacher
WELCOME FROM THE
HEAD OF SIXTH FORM Dear Student, Parent, Carer, Welcome to Sharnbrook Sixth Form, our Sixth Form and one that we are immensely proud of. At Sharnbrook you will find a wide range of subjects to choose from, all of which are delivered by our outstanding specialist subject staff. Our excellent facilities are tailor-made to support your studies, offering the latest in technology to work in both the in-person and virtual worlds. We are a large Sixth Form that feels like a smaller one, due to the care and guidance you
receive. We run a highly focused academic mentoring programme alongside high quality well-being and pastoral support services. Combined with our targeted destinations guidance, we ensure you receive the everything you need to achieve your goals and aspirations. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our vision for our Sixth Form and our students, and we encourage you to join us on our mutual journey together. Daniel Baxby Director of Sixth Form
THE SHARNBROOK COMMITMENTS When students join us as a member of Sharnbrook Academy Sixth Form, they enter into a commitment to engage in all aspects of Sixth Form life, to equip them for life after their studies. Equally we give them our commitment that we will support and guide them through the next two years, preparing them for their future ahead. These combine into our ‘Sharnbrook Commitments’ programme, that guides all aspects of our Sixth Form provision. When students become a part of Sharnbrook Academy Sixth Form, they commit to give their time, energies, and efforts towards furthering their education, achieving the best that they can, and developing them as individuals ready to face the world ahead.
As a school we commit to providing students with quality teaching and learning, support and guidance, and many opportunities to enable them to access the next stage of their education or work, and beyond. The Sharnbrook Commitments are the way in which we bring together all elements of life in the Sixth Form, and provide students, teachers, staff and parents, with a clear structure, purpose and strategy for their experience ahead.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT We offer a large range of A Level and BTEC qualifications, that offers students huge choice in the combinations of subjects they wish to pursue. Whether you are looking to study a selection of subjects that have a specific career choice in mind, or you are looking for a more varied program of study, we provide guidance right from application on the courses available, and how they link to potential destinations choices after the Sixth Form. All subjects are taught by dedicated subject specialists in our excellent facilities, such as our designated Sixth Form ICT and media suites, specialist TV studio, state of the art science laboratories and PE and performance spaces.
Academic expectations are rigorously monitored, with regular feedback on current performance, together with individual feedback and guidance on how to improve grades and outcomes, shared with both students and parents. Alongside timetabled subject lessons, private study is allocated for each lesson during the school day, in our exclusively designated Sixth Form study spaces. We expect all students to strive for the very best no matter their predicted academic outcome. We promote aspiration, expect determination, and encourage resilience. Differences in the subjects pursued or the destination in mind, are immaterial to us, we expect all our students to not only work hard, but also enjoy their learning.
SUPPLEMENTARY CURRICULUM The additional learning opportunities that are available to students provide them with the opportunity to complete supplementary courses, either linked to their current subjects or in areas of interest or challenge. Many of the course opportunities are delivered by the school, such as the Extended Project Qualification, an exam board accredited, research-based course, that provides students with the experience of writing a mini dissertation of their choice and presenting their findings to an accreditation panel.
For students wanting to extend and expand their knowledge, they are also able to access a huge database of Open University and ‘MOOC’s, free accreditable courses covering thousands of topics, that provide a broad base of information, enhancing and broadening their studies and interests. Time spent outside normal studies is put to good use through a range of subject societies. Modelled on the types of societies found in all universities they provide students with the prospect of participating in subject specific activities, some competition based, but many purely for the enrichment opportunities they offer.
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY All of our students are encouraged to engage in the wider elements of the school and Sixth Form community.
other academic competitions and teams are all excellent examples of how students can contribute to the community.
By offering time to support others, students gain skills and experience in areas not covered by pure subject study, making it also personally rewarding. There are numerous ways in which this can be achieved. Supporting lower school activities, representing the Sixth Form as ambassadors or on groups, or becoming specialists in mental health or anti- bullying, or representing the school in sports and
Student representatives are voted onto the Sixth Form Strategic Group by their peers, influencing the direction of the Sixth Form and recommending changes that should be made. Student-led groups focussing on areas of importance and interest such as wellbeing, and LGBT+ awareness, ensure that the topics important to students are at the forefront of school and student awareness and allow us to adapt our provision responsively.
EXPERIENCE & SUPPORT Managing academic studies alongside part time jobs, learning to drive, plus many the other calls on a student’s time can cause challenges that may require guidance and advice. We have a wide range of both in school and external support available for students to access if required, all of which are there to guide them through any of these challenges that may arise. This support starts with a student’s Sixth Form tutor, who through the academic mentoring programme, provides them with regular information on their academic progress, guiding students with their studies, and supporting their application for their destination of choice after the Sixth Form.
We also have our specialist Sixth Form team, who provide guidance and support in relation to more specific issues. Our highly experienced Health and Wellbeing advisor, and our inschool specialist counsellor are both there for students when required. While the focus is primarily on a student’s studies, we provide information and experience of a wide range of other issues through our tailored PSHE programme. Through the monthly focus, we discuss many of the challenges facing students in the UK and wider world today, as well as teaching some of the skills required for life after school. Examples include financial awareness lectures, personal safety guidance and the opportunity to develop life skills, delivered through a series of drop-down days, lectures, and tutorial activities, specifically designed for the needs of Sixth Formers both now and in the future Finally, life in the Sixth Form is not just about work, students plan and organise several social activities, together with intra-house events and competitions throughout their two years.
DESTINATIONS AWARENESS Whatever a student’s goal at the culmination of their studies, we have a clear commitment to ensuring that they are aware of all the destinations options available to them. Information and guidance begins early, where our XPLORE lecture series offers presentations from specialist external speakers from higher education and industry. In the spring of Year 12, the highlight of our programme is our ‘Destination Fortnight’ where some 85 different lectures and presentations are delivered to students from a wide range of different universities and careers specialists, ex-students, and apprenticeship providers, all designed to showcase to students the wide and varied opportunities available to them.
For some destinations, a more tailored approach is required. Students who are members of ‘The Think Tank’ follow a tailored two-year programme of events and support for students looking towards early university entry for study at Oxford, Cambridge, together with other specialist courses such as medicine and veterinary. Having the skills to join the workforce is also key, and we offer all students a period of work experience to experience what life is like in a business and industry. Work shadowing opportunities are also encouraged, and we call upon a fantastic range of local and national contacts to match students as closely as possible to their career and destination of their choice.
APPLICATION PROCESS Students are invited to apply to the Sixth Form via a link which can be found on the Sixth Form website. We then invite all prospective students for an interview with a member of the Sixth Form team. • Application deadline: 17th December 2021 (via Sixth Form website and QR code) • Interview dates: 24th January – 4th February 2022 • Offers released: 21st February 2022 • Confirmation of grades due: Exam results day (via Sixth Form website) • Confirmation of offer: Exam results day
Odell Road, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, MK44 1JL Tel: 01234 782191 Email: 6joinus@sharnbrook.academy www.sharnbrook.beds.sch.uk/sixth-form Please scan the QR code to find a link to the Application Form
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