KAA Sixth Form Prospectus 2022

SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

Dear Parents / Carers,

I’m delighted to welcome you to our Sixth Form prospectus. Students who apply and are successful will become part of something very special here at KAA: a state school sixth form that offers standards to rival any in the independent sector. Our staff, our facilities and our independent school partners Godolphin & Latymer and Charterhouse have helped grow an Ofsted “outstanding” sixth form here in the heart of Notting Hill.

What makes KAA6 outstanding? It’s the personalised tuition and expert teaching from subject specialists that give us a competitive edge. Students enjoy consistently excellent lessons and careful guidance on their applications into the world of Higher Education or Apprenticeships. The results speak for themselves – our A Levels grades are consistently above national average, and we send 60% of students to Russell Group universities, with a small number to Oxbridge each year.

If you would like to find out more about KAA6 please read the pages that follow and explore our website, where you can find out about Open Evenings too. For more information you can also email sixthform@kaa.org.uk

With best wishes, David Benson

Principal

THE KAA SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM

Opposite is a full list of A-Level courses available to study at KAA. Students typically study four subjects in Year 12, dropping to three by Year 13. In line with national guidance and other local schools we no longer operate AS exams.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

8 GCSE grades at grade 5 or above (including both English and Maths), with a 6 or above in the subject to be studied (or closest equivalent).

SUBJECT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• English & humanities subjects: grade 6 or above in English (Lit and Lang)

• Maths: grade 7 or above in Maths.

• Further Maths: grade 8 or above in Maths.

• Science: triple award: grade 7 or above in the science to be studied; dual award (Combined Science) grade 7-7 or above. Physics also requires a 7 in Maths, and it is recommended Physicists take Maths A Level as well.

• Psychology: grade 6 or above in a science, plus grade 6 or above in English language.

• Economics: grade 7 in Maths and English Language.

From 2023 onwards, KAA6 hopes to offer two Level 3 BTEC Courses. The entry criteria for these will be marginally below the A Level courses, but still competitive. Students can combine a BTEC with one or two A Levels, depending on whether they take the extended certificate (one A-level) or the diploma (two A-levels). If you are interested in either course please indicate on your application form.

BTEC PERFORMING ARTS

This course is ideal for students with a passion for Dance, Music and Drama and an ambition to build a career in the Theatre, TV or Film. With a BTEC in Performing Arts, students will gain valuable hands-on experience which can take them straight into a career in the industry, or prepare them for a range of performance based degree courses. We are privileged to have support from Fremantle, one of the UK’s best known TV & Film companies, in delivering this course. Fremantle’s sponsorship will allow our students access to industry level expertise and professional placement opportunities.

BTEC IN APPLIED SCIENCE

This course is ideal for students who have a great interest in all three science specialisms. It is a well-regarded qualification, recognised by both industry and higher education institutions, which will allow students to progress straight into the workplace or continue with their academic studies. Alongside compulsory units based upon practical techniques and investigation skills, optional units will allow students to explore cross-curricular concepts including physiology, astronomy and forensic sciences.

SUBJECTS AVAILABLE AT A LEVEL

UNIVERSITIES & CAREERS

From the very start of their time at KAA new sixth formers will be encouraged to look to their future. The sixth form at KAA is very much a bridge into university and the world of work and this starts from the first day you will spend in the academy.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

Our Higher Education team at KAA will work closely with all students to ensure early planning for university entrance.For example, the deadline for UCAS applications to Oxford and Cambridge is the early autumn term of Year 13, meaning preparation must start early in Year 12. We received XX Oxbridge offers in 2022, and four students successfully secured a place.

The choice of universities is wider than it has ever been (including overseas universities), so guidance through the complexities of the admissions process will be provided by experienced and supportive staff.

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS 2022

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

COURSES

ACM (The Academy of Contemporary Music) 2 Game Development: Audio; Songwriting

Bath Spa University 1 Fine Art

Brunel University London 6 International Business with Placement; Psychology (Sport, Health and Exercise) with Placement; Mathematics & Statistics with Management with Placement; Economics (2); Mathematics with Computer Science and Placement

City, University of London 6 History and Politics; Computer Science; Mechanical Engineering (with placement year); Psychology; Mathematics; International Politics

Imperial College London* 2 Medicine; Design Engineering

King's College London, University of London* 10 Chemistry; Enhanced Support Dentistry Programme; Dental Therapy and Hygiene; History; Physiotherapy; Psychology; Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences (2); Midwifery with Registration as a Midwife; Comparative Literature

Kingston University 3 Accounting & Finance (including Foundation Year); Pharmacy MPharm (Foundation); Geography

Leeds Trinity University 1 Primary Education (Early Years 3-7) with FY London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London* 4 Psychological and Behavioural Science; Politics and Philosophy; Law (Bachelor of Laws); Accounting & Finance

London South Bank University 3 Sport and Exercise Science; Marketing with Advertising & Digital Communications; Film and Television Practice

Manchester Metropolitan University 1 Sport and Exercise Science Queen Mary University of London* 13 Biomedical Sciences (2); Psychology (4); Biochemistry; Politics and International Relations; History and Politics; History; Biological Sciences with Foundation; Computer Science and Mathematics; Computer Science with Industrial Experience

Ravensbourne University London 1 Architecture Royal Holloway, University of London 10 Computer Science; Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence); Genetics; Law with a Year in Industry; Business and Management; Management with Accounting; Economics with Political Studies with a Year in Business; Computer Science and Mathematics; Economics; Business and Management

SOAS University of London 4 International Relations; Economics (BA); Politics and History; Politics and International Relations

St George's, University of London 3 Clinical Pharmacology BSc; Biomedical Science BSc (2)

Staffordshire University 1 Animation (with Foundation Year)

UCL (University College London)* 5 Civil Engineering; Law; Pharmacy; Biomedical Engineering; Ancient History University Centre Myerscough 1 Sports Coaching University for the Creative Arts 1 Composition for Screen (with Professional Practice Year) University of Birmingham* 2 Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences; Psychology in Education University of Bristol* 1 Politics and Portuguese University of Cambridge* 2 History and Politics; Modern and Medieval Languages University of Dundee 1 Computing Science

University of East Anglia UEA 2 Creative Writing and English Literature; Computing Science University of East London 2 Business Management; Forensic Psychology

University of Exeter* 1 Economics with Industrial Experience University of Glasgow* 2 Chemistry; Neuroscience

University of Hertfordshire 1 International Tourism Management

University of Leeds* 4 Biomedical Sciences; Natural Sciences; Mathematics; Modern Languages and Politics

*Russell Group University

University of Leicester

University of Manchester*

University of Nottingham*

University of Oxford*

University of Roehampton

University of Sheffield*

University of Southampton*

University of St Andrews

University of Sussex

University of Warwick*

University of Westminster, London

University of Winchester

Biological Sciences (Physiology with Pharmacology)

Geography; Modern History with Economics; Aerospace Engineering

Nursing (Adult); Modern Languages with Business; Mathematics (4 years)

Chinese; French and Arabic

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics; Law

Law and Criminology

Computer Science

Law with Business and Management

Mathematics; Engineering; German Studies

Biological Sciences; Spanish and International Relations; Digital Marketing

History with Year Abroad

ACADEMIC SOCIETIES

Every week, each student at KAA Sixth Form attends an academic society of their choice. These are an opportunity to go beyond the syllabus and to step away from exam requirements.

These sessions are a mixture of teacher-led extension; which stretches participants to degree level thinking; student-led presentations or seminars; and external speakers. These societies provide the structure in which wider reading, intellectual endeavour and independent research become a reality.

CULTURE

Intrepidus – our motto – is the unifying idea which binds all the aspects of our school community. Intrepidus is at our core: it is a simple, powerful ethos of aspiration and achievement. It has real meaning to all students, staff and parents alike.

Intrepidus is about understanding that it’s always better to try and fail than to never try at all; that mistakes are an inevitable part of learning; and that with hard work and persistence we can master new skills in new subjects.

CORE VALUES OF KAA

EXCELLENCE

Not just in academics, but in everything we do.

CREATIVITY

In lessons, new learning is always presented as a problem to be solved, and creativity and original thinking are rewarded.

CITIZENSHIP

Together we are greater than the sum of our parts.

RESILIENCE

We love a challenge, and understand that mistakes are just opportunities to improve.

Above all, this very simple phrase captures our school spirit: WORK HARD, BE NICE.

THE HOUSE SYSTEM

At KAA all students and staff are a member of one of our four houses. The house system creates ‘schools within schools’ – smaller communities of students and staff that develop a sense of belonging, identity and healthy competition. The house system provides a focal point for academy events and rewards, and mixes all ages to allow older students to mentor their younger peers.

KAA has the very highest expectations of student behaviour and these extend to our sixth formers. We recognise that with increased maturity comes increased independence – for example KAA sixth formers are free to eat offsite at lunchtime. But we also run a very tight ship. KAA is a calm, orderly environment where students are required to be polite and courteous at all times. Our culture is one of no excuses and high expectations. These expectations are set out clearly in our Sixth Form Code of Conduct and all students and parents will be asked to sign a home / school agreement before they join the academy.

UNIFORM

We are entrepreneurial academy with great ambitions for our students and this is reflected in our sixth form dress code. Professional, business dress is required –with suits of matching cloth, colour and pattern preferred. Trainers, T-Shirts, jeans etc are not allowed during school hours.

FACILITIES

The £66 million KAA Campus, which includes the academy and the new Kensington Leisure Centre, needs no fine words to describe it. Our beautiful new building speaks for itself – it is a world class learning environment and we are extremely privileged to have it.

We are fortunate to have our KAA facilities and put them to the service of our students. However, we also know the building alone is not the answer; it is the school’s values, our strong ethos, and our focus on curriculum, assessment and teaching and learning that will be the keys to our success.

Studying at KAA gives you the chance to spend two years studying in one of the greatest parts of London! KAA is just minutes from Portobello Road, Notting Hill Gate and Holland Park - three areas which are world famous for their shopping, parks, restaurants and culture. North Kensington is a vibrant, buzzing, creative community and here at KAA we are proud to be right at its heart.

Distinctive features of our building include:

• A high-spec, dedicated Sixth Form Common Room for students to relax in and engage in independent study

• A professional theatre, built to a West End standard

• Our own sports hall and dance studio

• A safe, enclosed rooftop football / sports pitch

• Specialist performing and creative arts classrooms for drama, art and performing arts

• Multiple music classrooms and practice rooms and a professional recording studio

• State of the art design technology rooms, including Graphics, Resistant Materials, Food Technology and Textiles

• Flexible IT spaces for independent work

• A dedicated sixth form library

• The Kensington Creates Entrepreneurial Centre

ADMISSIONS

To apply for KAA Sixth Form, please complete the online application from at www.kaa.org.uk/sixth-form/applications by Thursday 1st December 2022.

For queries about Sixth Form admissions, please email sixthform@kaa.org.uk.

Principal – Mr David Benson Kensington Aldridge Academy, 1 Silchester Road, London W10 6EX sixthform@kaa.org.uk / kaa.org.uk T: 0207 313 5800