KING'S BRUTON SIXTH FORM BE AMBITIOUS
2020 PROSPECTUS
Welcome from the Headmaster Welcome from the Head Girl and Head Boy Welcome to the Sixth Form at King’s Bruton. King’s facilitates the growth and increasing independence of each of its pupils. With all of the opportunities that are on offer, there is very little that cannot be discovered by one of the Sixth Form pupils. The school harbours a wide range of opportunities to explore, ranging from the state-of-the-art Music School to the vibrant social scene in our Sixth Form Club. The small nature of King’s Bruton means that, as pupils, we regularly have one-to-one interactions with the Deputy Head - Sixth Form and our tutors. The result is that experience and advice is specially tailored to each individual to ensure that they have the best jumping off point for their next step, whether that be in the form of university, apprenticeships or a gap year. As the senior members of the school the Sixth Form pupils are often given the opportunity to show their leadership potential. These skills can be showcased as the leader of a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, an NCO in the school cadet force or as a School Prefect. Sixth Form is a time to show your skills and pursue the subjects that interest you the most with all the help possible from the school. The Sixth Form is run with the pupils in mind, making it a very exciting and enjoyable part of life at King’s Bruton.
Seb Kingsberry and Katie Proctor
The Sixth Form should be the best two years
leadership in your House and around the
of your school career. The relationship with
school, whilst taking advantage of the wide
your teachers will be on a different level from
range of opportunities on offer here at King’s
before, you will be focusing in far more detail
in sport, music, drama, Duke of Edinburgh
and depth on your chosen academic subjects and you will be planning seriously for your life beyond school. It will be very exciting and King’s Bruton offers a wonderful opportunity for you to enjoy these last two years of school.
and CCF. You will enjoy socialising with your friends in the Sixth Form Club as well as being influential members of your House. You will finish your Sixth Form with your friends, parents and staff as Old Brutonians at your Leavers’ Ball, after having the best two
We will be ambitious for you and you will
years of your school career, and with a bright
be given an incredible level of support
future ahead of you.
and guidance whilst also being given independence. You will be expected to show
I. S. Wilmshurst
Welcome from the Deputy Head - Sixth Form The Sixth Form marks a clear transition into an education with greater privilege, freedom and responsibility. With increasingly competitive university places and careers paths, the Sixth Form is also a critical time. The benefits of an excellent educational experience at Sixth Form are lifelong. King’s Sixth Form provides a supportive and stimulating environment in which individuals can flourish. The newly established Sixth Form Centre, offering both relaxing social and light study spaces, provides a hub for academic focus and community. We offer an enviable range of academic options which allow pupils of all abilities to choose a path that suits them and allows them to reach their potential. We are proud of the breadth of A Level and BTEC subjects that are on offer at King’s. The expertise of our highly qualified academic staff, combined with our supportive House and Tutor systems, ensures that all King’s Sixth Formers are both challenged and guided as they make their important transition to life beyond school. Future ambitions are supported and fostered with on-going careers guidance, employability skills training, Higher Education visits and a wide range of
opportunities to supplement CV and UCAS portfolios. In recent years King’s leavers’ destinations have included Oxbridge, Russell Group universities, medical courses, USA and Hong Kong universities, prestigious degree apprenticeships and far more. Those who have excelled at GCSE benefit from a well-established and experienced programmed guiding them to elite universities and other highly competitive courses. A hallmark of King’s Sixth Form is the challenge for pupils to be ambitious with their learning, their time, and with their futures. This underpins all that we provide and what we challenge King’s pupils to show in their approach to the Sixth Form. Above all, the Sixth Form is a happy time, where pupils can develop academic curiosity in a supportive and motivating environment. We hope that you enjoy reading this prospectus and look forward to meeting you at King’s.
W. J. Daws wjd kingsbruton.com
Be Ambitious
Ambitious with your Learnin
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Ambition is at the heart of the Sixth Form at King’s. Our approach centres around the ambition that we wish to see from our pupils, as well as the ambition that is embedded in our rich provision for pupils both inside and outside of the classroom. There are three strands to this ambition:
Pupils are challenged to strive for the best they can achieve in their learning. They are helped to develop a growth mindset approach, whereby they gain a self-belief and a drive to succeed. Whatever they acheived at GCSE, pupils are encouraged to exceed their expectations in the Sixth Form. They are guided in finding the best path to academic success for them as individuals.
Ambitious with your Time
Ambitious with your Future
The new found independence of Sixth Form life creates new opportunities. With a huge array of activities available, pupils are encouraged to make the very best of their time at King’s, be that exploring new clubs and societies, taking on leadership roles, respresenting the school in music drama and sport, or enhancing CVs and UCAS applications through individual training and skill enhancement opportunities.
The Sixth Form represents that key step towards a future beyond formal school education. Pupils are informed of and challenged to explore and find the best path for them beyond Sixth Form. This may be to a presitigous UK university, or an overseas destination, or it may be into a career of degree apprenticeship. We seek to ensure that no option is closed to pupils at King’s, and that they can be ambitious in where they apply to.
One pupil who models these three ambitions is Callum, a current Upper Sixth Form pupil. Academically, he is ambitious with his choice of 3 challenging subjects at A Level, alongside the completion of an Extended Project on Alexander the Great’s military successes. He also was successful in attaining a place on the prestigious Yale Young Global Scholars
Summer programme, which he very much enjoyed. He is ambitious with his time, be that in house debating or public speaking competitions, playing in the military band, speaking at the Headmaster’s Essay Society and far more besides. Callum’s future ambition sees him heading to University of Chicago for his ongoing studies beyong King’s.
Callum remarks that, “What I have particularly appreciated is the support and encouragement to make the most of every opportunity available. There is an incredible amount for one to be involved in and the potential to explore many avenues. I am able to take the subjects I am interested in to a high level, whilst still having the time and opportunity to do things I enjoy beyond the classroom.”
Be Ambitious with your Learning A hallmark of King’s is the ambition we have for what all pupils can achieve in their studies, it is our expectation that pupils will show this in the approach to their studies. For many, the step up to Sixth Form allows the first opportunity to truly specialise in the subjects that offer them the most interest and excitement. The breadth of the King’s curriculum allows for a multitude of individual pathways, giving the learners true control over the direction of their studies. Pupils have the choice of 20 A Level and 4 BTEC subjects, allowing pupils to find the path in which they will succeed, and providing a platform for future success. Opened in 2018, the Sixth Form Study Centre is a superb and popular location for the pupils to work independently and ambitiously in their learning.
Subject Specialists Our dedicated teachers are all specialists in their subject area, allowing pupils to be extended and challenged on a daily basis. The style of teaching in the Sixth Form promotes and supports the best habits of independent thought. Pupils are expected to be focussed, positive and determined to achieve. Pupils are encouraged to form and defend their own viewpoints, an ability which is clearly witnessed in the annual, fiercely competitive, Inter-House Debating Competiton! Academic Support Whilst continuing to foster a spirit of independent learning, there is un-rivalled support on offer to pupils who find learning to be challenging. Subject teachers work closely with individual tutors, the Deputy Head - Academic, the Deputy Head - Sixth Form and parents to ensure that pupils are supported
in their on-going academic progress. Feedback is regular, detailed and informative. Regular subject workshops and individual support sessions bolster pupils’ learning, and the school boasts an outstanding Learning Support department. Academic Enrichment Alongside the core-curriculum, King’s offers and encourages learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Departments offer a variety of trips, lectures, competitions and forums to extend pupils beyond the A Level/BTEC curriculum. Many of these are shown below. Pupils enjoy further diverse enrichment lectures from a range of high profile speakers as part of the school’s Ambitions Programme. MOOCs We strongly encourage pupils to complete independent learning in topics of particular interest.
Recent Academic Enrichment Opportunities Visit to BMW Mini factory Behind the scenes at The Dorchester Tour of Bloomberg Chelsea FC and Twickenham Visit to Bank of England Annual Geography Forum Geography talk by Prof Iain Stewart Geography field trip to Exmoor
Spectroscopy Day at Bristol University Synthesis Day at Bristol University Local Chemistry Symposia Fitzjames History Forum History trip to Central Europe Chalke Valley History Festival Art trips to galleries Guest art workshops
Psychology Symposium Psychology Dinner Visits to Health and Social Care providers Biology residential field trip Molecular workshop Biology genetics talk by Robert Winston House debating competition
Many use online university lecture courses hosted by Futurelearn and others, known as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). Core Academic Programme In the Lower Sixth, the vast majority of pupils will choose four subjects from a range of academic options. Many will also complete an Extended Project Qualification. In the Upper Sixth, pupils will traditionally narrow this choice to three subjects. The list on the following page shows the diversity on offer, with scope to tailor one’s own programme. Plenty of guidance is available to help pupils narrow down the possibilities. Extended Project Qualification Highly-rated by universities, the EPQ is an opportunity to research and write about a particular topic of interest. Pupils work independently, with individual mentoring from teachers to develop research skills, to produce a project. Whilst this can take many forms, typically it is a 4000 word dissertation. Top universities are increasingly looking to the EPQ as evidence that prospective students have an enquiring mind and the ability to carry out independent reasearch. A Levels For many years A Levels have been the gold standard of Sixth Form education. They have been fully reformed after a period of transition, and are now rigorously assessed at the end of the Upper Sixth. Btecs Increasingly well-regarded by leading unviersities, BTECs are an excellent complement to A Levels. They offer a more continual approach to assessment, but also develop highly sought after ‘soft skills’, such as organisation and time management. King’s currently offers BTECs in 4 subjects, and has an outstanding track record in using these to strengthen and enable university applications.
One pupil who has combined the study of A Levels and BTEC Sport is Cully, an outstanding hockey player: “Entering Sixth Form, I was already looking ahead to securing a place at university. For some time, I have wanted to study a sports-related degree at university. By combining A Levels and BTECs, not only am I doing subjects I enjoy, but I am also gaining sufficient UCAS points to study Sport Development at an excellent university. This will allow me to achieve my goal of helping increase engagement in sport across the country.”
Academic Programme Hospitality (BTEC)
Art and Design Biology
CORE PROGRAMME
Latin
Business Studies
4 A Levels and BTECs from these two columns
Mathematics
Chemistry
+
Further Mathematics
Design and Technology
OPTIONAL AMBITIONS
Music Music Technology
Economics Extended Project Qualification
Performing Arts (BTEC)
English Literature Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (BTEC) French
Department Enrichment Activities Independent Learning MOOCs
Philosophy Physical Education
Geography
IT Certification
Physics
German
Personal Finance Training
Psychology
History
E-Learning Courses
Spanish
History of Art
Sport (BTEC)
Examination Results We are proud to have one of the highest value-added scores for Sixth Form academic acheivement in Somerset (Government published 2016 tables), which is testament to the quality of teaching and individual support given to our pupils. This is a sumary of our 2019 A Level results (2018 figures in brackets): A* - A: 34.0% (27.6%) A*-B - 60.1% (50.4%) A*-C - 80.4% (77.7%) Overall pass rate 98.7% (77.7%) We have enjoyed a similar rate of success with BTEC results, with the majoirty of pupils achieving Distinction or Distinction* grades. In all, pupils have averaged 133 UCAS points upon leaving King’s - the equivalent of almost AAB. These results enabled 90% of pupils to take up their first or second UCAS choice universities in 2019.
Deputy Head - Academic, Dan Cupit, writes: The 2019 A Level and BTEC results build on the excellent results achieved by Sixth Form pupils at King’s over the last few years. We were pleased to see pupils of all abilities achieving outstanding success across a diverse and exciting range of subjects. This included record numbers of pupils gaining A*/A grades, as well as pupils achieving D*D*, the top grade available in the BTEC programmes. This excellent academic achievement and continued success in the Sixth Form allowed for over 90% of pupils to take up places at their 1st or 2nd choice universities. Many of these pupils accepted places at the top Russell Group universities. This strong set of results was a testament to the hard work of the pupils and the excellent teaching and learning at King’s.
Ambitious with your Time Alongside the demanding nature of A Level and BTEC study, pupils are challenged and encouraged in the use of their time in order to make the most of every opportunity. King’s offers countless ways for pupils to do this, through planned activities, but also helps pupils to identify ways in which they can use their time as individuals to enhance personal prospects. There are over 60 activities that pupils can be involved in within the school. Sixth Form pupils, together with their Housemasters, Housemistresses and Tutors, identify the extras that they could be involved in. At King’s we are certainly a seven day school, with opportunites taking place late into the evenings, at weekends and in the school holidays. Pupils are challenged not just to see activities as enjoyable things to do, but also as opportunities to broaden their education, develop their soft skills and make themselves all the more irresistible to future universities and employers.
Sport Whilst the scale of King’s allows for all pupils to represent the School at sport, the quality of coaching and facilities on offer ensures that King’s teams are competitive against far larger schools. The Sixth Form has an enviable record of reaching regional and national finals across a range of sports. Specialist performance coaching is available across many disciplines.
Music and Drama The standard of musical and theatre productions within the school is exceptional, and we are looking forward to the opening of the tremendous new Music Department as part of the 500th Anniversary of the School.
Combined Cadet Force Our strong CCF, with Army and Royal Navy Sections, gives the chance for pupils to build their instructing and leadership skills in the Sixth Form. King’s has a strong
Leadership Development It is our firm expectation that King’s Sixth Form pupils will go on to take leading roles in society and business. With this in mind pupils are given opportunities to lead and represent bodies of pupils. In 2017, the King’s launched a leadership training event, so that all Sixth Form pupils are equipped in such vital skills.
Many will take up roles as prefects, both within houses and within the wider school. Others will lead sports teams, musical ensembles, organise charity events, take up posts on the Sixth Form Club committee or represent the school when parents visit. Many will also take on ranks within the Combined Cadet Force, instructing and leading junior cadets, or lead teams on the challenging Ten Tors event.
There are opportunities for all to lead and leavers are recognisable for their ability to stand up in front of others, speaking and leading with confidence. Sixth Form pupils also take on School Mediator roles, being a go-to person within the houses for other pupils needing guidance, support and assistance. Across the board, they are expected to be role models to the younger years.
track record of pupils receiving prestigious Army Scholarships upon leaving King’s. Here is a flavour of some other activities that Sixth Form pupils get involved in: • Ten Tors
• Zumba
• Duke of Edinburgh
• School Magazine
• Oultonian Society
• Astronomy
• Community Service
• Robotics
• Engineering Society
• Fitzjames Forum (History)
• Christian Union
• Pilates
• Golf
• Horse Riding
• Speech and Drama Coaching
• Military Band
• Computer Programming
• And many more besides!
Social Activities Whilst ‘being ambitiouis with your time’ is about engaging in activities that will broaden and enhance individuals, there is also a very important and strong social side to the Sixth Form. The Sixth Form Club, opens on Friday and Saturday evenings, is a unique environment in which Sixth Form pupils can enjoy each other’s company and represents a step-up in privilege. There are also many social events throughout the year, including the annual Sixth Form dinner where the teachers become the waiters for the evening! King’s is a hard-working, ambitious environment, but one where enjoyment and happiness are essential characteristics of our identity.
Leading Cadets Myles and Will overcame tough competition to receive prestigious Army Scholarships. This put them firmly on the path towards university and Sandhurst to build on the leadership skills they already clearly possess. Myles comments: “Being awarded the Army Scholarship was a huge privilege for us. As Senior NCOs in the CCF at King’s, we have constant opportunities to develop our leadership skills and prepare them for our careers in the Army.”
Ambitious with your Future Sixth Form education is a key stepping stone into future pathways. It is a time of exploration and a time when ambitions and aspirations are formed. Recognising that one size certainly does not fit all, King’s Sixth Form pupils are encouraged to explore all options for their future paths. The vast majority of pupils do go on to university and we have an excellent track record in pupils gaining places at a full range of institutions.
University Support Pupils are supported in exploring their options from an early stage in the Lower Sixth, benefitting from guidance from experienced Tutors and the Head of Sixth Form, who is a member of the International Association of College Admissions Counsellors. This includes:
Competitive University Applications Pupils with ambitions to go to highly selective universities and courses in the UK and overseas are supported well at King’s. Individual mentoring, extended academic enrichment, interview and assessment preparation, Oxford and Cambridge visits, the Headmaster’s Essay Society and more are offered to assist pupils to achieve their aspirations of achieving a place at a prestigious university.
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• • • • • • •
British university visits and talks Overseas university fairs at King’s Visits to external UCAS and overseas university fairs King’s Higher Education & Future Opportunities Fair at the end of the Lower Sixth, including over 20 universities offering guidance stands and seminars Use of Unifrog reasearch and shortlisting tools Individual Head of Sixth Form guidance meetings University Open Day guidance Individual support through drafting of personal statements and UCAS applications Individual support in applying to overseas universities Parental talks to involve them in the process Assistance in accessing summer academic schemes, such as Yale Young Global Scholars
Careers Advice Throughout the Sixth Form, the pupils are offered careers advice and guidance on making the step into future jobs. In the Lower Sixth, there are opportunities to explore a range of career options with experts from a wide variety of fields at the Lower Sixth Careers Convention. Pupils are also able to make use of Morrisby Careers Profiling tests to help narrow down their options, which is followed up with guidance from school staff. The Sixth Form Ambitions Programme embeds employability skills, including the writing of CVs, job application letters, LinkedIn profile creation, and soft skill development. Early in the Upper Sixth, pupils experience an interview with professional employers as part of the Sixth Form Interview Scheme. The Ambitions Programme also sees visiting careers professionals visiting the school so pupils are better informed on their future options. With the aim of making pupils irresistible to future employers, we also offer Microsoft and Adobe qualifications to enhance CVs. London Institute of Business and Finance qualifications offer pupils the preparation to be independent with their personal finances. Pupils are encouraged to be ambitious in seizing additional training opportunities using supported e-learning and additional teacher sessions.
Recent Leaver Destinations Pupils have moved on to a full range of universities and alternative options in recent years, including: Bath University Birmingham University Bristol University Cambridge University Cardiff University Cardiff Metropolitan University Chichester University Durham University Edinburgh University Exeter University Falmouth University Goldsmiths, University of London Heriot-Watt University King’s College, London Lancaster University Leicester University Loughborough University Manchester University Newcastle University Northampton University Northumbria University Oxford Brookes University Plymouth University
Reading University Royal Agricultural University Royal Holloway University Sheffield Hallam University Staffordshire University Surrey University Sussex University Swansea University University Centre, Hartpury University College, London University of Gloucestershire University of the West of England University of Westminster Winchester University Columbia University University of Chicago, USA University College, Utrecht, Netherlands Northeastern University, Boston, USA St Louis University, Missouri, USA University of California, USA Airbus Degree Apprenticeship Scheme La Universidad Europea de Madrid, Spain ESADE, Spain
King's Baccalaureate At the heart of King’s Sixth Form is an approach that we believe will see pupils ready to flourish in their futures beyond Bruton. Launched in 2017, the King’s Baccalaureate is a unique way of encouraging and recognising pupils’ ambition and progress through the demanding Sixth Form study programme. The Baccalaureate takes aspects of the all round education and rewards pupils for what they achieve in their academic effort and achievement, personal development and future preparation. At the end of the Lower Sixth and at Easter in the Upper Sixth, pupils are awarded the King’s Baccalaureate at specific levels according to the ambition and approach they have shown. The Baccalaureate can be earned as a stand-alone award, or coupled with sport, music and drama achievements. It is more than just recognition of exam results, and promotes the endeavour and ambition that will help King’s pupils to stand out in the future.
KSBSixthForm
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