Educa+ion
Studying for a brighter future Your guide to sixth form and post-16 education in the West
2 EDUCATION GUIDE TUESDAY MARCH 1 2016 WESTERN DAILY PRESS 1 WDP-E01-S5
Educa+ion Studying for a brighter future Your guide to
sixth form and
ion in the West
post-16 educat
Guide contents Education advice – Pages 2-3 Bridgwater College – Page 4 King’s College, Taunton – Page 5 Clifton College, Bristol – Page 6 South Gloucestershire & Stroud College – Page 7 IKB School
– Page 8
Bath Studio School – Page 8
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More changes come into effect Today is a big day for many pupils in the West Country as they prepare to find out which secondary school they will be going to in the next academic year. But what do you do after your GCSEs? For those hoping to go to a Sixth Form college, it can present a real challenge choosing the subjects you want to take, and where you want to go to further your education. Many post-16 education centres offer more than just the A levels these days – the International Baccalaureate (IB) and vocational courses are becoming more popular. More pupils are also choosing to leave school and enter the workforce, some through well-resourced apprenticeships. But studying the A levels at a Sixth Form college is still the
‘Our pupils can choose from quite a few qualifications’ Madeline Woolfenden most popular choice among students, mostly because it is a proven route into university. Although there have been huge changes to the qualifications in recent years, it is still traditionally seen as the best platform for earning a place at a top university. But the syllabus has changed, and the two-year course has become more ‘linear’ – a move which means AS levels are no longer counted towards the final score, although they are still taken at the end of the first year of Sixth For m. The first of the changes took place last September for those starting their two-year journey, but the majority of the new regulations come into place this year. Last year, A levels in English, literature, history, physics and psychology were among those changed, while those hoping to study Greek, dance, drama, geography or religious studies will also see new syllabus this year.
The final changes will take place by September 2017. Previously, AS levels are studied in Year 12, and exams taken in May or June were worth about 50 per cent of the overall A-level qualification. But under the new system, all A-level exams will take place at the end of Year 13 instead, and will form the overall marks, with the AS playing no part. There is also expected to be less course work and practical assessments over the two years, and grades are now on an A* to E scale. This does not mean the AS levels should be discounted as part of your curriculum. Taking the AS exam will help you measure how well you’re doing and if you should drop or carry on taking the subject into Year 13. It will also help teachers come up with your predicted grades, while some universities will still expect to see your AS grades. The new system has been criticised in many quarters when first announced by former education secretary Michael Gove, with many claiming it will mean a less well-rounded education for our children. Many schools are now doing away with the A-levels, or offering other qualifications, including the IB, Cambridge PreU, or International A level, an exam recognised around the world. The IB is fast becoming a popular choice, with students taking more than the typical three or four subjects – as with the A levels – but instead taking a wide variety, allowing them to keep their options open when choosing a career. One of the keys to doing well at the end of your two years is choosing the right subjects. Some career experts will tell students to take their best subjects at A levels, while others will say doing the subjects you want. Either way, it can be a difficult choice. One school on the way to establishing a new Sixth Form is St Bede’s Catholic College in Bristol. They had their first set
of results last year, with just 21 students in the first cohort, although some 55 are expected to take their A levels this year. Last year, 20 of them secured university places, with 12 of them being the first in their family to go on to degree courses. Of this year’s cohort, they have already secured their first Oxford offer to study law, with two students also going to the prestigious Royal College of Veterinary and London School of Economics. Catherine Hughes, head teacher at the school, said:
“This is a stressful time for students and also an exciting time as they start to see the benefits of their hard work paying off, with great university offers. “From September, most of our new students, for most subjects, will be taking the GCE A level [the new syllabus], rather than the AS leading to A level. Obviously for Maths and Law, we will retain the AS for a further year until the new courses come on stream.” She said there has been “disquiet” among staff about the new programmes of study and the delay in getting them ap-
proved by exam board Ofqual. Rod MacKinnon, head teacher at Bristol Grammar School, is already planning to include the IB offering in the new future. The school hopes to offer the programme of study within the next few years, to offer more choice for pupils going to BGS. He said: “We have got a member of staff doing the research into the IB. “We will be offering side-byside the A levels, and it certainly is something we are exploring. “The A levels are still hugely
Oxbridge offer for student is a first for Abbeywood Community School Stoke Gifford’s Abbeywood Community School is celebrating the first-ever offer of an Oxbridge place to one of its post-16 students. Ethan Martin joined the school as a Year 7 student in 2009. Currently studying for A levels in Maths, Computer Science, Physics and Further Maths, Ethan was encouraged by his teachers to apply for a place at Oxford or Cambridge on the basis of his excellent ASlevel results (AAABB) and predicted A-level grades. Having made an ‘open’ application to Oxford, meaning that he didn’t apply to a specific college, he says he was
surprised but delighted to be called to attend a total of six interviews at three different colleges over the space of three days last November. Admitting to being very nervous for his first interview, Nathan says he performed well in the remaining ones and came away feeling “happy, but not overly confident”. He was delighted to receive the news, on January 6, that he has been offered a place to read Mathematics and Computer Science at St Catherine’s College, subject to achieving one A* and two A grades in his forthcoming A-level examinations.
Ethan Martin is Stoke Gifford’s Abbeywood Community School’s first student to be offered an Oxbridge place
Nathan says he realises he will need to work hard in the coming months, but feels the target grades he has been set are “achievable”. Explaining his choice of university course, Nathan says he has always been interested in maths and developed his interest in computing while at Abbeywood. Having learnt to code in the ‘Scratch’ visual programming language, he found himself “doing much more than asked”, leading him to consider programming as a future career. Looking back on his time at Abbeywood, Nathan says he
appreciates the modern facilities, particularly the provision of a dedicated computer room. He also has praise for the staff at the school, who he says “definitely try to help you do as well as you can” and are happy to provide extra support outside of lesson times, including guidance in the preparation of the all-important ‘personal statement’ required for university applications. The school joined the Olympus Academy Trust in 2013 and was rated ‘good’ in all areas by Ofsted when inspectors last visited the school in October 2014.
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WESTERN DAILY PRESS TUESDAY MARCH 1 2016 EDUCATION GUIDE 3 1 WDP-E01-S5
for new crop of A-level students
Educa+ion
Studying fo brighter futurrea
Your guide to
sixth form and
post-16 educat
ion in the West
New A levels New AS and A levels to be taught from September this year (new linear exams): Ancient languages, including classical Greek and Latin Modern foreign languages, including French, German and Spanish Dance Drama and theatre Geography Music Physical education Religious studies New AS and A levels to be taught from September 2017 Accounting Ancient history Archaeology Classical civilisation Design and technology Electronics Environmental science Film studies Further maths Geology Government and politics History of art Law Maths Media Studies Music technology Philosophy Statistics popular, because they are quality examinations, and a proven route to university. “But they can be relatively narrow and most students will sit three or four A levels, but the IB requires you to study at least six subjects over two years. “Of course, there will be those who already know what they might want to do in university, and choose to narrow down and focus their energy on certain subjects. “It really depends on what they want, but as a school, we want to be able to offer as many options as possible.” One school which has chosen to do away with the IB
is St Brendan’s Sixth Form College. Despite doing so, it is still one of the most diverse schools available, offering more subjects and qualifications than the average Sixth For m. Besides the A levels, pupils can also do vocational qualifications such as the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) qualifications. Vice-principal Madeline Woolfenden said: “Up until this year we offered the IB. It was very successful, and growing, but we had to close it because of the cost. “Even though there is funding available, it is a very ex-
Studying A levels at a Sixth Form college is still the most popular choice among students, mostly because it is a proven route into university
pensive option for any organisation. “Our pupils can choose from quite a few qualifications, and that is important for us. “We have more than 40-plus A levels to choose from, and a huge mix of general qualifications. “That is quite a sparse range, but we need to have that because our pupils come from more than 90 different schools in the region.” With that many subjects on offer, how does one choose which is the right A-level to take, and what suits them best? At Red Maids’ School in Westbury-on-Trym, they start
early. The girls at the school are given careers advice from Year 8 and 9, with guest speakers invited, while current Sixth Form pupils also help out their juniors with their choices. It means most will know what they want to do by the time they move up into Year 11. “We are really conscious about the number of options there are for our girls,” deputy head teacher Laura Beynon said. “Our advice is for them to find out as much as they can, early on, about what they want to do, and ask as many questions as possible.”
GCSEs to be viewed in a new way as format changes Besides changes to the A levels, there will also be changes to how GCSEs are viewed. Over the last few years, institutions are measured based on how many pupils achieve the gold standard – five A* to C, including English and Maths. But starting from this summer, a new format will be introduced, called Progress 8, and Attainment 8. While it makes no difference for those sitting GCSEs, it will be important to know your child’s score as it will be asked for when entering Sixth Form or even university in the
future. Progress 8 has been opt in as part of a trial scheme in the last year, although only one school in Greater Bristol did so last year. Starting from this year though, it will be introduced for all. The new measure is expected to place more emphasis on value added-ness, something which has been derided in some corner. It will take the students’ progress measured across eight subjects, including English and Maths. It must also include three subjects in English Baccalaureate qualifications,
such as sciences, humanities or languages. The remaining three subjects can be any approved academic, arts or vocational qualifications. The score is then determined by dividing the points total by ten – with English and Maths counting double – regardless of how many qualifications your child achieves. That is your Attainment 8 score. An A* is eight points, while a G is just one. A pupil’s Progress 8 score is defined as the pupils’ actual Attainment 8 score, minus their estimated Attainment 8
score. The estimated score is the average score of all pupils nationally. Progress 8 is the only measure used for floor standards from this year, and a school will fall below the new floor standard if their score is below -0.5. That means the average achievement of the school’s pupils is half a grade worse per subject than the national average of other pupils with the same prior attainment after leaving primary school. If any school falls below this standard, an Ofsted inspection will take place.
“...excellence in all it does within and beyond the classroom...” ISI Inspection Report, October 2015
Whole School
Open Morning Wednesday 16 March 10.00am–12.00 noon For further details or to request a prospectus, please contact Hollie Skerritt on 0117 933 9885.
ture ven Ad
ips dsh ien r F
Learning
Life changing
4 EDUCATION GUIDE TUESDAY MARCH 1 2016 WESTERN DAILY PRESS
Leading the way in land specialisms With global food demand increasing and available farming land decreasing, the agricultural and horticulture industries need to become more efficient and technologically advanced. This has given rise to new and exciting opportunities in these sectors, and combined with existing requirements there is an aim to recruit more than 250,000 young people in the next eight to ten years. To answer the demand for new recruits in these sectors Bridgwater College encourages students of all ages to engage with the college and experience the facilities at our Cannington Centre. Over the past year, Bridgwater College has engaged with more than 3,000 primary school children through its support of Farmlink, and secondary schools, encouraging them to visit and learn all about these diverse sectors. Agriculture and horticultural provision at Bridgwater College has grown extensively
Inside the Agriculture Innovation Centre at the college over the past three years and are our fastest developing subjects. Bridgwater College is also involved in a number of exciting industry initiatives to provide horticulture experts and farmers of the future, and are at the forefront of industry standard training.
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Focused around the livestock sector and 395 acres in size, Rodway Farm has a commercial dairy herd of 250 Holstein cows and sheep flock of 250 with calves and lambs arriving on a daily basis, especially at this time of the year. . The Cannington Centre, is home to the Walled Gardens of Cannington, a facility Bridgwater College students utilise throughout their course. At the forefront of the horticulture industry is the Aquaponics Centre located at the Walled Gardens which provides students with the experience of using innovative techniques in the growth of plants and other horticultural practice. The agricultural and horticulture curriculum areas both deliver a wide range of educational and training programmes for full-time and part-time students, from Entry Level all the way through to HNCs and Degree Level Higher Education courses. Alongside these there are apprenticeships as well as short courses covering everything from fork-lift driving qualifications, through to RHS courses. We continue to drive forward with our fast growing and dynamic curriculum, meeting the needs of the agricultural, horticulture and land-based industries. For further details and information please contact our Information & Guidance team on 01278 441216 or visit www.bridgwater.ac.uk.
The Agriculture Innovation Centre at Bridgwater College
www.bridgwater.ac.uk
Cannington:
true to our
ROOTS
As one of the best land-based colleges in the country we have outstanding results: • Over 90% of our students progress onto university
Come an d talk to u s at our Open Ev ening on Tues 22 March, 5.30pm - 8pm
Let us help you broaden your outlook on your future career.
courses or enter employment on completion of their Level 3 programme
• Recent investment totals £16m, providing outstanding resources for all our students
• In 2013/14 we had the highest performing land-based students in the South West
• Our innovative teaching inspires and engages all students • Ofsted rated our residential
facilities as outstanding • We offer transport links from across the South West.
Call 01278 441234 for more details.
Subjects include: Agriculture • Animal Care/Management/Conservation • Equine • Arboriculture Floristry • Countryside Management • Fisheries Management • Horticulture • Public Services • Sport
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WESTERN DAILY PRESS TUESDAY MARCH 1 2016 EDUCATION GUIDE 5
The benefits of joining King’s at sixteen Making a decision about your future at the age of 16 is not an easy prospect. With a variety of options and choices available, young people now have access to a broad spectrum of subjects, courses and institutions. As a co-educational boarding school for 13 to 18-yearolds, we at King’s College, Taunton, believe we can offer a new and exciting experience. The King’s sixth form is a positive, vibrant and friendly community, and we are keen to
suits and for enjoying life to the full in a happy and safe environment. King’s offers a comprehensive range of traditional A-level subjects, in which results are consistently strong. We now also offer a new BTEC in Sport and Education for pupils who want to specialise in their chosen sport, and follow a different route into higher education or employment. Our sixth formers are encouraged to learn independently, choosing their own tutors to support them in their studies. They have access to an excellent careers department. They enjoy a rich and varied programme of enrichment activities in order to widen their horizons. King’s has excellent facilities set in beautiful grounds, and provides well for pupils interested in a broad range of subjects and activities. Our boarding provision is first rate. Our boarders are happy, busy and successful. If you would be interested in making an appointment to visit the school, please contact Admissions on 01823 328204/ Admissions@kings-taunton. co.uk.
‘The King’s sixth form is a positive, vibrant and friendly community’ encourage applications from new pupils. Leaving friends behind to join a new school can be daunting. However, you will be made to feel instantly welcome and will benefit from our exceptional pastoral care. Boarding at 16 can be a fantastic introduction to university life; away from home, alongside people who will undoubtedly become life-long friends. And boarding offers more time: for studies, for sport, drama, music, outdoor pur-
Boarding in the sixth-form at King’s can set you up for university life
OPEN DAY
BE PART OF OUR SIXTH FORM
Saturday 3Oth April —1O am arrival Please contact us to reserve your place
Co-educational day & boarding: ages 13 –18 > telephone: O1823 3282O4 admissions@kings-taunton.co.uk > www.kings-taunton.co.uk
Head of Cricket at King’s, Phil Lewis, shakes the hand of former King’s pupil and England international cricketer Jos Buttler after officially opening 'Buttler Ramp' at King’s College, Taunton
A Woodard School
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Students offered revision courses at Easter To help prepare students for examinations in the summer, Clifton College in Bristol will be holding revision courses from Monday to Friday, April 4-8. The courses target students keen to top up subject knowledge in order to maximise their chance of examination success. Courses focus on three specific areas: ■ Revision: covering common areas, topics of difficulty, and areas to focus on and revise. Students will be able to feel considerably more confident in their knowledge and abilities. ■ Exam technique: understanding that knowledge alone is not enough, courses focus heavily on how to interpret questions and write high grade answers. ■ Exam practice: students will be encouraged to apply their knowledge under exam conditions by answering past exam papers, which will improve essay writing technique and enable students to gain experience of timed exam conditions. The papers will be checked by the course tutor, identifying strengths and weaknesses. The courses comprise a maximum of ten students, with tutors delivering personal and interactive teaching methods and giving students
Clifton College in Bristol will be holding courses focusing on revision, exam technique and exam practice
Easter Revision Courses
Prepare to achieve Monday 4th - Friday 8th April 2016 •
A full range of GCSE, AS and A2 Level subjects available
•
Tutors with experience as examiners leading study sessions
•
Individual assessments and coaching on exam techniques
•
Advice in final preparations
•
End of course report for parents
•
Superb recreational facilities
•
Residential stay available
For further information:
0117 315 7143
bclark@cliftoncollege.com
www.ccsl-cliftoncollege.com
one-on-one attention. Despite small class sizes, students will not be required to learn the same topic, regardless of their capabilities. Indeed, parents and students are encouraged to inform staff beforehand about specific educational needs and demands. Taking the classes is an array of highly qualified, experienced and motivating course tutors. Not only are they committed to delivering results, but they are also experienced examiners. Students can choose to take one or two subjects over the course of the week. With each subject comprising 15 hours of intense revision for the week, students will be revising their chosen subjects comprehensively. For those students who are taking two subjects, an option to board for the week is provided, offering students home-cooked meals. Following dinner, students will participate in evening study time, where they may indulge in independent revision in the library or consult with the course tutors. If you would like to book a place on the Clifton College Easter revision course, visit www.ccsl-cliftoncolle ge.com, or contact the course manager, Brad Clark, on 0117 3157 143, or bclark@cliftoncolle ge.com.
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College an example of a successful merger South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS) has gone from strength to strength since being formed in 2011, as confirmed in the recent Ofsted inspection in November 2014. With outstanding grades awarded for Leadership and Management, Learning support, Business and Sport, and a Good overall grade, the college is being highlighted as an excellent example of a successful merger. The apprenticeship provision has been particularly successful, with more than 1,200 apprentices a year, and both overall and timely success rates are well ahead of national averages. Well over half of apprentices are in the outstanding faculties of Business and Sport. Much of the growth is attributable to long-term partnerships with key employers, both large and small. These include public sector organisations, such as South Gloucestershire Council and the Ministry of Defence, large multinationals, such as Boeing, and equally important, local employers in all sectors. The college’s employer engagement team is experienced in helping businesses, large and small, who can really benefit from the expanding apprenticeship programme. For
South Gloucestershire & Stroud College’s apprenticeship provision has been particularly successful, with more than 1,200 apprentices a year
APPLY NOW for
apprenticeship opportunities available at the Ministry of Defence Abbeywood If you are 18-21 you could be part of the DE&S Finance and Commercial Apprenticeship Scheme where you will learn how DE&S finances, purchases and manages the equipment and supplies it needs to support the Armed Forces If you would like to find out further information or to apply for these apprenticeships go to either:
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/crs/jobs or www.apprenticeships.gov.uk Accountancy Apprenticeship (ref 788830) Procurement Apprenticeship (ref 792059)
many employers, apprenticeships are a key strategy to introduce new talent and ideas, to have a structured and quality-assured training and recruitment programme, or to gain accredited training and qualifications for existing staff. The team offers a free, effective and reliable recruitment service. Every applicant is interviewed and screened prior to shortlisting and 87 per cent of vacancies are filled first time. They also provide a broad range of frameworks, pathways and levels, and utilise an employer portal to share learning plans and progress, which leads to strong overall and timely success rates.
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NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS INTO YEARS 10 AND 12 FOR SEPTEMBER 2016!
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Open Evenings 23 March 14 April from 6.30pm
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