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NCPONTEFRACT
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WELCOME 03 YOUR SENIOR TEAM 04 STEPS TO ENROLLING 06 YOUR SIXTH FORM COLLEGE 07 YOUR SUBJECT CHOICES 08 YOUR PROGRESS 10 YOUR RESULTS 12 YOUR WELLBEING AND SUPPORT 14 YOUR ASPIRATIONS 16 YOUR ENRICHMENTS 18 TRAVEL OPTIONS 20 WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY 22 FAQ’S 24
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NEW COLLEGE PONTEFRACT
YOUR NEW COLLEGE
welcome
Many congratulations on receiving a conditional offer to study at New College Pontefract from September. We hope that you are as excited as we are to work together in the next chapter of your learning journey, and as ‘Overall FE Provider of the Year’ in 2020, we are in a very good position to support you through the challenges of post-16 study. Please read this booklet carefully and we hope that you will find it useful in answering some of the many questions you no doubt have. See you in July for your NCP Induction Day and good luck with the rest of your studies.
VICKY MARKS Principal - New College Pontefract
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YOUR
SENIOR TEAM One of my main roles is to ensure that your transition from school to college is as smooth as possible. This can be a daunting time for any young adult and making the decision about where to study post 16, and which courses to choose, are most likely the biggest decisions of your life so far. Once you are at college, I want to ensure that you have an amazing experience both inside and outside of the classroom and that we enable you to continue to grow as an individual, to leave completely ready for the next journey in your life. I’m a Maths teacher who is not only passionate about my subject but also helping young people to become all they can be. You will see me around the college on a daily basis and I’m really excited about getting to know our next group of Year 12 students. Neil Mumby Vice Principal (School Liaison, IAG and transition) As Vice Principal my main role is to ensure that you receive the highest quality education during your time at New College. I work closely with teaching staff to ensure that high standards are consistent throughout all subjects and qualifications, so that students are able to achieve the best possible outcomes. Part of my role involves checking that students are being provided with all the information, resources and skills that they need to succeed, and also that students are using these tools effectively. You will see me frequently around college and I am very much looking forward to meeting our new year group. I teach Physical Education and I believe that every young person deserves the best education possible to enable them to excel in their chosen futures! Chelsea Branson Webster Vice Principal (Quality, Standards and Performance)
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As Assistant Principal for Achievement and Support I oversee and line manage pastoral support services including Progress Tutors, Study Support, Safeguarding and Counselling. As part of my achievement focus, I ensure where required, support is put in place in order for students to achieve their desired outcomes. I am also one of the Progress Tutors within college.
Jo Holden Assistant Principal
I am the Assistant Principal responsible for Teaching for Learning. My role is to ensure that students get an outstanding experience in the classroom. My background is in Psychology, so I train teachers how to use effective strategies to enhance student learning and memory. You can expect to see me coming in and out of lessons across the college, as I love to see what’s going on! Lisa Wiles Assistant Principal
James Morris Assistant Principal
Sarah Barber Assistant Principal
Gabrielle Jones Associate Senior Leader
I am Assistant Principal overseeing all Applied General Qualifications at the college such as BTECs, Cambridge Technicals, CACHE, UAL and WJEC qualifications. I also lead on behaviour in college. I teach in the PE and Sport department.
As AP for Student Personal Development, I’m especially interested in the opportunities you have during your two years with us to develop the skills you need for your future career and to make sure you receive support to progress successfully to a university course, apprenticeship or employment.
My role at college is to promote an inclusive environment through raising awareness of equality, diversity, and British Values. I am a teacher of Sociology and want to ensure that all students have access to the tools needed to succeed academically and to engage in wider society. 5
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Here are some key dates for you: YOUR
Steps to Enrolling We know you’ll be working hard to achieve the best grades in Year 11. When the exams are over, you will be invited to one of our Induction Days on 5 or 6 July and this is a great opportunity to start settling into college before the summer, to meet your teachers and to find out more about your chosen courses. Your teachers will also provide you with some summer independent learning activities to help you hit the ground running in September.
In July, we will invite you by letter to attend for enrolment. This letter will contain very important information about enrolment so please read all of it carefully. Enrolment is the time when you will sign up for your chosen courses if you have met your entry requirements.
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INDUCTION DAYS
TUESDAY 5 AND WEDNESDAY 6 JULY 2022
GCSE RESULTS DAY
THURSDAY 25 AUGUST 2022
ENROLMENT DAYS
THURSDAY 25 AUGUST 2022 FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 2022
START OF TEACHING YEAR 12
THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2022
START OF TEACHING YEAR 13
MONDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 2022
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YOUR NEW COLLEGE
YOUR
sixth form college
New College Pontefract is an academic sixth form which is different to both a school sixth form and a general further education college. All of our students are aged 16-19 and all of our students are studying qualifications, mostly A-Levels but a good number studying A-Level equivalent qualifications – applied general qualifications such as BTEC courses. New College is a stepping stone to university, apprenticeships or employment and your experience with us will feel different to Year 11. It’s not just the fact that students don’t wear uniforms and that we don’t have bells. It’s mainly about the adult relationship we develop with our students. We work hard to get the balance right – expecting students to work hard and make good progress, checking carefully that things are going well, but relying on you to use your time and the college facilities effectively as a young adult and as an independent student.
In 2020, New College Pontefract was named as both Sixth Form College of the Year and Overall FE Provider of the Year at the 2020 TES Awards. This was joined by the SLT wining a ‘Silver’ award and the P.E. and Sport department winning a ‘Gold’ award in the ‘Team of the Year’ category at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
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YOUR
subject choices
New College is the perfect size for sixth form study – we’re small enough to feel like a community but large enough to offer a huge range of subjects. This means you can genuinely choose the subjects that really interest you, that play to your strengths and that link to your future plans. We can tailor your combination of subjects to you as an individual. Helping you to select the right courses is critical, which is why your interview and your enrolment meeting after your GCSE results are so important. If you’ve changed your mind about your subjects, it may be possible to make changes, depending on availability. You can email studentservices@ncpontefract.ac.uk by 6 July 2022 at the latest or alternatively you can request changes during the enrolment process. The courses fill up quickly, so we can’t promise that everything will be available, and of course you will need to meet the entry requirements. Summer Independent Learning (SIL) Instructions for completing the SIL for each course will be available on our website in July ncpontefract.ac.uk/SIL. This work is intended to keep your mind active and to prepare you for the courses that you are studying at college. The work is compulsory and will be either handed in during your first lesson or tested during the first week of term. It’s really important that you put in enough time and effort to get this right – it’s the first impression your teachers will get and it will help you to really decide if you’ve made the right subject choices. Don’t leave it until the last minute, as you will need approximately 12 hours per subject to complete the work.
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YOUR
PROGRESS
Throughout your time at New College you’ll know exactly how you are progressing. We use lots of assessment, including traditional exams, but also small, informal knowledge checks during lessons and via your homework (directed independent learning). You’ll be receiving lots of regular feedback, reflecting on the areas you need to target, and addressing any weaknesses really quickly. This helps you to feel confident and in control, and it means you’ll be very well-prepared for your final exams or assignments. After each assessment your teacher will review any extra support you need and agree with you your next steps. You and your parents/carers can check all of your assessment grades and a summary of agreed support and next steps through Cedar, our online portal. Each student will also have a progress tutor who will have the helicopter view of how you are getting on across all of your subjects.
You will need to be recorded as a contact with your email address to access Cedar. This information is collected during the enrolment process. If you have any problems accessing Cedar, please email: studentservices@nclt.ac.uk
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Your New College YOUR NEW COLLEGE
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YOUR
results
Our latest set of results before Covid-19 are outlined below. Grades in 2020 and 2021 were in line with our previous outstanding results and we are confident that we are the right place to be if you want the best chance of academic success. • P ass rate for both A-Level and BTEC was 100% in 2019. • We are the top provider of post-16 education in the region, in the government performance tables for progress in A-Level courses. • 60% of all A-Level students achieved an A*-B grade. • Our achivement rates are outstanding. We ranked third out of 82 sixth form colleges nationally. • Students are supported to find the right courses and succeed in completing and passing them to very high levels. • We have been ranked in the top 5 sixth form colleges in the country for achievement for the 6 years leading up to 2019. • 92% of New College students studying Applied General Qualifications achieved distinction or distinction* grades in 2019, supporting very good progression to university, employment and high quality apprenticeships.
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YOUR
wellbeing & support
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New College is a place that embraces and celebrates our differences. We want all of our students to feel happy, valued and wellsupported. Your progress tutor will often be your first port-of-call if you’re finding things tough. They can provide you with individual advice and support or signpost you to other professionals that can also help, such as our team of counsellors or organisations outside of college. We run lots of events and campaigns throughout the year, helping students to stay safe and to make positive decisions that support good physical and mental health. We also have an experienced and committed team supporting students with additional learning needs (SEND) and a dedicated safeguarding team.
New College has a dedicated team of counsellors situated within the privacy of our onsite Wellbeing Hub, to confidentially support our students with their mental health and emotional well-being. Regular 1-2-1 appointments or drop-in sessions are available throughout term time. The Wellbeing Hub is also where you will find our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, should you have any safeguarding concerns or queries.
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Your New College YOUR NEW COLLEGE
directed independant learning This is at the heart of every students’ success. Taking responsibility for your own learning is essential if you are to succeed in post-16 education.
learning tasks by each subject for up to 4.5 hours every week. This means that in Year 12 every student will need to work for an average of up to 13.5 hours outside of class, in college or at home.
College life differs in some important ways from school life, and this may be partly why you are interested in joining us. To start with, there are no uniforms and no bells, and you are encouraged to call staff by their first names. However, taking responsibility for your learning is a part of this young adult approach. You will have study periods on your timetable where you will be expected to undertake your Directed Independent Learning. You will be set independent
WELLBEING HUB New College offers support to students through a free and confidential counselling service which is provided for all students to access throughout their time at college. The counselling service is provided by qualified counsellors and is here to provide students with the opportunity and space to think, talk and explore any difficulties they may be experiencing in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. The Wellbeing Hub also offers support to students from external agencies around mental health and wellbeing.
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YOUR
ASPIRATIONS
At New College we provide tailored support for you so that you have the very best chance of progressing from New College to a great university, apprenticeship or job. We’ll ask you to review your career plans at key points, so that we can signpost relevant talks by visiting universities or employers, or arrange for you a careers interview. We’ll support you in finding high quality work placements if you have particular careers in mind, such as medicine or teaching, or if you’re studying BTEC courses which include work placements, or if you’re considering work or apprenticeships rather than university. The broad range of activities available as part of our Excel@NCP programme have been specifically designed to prepare, support and engage all students in their applications to university and degree level apprenticeships. This includes applications to Russell Group universities, Oxford and Cambridge, and for very competitive degree courses which have extra hurdles to overcome. We’ll also create opportunities for you to engage with universities, employers or apprenticeship providers within the courses you are studying.
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YOUR
enrichment
At New College we expect all students to benefit from our varied enrichment programme. Activities are grouped into ‘Clubs and Societies’, ‘Health and Wellbeing’, ‘Super-curricular’ and ‘Leadership and Life Experiences’. If you’re sporty, you might be interested in the football, rugby, netball or basketball teams. If you enjoy travel, you could take part in World Challenge, fundraising for an expedition to a far-flung part of the world. We offer Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold awards, too. You could get involved in our student executive team and stand for election, organising events, raising money for charity, giving a voice to the student body. You could become a Student Ambassador and support your subject departments during open events and as a peer mentor. There are also many opportunities to attend trips, or to join talks by visiting speakers, some of which will be organised within your courses, and some of which are open to students across the college. At New College there is lots to get involved in outside of lessons and it’s a great way to make new friends, learn new skills that will be valuable for life, develop confidence and discover hidden talents. If you don’t see anything that interests you, let us know or feel free to run your own club! Find out more at ncpontefract.ac.uk/enrichment
For more information about any of our enrichment programmes, please visit https://ncpontefract.ac.uk/enrichment/
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YOUR
travel options Transport provision for college includes routes from locations all over the Yorkshire area. This provision is a mixture of either public service buses or one of our twelve private college services. Please see the map for the college service routes. For more information visit ncpontefract.ac.uk/travel New College offers 12 private bus routes operated by Poppleton’s Coaches, serving many surrounding areas of the region. We heavily subsidise the cost of the pass to make it easier than ever for you to access New College. For more information, to access the latest up-to-date timings and to find out the latest pricing, please visit www.ncpontefract.ac.uk/travel or speak to a member of the Student Services team on 01977 702139.
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ADDITIONAL INFO:
• For all bus routes you should arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before departure and signal the bus to stop. • The bus will NOT STOP unless an indication is made to the driver that you wish to board! • All buses can be boarded at any bus stop along all routes BUS PASS INFORMATION •T o travel on a New College bus, you must have a New College bus pass and it must be shown on each journey. •T imings are subject to change, please check our website for the most up-to-date information. 21
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WHAT OUR
STUDENTS SAY
Vanessa Obasogie Royds School
A Level Law A Level Media A Level Textiles
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Media Magazine Textiles Student Ambassador
BA in Fashion Design
Northumbria University
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Great environment and staff that are always willing to push you to your highest potential.
YOUR NEW COLLEGE
Sam Kay
Kettlethorpe High School
A Level Maths A Level Further Maths A Level Chemistry
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Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Runner-up for President of Student Exec A Level Maths tutor
BSc in Mathematics
The best part of studying at New College was the friendliness and support from all the teachers. I thoroughly enjoyed all my lessons and was never afraid to ask for help.
Durham University
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WHAT OUR
STUDENTS SAY
Max Crompton
Outwood Academy City
A Level Music A Level Geology BTEC Music (Performing)
Grade 5 Music Theory
BA Music
University of Huddersfield
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Music courses providing different opportunities to learn about a range of subject areas that I would not have looked at without it.
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TO WATCH MORE OF WHAT OUR
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faq’s
NEW COLLEGE PONTEFRACT
faqs
What if I change my mind about my subject choices? Don’t worry, it may be possible for you to change subjects. Just let us know by emailing studentservices@ncpontefract.ac.uk by Wednesday 6 July. You may also be able to change subjects when you come to enrol. This will obviously depend on there being space available on the course, and you achieving the subject entry requirements.
If I change my mind about courses, what happens to the Summer Independent Learning? You will need to complete the SIL for the courses that you enrol on before the start of term in September. If you are undecided between 2 courses, we strongly recommend that you complete the work for both courses. This will help you to decide which you prefer and will also mean that you are ready in time for the start of term. What if I’ve also applied to my school sixth form? That’s no problem. Remember that you are free to apply to as many places as you like and you don’t have to make your final decision until after your GCSE results, when you officially enrol. At this stage, any places you accept are simply provisional (and you can accept places at more than just one place, for the time being).
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What if I don’t get the grades I need? We offer a range of courses with different entry requirements, so if things don’t go quite to plan we’ll explore all of the other options that may be available to you at your enrolment. What if I haven’t done the Summer Independent Learning? The SIL is a requirement for all courses and MUST be completed before the start of term. It will be the basis of your first assessment and it will tell us how committed you are to studying with us. Any incomplete work will be expected to be done within a very short deadline and you will have given a poor first impression.
YOUR NEW COLLEGE
OFFICIAL The official New College clothing range is available to all students. Order yours online at ncpontefract.ac.uk/nc-official
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NEW COLLEGE PONTEFRACT Park Lane, Pontefract, WF8 4QR Phone: 01977 702139 Email: info@ncpontefract.ac.uk