Many congratulations on receiving a conditional offer to study at New College Pontefract from September. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with you on the next step of your learning journey, but before you join us you will need to complete the hurdle of your GCSEs. These genuinely make a difference to the opportunities available to you after college, so I know you will want to work hard at ensuring they are as strong as possible. To give you something positive to look forward to, this booklet provides a more detailed picture of all the benefits of joining us at New College in September, once this summer’s exams are over. If you have any other questions after reading it, we look froward to answering them at your NCP Induction Day when we see you in July.
Until then, good luck with the rest of your GCSEs and keep up the hard work.
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)
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 PrincipalI am the Assistant Principal overseeing all Applied General qualifications at college, such as BTECs, Cambridge Technicals, CACHE, UAL and WJEC qualifications. I also lead on behaviour management in college, and teach in the PE and Sport department.
As Assistant Principal 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.
Gabrielle Jones Assistant Principal
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.
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 6 or 7 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.
INDUCTION DAYS
THURSDAY 6 AND FRIDAY 7 JULY 2023
THURSDAY 24 AUGUST 2023
THURSDAY 24 AUGUST 2023
FRIDAY 25 AUGUST 2023
START OF TEACHING YEAR 12
START OF TEACHING YEAR 13
THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2023
MONDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2023
We will let you know which date and time to attend for enrolment but please read the invitation letter carefully. This is when we review your GCSE results with you and make final decisions about your place at New College Pontefract and the subjects you’ll study with us. It’s extremely important that you let us know if you can’t attend on the day and time of your appointment by emailing NCP-StudentServices@nclt.ac.uk well in advance of the enrolment day.
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.
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 NCP-StudentServices@nclt.ac.uk by 7 July 2023 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.
We ask all students to complete some work during their summer break to keep your mind active and to prepare you for the courses that you are studying at college. Instructions for completing the SIL for each course will be available on our website in Julyhttps://ncpontefract.ac.uk/SIL/ The work 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. It may be advisable to complete the work after enrolling in August if you are unsure as to whether you will meet the entry requirements for your chosen
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
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
Last year, we achieve the College’s strongest ever results. These are built on our previous outstanding results, which means we are confident that we are the right place to be if you want the best chance of academic success.
• For A-Level entries the average grade was a B+.
• 72% of all A-Level entries achieved an A*-B grade.
• 38% of all A-Level entries achieved an A*-A grade.
• Students are supported to find the right courses and succeed in completing and passing them to very high levels.
• 74% of New College students studying Applied General qualifications achieved distinction or distinction* grades, supporting very good progression to university, employment and high-quality apprenticeships.
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 one-to-one appointments or drop-in sessions are available throughout term time. The Well-being Hub is also where you will find our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, should you have any safeguarding concerns or queries.
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.
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
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.
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.
employers, or arrange for you a careers interview. We’ll support you in finding high quality work experience especially if you have a particular career aim in mind, such as medicine or teaching, or if you’re studying BTEC courses with mandatory work placements. All students meet employers during their two years with us and leave ready for the world of work or further study.
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
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 join trips, or to attend 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!
ncpontefract.ac.uk/enrichment
For more information about any of our enrichment programmes, please visit https://ncpontefract.ac.uk/enrichment/
• 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
• To travel on a New College bus, you must have a New College bus pass and it must be shown on each journey.
• Timings are subject to change, please check our website for the most up-to-date information.
Great
A Level Maths
A Level Further Maths A Level Chemistry
• Duke of Edinburgh Bronze
• Runner-up for President of Student Exec
• A Level Maths tutor
BSc in Mathematics
Durham University
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.
A Level Music
A Level Geology
BTEC Music (Performing)
BA Music University of
Music courses providing different opportunities to learn about a range of subject areas that I would not have looked at without it.
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 NCPStudentServices@nclt.ac.uk by Friday 7 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.
What if I don’t get the grades I need?
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 two 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).
What if I can’t make my enrolment appointment?
You will be given detailed information in your enrolment letter that you must follow. In short, you will have to fill in an online form by the given deadline and we will save places on the courses you have chosen, if you have met the entry requirements for those courses.
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
The official New College clothing range is available to all students. Order yours online at ncpontefract.ac.uk/nc-official
