As the parent/guardian of one of our future students, hopefully you have already heard about the great facilities, inspirational teaching staff and fantastic success rates we have to offer. With this guide, we want to offer you an insight into college life and hopefully answer any questions you may have.
About us BEDE SIXTH FORM At Bede Sixth Form College we offer a variety of A level, A level equivalent and vocational courses. Catering for aged 16+, our students love to learn in our state-of-the-art building on Marsh House Avenue, Billingham. A caring college with a real community feel, we pride ourselves on giving all of our students the best possible experience – that means great lessons, exceptional teachers and, of course, fantastic results. Did you know Bede Sixth Form College is a part of the Etc. Group? The Etc. Group also encompasses The Skills Academy and NETA Training.
Why choose us? • • • • • • •
High achieving, aspirational sixth form college 98.5% of our students go on to positive destinations Excellent links with employers Bespoke High Achievers Programme (significantly increased Russell Group entry 2018-19) Excellent range of enrichment and extra-curricular activity New Institute of Sport and Education (ISE), and TASS dual career accredited site for talented athletes We embed a culture of growth mindset in all of our students
Student destinations in 2018 University - 82% Employment - 12% Apprenticeship/ Traineeships - 5% Further Study - 1%
Did you know that in the past year... Bede students average A level grade has gone from C to a B and the Average Applied General grade has gone from a Merit to Distinction.
Student Success
support here
Emily took a leap of faith with a last minute switch on results day from a degree in psychology to history. Since then, she’s not looked back, as she hopes to become a college history teacher. One of her highlights from her time at Bede was being involved on the student council, particularly getting dressed up and baking cakes for the fund-raisers. She said: “I thought I’d be thrown in at the deep end when leaving school, but I wasn’t. There’s good support here.”
Mk 09/17
Former school: Northfield School and Sports College
“ There’s good
“
Name: Emily
Recording Studio
You will find our campus on Marsh House Avenue in Billingham, where our facilities have been developed with our students in mind. Our newly refurbished Learning Resource Centre (LRC) has been revamped to provide a brighter, more functional space for our students, with more collaborative learning spaces, silent study areas, and ideal spaces for group work. There’s always a friendly member of staff to help with your questions, and we’ve got plenty of computers, laptops, iPads and more than 3000 books for you to use. Our theatre offers the perfect space for events, exhibitions and shows. Our theatre seating can be adapted to make the area fit for multiple uses. This is where students gather to watch and share presentations, year group meetings/assemblies and special events. All of our classrooms are light and spacious and kitted out with all the technical equipment needed for individual subjects. We also have four purpose built science labs and one dedicated project lab. For those students studying Music Technology and Media Studies, or with an interest in that area, we have both a recording studio featuring industry standard equipment for recording all sorts of music, and a Chromakey Room fitted with a green screen.
Gym
Learning Resource Centre
Astro Pitch
Bede Sports Centre
The Bede Sports Centre is situated on the same site as Bede Sixth Form College and offers a wide range of fitness and sporting activities for students and the surrounding community at competitive prices. Facilities include a four-court sports hall, a brand new FIFA 1 standard FA registered flood-lit Astro Pitch, a gym with a full range of fitness equipment and a high specification 10 metre-high climbing wall with cave features. A number of children’s sporting activities are also provided all with fully qualified, DBS checked, first aid trained coaches. The centre is
used during the day by our Sport and Public Services students and is open to the public; Sports Centre Opening Times Mon: 5.00pm – 10.00pm Tues: 5.00pm – 10.00pm Wed: 5.00pm – 9.00pm Thurs: 5.00pm – 10.00pm Fri: 5.00pm – 9.00pm Sat: 9.00am – 4.00pm Sun: 9.00am – 9.00pm Fitness Suite Opening Times Mon – Thurs: Fri: Sat: Sun:
5.00pm – 9.00pm 5.00pm – 8.45pm 9.00am – 3.45pm 9.00am – 8.45pm
Student Benefits At Bede Sixth Form College our students benefit from: expert advice with CVs, help with careers and university applications, wifi throughout college, print credits, student events, trips, enrichment and enterprise activities, access to the gym, access to our support staff, great food at affordable prices and use of our study spaces.
Travel Getting to college couldn’t be easier. Our students are offered free travel* to and from college, either on the local bus service or via our dedicated buses. For details of our dedicated bus routes to Bede visit: www.bede.ac.uk
Course Fees If students are under the age of 19 at the start of their course, there should be no course fees to pay. If they are over the
age of 19, they may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.
Student Finance All students are invited to fill out a finance application form when they come for an interview at the college, or apply online: www.bede.ac.uk This will determine whether they are eligible for support with travel, childcare, meals or equipment*. Students can also get an NUS card for ÂŁ12, giving discounts on music, fashion, books, films and much more.
Careers Service At Bede Sixth Form College our dedicated Careers and Progression Advisor is available to help students with advice and support as they plan their future career path and prepare for university, apprenticeship and job applications. Students can come and talk
before applying to the college to discuss subject choices, and throughout their time at Bede. We regularly host guest speakers from visiting universities and focused career talks and events to help our students explore their future options and find the right route for them.
Tutors Regular tutorials are an essential part of our study programme. Students will be given a pastoral tutor to help monitor your progress, deliver weekly tutorial sessions, offer advice and support, and be a point of contact throughout their time at the College. Students are also supported by a dedicated Attendance Officer.
English & Maths
need to get up to make sure we arrive at college on time, or speaking to a tutor about the course. These are things we do every day, often without even thinking about it. If students are under 19 when they start with us, there is a government requirement that they continue to work towards achieving GCSE English and Maths, if they haven’t already gained grades 9-4. Here at Bede we know how important these skills are to a student’s future success and that is why we are dedicated to helping all of our students to develop their English and maths skills and pick up the qualifications to achieve this. If students do not already have GCSE English and Maths at grades 9-4, they will continue to work towards these qualifications as part of their main programme of study.**
We take for granted how much we use English and maths skills every day, whether it is deciding what time we *Conditions apply and subject to change. **Unless they are exempt.
Enrichment College life isn’t just about lessons learned in the classroom, and at Bede we encourage all of our students to explore and try out new hobbies and skills. In the past, our students have been involved in the following societies: vocal theory and performance, the chemistry society, music and film clubs, and the Duke of Edinburgh awards. The Logistics Academy is a new initiative, run in partnership with Bede Sixth Form College, Stockton Riverside College, NETA, Think Logistics, national charity Career Ready, and local employers, offering students the chance to learn about the logistics industry, take part in site visits, work with mentors and gain valuable work experience. Our students have never been afraid to do their bit for a good cause and there’s no shortage of creativity when it comes to ideas. From bag packs to sponsored hikes or bike rides, face painting to dressing up, there’s always plenty of opportunity for students to get involved. Our students also get the chance to take part in lots of visits and trips! Previous trips have included visits to places like London and Barcelona, historical sites, employer sites, and visits to the theatre. Students also get to test their outdoor skills with expeditions and class trips to places like Keswick and the North Yorkshire Moors.
Student Success
the best decisions I have ever made
Having originally planned to go into engineering, Josh realised that it wasn’t the path for him and after a mention from a friend, found just what he was looking for at Bede. Not one for doing things by half-measures, he started his FdSc in Sport and Fitness whilst also studying the Level 2 Fitness Instructing and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications at the same time. Josh said: “None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t found Bede. I’ve been able to go back and change what I want to do, and then effectively fast-track it. Studying at Bede was absolutely one of the best decisions I have ever made. I met so many people, got my job at David Lloyd, and am now progressing onto even bigger things”.
Mk 09/17
Level 2 & 3 FdSc in Sport Former school: Nunthorpe Academy
“ Absolutely one of “
Name: Josh
Student Success
English Lit, English Language and Classical Civilisation
“ ONCE I STARTED AT BEDE I DIDN’T LOOK BACK “
Name: Leanne
As she reflects on her time at Bede Sixth Form College, Leanne is “grateful for how much the experience prepared her for studying at university”. Now that she’s at university studying English Literature with Creative Writing, Leanne has been able to draw on the skills and knowledge she gained at Bede to help with her degree. When her class was reviewing ancient pieces of text, her experience from studying Classical Civilisation at Bede really helped her to understand the cultural context and different meanings expressed. Looking back, Leanne said: “I was nervous about choosing a different college to most of my friends, but once I started I didn’t look back.”
We offer a range of services to ensure that students always feel safe and supported during their time with us.
Student Services Student Services at Bede Sixth Form are dedicated to ensuring students not only gain qualifications but enjoy their time at the College. We are an experienced team who can support with matters which may affect a student’s college studies, providing information on anything from financial worries to bullying, sexual health or drug and alcohol misuse.
Learning Support Our Learning Support Team are dedicated to making sure that as a learner, everyone receives the support they need. We can arrange a support interview and make sure the appropriate support is put in place. Our aim is to make sure each student is respected and cared for as an individual, and are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential at all times.
Learning support services include support for students who have an EHCP, who are visually impaired, have a hearing impairment, those with mobility issues, dyslexia, autism, or any learning or physical difficulty and/or disability.
Safeguarding & Welfare
Safeguarding underpins the College’s values, meaning Bede is committed to supporting students’ safety and wellbeing to allow them to focus on their studies. Across the College we have a safeguarding and welfare team with dedicated safeguarding roles to prioritise students’ safety at all times. We can offer advice and support, and help with access to other agencies external to College, to enable the best outcomes for our students’ safety and overall wellbeing. We are here to make sure students are heard and safe at all times. For more details about our support services visit: www.bede.ac.uk If you’d like to chat to a member of the team, please get in touch on: 01642 373 250.
GCSE Grading
Did you know the GCSE grading system has changed? From summer 2017 GCSE Maths and English will be graded 9-1 rather than A*-G, with grade 5 considered a good pass and grade 9 being the highest (set above the current A*). The new system will be rolled out to all GCSEs by 2019.
GRADING THE NEW GCSEs IN 2018 THE NEW GCSE GRADING STRUCTURE FOR SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH, MATHS AND SCIENCE
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
U
4=C and above
A*
A
B
C
and above
D
E
F
G U
CURRENT GCSE GRADING STRUCTURE
If you have any questions or concerns about the new grading system please get in touch.
Student Success
Public Services Former school: Our Lady & St Bede Catholic Academy
“Coming to Bede was one of the best experiences of my life
“
Name: Hannah
Hannah now works at an outdoor Activity Centre and comments “I wouldn’t have thought of this career path before – I originally wanted to go into the Navy or one of the armed forces, but that didn’t work out. I would never have had the confidence to go into this type of work if I hadn’t done the course at Bede and without the help from my tutors, and I’m absolutely loving it.” With plans to travel and take her work overseas in the future, Hannah credits the Public Services course at Bede with giving her a lot of the skills required for her job and teaching her not to give up when faced with more challenging tasks.
Useful Contacts Bede Sixth Form College Reception Stockton Riverside College Reception Stockton Riverside College Info Team The Skills Academy Reception NETA Reception Youth Worker Service Student Finance Bede Sports Centre
01642 01642 01642 01642 01642 01642 01642 01642
373 865 865 607 616 631 631 373
250 400 566 464 936 327 337 289
Visit our website: www.bede.ac.uk Email: bede.enquiries@stockton.ac.uk
Address Bede Sixth Form College Marsh House Avenue Billingham TS23 3HB
Reporting an Absence If a student is not going to be in college then they must telephone Bede Sixth Form College reception by 8.55am. If a student has an appointment they need to attend, they must inform reception at least one day before, though they are advised to arrange all appointments outside of college hours where possible. When a student returns to college, following an appointment, they need to report to reception to let them know they are back in the building. Bede Sixth Form College BedeSixthForm bedesixthformcollege