Final acceptance guide

ccepting your place at The Sixth Form College

Acceptance Guide Expect more from YOUR sixth form

Message From The Principal Kathryn Podmore I would like to congratulate you on being offered a place at The Sixth Form College and welcome you to our community. Your decision to apply to us here at the College means you are on a path to a bright and successful future as you will be studying at one of just 94 specialist colleges in England for 16-19 year old education.

We offer the widest choice of A Level programmes in Wirral, meaning we can offer personalised timetabling to ensure you have the opportunity to study a programme that meets your individual needs, achieve the best results possible and support you for your next move.

activities to suit all interests, high quality facilities and a strong community of students.

We believe in the potential of all individuals and we believe that our Sixth Form offers you the opportunity to make a successful transition from school to the worlds of compulsory education and employment.

Moving from school to college can be a worrying time – but there is no need for it to be. We are always available to discuss things with you, whenever you need us. We have outstanding help and support to help you as a student at The Sixth Form College.

Last year we achieved record results with an overall pass rate of 99%, outperforming 78% of providers nationally and many of our courses being placed in the top 10% of all provision. More than 300 students successfully gained Higher Education places at Universities including Oxbridge and the prestigious Russell Group.

College life is an enjoyable and vibrant experience – with students aiming high to aspire, achieve and succeed in all they do. There is a mature and supportive atmosphere with a wide range of enrichment

Good luck with your exams this summer, and I look forward to seeing you at The Sixth Form College soon.

Your Offer With Us Explained Congratulations! If you are reading this then you have been offered a place at Wirral’s Sixth Form College.

This is a fantastic achievement as it is extremely competitive to achieve a place with us here at The Sixth Form College.

Now that you have received your offer with us, you will need to confirm your acceptance. You can do this via email (enrol@bsfc.ac.uk) or by filling in and sending us the postcard enclosed in your offer letter .

The courses you have chosen will be subject to you meeting the minimum entry requirements for those particular courses. So if all goes well and you achieve the grades specified, you will progress onto your chosen subjects in September. If, however, you do not achieve the grades required don’t panic, we will discuss your options with you.

Social Media f Nervous about starting college?

The Sixth Form College’s social media sites are the best way to connect with other students, both current and new! By following us on Facebook and Twitter, not only do you discover other students but you can also keep up to date with news on The Sixth Form College. Find out what events we are running, our latest student success stories and which schools the liaison teams are visiting.

By keeping up to date with us, you will become part of our student community before you start in September.

What Happens Next?

NEW STUDENT INDUCTION MONDAY 30 JUNE 2014 TUESDAY 1 JULY 2014 Once your place has been confirmed with us you will be invited to join one of our New Student Induction Days. These days will form an important part of our admissions process and allow you to explore a day in the life of a Sixth Form College student. It involves taster sessions in your chosen subjects, the chance to meet the staff and some important administration tasks.

The taster sessions you attend will be based on your preferences from your application form. This will give you a real insight into how your usual college day will look from September 2014. It can also aid the decision process; if you are undecided between two subjects, try them both and make a more informed decision on your preferred programme of study.

On top of this, there will be a host of activities to meet new people and familiarise yourself with your new college!

REGISTRATION FRIDAY 22 AUGUST 2014 - WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2014 Registration is when you officially become a student at The Sixth Form College – we will send you an appointment nearer the time.

During your registration appointment we will look at your GCSE results and discuss your programme of study. If you have met the entry requirements for your chosen courses we will make sure you are completely happy with your courses, and you will have the opportunity to ask any last minute questions before we finalise your programme.

If there are any entry requirements that you have not yet met, we will discuss your options with you, which may include alternative courses. We do look at every student individually, so final decisions on your programme will be made after we have discussed this with you.

During registration you will also organise any bus passes that you might need, and we will get your student ID card ready.

If you can’t make any of these days, please let us know so that we can find a better time for you. However, please be aware that if you register after these dates you will potentially have a more limited course choice.

Financial Support Most essential college costs such as course workbooks, textbooks, instruments and equipment are provided by the College free of charge.

The Sixth Form College have Bursary schemes available to assist students whose household have a low income. This includes help with costs for transport, books, meals or other course related costs needed to help you to succeed at College.

There are several elements to the financial support available: • Guaranteed Bursary of £1,200* for students in most need and who meet the criteria • Income-assessed Bursary for students who meet The College’s Income Assessed Bursary Criteria • Hardship Fund – an emergency fund for students who experience short-term financial hardship and are struggling to meet costs associated with College

Guaranteed Bursary* Those most in need will be eligible for a Guaranteed Bursary of £1,200 a year. You will be eligible for this bursary if you are: • in care or a care leaver • a young person receiving income support (e.g. young parents, young

people living independently, young people who are registered as disabled) • or a young person receiving both Disability Living Allowance and Employment Support Allowance

Income-Assessed Bursary* College will provide an Income Assessed Bursary to students who meet our criteria. This will be: A subsidised college meal PLUS either a solo bus pass OR a bus pass to cover the college’s own direct bus services OR £200 payable in 4 x £50 instalments.

In all circumstances attendance must be over 95% You will be eligible for a bursary if your parents receive any of the following: • Income Support / Income Based Job Seekers Allowance • Child Tax Credit and Working Tax

Credit, only if your annual income is less than £16,190 • Guarantee Pension Credits • Income related Employment & Support Allowance • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Students who live over 3 miles away and whose parents are on Income Support may be entitled to a local authority supported bus pass.

Details are available by phoning 0151 606 2020. Students are still entitled to apply for the College’s income assessed bursary.

For more information visit our website: http://www.bsfc.ac.uk/college-information/bursary-scheme * Details correct for academic year 2013/2014

Technological Support Computer facilities and specialist computer software are available for students use in lessons and study periods including the Microsoft 365 Education package which provides access to a range of valuable software programmes and tools, including 50GB mailbox, OneDrive Pro – a cloud storage service with 25GB storage capacity– Microsoft Office Web Apps and Microsoft Project Online.

Frequently Asked Questions If you have achieved 5 GCSEs at A*-C (including Maths and/or English Language) you will study 4 AS Levels (or equivalent) in your first year. You will also have an opportunity to study and sit the AS General Studies exam.

In your second year you will study 3 subjects at A2 Level. You will also have an opportunity to study and sit the A2 General Studies exam.

NB: we will consider students studying 5 AS Levels (or equivalent) for exceptional students.

If you achieve below 5 GCSEs at A*-C you will study towards a BTEC Level 2 Diploma and will be enrolled onto Level 2 programmes in Maths and/or English Language.

WHAT DOES THE COLLEGE TIMETABLE LOOK LIKE? Monday / Tuesday

9.00 – 4.15

Wednesday

9.30 – 3.00

Thursday

9.00 – 4.15

Friday

9.00 – 2.30

Do I need to attend College if I don’t have a lesson scheduled?

Students may not have lessons scheduled at certain times of the day. During this time you are encouraged to be in college using the study facilities.

What are the lunch facilities at the College?

Lunch lasts for 45 minutes. The student refectory, 8SQ, provides hot and cold meal options as well as a wide range of snacks and drinks. It is open throughout the day from 8:30am-3pm.

Is it possible to visit the College before I start?

Of course! If you or your parents would like to visit the college please contact Hilary Mitchell, Admissions Officer (hjm@bsfc.ac.uk), to book a tour with us and we would be happy to show you around.

Are there any courses that don’t have exams?

BTECs are qualifications that are assessed through coursework.

Information on our BTECs is available on the ‘Courses’ page on our website: www.bsfc.ac.uk

How many students go on to University?

Over 300 students go onto University from the College each year- more than any other sixth form in Wirral!

Is Wi-Fi available at the College?

We provide FREE Wi-Fi throughout the college.

This is just one of the excellent facilities and services our IT and Technical Services department provides!

I was a prefect at school- do you offer any similar opportunities?

There are opportunities to become a Student Ambassador or Head Boy or Head Girl.

Student Ambassadors get involved in events and marketing activities at the College.

Getting to College The Sixth Form College, Birkenhead is easily accessible from all parts of Wirral and Merseyside. Located on Park Road West in Claughton Village, Prenton, the main entrance to College faces Claughton Health Centre and Birkenhead Park.

College Subsidised Buses: The college offers subsidised bus services to provide an economical, dedicated direct bus service to and from the college to reduce travel time and expense.

The following bus services will be available from September 2014: Wallasey Service – incorporating Liscard and Wallasey Village Heswall Service – incorporating Heswall, Pensby and Irby

South Wirral Service – incorporating Eastham, Bromborough, Bebington areas

Shuttle Bus Service from Hamilton Square & Birkenhead Park College offers a FREE shuttle bus for students from Hamilton Square and Birkenhead Park direct to college. The shuttle bus runs in the mornings during term time.

Students are required to show their bus pass to board the bus. There is no charge for the bus service.

Why not plan your own personalised route to The Sixth Form College by logging onto Merseytravel Journey Planner, provided by Traveline: (www.traveline-northwest.co.uk)

Public Bus Routes:

Driving Directions:

Birkenhead Schools & Colleges Routes:

College is easily accessed by car just off the A5027 (Upton Road / Park Road North). We are a 5 minute drive from Birkenhead Town Centre and simple to drive to from other locations such as West Kirby, Wallasey, Hoylake and Liscard.

Parking is limited on the College campus, street parking is available nearby.

Several dedicated education bus routes serve schools and colleges in the Birkenhead area which drop-off and pick-up within walking distance from the College. A single journey costs ÂŁ1.10 or students can use a SOLO bus pass.

Rail: Our nearest rail station is Birkenhead Park, just a 10-15 minute walk through or around the park itself to college.

There is also FREE student shuttle bus leaving from Hamilton Square and stopping at Birkenhead Park.

Frequent trains travel along West Kirby, New Brighton routes on the Wirral Line. Connections are available from: Liverpool (Change to Wirral Line at Moorfields or James Street) Ellesmere and Chester (Change at Hamilton Square or students can take the College Shuttle bus.)

The Sixth Form College Advantage Well done on making the decision to study at a specialist sixth form college. There are many advantages to choosing to study with us at Wirral’s only Sixth Form College. Take a look at the conclusions of recent reports by Southampton University academics, as well as the National Audit office. As a Sixth Form College student you have a greater liklihood of achieving top grades, more A*/A grades and AS passes thanks to: More choice of courses and combinations More specialist teachers - expert in teaching 16-19 year olds More opportunities to develop in a mature, young adult environment

You have high expectations, so have we.

Here are some you can expect from us: Expect outstanding results at a high achieving Academic Centre of Excellence Expect to be taught by experienced, highly qualified subject specialists Expect the widest range of A Levels and BTEC courses and combinations in the area Expect to benefit from ÂŁ3.5 million investment in new state-of-the-art facilities

expect more

Expect exceptional levels of support like-minded young adults Expect easy travel options to and from college from across Wirral Expect to take the perfect pathway to University or employment Expect to feel welcomed into our Sixth Form College community Expect respect and to study with like-minded young adults

What is there to do at College once I start?

Life at The Sixth Form College is busy, fun and productive. We encourage our students to get involved, make new friends and take advantage of the enrichment opportunities available.

Our Enrichment Programme offers a diverse range of activities and

exciting CV building opportunities, some of which enable you to gain useful qualifications and skills. These additional experiences are extremely valuable when applying to Higher Education establishments or for Apprenticeship and Employment opportunities.

Enrichment opportunities on offer at the Sixth Form College include anything from: Earning the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Learning a new skill such as British Sign Language Joining a Club- we have clubs covering debating, film and many more.

Join a sports team - we have everything from Football to Cross Country. The college also has a multi-gym which is free for all students to use.

Learn a Language: A practical and useful skill – you can learn languages such as Mandarin Chinese or French.

Plus many more!

We hold Enrichment Fairs throughout the academic year to help support you in finding an activity that will be perfect for you.

What our students say!

“I have loved studying here because my teachers have cultivated such a supportive and interesting learning environment” – Abigail McLaren

“You get freedom and the teachers are some of the most supportive I have ever come across and help build your confidence in your own abilities” - Katie Rutter

“The tutors put time into ensuring that you understand the course content and asking for support is no problem.”

– Sam Jones

See more comments from our current students on our website: www.bsfc.ac.uk

Still have some questions?

If you need any help, or just a quick chat at any time, please contact our Admissions Team on:

The Sixth Form College, Birkenhead, Claughton Village, Prenton, Wirral CH43 8SQ

0151 652 5575 or Hilary Mitchell: hjm@bsfc.ac.uk Karen Alcock: ka@bsfc.ac.uk

Facebook.com/birkenheadsixth formcollege

www.bsfc.ac.uk

Twitter.com/bsfc

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call: 0151 652 5575 Email: enrol@bsfc.ac.uk Visit: www.bsfc.ac.uk Facebook.com/birkenhead sixthformcollege @BSFC

The Sixth Form College - Birkenhead Park Road West, Claughton Village Prenton , Wirral CH43 8SQ T: 0151 652 5575

www.facebook.com/birkenhead sixthformcollege

@BSFC