Open evening booklet jan 2014

open evening programme

The Sixth Form College Welcome to The Sixth Form College. This programme contains all of the information you need to ensure you get the most out of our Open Evening. Please feel free to explore our facilities, visit subject departments and speak to our staff and students about the college.

Don’t miss our...

Principal’s Talk

6.30pm

Located in the Drama Studio: Principal Kathryn Podmore and Deputy Principal Mike Kilbride will introduce you to The Sixth Form College and provide an overview of how we support our students to achieve their best.

Drama Studio

Juice FM Interview

7.00pm

Located in 8SQ: Head students Matthew Swift and Kayleigh Southall will be interviewed live by Juice FM - find out why they chose to study at The Sixth Form College.

8SQ

Student Performance

7:15pm

Located in the Drama Studio: A short variety performance from our students in Dance, Drama & Theatre Studies, Performing Arts and Music.

Drama Studio

Admissions Q&A

7:45pm

Located in the Conservatory: Our Admissions team will answer any questions you may have regarding the admissions process and applying to us in September 2014

Conservatory

Welcome to the Open Evening of Wirral’s Specialist Sixth Form College bsfc.ac.uk

welcome We are delighted that you are considering The Sixth Form College in Birkenhead to continue your education.

Tonight is our opportunity to show you what makes us proud to be Wirral’s specialist sixth form college and a Centre of Academic Excellence for sixth form studies.

We would like to show you that we offer a positive choice for students who want to move on from school and study in a college environment that allows you to develop as young adults and provides a springboard to university, employment and a rewarding career.

Our college provides a mature and supportive atmosphere underpinned by a strong work ethic. We have state of the art facilities to further complement the expert teaching by our highly committed, subject specialist staff.

We have high expectations of our students and believe that all can aspire, achieve and succeed. Each year we attain outstanding results that exceed both local and national levels, placing the college in the top 22% of sixth form colleges nationwide and a number of our courses are in the top 10% nationally.

Staff at our Open Evening are here to show you all the opportunities available to learners here to help you make an informed choice about your future in education. We hope you enjoy visitng our sixth form college.

Kathryn Podmore Principal

Wirral’s Specialist Sixth Form College www.bsfc.ac.uk

To help make an informed decision please consider the following questions throughout the evening: What range of courses are available to meet your future aspirations?

What is special about a Sixth Form College education?

What courses will suit you? Level 3 or Level 2? A-Levels or BTECs? What entry criteria do you need to meet each subject?

What pastoral care is in place to help your move from school to college?

What facilities and equipment are available?

What support is available to help you progress onto University or Employment?

What extra-curricular activities are available?

What can you Expect from us?

expect

more from your sixth form

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

exceptional levels of support

Expect

to benefit from ÂŁ3.5 million investment in new state-of-the-art facilities

Expect

respect and to study with 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

open evening programme Principal’s Talk & Student Performance

Drama Studio

The Principal’s Talk will be held in the Drama Studio at 6:30pm.

A student performance will also take place in the Drama Studio at 7:15pm.

Learning Support

The Learning Assistance Base

Advice and Information about the Learning Support services available at college.

Admissions help & advice

The Conservatory

Q&A Session with the Admissions Team at 7:45pm.

Microsoft Packages Find out more about the free packages Microsoft provide to our students. Speak to Mal in ICT & Computing for more information.

Stand Locations: Cafe, Student Social Space & Corridor Admissions Desk: Pick up information packs and application forms at our Admissions desk. Register with us tonight and enter our prize draw to win a Kindle Fire HD! Financial Support: Got questions about what financial support is available? Speak to Adi Chapman on our Bursary stand to find out more.

Transport: Wondering how to get to college? Come and speak to Bev Farlam to find out about the college bus service and routes.

Advanced Academic Writing: Come and speak to Ashley Vallance about our AAW scheme.

Enrichment: Enrichment officer Rowena Lovatt will be on hand to give information and advice about our enrichment programmes and activities

Student Ambassadors: Talk to our students! Our student ambassadors can answer all your questions about what college life is like. Find out about activities and events happening in The Sixth Form College and how you could get involved.

Learner Services: Information about our Learner Services Base and how we support your learning with us.

Higher Education/University Information: Speak to Leigh O’Mahony and Gary Small for Higher Education advice and University information.

open evening programme

Subject Locations: Art & Design

The School of Art & Design

Fine Art/ Graphic Art/ Textile Art/ The ABC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media

Applied Science: Forensic

A Rooms: A6

Applied Science: Medical Biology

A Rooms: A3

Business Studies

J Rooms: J4

A Rooms: A4

Chemistry

A Rooms: A1

Child Studies

E Rooms: E8

Computing Dance

F Rooms B Rooms: B8

Design Technology C Rooms: C6/C7

Government & Politics

K Rooms: K3

Health & Social Care C Rooms: C4

History

K Rooms: K4

ICT

F Rooms

Law

H Rooms: H1

Mathematics

N Rooms: N4

Media

L Rooms: L1

Music

B Rooms: B8

Performing Arts

B Rooms: B8

Physical Education

G Rooms: G2

Physics Psychology

A Rooms: A7 C Rooms: C9

Religious Studies

K Rooms: K5

Sociology

K Rooms: K1

Drama & Theatre Studies

B Rooms: B8

Economics

J Rooms: J4

Spanish

H Rooms: H2

English

B Rooms: B2

Sport

G Rooms: G2

Film

L Rooms: L3

Statistics

N Rooms: N4

French

H Rooms: H2

See College Map

Geography

K Rooms K2

School of Art & Design

SHREWSBURY ROAD

FOREST ROAD

Fine Art, Graphic Art, & Textile Art Psychology, Design Technology, & Health & Social Care

C

Rooms

B

Rooms

Outside to School of Art & Design

The Conservatory Admissions Q&A (7:45pm)

English & Drama & Theatre Studies, Performing Arts, Music & Dance

Outside to English Information Stands:

Admissions; Advanced Academic Writing; Financial Support; Enrichment; Learner Services; Higher Education; Student Ambassadors; Transport Say Hello to Juice FM!

Sports Hall

Outside to Sport & PE

Entrance

Sciences

Sport & Rooms PE

A

Rooms Upstairs to Film & Media Studies

L

Rooms

Film & Media Studies Studies 1st Floor

PARK ROAD WEST

Upstairs to The Hub (Level 2)

Microsoft

Mathematics & Statistics

The Hub Level 2 2nd Floor Upstairs to F Rooms

N

ICT & Computing

Rooms

F

Child Studies

Rooms 1st Floor Outside to Languages, Business, Economics & Law

E

Rooms

Upstairs to J Rooms

French, Spanish, Law, Business Studies & Economics H & J Rooms

Rooms

1st Floor

2nd Floor

Principal’s Talk & The Drama Student Studio Performance

The Learning Assistance Base

Outside to Humanities Building

Key Gents Toilets Ladies Toilets Accessible Toilets Outdoor Pathway Stairway

K

Rooms

Sociology, Geography, History, Government & Politics & Religious Studies

Research shows that ‘students at sixth form colleges are significantly more likely to achieve top grades at A Level than those who stay on at their schools’. Professor Daniel Muijs and Dr Natasha Rumyantseva, University of Southampton, August 2012 (published in The Times 16.8.12 ‘Why Sixth Form Colleges go to the top of the class’) Statistics show that, like for like, students make more progress at The Sixth Form College, Birkenhead than at selective schools on the Wirral.

We outperform 78% of other providers nationally for AS provision.

Neston

St Mary’s

Calday Grammar

Hilbre

University Academy

Woodchurch Ridgeway

Our overall pass rate of 99% is higher than the national average (97.7%) and Wirral average (97.3%).

South Wirral

Weatherhead

Pensby St Anselms

West Kirby Grammar

We are one of only 94 sixth form colleges in the country and the only sixth form college in Wirral with teachers that are specialists in A Level provision.

Birkenhead High

We are an Academic Centre of Excellence and one of Wirral's top performing inclusive sixth-forms.

Bebington St John Plessington

did you know?

Prenton Wirral Grammar

Wallasey

Mosslands

Upton Hall Convent

Oldershaw

We have 13 courses that are in the top 10% nationally and our AS/A2 French courses have achieved ALPS Grade 1 placing them in the top 1% nationally.

You can choose from over 100 qualifications and choose a combination of courses that is right for you and not restricted by timetable blocks.

We have invested £3.5million in new facilities to benefit our students. New facilities include: School of Art & Design, Humanities building, Science laboratories, Learning Support Room, Learner Services Base, Student Common Area.

Over 300 students progress to university from us each year - more than from any other school or College on the Wirral. Our specialist Graduate Advisers & Personal Tutors ensure that you are fully supported in making applications The College has over 25 years’ experience of educating and training young people on the Wirral.

We provide an effective bridge between school and the adult world of university and employment.

We have won national acclaim from the Learning & Skills Network for our use of technology and mobile learning.

We received record application levels for 2013 - 1300 applications received from students across Wirral and beyond

nearly there...

The sixth form college has undergone a ÂŁ3.5 million refurbishment in recent years to allow us to offer the best possible environment and facilities for sixth form study.

New facilities include:-

The final area to be built was our brand new reception area and college facia which opened in January 2014. All of the new building developments were overseen by former student at The Sixth Form College and architect Rachel Clegg, of Wirral based firm Ainsley Gommon Architects.

The Wilfred Owen Building: Officially opened by The Rt. Hon Lord Adonis, (May 3rd 2013)

Wirral West MP and Employment Minister Esther McVey visited students in the Learning Assistance Base, (November 15th 2013)

The School of Art & Design: Officially opened by The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE, (November 27th 2013)

why choose a sixth form college?

According to the Sixth Form Colleges Forum Report, 2012 (Sixth Sense) “Sixth Form Colleges out perform all other providers of 16-18 Education.” www.sfcforum.org.uk

How Sixth Form Colleges help students progress to higher education and beyond

An education success story According to the latest data available from the 1 Department for Education, 1,374,700 16 to 18 year olds in England (70.6% of the age group) are engaged in some form of full time education.

Most of these young people are either studying at a further education college (39%) or a maintained school or academy (32%). A further 6% are studying at an independent school and 11% are pursuing a full time course at a Sixth Form College (SFC).

Yet despite forming a relatively small part of the 16-18 education landscape, Sixth Form Colleges are a great education success story.

The first SFC opened in Luton in 1966 and today there are 94 official or ‘designated’ Sixth Form Colleges across England. They offer an extensive range of courses, both academic and vocational, and their pastoral care is specialised for the 16-18 age group.

Sixth Form Colleges are experts in 16-18 education and act as a valuable stepping stone between the worlds of compulsory education, and higher education and employment. A Sixth Form College timetable can accommodate virtually all combinations of student choices and the curriculum offer is reviewed on a regular basis. In 2011, more than 150,000 16 to 18 year olds were enrolled on a course at a Sixth Form College with most (94%) studying for a level 3 qualification (A level or equivalent).2

Sixth Form Colleges outperform all other providers of 16-18 education

A 2011 report by the National Audit Office 3 concluded that Sixth Form Colleges “perform best on most measures of learner achievement” The report showed that: •

Learners in Sixth Form Colleges recorded higher attainment 4 in level 3 courses than those in school and academy sixth forms or general further education colleges;

•

According to the value added score (which measures the progress that learners make relative to their prior educational attainment), 58% of Sixth Form Colleges added more value than expected, compared to 29% of general further education colleges and 16% of school and academy sixth forms;

•

Sixth Form Colleges are experts in 16–18 education and act as a valuable stepping stone between the worlds of compulsory

.

Success rates show the proportion of young people that start a qualification in an institution and achieve it by the end of the required period of study. At the time the National Audit Office report was published, robust data on success rates for school and academy sixth forms was not available. But in February 2012, school and academy success rates were published as part of the government’s commitment to harmonise the success and achievement measures used across the 16-18 education sector. 5

education, and higher education and employment.

At levels 1 through to 3, Sixth Form Colleges had higher success rates than general further education colleges (84% compared to 78%).

To be a Sixth Form College is to be part of an elite, but not elitist group. On a range of measures SFCs outperform all other types of 16-18 provider.

3

High levels of applications resulted in record recruitment at The Sixth Form College for the 2013/2014 academic year. We received 1300 applications from across Wirral and Merseyside with 800 applications being received from schools with existing sixth forms.

Location of Sixth Form Colleges

SF CF Re gions East Greater Manchester London 25

Midlands

57

56

74

North East North West

70

Ro man Ca tholic

4

So uth East 77

So uth West

49

13 68

46 31 67 86

38

14 8

91 85

32 24

9

English Regions

3 34

42 62 50 92 55 15 2

21

North East

41 82

North West

73

Yorkshire and the Humber East Midlands 17

7

West Midlands East of England

52 71

London

47 22

19

59 37

35 12 81

36

So uth West

44

43 30

89

40

29

45

79

65

88 72 39 11 48 27 66 16

64 63

75 28

20

51

18

87 60

80 58 53 61 83

So uth East

90

23

1

5 26 76 33 54 69

78

6 10 84

Sixth Form Colleges’ Forum Local Government House Smith Square London SW1P 3HZ T Telep hone 020 7187 7349 Web www.sfc sf fo f rum.org.uk

Designed by: oysterdesign.co.uk

As a Sixth Form College we are experts in educating 16-19 year olds from across Wirral and students join from all local schools and beyond. We offer the widest choice of A level programmes in the area and the opportunity to study at a specialist sixth form provider with expert teachers and high-quality facilities.

Article from the Times newspaper on 16th August 2012 The following article combines the findings from Southampton University’s research on Sixth Form College’s in Hampshire with the key findings from the SFCF Sixth Sense report.

Why sixth-form colleges go to the top of the class Students at sixth-form colleges are significantly more likely to achieve top grades at A level than those who stay on at their schools, research suggests.

Teenagers at sixth-form colleges were 7 per cent more likely to be awarded A* or A. They were also more likely to pass at AS level.

The academic who led the study said that sixth-form colleges were bigger and offered specialist teaching, a wider choice of A-level subjects and a campus style environment. The findings will fuel debate over the Government’s school reforms.

Sixth-form colleges accuse ministers of discriminating against them by giving them less funding and by encouraging academy sixth forms.

The number of sixth-form colleges in England has fallen from 120 to 94 in twom decades. They say that they face tougher inspection benchmarks and receive less money per student than schools, although the Government plans to cut school funding to match that of colleges by 2015.

James Kewin, of the Sixth Form Colleges’ Forum, told The Times that they were being unfairly squeezed because academies with sixth forms were replacing comprehensive schools. He said: “We have a stable cohort of kids and a long history of educational success, but the funding disproportionately benefits unproven new providers.”

An education spokesman said that sixth-form colleges had an outstanding record for university progression but added: “Academies are transforming the life chances of thousands of pupils and free schools will do the same.”

Daniel Muijs and Natasha Rumyantseva at Southampton University looked in detail at the A-level grades of students at 11 sixth-form colleges in Hampshire between 2007 and 2010. Their results were compared with those of students who sat A levels in similar subjects at 52 school sixth forms, 10 further education colleges and a control group at 11 sixth-form colleges elsewhere, using figures from the national database.

Schools were matched with the Hampshire colleges to find groups with comparable GCSE results, catchment areas, family income, gender, ethnicity and proportion with special needs.

They found that students at the sixth-form colleges were 7.2 per cent likelier to achieve A* or A grades at A level than teenagers of similar ability and background at school sixth forms and 8.9 per cent more likely than teenagers at further education colleges. Results from the two groups of sixth-form colleges were broadly similar.

Professor Muijs told The Times that his findings suggested that most teenagers would have a better chance at a sixth-form college because they could choose subjects that suited them. “Due to their specialised nature, sixthform colleges have developed high levels of expertise,” he said. “This may result in improved teaching quality and in turn, improved performance.”

A report by the National Audit Office report last year said that sixth-form colleges performed best on most measures of student achievement, although it said that, on average, pupils aged 16-18 achieved better results in larger institutions be they sixth-form colleges or school sixth forms.

succeed

in all you do

what our students say...

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

“The college is a great stepping stone between school and university, and really helps you to discover who you are, what you're good at and what you need to improve” - Gemma Carolan

“The Sixth Form College is a great place to study, and really engages you into using your imagination as well as making some great friends” – Jack Millington

“The teachers make sure they know your future goals, to support you into achieving them.”

- Aleksandra Potocka

“The Sixth Form College is a very friendly environment, with everybody taking an interest in each other’s progress and genuinely wanting them to achieve.”

“My tutor has always been there to help me in any way she could to advance or assist in my future developments.”

- Sam Gornall

– Gavin Davies

“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”

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

– Sam Jones

- Katie Rutter

“I enjoy the amount of individuality and independence that has been given to me”

“College is a great place to be with an amazing and friendly atmosphere. It is a place where you will be treated like an adult but still supported”

– Sionnadh Burkey – Claire Murray

what OFSTED says...

OFSTED December 2012 “This is an inclusive college which successfully enables learners to raise their aspirations and progress to the next stage of their careers with confidence” “The college has a strong focus on high aspirations and continuous improvement”

our students also said...

“I enjoy the college environment as it's different from school by it being more mature & grown-up.”

“It has truly been the best decision of my life to continue my studies here’”

Kelly Jones

Jay Rourke

“Learners are positive about their college experience and leave with enhanced ambitions and renewed confidence”

“A positive atmosphere of mutual respect among students is evident around the college”

“Learners develop good personal, social and employability skills”

“There is a great balance between the freedom of university and the structure of school” Alex Wheligan

“You are treated as an independent adult who is valued and listened to.”

Holly Sadler

meet our Head Students...

Matt Swift Head Boy Matthew came to the college from Wirral Grammar School for Boys, and has continued to achieve highly here. We were delighted when he applied for the position of head boy and he has carried out his duties conscientiously and impressively.

Matthew is a black belt in Judo. Matthew is planning to progress to university to read accountancy.

Kayleigh Southhall Crockford Head Girl Kayleigh came to the college from Prenton High School, one of our partner high schools after achieving excellent GCSE results. Kayleigh not only is a hard working student who gets excellent results but she is unfailingly supportive of the College and students. She was appointed to the position of head girl after a challenging selection process. Kayleigh enjoys all sports and plays basketball and netball for the college, she also is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Kayleigh is planning to go to university to study nursing Both head students sit on our governing body and have impressed governors with their enthusiasm and positivity about the college.

class of 2013 success!

Results at the College have increased for the seventh consecutive year, with more than 1,000 individual exam successes at A Level.

The College achieved an overall pass rate of 99%, with a 100% pass rate achieved across more than 30 courses.

Our ‘value added’ statistics- provided by data expert ALPS (A-Level Performance System) - reveal that we outperform 78% of providers nationally with 13 of our courses in the top 10% of all provision. These courses include French (Top 1%), Business (Top 4%), Biology (Top 5%), as well as Maths and Psychology.

More than 300 students have been successful in gaining Higher Education places at Universities including Oxbridge and the prestigious Russell Group.

Individual Successes: Emily Jenkins achieved A* grades in Law, Psychology and Religious Studies and is now going to study at Law at Sheffield University.

Matt Mitchell achieved A* in ICT and A grades in Business and Geography.

Matt is going on to study Business at Liverpool University.

Matthew Wong achieved A* grades in Economics, Further Mathematics & Mathematics.

Matthew is going onto study Economics and Finance at Bristol University

Holly Higgins achieved A* in Government & Politics and A grades in History and Spanish.

Holly is going on to study Modern & Medieval languages at Cambridge University.

Robin Wainwright achieved A* in Biology and French and A in Chemistry. Robin is going to study Biology at Liverpool University.

Erica Daley achieved A* in Health & Social Care, and A in Biology and Sociology.

Nia Williams achieved A* in Psychology and A in Law and B in English Language.

Nia is going on to study Law with Criminology at Sheffield University

Helen Taylor achieved A grades in Maths, Biology and B in Chemistry. Helen is going on to study Biochemistry at Liverpool University.

A Level

success at the sixth form college

Jack Millington achieved A* in ICT, Distinction* grades in Business and Medical Science (both BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma) and C in English Language & Literature.

Jack is going on to study Accountancy at Liverpool Dan Siddorn achieved A* grades in Spanish and English Language and B in English Literature.

Dan is going on to study Spanish and Japanese at the University of East Anglia

say hello to juice fm!

Not sure where to start looking? Head to 8SQ where you will find the Juice FM team, who will guide you through tonight’s activities with live updates throughout the evening.

Join Juice FM at 7.00pm for an interview with our Head Students Matt and Kayleigh to find out why they chose to study at The Sixth Form College.

Fire Evacuation Procedures In the event of an emergency, a loud alarm will sound continuously.

If you are in a room with a fire door, use that exit. If there is no fire door, leave the room and follow the fire evacuation signs to the nearest exit.

Walk to the assembly area, which is the nearest car park to your exit.

Those of you who rely on the use of lifts should proceed to the nearest safe haven and wait for assistance.

DO NOT in any circumstances: Go to any other part of the building to collect personal belongings.

Use the lifts or re-enter the building until given the all-clear.

If you require medical assistance: Please inform a member of staff immediately. Trained first-aiders are on site all evening.

Don’t forget to enter our competition!

You could WIN a Kindle Fire HD worth £140.

Simply Register at our Admissions stand in 8SQ and Like our Facebook Page to be in with a chance of winning! www.facebook.com/ birkenheadsixthformcollege

Like what you see?

Apply online: bsfc.ac.uk Keep in touch:

www.facebook.com/birkenheadsixthformcollege

@bsfc