Comberton
Sixth Form Prospectus 2014
A Message from the Head Dear Prospective Student, Thank you for showing an interest in our Sixth Form. We are guided by the simple notion of ensuring academic excellence providing the best personal opportunities possible and offering the highest levels of care for all our students, but also finding time to make sure we enjoy ourselves. With 350 students, we are large enough to provide the broadest of opportunities, yet small enough to know all of our students well. We believe we have something special here that offers outstanding Sixth Form education, a judgement that was confirmed by Ofsted inspectors in March of this year: do please come and test this judgement for yourself at our open evening on Thursday 7th November. We look forward to meeting you then. PHILLIP EVANS HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
‘The new Sixth Form is outstanding. In a short time, it has become firmly established.’ Ofsted 2013
The Comberton Sixth Form Experience
6 The Students’ View
“Being a Comberton student you are known to the Sixth Form staff as an individual and not just someone else in the crowd. The class sizes make it easier to get to know people quickly and the wide range in teaching methods means that lessons are fun as well as interesting.” LILY FREEMAN
(ST BEDE’S INTER-CHURCH SCHOOL, CAMBRIDGE)
“The combination of a state-ofthe-art building, which has a real contemporary feel to it, and the devoted, conscientious and excellent teaching has made my CSF experience so enjoyable.” ANEESH SHARMA
(COMBERTON VILLAGE COLLEGE)
“Such a positive and happy environment where, with the full support of all of my teachers, I have really been able to flourish.” MEGHAN PEMBERTON
(DAME ALICE HARPUR SCHOOL,BEDFORD)
Outstanding Facilities Comberton Sixth Form students have exclusive use of state-of-the-art facilities built at a cost of £10 million, ensuring one of the best equipped Sixth Forms in the country.
Students benefit from: • Specialist teaching rooms equipped with high-specification
• A modern internet café with wi-fi access
furniture and the latest ICT provision
• Wi-fi learning zones throughout
• A 180-seat lecture theatre with high-specification projection
• Specialist Performing Arts centre for Music, Art and Drama
equipment
• Dark room, digital editing suite and sound-recording studio
• An exclusive independent study area equipped with the
• Fully equipped specialist A-Level Science laboratories
latest technology • Sixth Form staff base from which additional study support
• State-of-the-art Sports Science laboratory with the latest performance analysis equipment
can be accessed
• A double-court-sized, fully equipped gymnasium
• A modern, dedicated Sixth Form library and resource centre
• A fitness suite
• Cutting-edge ICT facilities
• A specialist design studio
• 24-hour access to online learning materials
Your Path to Success We offer a wide and flexible range of programmes, each carefully constructed to help you maximise your Sixth Form experience and realise your ambitions. Naturally, your A Level or BTEC courses will sit at the heart of your chosen pathway, with each one enhanced by a range of popular combinations and options designed to meet your individual needs and provide opportunities for academic challenge, breadth of study and
Honours Year 12: 5 AS Levels Year 13: 4 A Levels at A2 or 3 A Levels + Extended Project Qualification
personal development. For elite athletes, our Sports Academies offer the unique possibility to combine academic and sporting programmes in a way that balances top-quality education with outstanding coaching and training opportunities.
AQA Baccalaureate Year 12: 4 AS Levels + General Studies or Critical Thinking
For further information on all our pathways – and details about their
Year 13: 3 A Levels at A2
individual elements – please refer to our course brochure located on
+ Extended Project Qualification
the website www.combertonsixthform.org
+ Enrichment Diary
A-Levels or Flexi ‘The quality of teaching in the Sixth Form is outstanding’ Ofsted 2013
Year 12: 4 AS Levels + either General Studies or Critical Thinking or Extended Project Qualification Year 13: 3 A Levels at A2
BTEC Year 12/13: BTEC Sport or Business or Science + AS General Studies (optional) + Extended Project Qualification (optional)
Your Subject Choices A-Levels
Photography Physical Education
Art and Design
Physics
Biology
Cambridge Pre-U Year 12: 4 AS Levels
Chemistry
+ Pre-U Global Perspectives
Computing
Year 13: 3 A Levels at A2 + Pre-U Independent Research Report
Product Design (Graphics)
Business Studies
Psychology
BTEC
Critical Thinking Drama and Theatre Studies Economics
Science
English Literature
Sport
Film Studies Foreign Languages (including French, German and Spanish) Further Maths General Studies
Sports Academies Year 12/13: A Levels or Level 3 BTEC + either AS General Studies
Geography
Human Biology ICT
or Critical Thinking
Maths
or Extended Project Qualification
Music
(optional) + Specialist Sports Coaching
Music Technology
Philosophy & Ethics (Religious Studies)
Pre-U Global Perspectives and Independent Research
Your Subject Choices
Government and Politics History
in: Business
English Language
Level 3 BTEC
BTEC National Level 3 courses
Sports Academies Golf
Rugby
Squash
For more information please visit our website www.combertonsixthform.org
Admissions policy We will look at the following factors carefully when considering your application:
Course Entry Requirements
• Your suitability for the course of study • Your school or college report / record of
achievement • Your estimated or actual examination grades • Your ability to contribute to the life of the Sixth Form • The recommendation of your previous school or college • The availability of places on the course of
Our Sixth Form seeks to provide appropriate courses and routes for committed students seeking to engage in higher-level study.
your choice
We will need to be convinced that you are serious about wishing to pursue
Criteria used in the case of oversubscription of
higher-level study and are committed to working appropriately. You will need
first choice applicants are as follows:
to have the following minimum GCSE or equivalent qualifications for our
1 Students in Care, also known as Looked After
different courses:
Children (LAC) and children who were looked
• Any recognised medical or special needs you may have. In the case of over-subscription priority will be given to students who have a statement of special educational
after but ceased to be so by reason of
Honours pathway
adoption, a residence order or special
• Majority of GCSE grades at A or A*
guardianship order.
to include a minimum of A grades in subjects studied at A-Level
2 Students with a sibling at Comberton
Village College at the time of admission.
Pre-U pathway • A minimum of 5 A*/A grades at GCSE in
need which names Comberton Sixth Form
3 Students who attend Cambridge Area
addition to the standard entry requirements for A-Level subjects
Partnership (CAP) schools or who currently live with their parent(s) or carer(s) in the
AQA Baccalaureate pathway and Flexi pathway • A minimum of 5 B grades (with at least C grades in Maths and English). • Minimum of a B grade in subjects to be studied at A-Level • Minimum of GCSE grade A is required for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology and Computing or GCSE grade AA in core and
additional science, and at least GCSE grade B in Maths
Local Authority defined areas served by these schools. 4 Students who make an application from
Entry to Comberton Sixth Form will not be by formal interview, but an informal guidance
• Students wishing to study A-Level Photography require a minimum of a
meeting will be held to advise students on
B grade in GCSE Art or the production of an approved portfolio
appropriate course selection and
expectation.
BTEC (if a level 2 BTEC forms part of the offer a merit or distinction will
outside the CAP.
• Minimum of GCSE A grade is required for Maths
• A minimum of 5 C grades at GCSE, including Maths and English
We aim to interview all appropriate first choice applicants who meet the admissions criteria.
be required). Students who have studied GCSE PE require a minimum
Second choice applicants will be interviewed
of a C grade
depending on the availability of suitable courses and, in the event of oversubscription in a
Sports Academies • Standard minimum course entry requirements (see above) plus excellence in chosen sport Please note that vocational qualifications are the equivalent of one GCSE and a maximum of two will be considered.
particular area, the criteria above will be applied. For further information and detail relating to the admissions policy, please see the Comberton Sixth Form website.
Application process from start to finish
2013
Open Evening Thursday 7th November
December
Application made through your school or college
2014 January
Friday 31st January deadline for application
Easter
Conditional offers issued
May
Information pack issued to all successful applicants with course details and induction information
August
Contact the college with your GCSE results Two-day post-results surgery with the Head and Deputy Head of Sixth Form to resolve any problems
September
Two-day induction followed by commencement of courses
Supporting you to Succeed The transition from school to Sixth Form and beyond is an exciting time and one which brings many challenges. We will
Student Guidance Team
support and guide you every step of the way to bridge the
Further guidance will be readily available from a variety of
divide between school, university and employment.
other professionals including the Careers and Higher Education Adviser, the Librarian, Learning Resource Manager, Connexions
Sixth Form Leadership Team
and the College Nurse.
The Head and Deputy Heads of Sixth Form and our Post-16
Applying to University
Manager will be on hand to ensure the level of support you
Our aim is that you will leave us as a mature adult, ready to
need is available whenever you need it.
make the most of all the opportunities that come your way.
Academic Tutor Team
The large majority of our students will continue on to higher
When you join us you will have your own academic tutor who
process from arranging visits to universities, selecting courses
will have dedicated time both to get to know and to support
and writing personal statements. We will also support, with
you during your time at Comberton and also to prepare you
interview practice, all university entry processes, including
for your next step. You will have regular and formalised one-
Oxbridge and medical courses.
to-one meetings with your tutor to discuss your progress, help solve any problems that arise and agree targets. Your
Careers Guidance
tutor will work closely with you, your subject teachers and, if
If you choose to enter the world of work after your time
appropriate, the Student Support Team. This ensures that they
at Comberton Sixth Form we will provide you with the
have a thorough understanding of all your needs and can offer
information, support and guidance you need. One-to-one
you the best advice to help you to achieve the highest possible
careers guidance interviews and informal drop-in sessions are
levels of success in all areas of Sixth Form life.
available as well as opportunities for work
Student Support Team
experience. Our links with local employers and businesses
The Sixth Form’s Student Support Team consists of experienced counsellors and youth workers who will liaise closely with the Sixth Form leadership team and your academic tutor, as well as accessing help from a range of outside agencies. This ensures that you can receive all the specialist support you may need during the important Sixth Form years.
education. We will help you at every stage of the UCAS
ensure we are in the best position to support you.
Helping you to Learn Becoming a more autonomous and self-reliant learner is of vital importance for any successful Sixth Form student:
Library and Resource Centre
skills that are essential for the next steps in life, be it higher
Also open from 8am to 6pm daily, the LRC is permanently
education or employment. To help develop these skills, advice
staffed by two librarians who are always happy to help and
and support is offered to students from the outset, starting
guide students with their research and private study. The large,
with the induction programme then featuring in tutor group
modern stock of books, newspapers and periodicals, electronic
sessions throughout the two years. In addition, further
subscriptions, DVDs and CDs allows the fullest access to the
guidance is readily at hand along with access to resources and
widest possible range of resources. The availability of 50
facilities that are second to none.
ready-access PCs and 60 individual netbooks allows ready availability for all students at all times.
Private Study We are fortunate in being able to offer 350 private study
Study Skills Support
spaces for our students from 8am to 6pm every day, thereby
Our dedicated study skills team are on hand to provide
guaranteeing a study space for all students at any time.
tailored support in analysing individual students’ needs and providing study planning. They also offer diagnosis and
Independent Study Centre
assessment for students with particular learning difficulties.
Our purpose-built independent study centre offers students
variety of needs including dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
ample opportunity to engage in private study throughout the day; this spacious, light and airy space is a perfect environment for study. As with all spaces, wi-fi access is available at all times with software that allows students to access email, the internet and learning networks using their own electronic devices. In addition, we have easy access to stand-alone PCs as well as mobile netbooks.
Both group and individual support is offered, covering a
Trips and Enrichment
Life Outside Lessons Not only do we believe in providing a first-class academic
We also offer a range of residential and day trips designed
experience, we will also offer numerous opportunities for you
to enhance both academic learning and social or sporting
to develop your personal and social skills through an extensive
development. These include the Duke of Edinburgh Gold
range of enrichment opportunities. Whether it be rugby, Latin or
expedition to Switzerland, visits to our partner institutions in
learning to drive, you can be assured your interests will be met.
Mozambique and South Africa, and a ski trip to
You will also have the option to take on extra responsibility through the Student Leadership programme: this could include
the USA, alongside numerous local and international subject-based trips.
P
being on the Sixth Form Student Council, running Sixth Form
There is an extensive programme of social events organised by
social events, peer mentoring, or coordinating charity work.
the student leaders. This includes the Sixth Form Ball, charity
Students at the Sixth Form will have access to the state-of-theart sporting facilities available on site and beyond, allowing the opportunity to take part in a wide range of competitive and social sporting activities.
events, band evenings, barbecues, quiz night and film nights as well as a variety of drama and music productions.
A-Level Results 2013 Total Sitting
% A*-C
% A*-E
Art & Design
13
85%
100%
Biology
21
90%
100%
Business Studies
18
94%
100%
Chemistry
15
87%
100%
Computing
3
67%
100%
Drama & Theatre Studies
4
75%
100%
Economics
17
88%
100%
English Language
13
85%
100%
English Literature
20
70%
100%
Film Studies
3
100%
100%
French
4
100%
100%
Geography
22
95%
100%
German
1
100%
100%
Government & Politics
5
100%
100%
History
20
95%
100%
Human Biology
2
100%
100%
ICT
4
75%
100%
Mathematics - Further
6
83%
100%
Mathematics - Mechanics
2
100%
100%
Mathematics - Statistics
27
81%
100%
Music
1
100%
100%
Music Technology
3
33%
100%
Photography
11
100%
100%
Physical Education
3
33%
100%
Physics
11
82%
100%
Product Design
2
50%
100%
Psychology
35
74%
100%
Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
16
81%
100%
Spanish
5
100%
100%
Totals
307
85%
100%
Subject
‘In both the Upper and Lower Sixth, progress is strong as a result of excellent teaching.’ Ofsted 2013
Open Evening Thursday 7th November 6.30-9.00pm ‘Students leave the college as very well-rounded young people ready for the next stage in life.’ Ofsted 2013
Comberton Sixth Form West Street, Comberton, Cambridge CB23 7DU T 01223 256470 www.combertonsixthform.org enquiries@combertonsixthform.org www.bainesdesign.co.uk A57233