An Academy of the
SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS 2016
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 400 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 2013. Do please come and test this judgement for yourself at our open evening on Tuesday 3rd November. We look forward to meeting you then. LORNA CONROY | HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
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Lorna Conroy
The new Sixth Form is outstanding. In a short time, it has become firmly established. Ofsted 2013
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“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 of 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-of-the-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)
THE STUDENTS’ VIEW 4
THE COMBERTON SIXTH FORM EXPERIENCE 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. • Specialist teaching rooms equipped with highspecification furniture and the latest ICT provision • A 180-seat lecture theatre with high-specification projection equipment • An exclusive independent study area equipped with the latest technology • Sixth Form staff base from which additional study support can be accessed • A modern, dedicated Sixth Form library and resource centre • Cutting-edge ICT facilities • 24-hour access to online learning materials • A modern internet café with wi-fi access
• Wi-fi learning zones throughout • Specialist Performing Arts centre for Music, Art and Drama • Dark room, digital editing suite and sound-recording studio • Fully equipped specialist A-level Science laboratories • State-of-the-art Sports Science laboratory with the latest performance analysis equipment • A double-court-sized, fully equipped gymnasium • A fitness suite • A specialist design studio • Over 400 private study spaces from 8am to 6pm every weekday
OUTSTANDING FACILITIES 5
CREATING YOUR STUDY PROGRAMME We offer a wide range of courses and opportunities, giving you the freedom and flexibility to build an individualised study programme that reflects your priorities and ensuring that you maximise your Sixth Form experience and realise your ambitions. Naturally, your A-level or BTEC courses will sit at the heart of your study programme, which can then be enhanced by a range of additional courses and activities designed to meet your individual needs and provide opportunities for academic challenge, breadth of study and personal development.
SPORTS ACADEMIES
AQA BACCALAUREATE
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. For further information on all our courses – and details about the individual programme elements – please refer to our course brochure located on the website www.combertonsixthform.org
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WORK EXPERIENCE
CAMB PRE
AS-LE A-LEV BTEC LE
EXTEN PROJ QUALIFIC (EP
BRIDGE E-U
Your Subject Choices ADDITIONAL STUDIES General Studies Critical Thinking
EVELS VELS EVEL 3
NDED JECT CATION PQ)
STEP AND AEA MATHS
QUANTITATIVE METHODS Core Maths
A-LEVELS Art & Design Biology Business Chemistry Computing Creative Writing Critical Thinking Dance Double Maths Drama & Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Literature Film Studies French Further Maths General Studies Geography German Government & Politics History Maths Music Music Technology Photography Physical Education Physics Product Design (Graphics)
Psychology Religion, Philosophy & Ethics Sociology Spanish BTEC NATIONAL LEVEL 3 COURSES IN: Business Science Sport PRE-U Global Perspectives & Independent Research SPORTS ACADEMIES Golf Rugby Squash ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Extended Project (EPQ) Quantitative Methods (Core Maths) STEP AEA Maths
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.combertonsixthform.org
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DECEMBER Application made through your school or college
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 Heads of Sixth Form to resolve any problems SEPTEMBER Two-day induction followed by commencement of courses
APPLICATION PROCESS 8
2016
TUESDAY 12TH JANUARY Deadline for application
2015
OPEN EVENING Tuesday 3rd November
COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Our Sixth Form seeks to provide appropriate courses and routes for committed students seeking to engage in higher-level study.
A-LEVEL
BTEC
A minimum of 5 B grades at GCSE (with at least C grades in English and Maths).
A minimum of 5 C grades at GCSE, including English and Maths.
Minimum of B grades in subjects to be studied at AS or A-level.*
If a Level 2 BTEC
PRE-U
A minimum of 5 A/A* grades at GCSE.
AQA BACCALAUREATE Standard minimum course entry requirements.
SPORTS ACADEMIES Standard minimum course entry requirements plus excellence in chosen sport.
forms part of the offer a Merit or Distinction will be required. Each qualification is
Please note that
equivalent to
Level 2 vocational
one GCSE and
courses are the
a maximum
equivalent of
of two will be
one GCSE and
considered.
only one will be considered.
*Some courses have higher or additional entry requirements. Please check the subject pages of our website or UCASProgress carefully for further information.
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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 support and guide you every step of the way to bridge the divide between school, university and employment.
SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP TEAM
STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
The Head and Deputy Heads of Sixth Form, Head of School and Post-16 Manager will be on hand to ensure the level of support you need is available whenever you need it.
The Sixth Form is fortunate in having a dedicated support team of teaching assistants and youth workers, along with a specialist counsellor and a college nurse. All work very closely with the Sixth Form leadership team, your academic tutor and your subject teachers to ensure immediate access to any specialist support that you may need during the important Sixth Form years.
ACADEMIC TUTOR TEAM When you join us you will have your own academic tutor who will have dedicated time to get to know and to support you during your time at Comberton and also to prepare you for your next steps. You will have regular and formalised one-to-one meetings with your tutor to discuss your progress, help solve any problems that arise and agree targets. Your tutor will work closely with you, your subject teachers and, if appropriate, the student support team. This ensures that they have a thorough understanding of all your needs and can offer you the best advice to help you to achieve the highest possible levels of success in all areas of Sixth Form life.
STUDY SKILLS SUPPORT TEAM Our study skills team are on hand to provide tailored support in analysing individual students’ needs and providing study planning. They also offer diagnosis and assessment for students with particular learning needs. Both group and individual support is offered, covering a variety of needs including dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
STUDENT COUNCIL Our elected student council are always on hand to support you and offer guidance when needed. The dedicated Vice President for student welfare works closely with the Student Presidents and the Sixth Form Leadership Team to ensure the needs of all our students are met.
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PREPARING FOR YOUR FUTURE We seek to nurture autonomous and self-reliant learners who have the capacity to think and work independently, a vital component of Sixth Form study and an essential skill for life. As such, our commitment to academic excellence is only part of our undertaking to you as we seek to encourage your development as mature and well-rounded individuals who are in possession of the wider skills and qualities required to forge a successful path in life. To help develop these attributes, support and guidance is available from the outset in a range of forms, including a comprehensive induction programme, individual and group tutorials, year assemblies and PSHE sessions; and through the opportunities available to you by way of our extended curriculum, leadership programmes and extra-curricular activities, you will be able to create your own distinct programme of personal development that fulfils your individual needs. Work-related learning is an integral part of our pastoral programme and includes various opportunities to gain valuable work experience. Whether you are intending to find employment at 18, 21 or beyond, we believe it is important that all young people are equipped with employability skills and have an awareness of the world of work. Whatever your future goals, ready access to expert guidance and specialist resources means you can begin preparing for your next steps with confidence.
APPLY TO UNIVERSITY
APPLYING FOR EMPLOYMENT
The large majority of our students will continue on to higher education. We will help you at every stage of the UCAS process, from arranging visits to universities to selecting courses and writing personal statements. We will also support, with interview practice, all university entry processes, including Oxbridge and medical courses, maximising our links with Villiers Park Educational Trust and our Oxbridge partners to complement this work.
If you are intending to enter the world of work after your time at Comberton Sixth Form we will provide you with the information, support and guidance you need. One-to-one careers guidance interviews and informal drop-in sessions are available, whilst strong links with local employers and businesses ensure we are in the best position to support you.
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Not only do we believe in providing a first-class academic experience, we also offer numerous opportunities for you to develop your personal and social skills through an extensive range of enrichment opportunities. Whether it be rugby, debating or rock climbing you are sure to find something that interests you. You will also have the option to take on extra responsibility through the Student Leadership programme: this could include being on the Sixth Form Student Council, running Sixth Form social events, peer mentoring, or coordinating charity work. Students at the Sixth Form will have access to the state-of-the-art sporting facilities available on site and beyond, allowing the opportunity to take part in a wide range of competitive and social sporting activities. We also offer a range of residential and day trips designed to enhance both academic learning and social or sporting development. These include visits to our partner institutions in Mozambique, South Africa and Brazil, a ski trip to the USA, alongside numerous local and international subject-based trips. There is an extensive programme of social events organised by the student leaders. This includes the Sixth Form Ball, charity events, barbecues, quiz night and film nights as well as a variety of drama and music productions.
LIFE OUTSIDE LESSONS 12
TRIPS AND ENRICHMENT
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A-LEVEL RESULTS 2015 SUBJECT
TOTAL SITTING % A* - C %A*-E
Art & Design
13
92%
100%
Biology
23
74%
100%
Business Studies
20
70%
95%
Chemistry
16
75%
100%
Computing
9
78%
100%
Drama & Theatre Studies
4
100%
100%
Economics
20
95%
100%
English Language
14
86%
100%
English Literature
12
83%
100%
Film Studies
5
80%
100%
French
1
100%
100%
Geography
31
90%
100%
Global Perspectives Pre-U
5
100%
100%
Government & Politics
11
91%
100%
History
15
100%
100%
Mathematics - Further
6
67%
100%
Mathematics
47
85%
94%
Photography
9
100%
100%
Physical Education
2
50%
100%
Physics
30
63%
97%
Psychology Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics) Spanish
25
76%
96%
21
90%
100%
3
100%
100%
Total
344
89%
100%
Level 3 BTEC Results SUBJECT
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DISTINCTION *
DISTINCTION
MERIT
PASS
Sport
56%
37%
7%
0%
Business
21%
46%
23%
10%
In both the Upper and Lower Sixth, progress is strong as a result of excellent teaching. Ofsted 2013
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Open Evening 3rd November 6.30 – 9.00pm
Comberton Sixth Form West Street, Comberton Cambridge CB23 7DU T 01223 265470 www.combertonsixthform.org enquiries@combertonsixthform.org
An Academy of the