SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS 2017
An Academy of
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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“Whilst I have been at Comberton, I have always felt known to the Sixth Form staff as an individual and not just another student in the college. Small class sizes allow a more personalised approach to teaching, creating more interesting lessons, and making it quicker to get to know people and make friends.” Rosie Benfield (Ernst & Young – School Leaver Programme)
“Comberton Sixth Form is a great place, where you are always fully supported by teachers and fellow students. Studying here involves hard work, yet is really fun and you can really see yourself developing academically and personally.” Amy Bland (The University Of Cambridge – Theology)
“With a modern design and well equipped building combined with teachers who are supportive and strive for excellence, my time at Comberton Sixth Form has been a very positive and enriching experience that has prepared me well for the future.” Luke Grisoni (***** more info to add post results)
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. 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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EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION
CAMBRIDGE PRE-U
AS-LE A-LEV BTEC LE WORK EXPERIENCE
SPORTS ACADEMIES
Your Subject Choices CORE MATHS
STEP AND AEA MATHS
EVELS VELS EVEL 3 ENRICHMENT
LEADERSHIP AND SOCIETIES
A-LEVELS Art & Design Biology Business Chemistry Computing Dance Double Maths Drama & Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Literature Film Studies French Further Maths 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 Cricket Golf 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
2017
THURSDAY 12TH JANUARY Deadline for application
2016
OPEN EVENING Thursday 3rd November
COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Our Sixth Form provides appropriate courses and routes for committed students seeking to engage in higher-level study.
A-LEVEL
A minimum of 5 B grades or grade 6s at GCSE Minimum of grade 4 in Maths and English
BTEC
A minimum of 5 C grades or grade 4s at GCSE, including English and Maths.
PRE-U
A minimum of 5 A/A* grades or grade 7s at GCSE.
SPORTS ACADEMIES Standard minimum course entry requirements plus excellence in chosen sport.
If a Level 2 BTEC forms part of the offer a Merit or Distinction
Minimum of a B or grade 6 in subjects to be studied at AS or A-level.*
will be required. Each qualification is equivalent to one GCSE and a maximum of two will be considered.
Please note that Level 2 vocational courses are the equivalent of one GCSE and only one will be considered.
*A number of courses have 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 football, 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 and 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 and film nights, as well as a variety of drama and music productions.
LIFE OUTSIDE LESSONS 12
TRIPS AND ENRICHMENT
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition to Snowdonia
Spanish Trip to Valencia USA Ski Trip
A-Level Theatre Production
Leavers’ Ball at the Hilton Hotel
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EXAMINATION RESULTS 2016 SUBJECT
TOTAL SITTING % A* - C %A*-E
Art & Design
16
88%
100%
Biology
23
78%
100%
Business Studies
27
93%
100%
Chemistry
16
81%
100%
Computing
6
83%
100%
Drama & Theatre Studies
8
100%
100%
Economics
26
88%
100%
English Language
27
93%
100%
English Literature
17
100%
100%
Film Studies
4
100%
100%
French
4
100%
100%
Geography
38
95%
100%
Global Perspectives Pre-U
3
100%
100%
German
3
22%
100%
Government & Politics
12
83%
100%
History
32
94%
100%
Mathematics - Further
14
93%
100%
Mathematics
35
83%
97%
Music
1
100%
100%
Music Technology
4
100%
100%
Photography
8
100%
100%
Physical Education
7
71%
100%
Physics
18
83%
100%
Product Design: Graphic Products
3
67%
100%
Psychology Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics) Spanish
46
89%
100%
21
86%
100%
6
100%
100%
Total
425
88%
100%
Level 3 BTEC Results SUBJECT
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DISTINCTION *
DISTINCTION
MERIT
PASS
Sport
87%
Business
43%
13%
0%
0%
37%
15%
6%
Science
13%
13%
26%
48%
In both the Upper and Lower Sixth, progress is strong as a result of excellent teaching. Ofsted 2013
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Open Evening Thursday 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
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