An Academy of the
SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS 2015
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADS 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 March of last year. Do please come and test this judgement for yourself at our open evening on Thursday 6th November. We look forward to meeting you then. PHILLIP EVANS | HEAD OF SCHOOL LORNA CONROY | HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
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Phillip Evans and 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
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 is then 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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CAMBRIDGE PRE-U SPORTS ACADEMIES
AQA BACCALAUREATE
SUPPORTED STUDY
AS-LEV A-LEVE BTEC LEV
EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICAT (EPQ)
Your Subject Choices ADDITIONAL STUDIES General Studies Critical Thinking
-LEVELS -LEVELS C LEVEL 3
XTENDED PROJECT ALIFICATION (EPQ)
ONE-TO-ONE ACADEMIC TUTORIALS
STEP AND AEA MATHS
QUANTITATIVE METHODS
A-LEVELS Art and Design Biology Business Studies Chemistry Computing Creative Writing Critical Thinking Dance Drama and Theatre Studies Economics English Language English Literature Film Studies French Further Maths General Studies Geography German Government and Politics History Maths Music Music Technology Philosophy & Ethics Photography Physical Education
Physics Product Design (Graphics) Psychology Sociology Spanish BTEC NATIONAL LEVEL 3 COURSES IN: Business Science Sport PRE-U Global Perspectives and Independent Research SPORTS ACADEMIES Golf Rugby Squash
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 Head of Sixth Form to resolve any problems SEPTEMBER Two-day induction followed by commencement of courses
APPLICATION PROCESS 8
2015
FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY Deadline for application
2014
OPEN EVENING Thursday 6th November
COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Our Sixth Form seeks to provide appropriate courses and routes for committed students seeking to engage in higher-level study.
We will need to be convinced that you are serious about wishing to pursue higher-level study and are committed to working appropriately. You will need to have the following minimum GCSE or equivalent qualifications for our different courses: AS AND A-LEVELS • A minimum of 5 B grades at GCSE (with at least C grades in English and Maths) • Minimum of B grades in subjects to be studied at AS or A-level • Minimum of grade A at GCSE is required for Maths • Minimum of grade A at GCSE is required for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (or GCSE grade AA in Core and Additional Science) and at least a B in Maths
SPORTS ACADEMIES • Standard minimum course entry requirements (see above) plus excellence in chosen sport AQA BACCALAUREATE • Standard minimum course entry requirements (see above) Please note that vocational qualifications are the equivalent of one GCSE and a maximum of two will be considered
ADMISSIONS POLICY We will look at the following factors carefully when considering your application: • Your suitability for the course of study
• Minimum of grade B in GCSE Maths is required for Computing
• Your school or college report / record of achievement
• Students wishing to study AS or A-level Photography require a minimum of a B grade in GCSE Art or the production of an approved portfolio
• Your estimated or actual examination grades
BTEC
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• A minimum of 5 C grades at GCSE, including English and Maths. If a Level 2 BTEC forms part of the offer a Merit or Distinction will be required. Students who have studied GCSE PE require a minimum of a C grade PRE-U • A minimum of 5 A/A* grades at GCSE
• 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 your choice • 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 need which names Comberton Sixth Form
CRITERIA used in the case of oversubscription of first choice applicants are as follows: 1 Students in Care, also known as Looked After Children (LAC) and children who were looked after but ceased to be so by reason of adoption, a residence order or special guardianship order. 2 Students with a sibling at Comberton Village College at the time of admission. 3 Students who attend Cambridge Area Partnership (CAP) schools or who currently live with their parent(s) or carer(s) in the Local Authority defined areas served by these schools. 4 Students who make an application from outside the CAP. Entry to Comberton Sixth Form will not be by formal interview, but an informal guidance meeting will be held to advise students on appropriate course selection and expectations. We aim to interview all appropriate first-choice applicants who meet the admissions criteria. Second-choice applicants will be interviewed depending on the availability of suitable courses and, in the event of over-subscription in a particular area, the criteria above will be applied. For further information and details relating to the admissions policy, please see the Comberton Sixth Form website.
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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 The Head and Deputy Heads of Sixth Form and our Post-16 Manager will be on hand to ensure the level of support you need is available whenever you need it. 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 step. 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. STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM The Sixth Form is fortunate in having a dedicated team of Teaching Assistants. The Support Team also includes 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
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you may need during the important Sixth Form years. STUDENT GUIDANCE TEAM Further guidance will be readily available from a variety of other professionals including the Careers and Higher Education Adviser, the Librarian, Learning Resource Manager, Connexions and the College Nurse. APPLYING TO UNIVERSITY Our aim is that you will leave us as a mature adult, ready to make the most of all the opportunities that come your way. 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, selecting courses and writing personal statements. We will also support, with interview practice, all university entry processes, including Oxbridge and medical courses. CAREERS GUIDANCE If you choose 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 as well as opportunities for work experience. Our links with local employers and businesses ensure we are in the best position to support you.
Becoming a more autonomous and self-reliant learner is of vital importance for any successful Sixth Form student: skills that are essential for the next steps in life, be it higher education or employment. To help develop these skills, advice and support is offered to students from the outset, starting with the induction programme then featuring in tutor group sessions throughout the two years. In addition, further guidance is readily at hand along with access to resources and facilities that are second to none. PRIVATE STUDY We are fortunate in being able to offer 400 private study spaces for our students from 8am to 6pm every day, thereby guaranteeing a study space for all students at any time. INDEPENDENT STUDY CENTRE Our purpose-built independent study centre is spacious, light and airy, the perfect environment to engage in private study throughout the day. 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 portable netbooks. LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTRE
are always happy to help and guide students with their research and private study. The large, modern stock of books, newspapers and periodicals, electronic subscriptions, DVDs and CDs allows the fullest access to the widest possible range of resources. The availability of 50 ready-access PCs and 60 individual netbooks allows ready availability for our students at all times. STUDY SKILLS SUPPORT Our dedicated 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 difficulties. Both group and individual support is offered, covering a variety of needs including dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
Also open from 8am to 6pm daily, the LRC is permanently staffed by two librarians who
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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 the Duke of Edinburgh Gold expedition to Switzerland, visits to our partner institutions in Mozambique and South Africa, 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, band evenings, 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 2014 SUBJECT
TOTAL SITTING
% A* - C %A*-E
Art & Design
6
100%
Biology
22
82%
95%
Business Studies
19
89%
100%
Chemistry
20
85%
100%
Computing
1
100%
100%
Drama & Theatre Studies
10
100%
100%
Economics
15
93%
100%
English Language
18
94%
100%
English Literature
13
100%
100%
Film Studies
5
100%
100%
French
2
100%
100%
Geography
22
86%
100%
German
2
100%
100%
Global Perspectives Pre-U
7
100%
100%
Government & Politics
7
86%
100%
History
19
95%
100%
Human Biology
4
50%
100%
Mathematics - Further
11
91%
100%
Mathematics - Mechanics
13
85%
100%
Mathematics - Statistics
26
92%
100%
Music
3
67%
100%
Music Technology
3
100%
100%
Photography
12
100%
100%
Physical Education
8
63%
100%
Physics
20
90%
100%
Product Design
4
100%
100%
Psychology
26
85%
100%
Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
18
78%
100%
Spanish
8
100%
100%
344
89%
100%
Total
100%
Level 3 BTEC Results SUBJECT
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MERIT
PASS
Sport
DISTINCTION * DISTINCTION 39%
39%
11%
11%
Business
28%
21%
31%
21%
In both the Upper and Lower Sixth, progress is strong as a result of excellent teaching. Ofsted 2013
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Open Evening 6th November 6.30 – 9.00pm
Comberton Sixth Form West Street, Comberton Cambridge CB23 7DU T 01223 265470 www.combertonsixthform.org enquiries@combertonsixthform.org