Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
Springfield Road, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0EB Telephone: (01229) 894140 & 894141 Facsimile: (01229) 483902 Email: uvhs@ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk Web: www.ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk
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Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form
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Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
The Sixth Form at Ulverston Victoria has its own base in a Victorian mansion called Todbusk. ■ is just a 2 minute walk from Ulverston train station ■ has a friendly welcoming atmosphere ■ specialist facilities for sixth form
We have a long tradition of strong academic results. Once again these results were some of the best in the county with a points score well above the national average.
We have a strong tradition of students going on to Higher Education. Each year we have over 80% of our students go on to University or to Higher Education Colleges.
We offer a range of courses to suit all abilities and interests. This year we are offering: ■ AS and A Levels (A2) in a wide variety of subjects ■ GCE Advanced courses in two vocational areas ■ GCSE Re-sit courses
Ofsted Inspection March 2009 The Sixth Form was graded ‘good’ in all areas. These include achievement and standards, personal development and well-being, the quality of provision and leadership and management. The inspectors found that provision in the Sixth Form is good and students do well across the range of subjects and courses on offer.
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We offer a mixture of traditional and modern facilities, high quality teaching and excellent support and guidance. The Sixth Form at Ulverston Victoria... ■ is over 200 strong ■ caters for a large number of students from a variety of schools in South Cumbria and North Lancashire ■ welcomes mature and overseas students ■ organises a range of social activities ■ has its own Sixth Form Council ■ has a friendly welcoming atmosphere ■ is involved in service to the Community and Charity fund raising (several thousands of pounds have been raised in recent years)
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Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
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Sixth Form students at Ulverston Victoria can join a range of extra-curricular activities including... SPORT There are teams in rugby, tennis, athletics, netball, hockey, soccer, cricket and badminton.
MUSIC There is an orchestra, a wind band, a swing band, a choir and several rock groups. Sixth Form life is about much more than pursuit of a subject. It is a preparation for university or working life and the challenges
these hold. The music department of UVHS provides superb opportunities to achieve the highest standards – and enjoy yourself on the way! The department has national and international recognition for the quality of teaching, learning and performing it promotes. The wind and swing bands lead the way but music and performance are promoted with students of all ages.
Each year there is a European tour with large scale concerts. This is supported by links with Her Majesty’s Bands of the Royal Marines. Remarkably, UVHS is the only school in the country to have been “adopted” by the Bands of the Royal Marines who visit the school each year for coaching and a joint concert. Results at ‘A’ Level are exceptionally high year on year. There is a team of 13
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peripatetic teachers who provide lessons in all major instruments. This is complimented by the Primary Music Tuition Scheme which gives sixth formers, gifted in music, the chance to teach music to children in primary schools.
DRAMA There are regular school productions and theatre trips.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Climbing, orienteering and skiing and the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
CLUBS Amnesty International, Philosophy Club, Wildlife Club, Christian Union, School Newspaper, Sixth Form Website.
MISCELLANEOUS Young Enterprise, Engineering Scheme, Mexican Link, Peer Mentoring and Mediation, Youth Leadership Course, Helping out in Learning Support, Bar Mock Trial and Helping with Magistrates Trial, Youth Award Conservation tasks, Open University Courses, Senior Maths Challenge and Coaching in Primary Schools, Voluntary Service, Digital Photography etc.
About Deciding What to do We understand that it is often very hard to decide what to do, particularly as new courses are introduced each year. To help you make up your mind there is an open evening during the Autumn Term for both you and your parents. You will then be asked to make an initial choice of courses from the options on offer. These are followed by individual interviews and an Induction Course in the Summer Term when you can meet the staff, sample the courses of your choice and find out more about the Sixth Form. After your examination results in the summer, you have a second interview. It is only at this stage that a final decision is made. We do ask you to make an initial choice to help us with our planning for September. The information in this booklet and the accompanying course details is to help you with that choice. The first step is to read about the course on offer and to make sure that you are clear about what they involve. You should then ask yourself THREE questions 1 WHAT AM I GOOD AT? 2 WHAT DO I ENJOY? 3 WHAT DO I NEED? There is no point in committing yourself to a subject for 1 or 2 years if you are already finding it difficult or don’t enjoy it. To take 3 or 4 AS/A2 Level courses you would be expected to have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at either grades B or C, or above. Advice is given in the accompanying booklet on the entry requirements for specific subjects.
Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
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Keeping on Track… All Year 12 students will be provided with a set of aspirational AS and A2 grades based on ALPS (Advanced Level Performance System). This is a value added system, which uses an individual student’s average GCSE point score to produce a set of target grades. You will discuss these grades with your form tutor and teaching staff. By regularly reviewing your progress against these targets both students and staff can assess if a student’s individual potential is being fulfilled.
About Help Once You Have Started… During your time in the Sixth Form, you will be encouraged to take more responsibility for your own studies and you will need to consider what you will do after you leave school. To help with this … ■ You will be allocated a personal tutor, whom you will see daily at registration. Your personal tutor will arrange a series of tutorials with you during the course of your time in the Sixth Form to discuss your progress, interests and future intentions. ■ You will also have regular contact with the Head of Sixth Form or Assistant Head, both whom are regularly available to discuss matters with you. ■ Tutorial time will be given for group work into various aspects of study, student life, Higher Education and Careers. ■ The Connexions staff visit the Sixth Form on a weekly basis and they are available for advice using an appointment system.
What Courses Can I Choose We are constantly reviewing our Sixth Form provision to ensure that we offer students as much choice and breadth as possible.
The Advanced Subsidiary (AS) ■ This means that you will study either two or three units according to the subject, in Year 12. This constitutes an AS Level (Advanced Subsidiary). These have five lessons a week. ■ You can take the exams in stages in January or June. If you wish, you may finish the course in the summer. This is a good way of broadening your range of subjects in Year 12. Most subjects can be taken in this way, but a small number, such as Electronics, may only be available as one-year courses. ■ The level of study is intended to be between GCSE and full A Level standard. It is worth 50% of the full A Level marks and half the UCAS points. ■ The grades are A-E, with U for those students who fail. ■ If you are disappointed with your module mark, you can re-take each module.
The Full Advanced Level (A2) To achieve the full A Level, you must take a further two or three units, according to the subject, in Year 13. These have five lessons a week. ■ Again you can take modules in January or June. ■ The level of study is obviously, more advanced than the AS course and you will be expected to show knowledge of the whole course in the later modules. ■ The A2 is worth 50% of the marks for a full A Level and carries the full UCAS points tariff according to the grade achieved. (See the Higher Education section later in this booklet). ■ The grades are A*–E, with U for those students who fail.
Vocational Courses ■ We offer twelve-unit two-year Advanced General Certificate of Education courses in Health and Social care. These count as a double A Level and have 10 lessons a week. You can take one or two AS/A2 courses with this. ■ A six-unit GCE is equivalent to one A Level, in Health and Social Care. This will allow you to take additional AS subjects to broaden your choice. ■ We are also offering a six-unit GCE A Level in ICT. ■ Both 12 and 6 units GCEs are graded A–E.
General Studies ■ In Years 12 and 13, most students follow General Studies as part of the Extension Studies Programme course for one lesson a week. ■ Students can choose to take the AS at the end of Year 12 only or follow the A2 full A Level course into Year 13.
The Chartered Management Institute Certificate in Team Leading ■ In tutorials all students will take the Chartered Management Institute Qualification. This will enable students to develop the skills that are sought by university admissions tutors and employers. The qualification helps them to ‘stand out’ from the crowd in an ever increasingly competitive higher education and employment market.
GCSE Courses ■ Depending on demand, we offer re-sit classes in English and Mathematics for students who did not achieve Grade C at GCSE.
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Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
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How Many Subjects Can I Study? ■ In Year 12 you can take up to four AS courses, plus General Studies ■ Most of our students reduce their workload to three A2 courses in Year 13. This enables them to devote more time to their chosen specialisms. Some students, however, continue with four A2s. ■ You will be guided as to the best combinations for you, your ability and your future career ambitions.
What GCSE Grades Do I Need to Study These Courses? We recommend that you pass at least five GCSEs at Grade C or above in order to be able to study at AS and A2 Level. You may require a Grade B as a minimum to study certain subjects. Later, in the course details booklet, individual subjects give their entry requirements for each course offered.
Higher Education Universities have supported moves to broaden the curriculum of sixth form students. Like employers they have stressed the need for young people to have subject qualifications but also a number of other skills and qualities. Information we have been given so far has stressed: 1. The equivalent of four subjects as a minimum at AS will be required by some institutions.
2. If taking four AS subjects, then at least one AS should, if possible, be a contrasting discipline (eg not all sciences or arts subjects – some will insist on this). 3. Stated A2 subject will still be demanded for some courses. 4. A range of interests or pursuits (eg sport, music, service) will be expected. These can be ones that have been followed pre-sixth form or new ones. The current points system for full A Levels used by Higher Education institutions is as follows: A – 120 B – 100 C – 80 D – 60 E – 40
How do I Apply? Having read all the information in this pack, attended our Open Evening and spoken to teachers, please complete the application form at the back of the folder. Send this form to the school office by the deadline date, after which it will be processed. Alternatively you can apply online at our website: www.ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk Shortly after you will be interviewed to check all details and combinations are correct and suitable. You will then receive a letter offering you a provisional place on the courses you have selected. In late June/early July you will be invited to our Induction Days where you can try out subjects and sample the Sixth Form experience.
Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
Springfield Road, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0EB Telephone: (01229) 894140 & 894141 Facsimile: (01229) 483902 Email: uvhs@ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk Web: www.ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk
Designed and produced by www.bluepole.com
Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
Preparing young people for the exciting challenges of the 21st century
Ulverston Victoria Sixth Form