BVGS 6th Form Prospectus 2010

enrich B I S H O P

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enable G R A M M A R

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inspire S I X T H

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P R O S P E C T U S

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B I S H O P

Our

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Missi o n

Enrich, enable, inspire…these three tenets form the seam running through the core of the Bishop Vesey’s approach to creating rounded young people armed with far more than just top level educational grades.

Choosing the Sixth Form which is right for you is one of the most important decisions you will make as it will affect both your career path and your future.

At Bishop Vesey’s we seek to develop the young men and women on the threshold of an adventure whilst enhancing their individual strengths and abilities in a caring and safe environment.

Forward-looking with a vision stretching to our 500th anniversary in 2027, we strive for excellence, encouraging individuals to flourish – in mind, body and spirit.

To help our sixth formers thrive in a demanding world we promote the need to be caring, with an emphasis on doing good rather than just feeling good.

We seek to constantly challenge their views, develop their self esteem and grow their confidence whilst acknowledging the mutual respect and understanding of other people and their cultures.

That emotional and spiritual growth is learned by experience not just in the classroom but also on the playing field and through the wealth of extra curricular opportunities on offer.

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Ve s ey’s

At Bishop Vesey’s our young people gain the qualifications and self assurance to make an impact in the world, whatever path they choose to follow.

The staff team strives to create the perfect environment where they can flourish and we are justifiably proud of our “outstanding Sixth Form” (OFSTED 2010) which is intellectual and focussed as well as being friendly and supportive.

As an academic school Vesey’s can only justify its place in the educational landscape of Birmingham if it has academic credibility.

We stand as a school which delivers the opportunities for social mobility through education.

Soaring educational achievements are just part of a story of academic and sporting success which we build on year after year.

Beyond the classroom we continue to offer an outstanding range of activities and model our practice on some of the country’s top schools. Students enjoy a wealth of opportunities, many departmental based, which are continually expanded.

At the same time we foster spiritual and emotional growth as well as encouraging students to be conscious of others and of the environment to emphasise the importance of contributing to society.

But this prospectus can only give a brief glimpse of life in our Sixth Form – the best way to find out about what our school can offer is to come in and meet students and staff.

Please feel free to join us on one of our Open Days or to arrange an individual family visit to view the school in action.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

David Iddon B.A , M.Ed., NPQH. Headteacher

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motivated responsible

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“At BVGS we pride ourselves on excellent monitoring and early intervention which prevents students from falling behind. We also place a great emphasis on care for the whole person and offer an exciting range of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities.

We are not complacent. My team is passionate about developing the young people in our care and very ambitious for the future. We look forward to working with you.”

Dominic Robson, Deputy Head i/c 14-19 Learning

S i x t h

Fo r m

l i fe

The Sixth Form is an integral part of

Furthermore students are expected to take

Bishop Vesey’s and has its own area within

responsibility for themselves, to become

the school.

independent learners of all subjects and be

Its facilities include a common room with café, an extensive IT suite, two quiet study

ambitious to improve on their results and personal successes.

areas with a full time learning mentor and a

Excellent attendance, punctuality and

careers resource area. This helps to give sixth

organisation are also required if young people

formers a sense of freedom, whilst still being

are to gain the maximum from Bishop Vesey’s.

an integral part of the main school.

Sixth formers play an important role within Bishop Vesey’s, presenting a first-rate role model to younger pupils and generally being involved in day to day school life.

This instils a sense of responsibility and the importance of team building for the overall welfare of their school.

The welfare and care of our young people is at the heart of what we do. Every student plays a vital role in our school, and this individual attention and care enables them to flourish.

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“On my first day at Bishop Vesey’s I sought the help of the Sixth Form learning mentor, Mrs Maskell about my time management difficulties. This was a big help. You can approach her at any point in the day, and talk to her about any concerns or worries, both academic and non-academic.”

Adam Kelly, student

A

Caring

E nv i ro n m e nt

At Bishop Vesey’s we have a dedicated

students, helping them to stay motivated and

and experienced pastoral team to help

make good decisions during their final years

our students achieve a new vision of their

at school.

potential.

The mentor offers impartial

For several years we have run a very successful

help and advice with school

one-to-one mentoring programme for Sixth

and personal issues, in addition

Form students to monitor the academic and

advising on revision and

social progress of students under his or her

organisation difficulties. We also

charge.

actively encourage parents to keep in touch

Having a mentor means there is always someone to turn to for help and guidance,

with the school so we can work hand in hand to give further effective support and direction.

someone who will encourage and support our

E mpower m e nt We believe in empowering our students to

Environmental issues are another area our

equip them for life beyond the Sixth Form.

young people are expected to look at to give

Students are given the opportunity to develop team building and study skills that will be invaluable in helping them deal with challenges throughout their lives.

Students will feel supported and successful as they apply their learned skills to projects which will challenge and teach them how to develop critical thought processes and set their own goals.

them a feeling of greater responsibility for the

world around them. Recycling projects include finding ways we can support the environment within the school itself.

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“Students thrive in the sixth form and make extensive contributions to the school, for example through school council activities and providing help in language lessons in the main school.”

(OFSTED, 2010)

Our

curri c u l u m

Our curriculum is designed to encourage every student to fulfil a new vision of their potential. Bishop Vesey’s success is built on the firm foundations of highly motivated staff, first class facilities and modern teaching methods.

Nearly all students stay on into the Sixth Form after GCSE exams and we welcome both boys and girls who join the school to benefit from a wide range of AS and A Level subject choices and of course, enjoy the wider curriculum which adds to the ‘Vesey Experience’.

Lower

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Students choose any 4 of the subjects

As part of the Enrichment programme you

(subject to demand) below to study at AS.

could:

As a Language College we offer five

• Study Urdu, Photography, Cookery, Sign

languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian and Latin.

Traditional ‘A’ levels offered are: Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design Technology, English Language & Literature, English Literature, Geography, History, ICT, Law, Maths, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Studies. Bishop Vesey’s also has

Language, Jewellery Design • Take part in the National Mock Trial competition • Enjoy classic cinema • Be part of the Vesey newspaper team • Get involved with the Engineering Education Scheme

an outstanding reputation for the quality of

• Teach computer skills to the over 60s

teaching and learning in Geology, Psychology

• Teach Languages to primary school pupils

and Further Maths. All students also take ‘A’ level General Studies.

Being a committed member of the Sutton Coldfield Collegiate enables our Sixth Form students to access other A level courses

• Get involved with the Sports Leadership course • Volunteer at a care home, charity shop, pre-school, Good Hope hospital

(timetable permitting), such as Drama in

• Run a lunchtime club for younger students

partnership with other Sutton Coldfield schools.

• Be part of the Green Team

Every Sixth Former also follows a compulsory

• Debate

Enrichment, Games and PSHE/Careers and tutorial programme.

• Get a First Aid qualification • Do an Extended Project

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The students will select which subjects to take through to A2 level.

Most will choose three subjects, plus General Studies. Exceptional candidates have the opportunity to take five subjects.

Extra tutorial support is provided for students

focussed

mitted

applying to medical or dental schools and those seeking entrance to Oxbridge, in which we have high levels of success.

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teamwork competition

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“Once the school realised that I was serious about making a career out of rugby it backed me 100 per cent. The sports masters encouraged me to trial for Leicester Tigers.

I have a lot to thank them for.”

Dan Hemingway, former student and member of the Leicester Tigers Academy.

S p o r t i n g

s u c c e s s

A healthy, competitive body creates a

also on site, with a definite nod to tradition in

healthy, competitive mind and that adage

the shape of an historic pavilion from which to

is reflected in Bishop Vesey’s attitude to

hear the sound of leather on willow.

sport.

Recent years have set a new gold standard

Opportunity and an emphasis on healthy

in sporting achievement with students being

living are also at the forefront of the Sixth

honoured at the very top in rugby, hockey,

Form’s approach to sport from a highly

netball and in achieving national rowing

competitive level to the purely recreational.

awards.

Staff are dedicated to drawing the best out of

Our stars of the future have

all students with the support of exceptional

also toured Europe, South

facilities and even more to come. Bishop Vesey’s

Africa and the Antipodes,

boasts a state of the arts sports hall and an all-

pitting their sporting prowess

weather multi-purpose out-door pitch.

against rivals in netball,

All 330 pupils in the Upper and Lower Sixth

hockey and rugby.

have access to a wide range of traditional and

So from the next international captain in the

modern facilities and equipment, most of it

making to a student looking to get the heart

within a goal kick of the study rooms.

racing, the possibilities and potential are

An array of well presented cricket pitches are

endless.

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“I have had a great time involving myself with music at BVGS. I have played as a member of a variety of different ensembles from Big Band jazz to classical orchestra. One highlight was our recent successful tour to Lyon in July 2010, playing at one of the world’s premier jazz festivals. I have made great friends here at BVGS which I’m sure will last a lifetime.”

Andrew Cotterill, student and School Captain (2010-11)

Extra cur r i c u l a r a nd socia l a ct i v i t i e s Attending school as a Sixth Form student

Throughout the year there are exciting events

means much more than study alone. Our

to look forward to including the £10 charity

wide and varied range of extra curricular

challenge, the V-factor and of course the

activities is a vital feature in life at Bishop

annual leavers ball at the Botanical Gardens in

Vesey’s.

Edgbaston.

Students are encouraged to become involved in a range of non-academic activities, to broaden their horizons, develop interests and make new friends.

In addition, music and drama thrive at BVGS. Musically, we regularly stage a fantastic Gilbert and Sullivan production with another local grammar school. This is renowned as being of semi professional quality.

There are also established orchestras, chamber choirs and bands. We also stage an annual senior and junior production.

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confidence

talent

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Our

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local

G R A M M A R

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c o m m u n i t y

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, founded in 1527, is at the heart of historic Sutton Coldfield.

The town is well known for its 2,400 acres of natural parkland with seven lakes, originally the property of Bishop John Vesey as a gift from Henry VIII. Old Moor Hall, the fifteenth century home of the Bishop, who founded the school, still stands.

The town and borough were ceremonially part of Warwickshire until 1974 when Sutton Coldfield became a part of Birmingham.

Today it is a thriving town which remains one of the most prestigious parts of the West Midlands with a wide range of facilities and excellent transport links.

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Further

i n fo r m a t i o n

To find out more about Bishop Vesey’s or to arrange a visit, call us on 0121 250 5400 or email j.evetts@bishopveseys.bham.sch.uk Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School Lichfield Road Sutton Coldfield West Midlands B74 2NH Headteacher David Iddon