ALLESTREE WOODL ANDS SCHOOL
2 019 S I X T H F O R M P R O S P E C T U S
“The thing I really like about being at Woodlands? We’re treated more like an adult which means it feels like a more grown up relationship between ourselves and the teachers.” 2
CONTENTS 4 Welcome 7 Introduction 8 Location and Facilities 16 Case Study 18 Results 20 Raising of the participation age 22 Entry Requirements 23 Commitment 24 Curriculum Core Teaching Student Destinations 28 Dress Code 30 Case Study 33 Application Process
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WELCOME I am delighted that you are considering joining the Sixth Form at Woodlands. During Year 11 you will have to make very important decisions about your future. There is a great variety of courses and institutions available to you, but I believe that the Sixth Form at Woodlands is amongst the best. Part of our success depends upon ensuring you are on the right course before you start. The information contained within this brochure is the first stage of that process. The Sixth Form at Woodlands will offer you an adult environment where you will be continually encouraged and supported as you maximise your potential. We will have high expectations of you. You will have responsibilities and you will be helped to develop your personal skills and qualities. If you are not yet a member of the school, we would be proud to welcome you to become part of our community. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you every success for the future. Mr Alan Brady Headteacher
‘The conduct of students in the Sixth Form is outstanding. They are excellent ambassadors for the school. They value their learning and feel well supported in their ambitions for the future.’ Ofsted 4
We are justifiably extremely proud of our Sixth Formers at Woodlands and if you choose to join us, we are sure you will see why! Our Sixth Form is a happy, vibrant and thriving environment where every student is supported to achieve their goals. We believe passionately that Sixth Form should be exciting, interesting and rewarding, and at Woodlands we value your academic as much as your personal achievements. To this end we promise excellence in all that we do, with dedicated teaching and pastoral staff, a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities and fantastic new facilities. We have no doubt that you will enjoy being a part of Woodlands Sixth Form. If you think that this may be the place for you, then we would love to receive your application. We look forward to seeing you here! Miss Catherine Mills Head of Sixth Form
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‘Strong and effective leadership in the Sixth Form is ensuring even better achievement over time, as the proportion of A* and A grades continues to rise.’ Ofsted 6
INTRODUCTION
Woodlands School offers a full time, dynamic and forward-thinking Sixth Form. It is a Sixth Form that is small enough for us to know and help you personally, but large enough to provide a broad range of courses. We will offer you an adult environment where you will be continually encouraged and supported as you maximise your potential. We will have high expectations of you. You will have responsibilities and you will be helped to develop your personal skills and qualities. The Sixth Form has a proven record of excellent examination success and, equally important, of students moving successfully to the next stage of their career. Each of our students has their own academic interests, their own academic requirements, their own extra-curricular pursuits, their own skills and talents. Woodlands will seek to make the most of these individual attributes; it is our mission to provide the best opportunity for our students to prepare thoroughly for their futures.
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LOCATION AND FACILITIES
Fantastic news for everyone joining Woodlands. In September 2016 we opened our brand new school buildings. Over 85% of the school was rebuilt and renewed between 2014 and 2016. A lot of hard work by many people including architects, builders and school staff has culminated in a beautiful and functional space for everyone. We have wonderful new facilities including new science laboratories, specialist classrooms, a Learning Resource Centre, music rooms, drama studio, technology rooms and an Atrium with CafĂŠ. All the classrooms are spacious with good natural light and equipped to a very high standard.
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LOCATION AND FACILITIES
We’re proud of the journey. The aim, during the two year build project, was to have minimal disruption to daily school life. We achieved this through a phased demolition and construction schedule.
Welcome to our brand new Atrium with a state -of-the-art Learning Resource Centre and magnificent a ll-day e v lo food provision We would .
Our Learning Resource Cent re has a Library, large study space, private stud y booths and acce ss to laptops, table t devices and ICT workstations.
The journey was captured by time lapse and conventional photography as well as some recorded video footage. This information, alongside architects’ plans and artist impressions, was used on our website and at open evenings to keep everyone updated on the story so far.
to see you at Woodlands.
Visual
S2-P02
- Site Top: How the South Block will View 01 look when comp lete. Above: An overh ead view of the whole school. In the foreground is our Refectory and Theatre with a refurbished gym and chang ing rooms now comp lete. To the left is the South Block with the North Block at the back. Left: A montage showing our existing Refec tory and Theat re. The new build will mirror this in style and finish . 2476-MA-00-XX-SH-A-00001
We are well on our way at Woodlands.
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In September 2014 we were delighted to announce a comprehensiv e programme of building develo pment. Vis Visual ual -- Bu Buildi ilding ng Vie View w 01 01 The project is now well unde r way and on course for completion in time for the beginning of the new sc hool year in September 2016.
2476-MA-002476-MA-00- XX-SH-A-00003 XX-SH-A-000 S2-P02 03 S2-P02
Towards the end of the project our Sixth Form head students were given access to the buildings to capture their reaction and thoughts. They, as we are sure you will be, were thoroughly impressed with our fabulous new facilities.
This is the stor y
so far...
Impressive! also pictured dent Team – ty Our Head Stu the opportuni – were given on the cover new Nor th t look at the to take a firs be all l wil Atrium which Building and for the new July in time completed in tember. starting in Sep r yea ool sch
ll as others above, as we and The comment ir excitement captures the below, really pleted South already com along with the the school at wh iate y can apprec for Building the environment ring the best is doing in offe ieve’. ‘Aspire and Ach students to
e in the view ture they tak In the main pic art rooms on the spacious from one of s on the The two picture the top floor. eme for the colour sch right show off lties. different facu
Student recep tion and administration offices
Lots of gone thought has s in to it...It feel not organised but s so it's line ight stra a friendly like community
It's a
huge impact what's now I know gone in to it... n, It’s progressio a real step up, it’s great
The up-to-date view of our ne w Nor th Block
The three floor North Block will be completed in September 2016
Existing mai
n building
You can see how our main building and scien ce block is bein g dwarfed by the new build...
The architec ts vision becomes real
...As soon as we move into the South Block this part of our scho ol will be demolished to make way for a magnific ent courtyard .
Visu Visual al--Build Building ingView View02 02
Woodlands... South Block
Set on two floor s you can see the South Block is almo st complete. We aim to mov here at the begi e in nning of Nove mber this year.
Visual - Buildin
g View 04 S2-P02
A lot bigger space d... than I imagine sroom Whatever clas have you are in you and s large window l lots of natura light
Great! Enough space for laptops... iting It’s really exc new seeing all the makes equipment it it seem real
Its once in a lifetime... be par t I’m proud to pter of this new cha .. of the school. d goo s feel It to be here
2476-MA-00-XX-SH-A-00006
All-day dining facilities including refreshment and coffee bar.
It feels vibrant...I love ce and the open spa for colour scheme ent... each departm you feel like you belong
Drama Studio
2476-MA-00-XX-SH2476-MA-00-XX-SH- A-00004 S2-P02 A-00004 S2-P02
The mmhas TheAtriu Atriu haslots lotsofofnatu ralrallight and natu the light andisis t of thehear hear t ofour ol.ol.It connects ourscho scho It connectsour Nort h hand Nort ournew new ththbuildings andSou Sou buildingsasaswell as our won derf well as our ululThea wonderf tre Thea treand tstsfacu andspor spor lty. faculty.
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LOCATION AND FACILITIES Sixth Form students have the luxury of enjoying purpose-built accommodation that is reserved for their use only. During study periods, they are able to use two large study rooms, (one silent and one for group work) which are fully equipped with computers and Wi-fi access if students wish to bring their own devices. In addition, our brand new ‘Atrium Café’ serves food and drinks to sixth form students throughout the day, as well as providing a large, informal study space where students can go in their study periods. At lunchtimes, this area is open only to Sixth Form and Year 11, providing a more adult offering of food from the usual ‘school dinners.’ Sixth formers also have full access throughout the day to our Learning Resource Centre, which houses more computer facilities, as well as our brand new library.
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LOCATION AND FACILITIES Our school is named Woodlands for a reason – we are surrounded by trees and green spaces. A high quality learning environment is very important to us and we strive to maintain our grounds, buildings and facilities to a high standard. In addition to our new facilities, we have a modern sports hall, fitness suite, swimming pool, two floodlit allweather pitches, extensive sports fields and state-of-the-art meeting, dining & theatre facilities – all of which we also use to support our partner primary schools and the surrounding community. Our classroom facilities are excellent across all our curriculum areas and we are constantly upgrading our ICT provision. We further enhance our teaching and learning with a well-stocked library, manned by dedicated library staff within the new Learning Resource Centre.
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Our modern refectory and student dining facilities are ably managed by a fully qualified chef who provides rich, varied and healthy food options each and every day of the school year. This expertise is also transferred to many of our students who enjoy studying catering and who increasingly provide splendid hospitality at many school events. Since its creation in 2011 the new school Theatre has been the scene of many musical triumphs from a gala concert to celebrate its opening, to ‘Woodland’s Got Talent’, ‘Songs from the Shows’ and ‘Les Miserables’, as well as several collaborative music concerts with local primary schools. Recently we have seen several imaginative curriculum innovations from off timetable sessions to allow students more in depth experience of healthy living options and the chance to explore many career aspirations. We are realising ‘anytime, anywhere learning’ through whole school wi-fi and a highly innovative staff and student tablet device programme. We certainly believe in developing the whole child, from the moment they join us as young 11 year olds, to the moment they leave us at 18 as confident young adults. There is no doubt that the facilities at Woodlands help to enhance the experience of our Sixth Form students to ensure that ready to take advantage of all that the world has to offer.
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CASE STUDY
“What was the best thing about being at Woodlands? Realising how well prepared I was to study at a top five university” Tom Lewsley, former Allestree Woodlands School and Sixth Form student, graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Politics from the University of Warwick. After leaving university Tom went to work for a Swiss Investment Bank in the City of London. He now works in their New York office in Manhattan. Why did you do your A Levels at Woodlands? In many ways, completing my A levels at Woodlands was the obvious choice for me. I lived a short walk from school and had already studied in the main school for five years. Perhaps most importantly though, I knew that with Woodlands I would have access to knowledgeable teaching staff, a solid support network, and a track record of sending students to good universities. I had seen older students make the step into A level studies successfully and this gave me a level of comfort that I could follow a similar path. How was it different from the main school? Even as part of the main school I had a sense that A level students were treated differently. Everybody enjoyed having more independence and being trusted to manage their ‘personal study periods’, but in reality the changes are more fundamental. Class sizes are smaller and students have all opted into a small number of subjects which they are passionate about. This creates an atmosphere where students go beyond the surface level of their subjects and begin to push each other academically. I found myself learning almost as much from my classmates as the teaching staff, because we began to develop strong opinions which we proactively debated in class. The biggest difference for me personally though, was that I found an immediate goal to focus on. With university only two years away, I felt like I had
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a blank slate and a manageable time window to push myself and get the grades I needed to progress. Being in close proximity to Year 13s was helpful in this respect; I was able to learn from them throughout the university application process. This served me well when it was my turn the following year. What did you find difficult? I remember that the academic step up from GCSE to AS Level was significant. Perhaps not so much from a content perspective, but certainly in terms of working style and how you are expected to contribute. The first term in Year 12 was all about adjusting to smaller class sizes, contributing more actively in discussions and providing more thoughtful and analytical written and verbal responses. The good news is that all your peers are going through the same process and collaborate actively to bring each other up to speed. The other key to overcoming these challenges is having a smart and knowledgeable teacher who understands your needs throughout the process. I can say with confidence that the teaching staff at Woodlands provide effective support, whilst continuing to push you to the academic levels required. How did Woodlands prepare you for university? After completing my A levels, I enrolled at the University of Warwick to study a degree in Politics. Given Warwick’s position as a top five University,
I always had a slight concern that I might end up being ‘bottom of the class’ in my new environment. Soon after joining however, these concerns vanished and I realized just how well prepared I was. I found that many of my peers at university had been taught the content required to pass their A level exams, rather than how to use a set of core problem solving skills to adapt to the task at hand. At Woodlands I was exposed to a balance between these approaches. Towards the end of Year 13, teachers often set us challenging problems that were ‘beyond the standard required for A level students’. I didn’t quite believe it until I first arrived at university to study a completely new subject. Without any content knowledge to fall back on, I realised just how important these core skills are for succeeding in unfamiliar environments. In this respect, Woodlands prepared me incredibly well. What was University like for you? Overall, a fantastic experience which has opened so many doors. Warwick is made up of 25% international students, so I met people from all over the world and from a wide range of backgrounds. After graduating, everybody spread out across the globe and I found myself with an amazing network of friends across geographies. Three years is too much to cover here, but I had an opportunity to test myself against intelligent people, to try new sports and societies and to work for a range of exciting companies. I can’t recommend it enough. What advice would you give the students of today? I think my advice would change depending on where you are in the process. For A levels, it’s all about working hard academically and focusing on the immediate goal of getting into a good university. Start looking at your options early on and work out what you need to achieve in order to succeed. You can’t aim too high, so don’t rule anything out in your first year. Once you’re at university, it becomes about getting involved in as much as possible. Meet people, build your network and apply for work experience and internship positions starting in your first year – otherwise you are already a year behind other proactive students. I found the easiest way was to find someone who had been through it all before and learn from their experience, these people always have helpful advice and offer a constant reminder that your goals are achievable.
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RESULTS
We are proud to be a broad entry sixth form and our goal is to ensure every student achieves their goal – whether this be Oxford or travelling the world. Our students’ A level results in Summer 2018 improved on our extremely high levels of achievement across the full range of subject areas, showing we are truly ensuring every student reaches or exceeds their own personal potential. A Level Grade Distribution table
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A*
A
B
C
D
E
U
Art
0
0
2
1
0
3
1
Biology
0
4
6
9
4
7
1
Business Studies
0
3
2
2
0
1
0
Chemistry
0
2
8
2
5
0
0
Computing
0
2
1
5
1
0
0
D&T
0
1
4
3
2
0
0
English Language
0
1
4
8
8
0
0
English Literature
3
1
3
9
7
5
0
Further Mathematics
0
2
4
1
2
0
0
General Studies
1
2
3
1
1
0
0
Geography
1
2
5
5
3
1
0
German
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Government & Politics
1
1
3
3
2
1
0
History
1
3
9
4
4
0
1
Japanese
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mathematics
11
9
6
7
1
2
1
Music
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
PE
0
0
1
2
3
1
0
Physics
2
2
5
7
4
3
1
Psychology
2
0
12
6
1
1
1
RE
0
5
6
2
0
0
0
Sociology
0
1
3
9
6
0
0
Spanish
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
Theatre Studies
0
0
2
0
4
0
0
But this is only part of the story. Last year 70% of our students gained places at university, with nearly one third moving on to study at Russell Group universities (the top 24 research led universities in the country, including Oxford and Cambridge). Our students are also very successful in securing highly sought after apprenticeships with companies such as Rolls Royce, Bombardier, PKF Cooper Parry and Boots. We are committed to ensuring that our students are fully supported as they prepare to leave school, providing each one with high quality, individualised advice and guidance.
A Levels 2018 Provisional
A*
6.9%
A*- A
18.9%
A*- B
47%
A*- C
73.3%
85% of our students gained places at university, further education or apprenticeships, with the remaining 15% embarking on employment or gap years.
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RAISING OF THE PARTICIPATION AGE
In the past, young people could leave education when they were 16 years old, but things have changed. All young people are now expected to stay in some form of learning until they are 18 years old. Why do students need to stay in education longer? The world of work is changing. New jobs are being created and many will be more complicated and demanding. Therefore, employers are looking for people with more skills, training and qualifications. The more training and qualifications young people have, the better their chances of getting a good job that they enjoy in the future.
Lots of students will choose to stay at school in September 2016. However, there will be lots of other routes available as well being offered by employers, colleges and training providers, including apprenticeships, vocational courses, voluntary work and jobs with training.
‘Academic standards are high and students are very well prepared for higher education or employment.’
What does this mean?
Ofsted
Does this mean students have got to stay at school until they’re 18?
It means that every student needs to start thinking about the type of learning or training they need to do, to get them where they want to be in the future.
Applying to join the Sixth Form at Woodlands will ensure that every student makes the most of this opportunity to learn for longer. 20
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Within the ‘Sixth Form Student and School Agreement’, we at Woodlands offer a number of commitments and aims. In turn, all students have a role to play in the development of the partnership so that Sixth Form opportunities can be developed and extended in order to establish Woodlands as a place of challenge, high expectation and opportunity. The general entry requirement for those wishing to join our Sixth Form is 5 GCSEs including Maths and English Language at grade 5 or above. However, individual subjects have their own entry requirements, which you will find on page 25. In exceptional circumstance, the application of the above criteria is at the Head of Sixth Form’s discretion. The following factors are used when assessing whether the above criteria have been met: 1 Evidence of a sustained and committed approach to study throughout Key Stage 4.
1 Academic Profile to date in relation to the cohort of applications received.
1 Predicted GCSE results. 1 Quality of the student’s Progress File. 1 Pastoral and academic staff recommendations. 1 Attendance/Punctuality record. 1 Performance at interview. Those students who are to continue into Year 13 will be expected to: 1 Have achieved at least 3 high E grades in their internal exams in year 12. 1 Be able to continue with at least three subjects in Year 13. 1 Demonstrate the commitment necessary to study at A Level.
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‘Teaching in the Sixth Form is underpinned by expert subject knowledge which enthuses and motivates students through challenging questioning and detailed feedback.‘ Ofsted
COMMITMENT
School’s Commitment At Woodlands, we are committed to: 1
The promotion of the highest possible standards of achievement and excellence for all students – we maintain high quality educational provision within a challenging but caring and supportive environment
1 Providing a purposeful and supportive working environment 1
Supporting individual progress and the achievement of a high success rate for students in terms of qualifications achieved and opportunities created
1 Providing individual care, support and guidance by an experienced team of personal tutors and subject staff
Students’ Commitment In turn, we expect you to: 1 Take responsibility for your own learning and personal and social development 1
Be committed to your own academic study; working hard, meeting deadlines and ensuring an effective working relationship with your subject teachers
1 Make use of the study facilities when not timetabled for lessons, balancing study with leisure time 1 Achieve excellent attendance and punctuality and follow the dress code 1 Be a role model for all the students attending Woodlands School and make a contribution to the school and wider community
1 Creating a secure transition for students to move successfully from GCSE to A Level study
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CURRICULUM
“I don’t feel flooded with information and there is loads of support when we don’t understand.” Students at Woodlands Sixth Form have the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects and we try to ensure that there is a pathway for all students who wish to study A Levels. Students at Woodlands, in line with the other sixth forms in the city, will take 3 A Level subjects, which will be assessed as at GCSE at the end of two years. For those who wish to aim high, there will also be an option to study the Extended Project Qualification, which is looked upon extremely highly by universities and develops the independent work and skills needed to study in Higher Education. If students take Further Maths, they will leave Year 13 with 4 A levels. A high priority is also placed on offering students many opportunities to enhance and enrich their education. As well as taking part in A Level courses, students participate in a core programme of lessons, which encourage personal and social development and forge links with our local community. These experiences are particularly important for students as they make their applications for university, apprenticeships or employment.
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Sixth Form students will usually undertake the following programme of study: Year 12: 3 or 4 A Levels + Core programme + EPQ (optional) Year 13: 3 or 4 A Levels + Core programme When selecting courses, students should take into account the career that they wish to follow, the subjects which they enjoy and are most confident in and, of course, the subjects in which they are most successful. The programme of study that each student chooses will become the foundation upon which they will build their post-18 plans and future career ambitions. Students are able to select from the subjects on the next page to develop their programme of study:
A Level Courses
Specific Entry Requirements
Art, Craft and Design
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Art and Design. Students who have not studied Art at GCSE will be required to submit a portfolio of work for consideration.
Business Studies
General plus GCSE Grade B in Business or GCSE Grade 6 in Mathematics and English Language OR English Literature.
Computer Science
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Computing or Grade 5 in Mathematics.
Design and Technology – Product Design
General plus GCSE Grade B, from Textiles, Resistant Materials, Product Design or Graphic Products.
Drama and Theatre Studies
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Drama and English Literature OR Language. Students who have not studied Drama at GCSE but who can demonstrate a keen interest in the theatre may be considered.
English – Language
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in English Language.
English – Literature
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in English Literature.
Geography
General plus GCSE Grade 5 in Geography.
Government and Politics
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in English Language.
History
General plus GCSE Grade 5 in History.
Languages – French
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in French.
Languages – German
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in German.
Mathematics
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Mathematics.
Further Mathematics
General plus GCSE Grade 7 in Mathematics and Mathematics A level as one of your other options.
Music
General plus GCSE Grade 5 in Music and theory grade 5.
Physical Education
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Physical Education.
Psychology
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Mathematics & English Language.
Religious Studies
General plus GCSE Grade 5 in Religious Studies.
Science – Biology
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Biology or 6,6 in Double Science.
Science – Chemistry
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Chemistry or 6,6 in Double Science and GCSE Grade 6 in Mathematics.
Science – Environmental
General plus GCSE Grade 5,5 in Science.
Science – Physics
General plus GCSE Grade 6 in Physics or 6,6 in Double Science and GCSE Grade 6 in Mathematics.
Sociology
General plus GCSE Grade 5 in English Language.
Other Course
Entry Requirements
Extended Project Qualification
Grade 5 in Mathematics and English Language plus 5 GCSEs at Grade 6/B and above.
General = 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above including English and Mathematics
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Woodlands has an impressive record of entry to the most challenging university degree programmes, with a significant number of students progressing to leading universities to study a wide range of courses from the Arts, Humanities, Business, ICT and Computing, Sciences, Medical disciplines, Sports Sciences, Engineering and Maths. However, we also recognise that university is not always the right choice for every student, and provide personalised guidance and support for students wishing to progress into employment or training, in the form of apprenticeships and combined employment and further education programmes. Core Tutorial Period: ‘Life Skills’ Tutor Programme comprising 1 hour per week of support including lessons on transition to A Level learning, study skills, exam preparation, citizenship, life skills, next steps and HE applications, guidance and preparation for university and leaving home. Extra-Curricular Enrichment: Sixth Form students frequently have the opportunity to go on extra-curricular visits and trips to enhance their learning in their subjects. As part of our aim to develop the whole person, students are expected to become involved in a range of regular enrichment opportunities. All students in Year 12 commit to at least one hour a week of curriculum support, working alongside younger students and supporting them with their studies, whilst we also have very well established links with local primary schools through our ‘Buddy’ programmes, including Reading, Sport and Science. Our Head Student Team and House Captains work hard to ensure that the Sixth Form make an invaluable contribution to the life of the whole school. This involves planning regular events to support our chosen charity each year, organising teams of students to support open evenings, parents’ evenings and Healthy Living days, working with the school’s PFTA and arranging tea parties to welcome the local community into our school.
All Sixth Form students become Prefects and many take the opportunity to work as Ambassadors, delivering lessons to younger students as part of their PSHCEe programme. In addition, the school has a Sixth Form Debating Society, a Rotary group and plenty of opportunities to get involved with sports, creative arts and musical activities. Teaching We are generous in the amount of hours we dedicate to each A Level. Each subject receives 5 hours per week teaching time. This only represents the essential core teaching required for each subject and all students are expected to build on this through private study, home study and additional tutorial arrangements. It is expected that students will undertake at least one hour of independent study for each hour of teaching they receive per subject per week. Student Destinations Being a student at Woodlands Sixth Form provides students with an important bridge on their journey between being a young person and becoming an adult. We recognise that this is a critical time for students making important decisions about their futures post-18 and so provide a structured programme of information, advice and guidance to ensure that they are well equipped to make wise choices and that their transition from Sixth Form to Higher Education, apprenticeships or employment is successful. 27
DRESS CODE The Sixth Form dress code is designed to reflect ‘business dress’, which is fundamental to the school’s ethos and culture, including the notion of standards, quality and responsibility. School dress should be fit for the purpose of study.
For both Males and Females Dark/outdoor coat (no denim or leather). Formal shoes (no training shoes or boots). No visual body piercing, except for a single pair of ear studs. No extreme hairstyles.
To this end, the Sixth Form dress code is as follows:
This is a sensible, smart code and all students should follow it. We will enforce it and, if a student is dressed inappropriately, we reserve the right to send the student home to change.
Male Dark, tailored suit, including matching (material & colour) jacket and trousers. Formal shirt and tie. Female Dark tailored suit, including matching (material & colour) jacket and trousers or skirt (skirt must be appropriate length). Formal blouse (with sleeves, opaque and not from jersey type or woollen material).
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The Head of Sixth Form will make the final decision about what is appropriate.
‘Students reach above-average standards both at AS and A Level. The proportion of students gaining the highest grades of A* and A is above average.’ Ofsted
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CASE STUDY
“What was the best thing about being at Woodlands? I knew I was getting the best possible opportunities to further my education” Cara Fox, former Allestree Woodlands School and Sixth Form student, graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Maths from Sheffield Hallam University. After completing PGCE – teacher training, Cara has started her first job as a Maths teacher. Why did you do your A Levels at Woodlands? My friends were going, I knew the school and I knew that the quality of teaching is really high so I would be able to make the most of the opportunity. How was it different? I was treated like an adult and the teachers became more sociable. You were able to lead the learning more yourself. You’re doing subjects you have chosen, so it was more enjoyable as you could really focus. I felt a lot more relaxed than when I was in the lower forms! What did you find difficult? The level of work is a lot higher but it’s worth it because once I got to University I was already able to work at the level they demand. It was definitely good preparation. What made you choose to go on to University? I wanted to pursue Maths a bit further, and had visited friends from the year above me who were already at University and could see what a good time they were having. How do you think going to Woodlands prepared you for University? Definitely my work ethic, as I was fully able to cope with the workload at University having tackled A Levels at Woodlands! Also life skills, because at Woodlands it’s a real sense of community and all about making strong supportive friendships, so I felt more able to do that once I got here. What would you say to anyone thinking of studying at Woodlands? If you want a place where you can work and learn in a friendly and supportive environment, I would definitely recommend Woodlands. I had a fantastic time. 31
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APPLICATION PROCESS Should you wish to apply for Sixth Form education at Woodlands please complete an application form and return it to the Head of Sixth Form. You will be contacted regarding your application as soon as the applications have all been processed and considered. Applicants who have met the Sixth Form entry criteria will be invited for an admissions interview in the Spring term. At this interview applicants will be asked to consider what they can offer the school, as well as what their intentions are once they leave Woodlands. Offers of a place will be made before the end of the Spring term. Successful applicants will be invited to an induction day at the end of Year 11 after their GCSE examinations. Students will be required to formally enrol upon confirmation of their GCSE grades in August. We look forward to receiving your application.
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“The thing I really liked about being at Woodlands? It has a real sense of community. I genuinely loved being there.” Sally Bonsall – former student
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Headteacher: Mr A Brady Deputies: Mrs R Middleton-Lee Mr S Roe House Teams: Cedar: Miss L Colley and Mrs C McEntee/Mr D Hammond Maple: Mr R Beattie and Mrs E Pitter Oak: Miss H Smith and Mr A Swift Rowan: Mrs H Curr and Mr M Kenny Assistant Headteacher/Head of Sixth Form: Miss C Mills Assistant Head of Sixth Form: Mr A Forsyth Co-Chairs of the Governing body: Rev W Bates Mr R Travis Main Sponsors: Rolls-Royce Toyota
During the last 12 months the following suppliers have assisted in providing significant improvements to school facilities.
The information given in this brochure is as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Any changes will be reported to parents/carers in the school’s newsletter and published on our website. It should not however be assumed that there will not be any changes before, during or after the school year 2019– 2020. All images © Allestree Woodlands School, Hannah Fox and Lindsay Pilkington. © Allestree Woodlands School Designed and produced by foxcreate.com
AJ Floorcraft – carpets and flooring Altar Electrical Ltd – electrical installations AP Rhodes Building Contractor – building works Arc Mechanical and Electrical Ltd – air conditioning services Armsons Project Managers and Building Surveyors – premises refurbishment Bowmer & Kirkland – New build contractors Braiswicks Photographers – school photography Catering Academy – school meals provision Euro Business Services – furniture and equipment Fitness Options – gym equipment Flint Bishop Solicitors – legal services Forrester Boyd/Dataplan – accountancy and payroll services Fox Create – inward and outward-facing visual communication Hot House – music performers Kaydee Blinds – blinds and canopies Maber Architects – architectural services NT Voice and Data Solutions – telephone systems Ricoh UK – print and copying solutions Stage Systems – theatre sound and lighting, staging and seating
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Be part of the Woodlands community Go to the school’s website at www.woodlands.derby.sch.uk for information about the school, or for daily updates you can follow us on Twitter @woodlands_derby A L L E ST R E E WOO D L A N D S S C HOO L Blenheim Drive, Allestree, Derby DE22 2LW. Telephone: 01332 551921 Fax: 01332 553869 Email: the.office@woodlands.derby.sch.uk or headteacher@woodlands.derby.sch.uk