SIXTH FORM AT HUNTINGTON SCHOOL “Inspiring confident learners who will thrive in a changing world” Prospectus
respect | honesty | kindness
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Welcome to Huntington Sixth Form
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Joining the Sixth Form
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Choosing Courses
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The Subjects
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Student Profiles
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Life in the Sixth Form
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Personal and Social Development
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How to Apply
Welcome to the Sixth Form at Huntington School
Chris Hardwell, Director of Sixth Form and Students
Our school’s core purpose is “to inspire confident learners who will thrive in a changing world”. Everything we do in the Sixth Form seeks to fulfil that purpose. A good Sixth Form should offer three things: excellent teaching and learning; exciting extra-curricular activities and real support for every individual student. Results suggest, and our students tell us, that they are consistently challenged and encouraged to reach the highest possible standards in their work. We offer a huge range of extracurricular activities including sport, theatre, music, community activities, support for younger students and charity work. We ask all our students to make a contribution to the school, and wider community and as a result they are looked on as leaders by younger students in school.
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Throughout their time in the Sixth Form our students are given high quality, ongoing academic and personal support by a team of committed and dedicated staff. The result of all this is that our students have every chance possible to leave us and go on to enjoy great success in higher education and employment. Please explore this prospectus to find out more about the courses we offer and the extra-curricular opportunities available. If you would like to discuss joining our Sixth Form, please contact us; we would be delighted to meet with you and show you around our school.
Joining the Sixth Form On behalf of the Sixth Form Committee it is my pleasure to welcome you to Huntington Sixth Form. It will be a very exciting time in your life with new friends, new subjects and a whole host of wonderful opportunities. Each year we have an exciting composition of students from far and wide. As well as taking in students from the main school at Huntington and other schools across York, we have international students from countries in Europe and beyond. This diverse student community is what makes Huntington Sixth Form a very fulfilling environment to study and socialise in; where you can achieve your academic potential and develop long lasting relationships. The Sixth Form Committee is integral to creating an environment everyone can thrive in. Its role is to be a voice for students and to organise events on behalf of the entire Sixth Form. We’ve arranged: meals out; sporting competitions; bowling; and trips to theme parks to name a few. We also pride ourselves in being a student body that helps its community by regularly raising money for local charities.
lessons with like-minded individuals, creating a positive and passionate atmosphere. However with age, also comes responsibility, as there is increased emphasis on working independently and using your free periods wisely, to prepare you for the world after Sixth Form. We hope you enjoy reading this prospectus and look forward to meeting you in September. Rhianna Wilson, President of the Sixth Form Committee
Our Sixth Form is not only a great place to get involved with social events, but also a great place to study, as shown by our consecutively strong exam results. You can choose the subjects you really enjoy and excel in, and have
In 2015 Huntington Sixth Form was ranked in the Top Ten performing Sixth Forms in England (ALPS).
Julie Watson, Head of Year 12
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Choosing Courses
WHAT DO I NEED TO JOIN THE SIXTH FORM? There are certain criteria you must fulfil to enter the Sixth Form. In assessing applicants, we look at GCSE grades but we also take into account the personal qualities and skills of potential students. All the criteria we apply are designed to ensure that you are ready to tackle the demands of Post 16 qualifications and that you have the skills to succeed. The most important thing at this stage is to match your desired courses and subjects with your own skills and abilities. On entering the Sixth Form we generally expect students to have at least 5 GCSE grades A*-C.
WHICH COURSE SHOULD I CHOOSE? At Huntington Sixth Form we offer a large range of A-levels and a small number of Level 3 Certificates. It is essential that you look closely at the detailed individual subject descriptions in the accompanying brochure. New Government policy means that for some subjects only the examinations at the end of the two year course in Year 13 will count towards a student’s overall A-level grade. These are called ‘Reformed A-levels’ and are indicated on page 6. Subjects that are labelled as ‘Unreformed A-levels’ still count the examinations completed at the end of the first year in Year 12, as well as those completed at the end of the second year in Year 13 to the final A-level grade.
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We offer Level 3 Certificates in a narrow range of subjects. Each Level 3 Certificate is equivalent to one A-level, and they are accepted by universities and employers. The main difference between Level 3 Certificates and A-levels is that Level 3 Certificates have a much more vocational focus, and the assessment for these courses is much more coursework based than most A-levels. Level 3 Certificates are also awarded on a Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction Plus basis. They should be taken alongside A-levels and can be taken for one or two years. Please note that Health and Social Care is available as both a Single Award (equivalent to one A Level) and a Double Award (equivalent to two A Levels). Also that Huntington Sixth Form offers two separate ICT courses.
COOPERATION WITH JOSEPH ROWNTREE Photography is offered at Huntington Sixth Form, but the course will be taught at Joseph Rowntree School. Both institutions continue to work closely together and as a result students at Huntington Sixth Form will get this fantastic opportunity.
FACILITATING SUBJECTS At Huntington Sixth Form we offer the full range of ‘Facilitating Subjects’. These subjects are required more often than others at Russell Group Universities and for specific courses. Subjects that can be viewed as ‘Facilitating Subjects’ are: Mathematics and Further Mathematics; Physics; Biology; Chemistry; History; Geography; Modern Languages and English Literature.
GROWING OUR BRAINS! We believe every single one of us can get better at everything we try. We know this is true because research shows that our brains change and grow throughout our lives. Our staff and students actively develop a positive approach to our studies called a Growth Mindset, which promotes three attitudes: • We think learning matters more than anything else; • We have to learn from those times when we get things wrong; • We believe hard work and effort are keys to success. We feel that developing a Growth Mindset as well will see our students gain excellent examination results and give them the best chance of thriving in a changing world.
The Subjects REFORMED A-LEVELS: Art & Design (Fine Art)
Economics
German
Psychology
Biology
English Language
History
Religious Studies
Business Studies
English Literature
Music
Spanish
Chemistry
French
Physical Education
Sociology
Drama & Theatre Studies
Geography
Physics
CURRENTLY UNREFORMED A-LEVELS: Applied ICT Design & Technology: Product Design Design & Technology: Product Design (Textiles) Extended Project (in Year 13 only) Further Mathematics (AS level in Year 13 only)
General Studies (AS/A2 level in Year 13 only) Government & Politics Health & Social Care (Double Award) Health & Social Care (Single Award) ICT
LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATES: Mathematics: GCE Advanced Media Studies Music Technology Photography (delivered at Joseph Rowntree School)
Applied Business Applied Science Food Science and Nutrition
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Student Profiles INDIA JAGGER “Deciding to stay at Huntington Sixth Form has probably been the best decision I’ve made in my life so far. The Sixth Form has a fantastic academic and friendly atmosphere and it’s very easy to form new friendships. The academic side of life is a lot better too as you can focus on subjects you are really passionate about! I currently study History, Art, Philosophy and Ethics and Government and Politics. I chose these subjects as they are all intellectually stimulating, yet very enjoyable. I am also able to push myself and achieve more than I expected as the teachers here are always willing to help out and even put on any extra sessions if you request them. It is a lot of work and these subjects are heavily essay based, but I have learnt that if you are willing to put in the hours, the greater you will achieve in the long run. Throughout the year I’ve been involved with a lot of things, such as organising and running fundraising days for charity with the Sixth Form Committee, but my favourite has been the Summer Show. This year I took the role as the head of the backstage team. Once you get into Sixth Form, you get a lot more responsibility with things like that, which is a big challenge but it has been such a great learning experience and allowed me to really push myself and persevere when things didn’t go exactly to plan, and it has continued to fuel my passion for the theatre industry.”
LUKE PORTER “I joined Huntington Sixth Form from Archbishop Holgate’s after completing my GCSEs. I wanted a change of environment and Huntington seemed like the perfect place for me. Two of my brothers had been to Huntington and they both really enjoyed their time here. I settled in much quicker than I expected and I now have a fantastic group of friends that I feel I have known for years. I chose to study English Literature, Politics, Psychology and Music Technology. I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do after Sixth Form so I thought this was a good range of subjects that allowed me to keep as many doors open as possible. All of my teachers are helpful and supportive, assisting me with any matters I bring to them. Opportunities such as the Panto, Summer Show, Personal Development Programme and a range of other events have given a perfect mix between important academics and fun, extra-curricular activity. In my opinion the school has got a great balance between giving us individual freedom, but at the same time ensuring we work hard and get the grades we need. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year at Huntington and I’m looking forward to next year!”
SAVANNAH LONEY “I came into Huntington Sixth Form after sitting my IGCSE’s in South Korea, at an international school. I am currently studying Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and English Language at AS level. I chose Huntington because unlike other Sixth Forms, it has a wide range of subjects on offer and great facilities to support them. The science department has also been redeveloped, providing excellent equipment to carry out experiments. The Huntington community is very welcoming and made sure I felt as if I had been attending the school for ages, which was fantastic. Buddies are also provided for the first few days of school, so new students don’t get lost and aren’t alone, which is very convenient and helpful. The staff are very kind and are always keen to help out which I think is what an ideal Sixth Form should aim for.”
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ANNA RICHARDSON “I joined Huntington Sixth Form from Canon Lee School after finishing my GCSEs as I had heard a lot of good things about it from people already there and it provided the best facilities for my subjects. Within the first few days, I immediately realised that the Sixth Form has so many passionate members of staff and such friendly students that are always willing to help with both academic and non-academic matters. I chose to study Biology, Psychology, Geography and English Language. The reason behind my choice of subjects was due to the grades that I attained at GCSE and the fact that I also enjoyed the topics that I had previously studied. When I joined the Sixth Form, I had no specific career path, so the broad range of subjects ranging from the sciences and the more essay based subjects like English Language allowed me to cross over certain skills that I had developed in other areas, as well as providing more variety. The Personal Development Programme is a unique opportunity offered at the Sixth Form. It gives all students the chance to step outside their comfort zone in order to either benefit someone else and/or gives you the chance to learn new skills. There is a wide range of options to choose from; there’s always something for everyone to get involved in! I chose the learning support option, which involved assisting year seven students in Geography and English lessons, which was incredibly rewarding. I am so glad I chose to come to Huntington, it has given me so many new experiences and I am looking forward to next year.”
JAMIE WILSON “Staying on at Huntington Sixth Form was an easy decision to make, because I wanted to make the most of the outstanding teaching facilities which were available to me. There is a fantastic sense of collaboration and community throughout every aspect of Sixth Form life, which has made my experience all the more enjoyable. I chose to study French, German, English Language and English Literature. These were all subjects I had enjoyed and done well in at GCSE Level, and so I wanted the chance to develop my understanding and appreciation of them further, and this is something I have been able to do throughout my time at Sixth Form. The way in which Modern Languages are taught at A Level is much more immersive and communicative than at GCSE. There is a lot more emphasis on oral contributions, which naturally can be quite daunting, but due to the reduced class sizes you gradually build up confidence in being able to engage with your teachers and fellow students in debates and discussions about contemporary issues facing French or German people and their society. Moreover, studying English Language along with two foreign languages was definitely useful, because the detailed study of grammar and the way in which the English Language works in general has been extremely helpful in order for me to better understand and apply grammar rules in French and German. Apart from the academic side of the Sixth Form, there are a wide range of activities for you to get involved in, whether that be being a part of Charity Week and organising other fundraising events, or being involved and making a real difference to the community through projects as part of your Personal Development Programme. The skills gained through doing these voluntary, community-orientated projects can be very helpful when applying for universities or other higher education pathways.”
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Life in the Sixth Form MY PERSONAL TIMETABLE Study in the Sixth Form is inevitably very different from most students’ experience at GCSE. In the Sixth Form we aim to provide all students with an academic programme that meets their individual requirements. Most A Level students follow a programme of four subjects in Year 12. Some students who do not have a C in Maths and or English Language GCSE will be supported in their retake(s).
PRIVATE STUDY Private study is an important and integral part of Sixth Form work and it is one of the major differences students notice on entering the Sixth Form. The properly organised use of time is a crucial part of succeeding in the Sixth Form. Our Sixth Form offers excellent facilities for private study. Students have access to the library and two ‘Sixth Form only’ study areas. All these areas are wirelessly connected and students have access to over 70 computers that are only for Sixth Formers. The ability to work independently and with others is something universities and employers look for in students. We offer guidance and support throughout the Sixth Form in helping all our students become truly independent learners.
HOMEWORK Homework is an essential part of all Sixth Form courses. Students should spend a minimum of fifteen hours per week outside school on homework. The successful Sixth Former is prepared to investigate new areas independently and read widely.
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MONITORING PROGRESS One of the biggest reasons why students of all abilities succeed in our Sixth Form is the strength of our monitoring and tracking systems. At the beginning of Year 12 all students are set a minimum target grade for the completion of their courses. This is based on their performance at GCSE. We challenge all our students to be in the top 25% of students nationally with similar GCSE grades. Their performance is formally monitored on several occasions over two years. Subject teachers, form tutors, pastoral staff and the students themselves are involved in this process. Progress grades are sent home and students and teachers set targets together for further improvement. Throughout
the two years we offer a wide range of advice and guidance and we support any student who experiences any kind of difficulty.
THE COMMON ROOM This is the Sixth Formers’ own personal space and is an area run by the Sixth Formers for the Sixth Formers. The Common Room has its own outstanding cafe which is open from 9 am until 1:30 pm and serves everything from espressos to the ever famous bacon bagels and pasta dishes. It is a large space with a huge range of seating which even includes leather sofas.
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Personal and Social Development
Our students’ academic achievements are only part of the picture. At Huntington School, our Sixth Formers are encouraged to develop a confident and outward-looking approach to life through a wide range of extra-curricular activities and extensive pastoral support. PASTORAL SUPPORT On entering the Sixth Form, each student is assigned a Form Tutor, who is responsible for the pastoral well-being of each student in their care. Students see their Form Tutor at least once a day and will have a formal interview with them at least every four weeks. In addition, the Head of Year, the Attendance Manager and Director of Sixth Form are available to discuss issues with parents and students.
THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Every Wednesday afternoon our students are given the opportunity to develop their skills and talents outside the classroom through a range of extra-curricular activities. There are a huge range of activities including Music, Drama, Debating, Masterchef, Gardening, In Class Support, working with the elderly, Young Enterprise, environmental projects, Community Sports Leadership - to name but a few! It is a condition of entry that every student pledges to become involved in service to others during their time in the Sixth Form, thus ensuring that every
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single Sixth Former makes a positive contribution to the community. In addition, there are many other extra-curricular activities that take place throughout the year. These include paired reading, running the tuck shop, a boys’ and girls’ football league, drama performances and the school-wide Charity Week.
CAREERS ADVICE AND WORK EXPERIENCE Throughout their time at Huntington Sixth Form, students are provided with advice and guidance on career options and work experience. All Sixth Formers not applying for Higher Education participate in a Careers Programme to help them find the most suitable career path. Similarly, we operate an extensive programme of preparation for Higher Education to enable all our students who wish to do so to prepare themselves for higher education, advising them on application procedures, student finance, interview procedures and university courses. We take this part of our pastoral care provision very seriously and seek to involve parents at every stage of this.
SIXTH FORM COMMITTEE
SIXTH FORM SOCIETIES
Huntington Sixth Form has a vibrant and energetic culture and the Sixth Form Committee is central to this. Each form elects a member of the committee who organise social and charitable activities throughout the year. They have a budget, plenty of autonomy and run everything from entertainment events to the Sixth Form Fun Sports Day. The committee also ensures that Sixth Formers’ views are represented within the school by regular meetings with Mr Hardwell.
There are a variety of societies open to the Sixth Form from Football to Debating. In particular the Amnesty Society run a number of high profile campaigns and fund raising events throughout the year. They were even finalists in the Amnesty National Youth Awards in two separate categories. Sixth Form life is also about taking new opportunities and meeting new people and so joining a society is actively encouraged!
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How to Apply
It is important that you visit the school and talk to people here to get a real feel for the place. Our Open Evening and Taster Day provides the opportunity to find out more about the Sixth Form and if you are currently at another school you are very welcome to visit the school with your parents for an individual tour and a discussion with Chris Hardwell. If you would like to study at our Sixth Form you should complete the application form at the back of this prospectus and return it to Chris Hardwell by the date specified on the form. You will hear soon after if we are able to offer you a place. When we write to you we will tell you if we would like to interview you to discuss your choices further and we will give you full details of what to do next. Our option block system at Huntington Sixth Form is based upon student choice. If you apply before the deadline you will influence what subjects are available to study alongside each other. This is especially important if you want to take a
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specific combination of subjects. Please note however, that it might not be possible to guarantee you a place on all your first choice of courses as the option blocks will be dependent upon student demand. Offers of places in the Sixth Form are conditional on a student meeting the minimum entry requirements for the Sixth Form and for the particular courses chosen. These requirements can be found in this prospectus and in the course information folders. Please pay close attention to these requirements when applying.
Huntington School, Huntington Road, York YO32 9WT Tel: 01904 752100 • Fax: 01904 752101 • Email: mail@huntington-ed.org.uk Linslade Academy Trust. A charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 07621395. www.huntingtonschool.co.uk