The Sixth Form Handbook

INTRODUCTION

To apply to join the Sixth Form, students should complete and return an application form, obtainable from the Head of Sixth Form or the School Office. It is important that a student selects the correct courses and he/she must convince the School that he/she has both the aptitude and ability to benefit from them. As a consequence a careful inspection of GCSE/GNVQ results will be made to ensure that students are capable of studying their selected course. The normal requirement for entry onto Advanced-Subsidiary (AS) or Advanced (A2) level courses is five GCSE successes at grade C or above, or a pass at GNVQ Intermediate Level. Many subjects also require students to achieve at least a grade B. For those students who do not possess the necessary qualifications to begin Advanced-Subsidiary (AS) or Advanced (A2) level courses a one-year intermediate course in Business is available. Students who successfully complete this course may then progress onto an Advanced-Subsidiary (AS) or Advanced (A2) level course.The notes that follow are intended to supply information about the philosophy for the Sixth Form, its curriculum and its facilities, and to answer some of the general questions you may be asking. Not all the questions can be dealt with here, however, your form tutor, your subject teacher, the careers staff or the Head/Deputy Head of Sixth Form are the people with whom you should discuss matters not adequately covered in this handbook. External applicants should contact the Head of Sixth Form or the Headmaster, who will be pleased to discuss any question and arrange tours of the School.

THE PURPOSE OF A SIXTH FORM COURSE

The Sixth Form should benefit you in several ways:• It should enable you to further your studies in subjects, which you enjoy.• It should provide you with the means to acquire the better academic qualifications needed for admission to higher or further education or to enhance your application for a career.• Through discussion and contact with others in the Sixth Form (in and out of the class) you should cultivate a wider range of interests.• It should help you to “mature” as a person by providing opportunities for mixing with others, for taking responsibility and for participating effectively in the corporate life of the School.To obtain the most benefit from the years spent in the Sixth Form, you must be prepared to work hard and to play a full part in the extra-curricular life of the school community.

THE CURRICULUM

Details of specifications and the possible combinations of subjects are available in a separate booklet. What is possible each year must depend upon the limitations imposed by the timetable and by staffing arrangements. We do our best to make your sixth form course as flexible as possible. We believe that our choice of academic and vocational courses provide a good preparation for Higher and Further Education and this is borne out by the high proportion of our sixth form leavers who move on to University. For those who seek employment, AS, A2 Levels or an AVCE qualification, provide good opportunities. Before deciding upon your course you should have discussed the matter with your parents, the appropriate staff and the Head/Deputy Head of Sixth Form. In choosing your subjects, you should try to consider whether your chosen combination is likely to be useful later. You will be allowed to re-sit any essential GCSE subjects that you have failed: in English Language and Mathematics tuition is provided. Both academic and vocational advanced levels are available for sixth form students. Students will also have the opportunity to study Key Skills Level 3 Communications or Level 2 Information Technology. In addition most sixth form students, whose first language is English, study General Studies at AS or A2 level to provide a broad education necessary in today’s society. For all international students, lessons in English as an Additional Language (EAL) are compulsory.

BEGINNING THE COURSE

In the first year of the Sixth Form you may find the change in approach to study unsettles you. You will certainly need to ORGANISE your work. For example, you must look ahead and not think of set periods of ‘homework’. Staff will expect work to be completed on time. It should not be left until the last minute but should be done efficiently during Private Study periods in School or at home. Moreover, the work set by the subject teacher is a minimum and wide background reading is necessary in every subject. Some people have problems at first, but this should not discourage you. All students who are not travelling from overseas are expected to be available for interview to finalise their programme the week prior to the start of term. Overseas students will be interviewed the day before term starts.

PROGRESS DURING THE COURSE

If you do experience difficulties, you should immediately seek advice from your subject teacher, your Form Tutor or the Head/Deputy Head of Sixth Form. They are always ready to help. Progress is monitored on a regular basis throughout the course. Central to monitoring progress and providing direction is the tutor system and individual action planning. Students are encouraged to consider possible future career paths, researching requirements in terms of qualifications, skills and experience, and devising strategies to obtain them. Progress is monitored regularly, and new targets set as necessary. We believe that success is achieved by maintaining a triangular partnership between Student, Parent and School. To this end we are keen to keep parents informed of their son’s/daughter’s progress by half term effort grades and Parents’ evenings. Parents are encouraged to contact the School if they detect any developing problems.

STUDY TIME

The need to organise your work was mentioned earlier. You must strike the right balance between your academic work and your extra-curricular activities. Important though it is to cultivate wide interests and friendships, you must not allow these interests to undermine your academic progress. The proper use of private study periods is an essential part of your management of time. It is only too easy to let these periods drift by without anything positive being achieved.The social facilities available in the Common Room should be used sparingly and sensibly. Private Study will be taken in the Sixth Form Library and study area at the top of the School. It must be stressed that these areas should be used for silent private study only. The Sixth Form Centre has all the necessary functions available for study including a full ICT suite.The recommended allocation for self-study is five hours per subject per week. However, a minimum of two study sessions per subject per week is built into your timetable. These are negotiated with the Head of Sixth Form or your subject teacher and are decided upon according to the demands of your timetable.

THE SIXTH FORM LIBRARY

This is currently being developed to meet a wide variety of needs. As well as books and periodicals, an abundance of materials relating to Higher and Further Education, and to Careers, along with University prospectuses and UCAS books are also housed in the Library and adjoining Study Area (these are not to be removed without express permission from the Head/Deputy Head of Sixth Form). In addition to consulting reference materials students are able to borrow books; the loan period is one week. It is important that all borrowers should return library books within the issue period, and not retain them to the disadvantage of other users; otherwise a fine of 10 pence per day will be administered. Wide background reading and research to supplement issued textbooks should form an essential part of your studies. No food or drink is allowed in the study area and library. Sixth Formers only are allowed to use this facility and all users must respect it.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Sixth Formers have ownership of the Sixth Form Centre. However, this also comes with the responsibility for the running and care of the Centre, including the Library and Computing Centre. Members of the Sixth Form Council have duties within these areas. It is a mistake to think of Sixth Form education in only academic terms: your social, personal, moral and spiritual development is an important part of the education process. You should take every opportunity to develop your powers of initiative and responsible leadership. The Sixth Form has a vital role to play in the life of the school community. Each sixth form student is expected to participate in an area of community action. This involves doing something for someone else within the school or wider community e.g. as a buddy for literacy or numeracy, using skills and talents in other areas of the School or giving time to assist others less fortunate than yourselves. The success of many extra-curricular activities depends on your organisation and enthusiasm. Your support for clubs, societies and House events will help the School and also benefit you. The way you conduct yourself has considerable effect on the ethos of the whole School. Sixth Formers are expected to set an example to the other students and to abide by the regulations on behaviour and dress. It is important to remember that upon entering the Sixth Form, you will be expected to sign a learning agreement to be bound by School Rules. An example of this agreement is given on the next page.

PREFECTS

All Sixth Formers have the opportunity to become Prefects. The positions of School Prefects are regarded as privileges and an opportunity to exercise responsibility and initiative in many different ways. The privileges can, of course, be taken away! It is hoped that all Sixth Formers will play an important part in school life and an integral part in the running of our three Houses, being involved in drama, sport and charitable activities. Prefects have responsibilities for general conduct in the building and they assist the staff with lunchtime supervision, bus duty, school study and monitoring of the Sixth Form Library. The Prefects operate a sanctions system through the Head and Deputy Head of School. A Prefect is always on duty and by his/her conduct, bearing, dress and courtesy he/she gives a lead throughout the School, and shares a corporate responsibility for the effective running and good name of the School.

SIXTH FORM COUNCIL

All Sixth formers are members of the Sixth Form Council. The Head of the Council and the Head and Deputy Head of School allocate students to organise and lead the varied sections of the Council body.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

The Head of School runs the Trinity School Council, which meets every half term. The purpose of this is to discuss any concerns and views of the school student body. All year groups, throughout the School, are represented on the School Council. The Head of School, Deputy Head of School and Heads of Boarding, along with two representatives from Year 11, constitute the Executive Council. This meets to discuss the views of the School Council with the Deputy Head and the Head of Sixth Form.

TEIGNBRIDGE YOUTH COUNCIL

This was created in November 1998 and consists of representatives from seven local Sixth Form Schools. These representatives are elected by their peers from Years 12 and 13 to serve on the Council each year. The Council closely mirrors the District Council with the intention of helping young people to develop their citizenship skills and increase their interest in local democracy. It provides an opportunity for young people to raise issues that concern them and gives them the opportunity to influence policy decisions taken by the Council.

THE TUTORIAL PROGRAMME

The tutorial programme has been designed to meet the needs of young adults about to enter the world of higher education or employment. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory due to the crucial nature of the issues being discussed, which could well have a bearing on your future life choices.The structure of the programme falls into five main categories: health and social education; religious education; citizenship and further education and careers advice, study skills, whichever is applicable. Subjects covered in the recent past have included drugs awareness; gender issues, communicating with the hearing impaired; safety for young road users and how to run student finances as well as many others too numerous to mention. In terms of curriculum time, we allocate 80 minutes per week to these sessions to which we often invite a visiting speaker with a particular area of expertise. The effectiveness of these tutorials is regularly evaluated by both staff and students and is constantly being updated to meet the needs of those for whom they are designed.In addition to this programme of internal tutorials, an extensive range of activities has been arranged outside curriculum time. These include a team building weekend in Year 12, visits to careers fairs and the Exeter UCAS exhibition, university visits, work experience and at least one purely social event each half term.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN THE SIXTH FORM

Sport is a compulsory part of the Sixth Form Curriculum. The philosophy of the Physical Education Department is to provide all students with the opportunity to take part in a wide range of physical activities, to encourage them to fulfil their full potential and to continue active participation on leaving School, whatever their ability.

THE SIXTH FORM SOCIAL AREA

Members of the Sixth Form have the privilege of access to a large common room at the top of the School. The room is an extremely comfortable place to relax in and there are facilities for making drinks etc. An objective of the Sixth Form is to achieve a controlled transition between School and the adult world, and with this in mind its members are given more freedom and there are fewer regulations. A social committee exists to oversee the use of the room and is composed of representatives from the two year groups. The Committee seeks a financial contribution of £2 per term from each member of the Sixth Form to provide funds for consumables. Further funds can be raised at social functions, which take place from time to time. It is expected that the conditions of the fabric and furnishings are maintained and that the rooms should be kept tidy at all times. It is hoped that all members of the Sixth Form will recognise that a privilege is being extended to them. They must reciprocate by behaving with maturity and by setting an example for younger students to follow.

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE

There is no doubt that the way to get the most out of your Sixth Form course is to have that sense of purpose that comes from knowing what it is you are aiming at. The people who make the greatest success of their course are those who consider, EARLY ON in their Sixth Form life, the decision as to what they want to do later: without being certain of what career they want to pursue, they enquire and inform themselves about the very many career and higher/further education opportunities open to them. They also try to look into the financial implications of any choice. In this way they are at least able to get a clearer idea of the general direction in which they wish to move and are better equipped to make wise decisions when these have to be made at the end of Year 12.

STAFF AND STUDIES

You must expect teachers to chase you up if you fail to hand in work on time or if you break the rules: the School must provide a framework in which you can gradually develop the skills and self-discipline required for independent study. However, in the Sixth Form we expect that the relationship between staff and pupils will be less formal than it has to be lower down the school. You can speak to your form tutor and subject teachers about problems arising from your studies – or indeed about anything else that may worry you and therefore upset your work. Similarly the House Staff, Boarding Tutors (personal and international) and the Head and Deputy Head of Sixth Form are available to help you. We specialise in treating each student as a unique individual, worthy of the personal attention which that implies.

CONCLUSION

Everyone teaching you hopes that you will not only succeed academically but also enjoy the next two years here, developing in every aspect of school life. Remember that, in the end, what you get out of the Sixth Form will depend on what you put into it. Our aim is to see Sixth Form students leave as well-rounded young adults, who will make outstanding citizens in society.