St Michael’s Catholic High School Sixth Form From the students : We hope you enjoyed our student guide to success in the Sixth Form. We will be around to answer any questions at the end of the main presentation.

Welcome From The Sixth Form Team St Michael’s Catholic High School Sixth Form Welcome From The Sixth Form Team Headteacher / Line Manager of Sixth Form Mr Conway Assistant Headteacher / Director of Sixth Form Miss Parrott Sixth Form Support Officer Mrs Inglis

ST MICHAEL’S SIXTH FORM FACTS Ofsted 2014: “The leadership and management of the sixth form is outstanding.” Ofsted 2014: “An increasing number gain entry to Russell Group universities.” Ofsted 2014: “Level 3 results are well above the national average. “ Ofsted 2014: “Sixth form students make a significant contribution to school life and set a good example to younger students. They have high aspirations.” Ofsted 2014: “The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Students develop the good study skills required at university.” Diocese inspection 2013: “..very clear, caring and considerate leadership of the Headteacher serves to inspire others” Diocese inspection 2013: “.. Purposeful learning environment around the school.”

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE ST MICHAEL’S – academic results In both 2015 and 2016 according to ALPS we were placed in the top 25% of Sixth Forms nationally for our A Level results. 2012 – 2016 : Overwhelming majority of Y13 students continue to gain entrance to their first / second choice university . A continuing trend of high numbers of A*-B passes – just under 50% of our grades were A*-B in 2016. In 2016 ¾ of our students either hit or were above their aspirational A Level targets. In 2016 2/3 of our Btec grades were Distinction / Distinction*.

The Aquinas Study Centre WHY ST MICHAEL’S? “Success breeds success” The Aquinas Study Centre Opened September 2008

THE EDUCATION OF THE WHOLE PERSON IN A RELIGIOUS CONTEXT WHY ST MICHAEL’S? THE EDUCATION OF THE WHOLE PERSON IN A RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

WHY ST MICHAEL’S? THE VAST MAJORITY IN YEAR 11, AND THE PROSPECTIVE NEW STUDENTS, SHOULD SEE ST MICHAEL’S AS THE NATURAL PROGRESSION. IF … You are willing to commit to working hard – inside and outside of lesson You have bought into our ethos so far throughout Year 7-11 and willing to continue to embrace this going forward You have made positive contributions to our school community You have an excellent attendance record You consistently score 2.25 or less in PAMS effort score – positive attitude to learning

CURRICULUM REFORM THE NATIONAL PICTURE WHY ST MICHAEL’S? CURRICULUM REFORM THE NATIONAL PICTURE

A LEVEL REFORMS – what it means for our students As of September 2016 students have been opting for 2 year courses – A Level or Btec. All students entering Sixth Form must have 5 A*-C including Maths and English Language at grade 5 for A Level and at 4 for Btec courses. PLUS meet the subject specific entrance criteria for their 3 chosen subjects.

A LEVEL REFORMS – what it means for our students September 2017 - vast majority of students will start with 3 subjects Students with an Average Point Score above 7 can opt to study 4 subjects Students must have an Average Point Score of 5 to start one A Level course, of 5.5 to start two A Level courses, or 6 to start 3 A Level courses – as well as meeting the subject specific criteria.

OUR SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM OFFER To return to Sixth Form students must meet the criteria for 3 subjects Then they will be able to access a curriculum which offers: Breadth and Balance Diversity and Flexibility Progression for All

Religious Education Sixth Form Games CORE CURRICULUM (For the majority of students)

PROPOSED ROUTES OF STUDY A Levels – Terminal exams after two years of study BTEC Level 3 qualifications – each worth one A Level (Continuous assessment and externally assessed modules – for most this means externally examined units) Places in Year 13 and predicted grades for university applications – students offered places based on their Year 12 Btec folders and Year 12 UCAS indicator exams – huge importance of getting Year 12 right

THE NEW REFORMED A LEVELS – the story so far Linear exam (100% of grade) at end of Year 13 – no longer able to bank points at the end of Year 12 HOWEVER - Students will continue to sit internal exams in Year 12 WHY? Support university applications – universities support formal exams in Year 12 Secure predicted grades

A LEVELS 2 year courses REFORMED - 100% of grade comes from Y13 exams 2016 onwards 3 subjects will normally be chosen Minimum entrance requirement: 5 x Grade C at GCSE including Maths and English Language at GRADE 5 + Minimum Average Point Score of 5 for one A Level + Minimum Average Point Score of 5.5 for two A Levels + Minimum Average Point Score of 6 for three A Levels + MINIMUM Grade in the specified subject. Effort score of less than 2.25 AFTER 2 Years in Sixth Form - Progression to university or employment

BTEC in Sixth Form 2 year course - worth equivalent of 1 A Level – same UCAS points Business/ Applied Law/ Sport Fitness/ IT / Applied Science / Digital Media Can be combined with A Level programme of study To start courses 5 x Grade C at GCSE including Maths and English Language at grade 4and meet each subject specific requirement Effort score of less than 2.25 Offers progression to university degree in related areas or employment A Level Btec A* Dist * A Dist C Merit

Possible to combine A Levels and Btec courses PROGRESSION ROUTES – all students can access universities / apprenticeships 5 A* - C GCSEs inc Maths and English Language grade 4 – mainly C’s AND meeting the entrance criteria for 3 subjects Entry Requirements 5 A* - C GCSEs inc Maths and English Language grade 5 , an Average Point Score over 5 / 5.5 / 6, mainly B’s and Minimum Grade required in subject to be studied Possible to combine A Levels and Btec courses BTEC 2 Years A Level 2 Years ‘Merit / Distinction’ Universities / employment Good Passes = Access to Universities / employment

APPROPRIATE SUBJECT CHOICES – CHOOSE CAREFULLY WHY ST MICHAEL’S? APPROPRIATE SUBJECT CHOICES – CHOOSE CAREFULLY Why choose a subject? Because you are good at it Because you have researched what it is about and are interested Because it will help you to achieve what you want to in terms of future plans – job / university / apprenticeship Considered style of assessment – Btec, reformed A Levels, reformed A Levels with coursework NOT because your friends have chosen it / your parents want you to do the subject KEY IS RESEARCH, ASK QUESTIONS, SEEK GUIDANCE TO MAKE WISE CHOICES

Let’s hear what the most important people have to say – the students STUDENT VIEWS Let’s hear what the most important people have to say – the students David Aniebonam Y12 (transition Y11-Y12) Orlagh Doyle Senior Prefect Y13 ( support on offer and equipping you for life after Sixth Form) Caitlin O’Reilly Y12 (why she came back to St Michael’s in Y12)

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Catholic Community School Community – Role model High expectations – Sixth Form Contract Sixth Form Dress Code – renegotiated via student voice June 2014, will be revisited in 2017 again Full Attendance – min 90% exam entrance Use of Private Study Time Course Review – support strategies Meeting Deadlines

PASTORAL LIFE 2 Stage Induction (July 2017, September 2017) Academic Mentoring (Mentoring for Y13 to at least meet Minimum Target Grades) Prefect and Senior Prefect opportunities “Buddying” Y7 students Peer mentoring – academic and social needs Sixth Form Council Environmental Council Peer support in second half of autumn term of Y12 – support from Y13 buddies PSHE speakers – wide range University visits Apprenticeship links Interview advice – jobs, apprenticeships, university Involvement in whole school life – wide range of opportunities

APPLICATION PROCEDURE Step one - Read the prospectus, research courses and ask questions November / December 2016 PARS and Subject Contact Evening Grade Indicator exams Complete application form and short supporting statement (Don’t submit subject choices) Return to Miss Parrott via the school office by Friday 9 December January/ February 2017 Grade Indicator exam results APR Day – discuss realistic choices with Form Tutor Choices Surgery with Miss Parrott Interviews with Sixth Form team / Senior team week commencing 30th January Return preferences form after the interview to school office by Friday 10 February (Applications received after the deadlines may not be considered) (We will request references for all external applicants – deadline for application 20 January)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE February 2017 – March 2017 Preferences process Unconditional offers – based on Grade Indicator results Provisional places offered - subject to meeting our entrance requirements and subject grades All places provisional until after Course Review 1 4 JULY 2017 Induction part one – compulsory, this is clearly stated in the offer letter August 2017 GCSE Results Easier if you are here for results day! Avoid taking holidays on GCSE results day –alleviate stress by being here. Post results student advice days - very successful initiative More information to follow for dates for 2017 September 2017 Sixth Form Choices Fayre – enrolment and course choice and guidance interviews