Welcome to Year 12 Parents’ Induction Evening Nailsea School

What is an A Level? (Reformed) Reformed subjects are: Sciences English Lang and Lit Art and Photography History, Sociology, Psychology For these subjects either: Student will get an A level by taking all exams at end of Year 13 Or Student will take AS in Year 12 and not continue with subject. AS does not count towards full A level.

What is an A Level? (Unreformed) Divided into two equal halves: AS Most made up of 2 units. Studied in Year 12. Most exams taken in May/June Possible to re-take individual modules in Year 13. A2 Also most are made up of a further2 units. Studied from June Year 12 and throughout Year 13. Exams are taken in June (start after half term) The total AS mark for each subject is out of 200. This then goes forward and is added to the A2 mark to reach a final total of 400. The grade boundaries are: A* 360C 240 A 320D 200 B 280E 160

The 6 th Form Calendar Year 12 TermIssuesSupport/Help Available 1 & 2Setting-in, confirming subject choices, getting used to new routines and expectations. Settling in reports Tutor support through monitoring Interim reports Your Head/Deputy on request Citizenship Day on study skills Assemblies 3 & 4Parents evening March – start planning for future, Higher Education Application process Assemblies Parents Meeting At least two trips to different Universities. In-school sessions for whole Year Group and Tutor Groups, individual help on request through student monitoring. Guest speakers 5 & 6Year 12 Subject Reports issued Continue research for Higher Education/Careers Mid May – early June: bulk of A/S exams June – start A2 courses, probably dropping one subject Foundation year completed Mid August – AS results Appointments with careers advisor on request Register with UCAS and set up form on web Parents Meeting

Year 13 TermIssuesSupport/Help Available 1 & 2Completion of UCAS Form (by October half-term) Full written report Parents Evening (Subject) Begin student finance application (currently December) Careers advice on request Your Head/Tutor support checking UCAS forms Assemblies 3 & 4 Mock exams University offers come in (hopefully!) Decision made Tutor Monitoring Careers/Year Head advice on request Careers interviews for all non-university applicants 5 & 6Study leave from late May Most A2 exams early/mid June August – results Head of 6 th Form and others available on results day – contactable afterwards

Expectation of 6 th Formers Be more independent students and take more responsibility for your own learning. Attend registration/assembly every day. Arrive in school for first timetabled lesson, then stay until registration, making use of private study facilities in any non-teaching lessons. Attend all lessons, provide good reason if not able to (in advance where possible). Prepare fully for lessons and meet all set deadlines. See teachers in advance where there may be problems with a deadline. Any paid work should not interfere with school. General recommendation of maximum 10 hours per week. In Year 13 you can expect to do as much work out of the lesson as in, ie if 9 hours per fortnight in class, you will need to be looking at 9 hours out of class as well. Year 12 will probably average out at a little less than that, but there will be peak times when it is more. No medical/dental appointments or driving lessons in school time, other than emergencies. Mobile phones. Can be brought to school, must remain in bags during lessons and when in main school area. May be used in Sixth Form area. We cannot guarantee security! Students with a lighter timetable will be expected to complete 9 hours of supervised private study per fortnight.