2. Abingdon Consortium for Education is a unique partnership of three secondary schools and a Further Education College. We want every young person attending secondary school and college in Abingdon to have access to an outstanding education. The Abingdon Consortium is working in partnership to achieve these high standards across the town, transforming the life chances of our young people and strengthening our community.

3. Abingdon Consortium for Education works together so that every student benefits to create:  A rich range of resources, courses and experiences  A forum for sharing the very best teaching and learning expertise across Abingdon  A determination to support and challenge each other to do well as students, teachers, leaders and governors  A partnership that values every young person and learner  A brighter future for our community

4. A Level exam results hit new records for ACfE in the Summer  Average % of A* & A grades 27%, up 9%  Average performance of 3 schools A*-A higher than the Didcot Partnership, Henry Box and King Alfreds, amongst others  A*-B grades 53%, up 6%  Also compare very favourably with results across Oxfordshire  Everything in place to go from strength to strength

5. The best choice for your future A Level choices @ 16+ with ACfE

6. To provide detail of what subjects the consortium will be offering next year To provide an opportunity to discuss the content of different subjects To find out how different courses are assessed To find out what they key skills required in each subject are in order to be successful To talk to subject specialists about their subjects To encourage students to think seriously about the next steps in their education or career

7. What’s the benefit of working together as a consortium? How does the consortium work? What are the pathways available at the end of year 11? Why stay in Abingdon?

8. What are the entry requirements needed to study A levels in the Abingdon consortium? What does the grid look like? How many subjects will I be studying? How should I choose my A Levels? Do I have to have studied a subject at GCSE to take it at AS Level?

9. ABCD FitzharrysBusiness Studies Economics Physics Product Design Biology French* History Psychology Art English Language English Literature Maths Sociology Chemistry Geography Physics Psychology Religious Studies* John MasonICT Philosophy* Chemistry Product Design Psychology Spanish English Language English Literature Maths Media PE Sociology Physics Geography German Music Technology Psychology Graphics Art Biology English Language History Music* LarkmeadChemistry History Media Philosophy* PE Geography Performing Arts Art French* Biology Economics English Language English Literature Business Studies Maths Music* Religious Studies*

10. All students have a homebase, usually the school which they have attended during Key Stage 4 All students will have a tutor and a Year Head who are responsible for over seeing the wellbeing of each student as well as providing IAG about the next steps in each student’s education Each school has a compulsory programme of enrichment activities

11. Consider what you want to be doing once you finish sixth-form? What are your key skills and strengths? What subjects are you actually interested in? Ask those that know you best what they think?

12. Some subjects will be changing their course structure and content in 2015, and for others this will not take place until 2016. The subject specific sheets should make it clear if the subject is under the ‘current’ or ‘new’ structure

13. Art & Design Biology Business Studies Chemistry Computer Science Economics English Language English Literature History Psychology Sociology Physics

14. AS = 50% of the A level qualification with the AS content examined at the end of year 12 and counts for 50% of the UCAS points awarded to whole A Level. Most students start with 4 subjects and then continue with 3 of the subjects into year 13. A2 = 50% of the A level qualification with the A2 content examined at the end of year 13 The grades achieved at both AS and A2 are combined to give each student an A level grade

15. The AS is now a stand alone qualification which is worth 40 % of an A Level and only 40% of the UCAS points of an A Level The A Level includes the AS content and an additional 60% more, all of which needs to be examined at the end of year 13, even if the AS exams were taken at the end of year 12. The Abingdon consortium has agreed that the current pattern of most students studying 4 AS subjects, taking the AS exams in May and then continuing with 3 A Level subjects into year 13 will be followed.

16. Some universities have made it clear that they will be looking at AS results when they consider students for university places and have written to schools asking them to follow this system Our structure allows students the opportunity to keep their options as broad as possible for as long as possible

17. 27 th November 2014 Abingdon 16+ Choices Evening Provisional choices made on the proforma in the booklet January to April 2015 Interviews with appropriate staff in each school Letters of acceptance sent to students June - July 2015 Enrolment Day 1 which will include small talks about how to choose your subjects as well as subject specific talks / taster lessons from teachers in the consortium August 2015 GCSE results are available Further enrolment arrangements will be confirmed in results envelopes September 2015 Enrolment and Induction

18. We believe that ACfE offers a fantastic range of opportunities for the young people of Abingdon and beyond Together we are passionate about the future of education in Abingdon. Together we are committed to collaborate to ensure that every student has access to high quality experiences and support, equipping them for their exciting futures. Together we are putting learning at the very heart of our community.