LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS
CONTENTS Welcome from the Headteacher Welcome from the Sixth Form Team Our Vision for Success Support for Students Planning for Next Steps Enrichment Courses on Offer FAQs PAGE 2 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAGE 10 PAGE 12
At Little Heath School we pride ourselves on the very high standard of education that we offer to students in our Sixth Form. Excellent teaching and learning is at the heart of all that we do. We offer a range of study programmes tailored to the needs of our students. These courses are delivered by Sixth Form teachers who want to share their passion for their subject and recognise that students want to be excited and challenged. Through continual support and guidance, we enable our students to flourish during their time with us, both inside and outside the classroom, so that they are ready for their future – whether entering the varied and rewarding world of work, or embarking upon further study at college or university. Over the last five years, the school has developed an outstanding reputation for helping students to secure places at Russell Group and other universities, in part because we recognise that a broad and enriched educational experience is so important for those next steps in life. Effective support outside the classroom from all members of the Sixth Form team plays a large part in explaining why our young people make excellent progress at Little Heath School. The Sixth Form team takes pride in preparing students carefully for UCAS applications and for subsequent university interviews, developing a comprehensive personal statement that helps students to outline all of their skills and experiences. We are equally supportive of those students who choose to enter the competitive world of work, providing bespoke advice about job applications and interview techniques. Students’ success rates are excellent as a result. A high percentage of our young people secure a place at their preferred choice university. We offer a similarly comprehensive support package for students who need to go through the clearing process. Little Heath Sixth Form students play a huge role in the life of the school. They are encouraged to take part in a range of activities such as student leadership, peer mentoring, running buddy reading schemes with younger students and organising a number of whole school events. Not only does this allow them to give something back to the school community, but it also helps them with applications because employers and universities recognise that such well-rounded and confident individuals can only go on to be future successes. I hope that this prospectus and accompanying Course Information booklet give you a flavour of our Sixth Form. We would be delighted to see you at our annual Sixth Form Information Evening, or, if you would prefer, you can contact us at any time to arrange an individual visit. We look forward to meeting you as a member of our Sixth Form community very soon. David Ramsden Headteacher. WELCOME FROM THE HEADTEACHER 2 LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL Prospectus
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Little Heath Sixth Form is a vibrant and positive educational community. We are a “can do” Sixth Form where every adult will work hard to ensure that our students enjoy academic success. We know that students will find their two years of study both exciting and rewarding. WELCOME FROM THE SIXTH FORM TEAM By offering a wide range of course choices, we enable every student to study the most appropriate combination of subjects to suit their interests, strengths and future aspirations. You can find details of these courses in the accompanying course booklet. Our examination results and progress reflect our ability to work with students with a wide range of abilities and help them to achieve future success. Our Sixth Form centre provides top class facilities so we are able to develop new and exciting ways to ensure our students are fully prepared for their next challenges. The interests of the students are at the heart of all decisions and support offered by the Sixth Form team. Our role is to help young people move easily and confidently onto their future pathways of chosen careers, degree courses gap years and apprenticeships. This is due to great teaching, superb care and support for individuals’ wellbeing and progress through a very strong tutor system. Through student voice feedback, our Sixth Form students often highlight the warm and positive relationships between all staff and students. At Little Heath Sixth Form, students have a wealth of opportunities and experiences to help them develop confidence and key skills such as leadership, organisation, resilience, initiative and communication so they are ready for the challenges that life will bring. As part of this, we provide opportunities for students to take leadership roles and to contribute to the wider school community through our ‘Developing the Individual’ focus which currently includes roles on our Sixth Form leadership team, prefects and mentoring for younger students. We are expanding this programme by empowering students as subject and wellbeing champions. We hope this prospectus addresses all you need to know about the Sixth Form. Specific subject information can be found in the Course Booklet where the Application Form can also be found. We look forward to welcoming you to Little Heath Sixth Form and working with you over the next two years. Mrs Samantha Chaventré Deputy Headteacher Key Stage Five on behalf of the Sixth Form Team 5
At Little Heath School Sixth Form, we believe that every student matters. Young people only get one chance at education and we believe it should be an outstanding one tailored to their personal needs. We are ambitious for our students and encourage them to be aspirational. We strive continually for the most effective ways to challenge and support them. We are guided by the following educational principles: • we treat our Sixth Form students as adults, believing that the best way to raise achievement is through a partnership between teachers, students and parents; • we offer a broad curriculum that aims to foster enjoyment in learning and develops the skills that students need for future education and employment; • we seek to motivate, challenge and support all students equally so that they make outstanding progress; • we seek to stretch our students outside of the classroom by offering a wide range of opportunities to develop skills which will make them stand out when applying for their chosen university courses or higher level apprenticeship; • we believe that the views and opinions of our students are important and we listen to them carefully; • we expect our Sixth Form students to act as role models for our younger students and therefore to be at the heart of all school activities. OUR VISION FOR SUCCESS 6 LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL Prospectus
SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS Sixth Form tutors play a key role in the life of students in the Sixth Form at Little Heath School. The tutor offers even more personalised support to students than in the tutor teams lower down the school. As well as a carefully planned tutor programme, all students have regular individual meetings with their tutor. These meetings enable the tutor to gain a greater understanding of the ambitions, strengths and concerns of the student and so help them to manage their studies at Key Stage 5, planning their future more effectively. Tutors keep a record of the discussions held during these sessions and it is the tutor who will write academic and work place references for the students, as well as supporting with the personal statement process. The tutors also play a key role in the monitoring of students’ progress and will help them devise effective strategies for reaching their academic targets. Tutors will also ensure that students are getting involved in the most appropriate student leadership, curriculum opportunities and extra curricular enrichment. PASTORAL THE ROLE OF THE SIXTH FORM TUTOR The Sixth Form team is formed of highly experienced staff with a proven track record of offering first track pastoral care, academic guidance and support. The team is made up of a Deputy Head teacher; a Head of Sixth Form; Key Stage 5 Administrator; a Key Stage 5 Progress Leader; a Key Stage 5 Study Manager and Key Stage 5 Student Services Support, all of whom are dedicated to working with and for our students to ensure that they get the most out of their Sixth Form experience at Little Heath School. This team is also supported by an experienced and committed tutor team. 7
We recognise that the world of work and university study has become more competitive over the last few years, and thus we work hard to support students in planning for their future. We are very proud of the range of activities and advice we offer our students in order to help them research all their options once they have completed their A Levels. As well as support from the dedicated Sixth Form team, the Careers Leader is always available and based in the Sixth Form library at least one day a week. In addition, a professional Careers Advisor is also available for a confidential one to one meeting on request and we have an ex- Alumni network of support and an extremely wide variety of employer volunteers. Together, this team also works very hard to support our Year 12 students in helping them to arrange meaningful work experience which help them to develop the essential soft skills such as leading a team, communicating your ideas clearly, and dealing with people in different circumstances. Students who are considering applying to go to university or college are given advice in choosing the right course. We have very close links with a range of universities. University liaison officers and admission tutors from a Russell Group university and the University of Reading visit the school to offer first hand advice on how best to go about this process. We also liaise closely with admission tutors at Oxford and Cambridge University in an attempt to maximise the chances of our students being successful in their applications. There are also a number of information evenings for parents throughout the two years. These are led by representatives from the universities who work closely with us. There are lots of opportunities to attend taster days, master classes, enrichment programmes at Reading University as well as support for applying to schemes such as Sutton Trust summer schools and Reading Scholars. We make sure that up to date information about student loans, tuition fees and sponsorships is readily available. All students are registered with Unifrog, a very important careers tool which contains comprehensive information on every university course and apprenticeship vacancy throughout Europe. Students seeking employment or an apprenticeship at the end of Year 13 are given help via their tutors with the completion of application forms and the writing, when necessary, of Curriculum Vitae documents. Students are also informed, on a regular basis, of local vacancies and training opportunities through our Careers Service at Little Heath School, with all students being able to access our careers library. PLANNING FOR NEXT STEPS 8 LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL Prospectus
EPQ Coaching lower school sports teams Field trips and visits e.g. History – Public Records Office Film – BFI Library in London Politics –Visit to Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court Debating society FutureLearn – MOOCS (massive open online courses) Drama productions Futures Day Duke of Edinburgh Lectures at Reading University Orchestra, bands and choir Reading Scholars Prefects Maths Inspiration lectures Reading support for younger students Master classes Eco-Committee Oxbridge student conferences The Diversity Society Oxbridge visits – including visiting current students Sixth Form Committee - organising social events for students as well as the annual senior citizens Christmas party Summer schools at universities across the country Sixth Form Sports teams STEM activities with a range of universities and local science based industries such as Bayer. Student ambassadors UNIFROG Theatre trips Visiting speakers. Work experience Cultural Trip to a European City ENRICHMENT We offer an extensive range of extra-curricular activities to our students. These are designed to broaden and enrich the experience we offer to our students as well as helping them to be ready for life after their Sixth Form studies. We appoint prefects in Year 12 who are given lots of opportunity to support the school by working with departments and Heads of Year. In Year 13 students can apply to join the Senior Student Leadership Team. This is comprised of two Head Students, two Deputy Head Students and four House Captains (one for each House). This high profile group not only lead the prefect team and represent the Sixth Form at major events but play a key role in making important decisions about developments in the Sixth Form, as well as across the rest of the school. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITES 9
Art & Design Art & Design: Textiles Biology Business Chemistry Computer Science Drama Economics English Language English Literature EPQ Film Studies French Further Maths German Geography History Maths Media Studies Music Music Technology Physics Philosophy Physical Education Politics Psychology Sociology Spanish COURSES ON OFFER VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS – LEVEL 3 (EQUIVALENT TO A LEVELS) Business Cambridge Technical - Extended Certificate and Diploma Early Childhood Development Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition Health and Social Care Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate ICT Cambridge Technical – Introductory Diploma Sport Level 3 BTEC National Certificate A LEVELS 10 LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL Prospectus
How do I apply and what happens next? Once you have chosen your courses and checked your grades against the entry requirements (these can be found in the Course Booklet) you should complete the online application form which can be found on the Sixth Form area of the school website. Most students apply to do three A Levels, although we are able to offer students the opportunity to study four A Level subjects if it fits in with their plans for future courses and careers. From January members of the Sixth Form Team will meet with all potential Sixth Form students to discuss their course choices to ensure they match their academic strengths and future career plans if known. Which subjects should I choose? Choosing the right Sixth Form course is a difficult decision. As well as doing lots of thinking about what your strengths and weaknesses and what interests you; you will need to read the course booklet carefully and talk to your subject teachers, form tutor and parents. We also hold a Sixth Form Surgery for students and parents across one week during the application process. This is an ideal opportunity to talk through any concerns you might have about your choices. If you are not sure about what you want to do when you leave the Sixth Form choose a course you enjoy and one you think you are most likely to succeed. A Levels and BTECs are demanding courses and you won’t want to do the hard work necessary for success if you’re not interested and motivated in the subjects you are studying. Can I study a combination of A Level and BTEC subjects? Yes – every year we have a considerable number of students who study a mixture of the more traditional A Level courses with the more vocational BTEC courses. We will offer you guidance and support to ensure that you are taking courses that are tailored to your strengths and aspirations. Will I need to buy my own textbooks? Yes – departments will let you know what books you need once you have confirmed your choices in August. It might be possible to buy some second hand books form students who have just completed their examinations. What support is there if my family faces financial difficulties? We will encourage all eligible students to apply for the 16-19 Bursary. This is a scheme which enables schools to give financial support to students who might struggle to buy the necessary equipment such as text books for their KS5 studies. Students will be able to apply for this support in September of Year 12 FAQS 12 LITTLE HEATH SCHOOL Prospectus
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