Debbie RobertsBirkenhead SchoolThe Lodge, 58 Beresford Road, Oxton, Wirral CH43 2JD

T: 0151 651 3009E: Debbie.Roberts@birkenheadschool.co.uk

www.birkenheadschool.co.uk

Birkenhead Schooladmissions

Birkenhead SchoolSixTH FORM PROSPECTuS& iNFORMATiON BOOkLET

2014/15

From the Wallasey tunnel

Leave the M53 at exit 3, turn left and follow

the A552 in the direction of Birkenhead, almost

immediately passing under a railway bridge.

After about 400 yards, turn left at traffic lights

into Holm Lane (Swan Hotel on corner).

Take first right turn (still Holm Lane)

and proceed to top of hill where Holm

Lane bends left into Talbot Road. Continue

along Talbot Road to Bidston Road, passing

St Saviour’s Church on right (traffic lights

at this point.) Take second turn right

into Beresford Road.

From Chester

Leave the M53 at exit 3, turn right and follow

instructions from Wallasey Tunnel (above).

From the Birkenhead tunnel

Turn right immediately after tunnel toll,

following signs for Heswall and Tranmere

Rovers Football Ground, on to Borough Road

(A552). At the third set of traffic lights turn right

up the hill – Balls Road East. Continue up this

road through two sets of lights – (Williamson

Art Gallery on right-hand side at second set).

Continue until the road bends sharply right.

At this point bear left into Gerald Road. At the

lights at the top of Gerald Road, turn right –

(St Saviour’s Church on your right-hand side).

Take second right-hand turn into Beresford Road.

School is on the left-hand side (Headmaster’s

Office, Bursar’s Office and Staff Common Room –

first house after Holy Name Church).

Please note that Beresford Road is one-way only.

Welcometo the Sixth Format Birkenhead School

CONTENTS as the annual a-level results are published, it is always gratifying to seenot only the many outstanding individual performances, but also to notethe vast majority of our sixth Formers winning places in their chosencourse at their first-choice university.

First-rate teaching in small groups combined with

excellent facilities provide the right environment for

success. at the same time, students learn to benefit

from the independence which the sixth Form offers,

meaning that in the end the success is their own.

as well as providing the gateway to higher

education, the sixth Form at Birkenhead school

provides opportunities for individual development

in the widest sense. leadership, teamwork, and

personal initiative are actively encouraged, as

students assume their role as senior members of

the school, with a responsibility for other

members of the community and for the ethos of

the school as a whole.

outside of the curriculum there are many

opportunities for sixth Formers to broaden their

experience and prepare for life beyond school: our

unique Beyond the Curriculum courses offer

students an insight into fashion, law, it, philosophy,

media and so much more. students have the

opportunity to take on positions of responsibility

as Prefects and Peer mentors. they may organise

house drama productions, become an nCo in

the CCF, or else take on a leading role on the

student Council. our debating and youth

Parliament teams are a real force to be reckoned

with, frequently winning places at national and

international finals. Participation in team sport and

music is very much to the fore, as are the academic

research groups in science, politics, philosophy and

public-speaking. no matter what your interests and

motivations, entry into the Birkenhead sixth Form

offers an exciting and stimulating opportunity to

get involved and to excel.

i hope that in reading our sixth Form Prospectus

you will see just how many opportunities there are

available. the size of the sixth Form means that

each individual is nurtured and esteemed within

our open and friendly school community. Come

for a taster day and see it for yourself.

dr Jeremy h Grundy

h e a d m a s t e r

FACILITIES & OPPORTUNITIES 2

THE CURRICULUM 4

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM 5

THE CREATIVE ARTS 6

SPORT 6

2014 EXAM RESULTS 7

ADMISSIONS AND FEES 8

1

As well as the first-class facilities around the beautiful

campus, our Sixth Form is based in their very own

Sixth Form Centre. This forms a hub for all Sixth Form

students where they can relax and socialise in the

common room or work in the quiet study rooms.

There is an iT suite, games room, TV facilities and a

dedicated coffee shop, solely for Sixth Form use.

There are also a range of exciting and interesting

opportunities available to Sixth Form students. These

include the chance to get involved in optional extras

such as debating, School productions and drama, the

Chapel Choir and musical recitals, Science Olympiad

competitions and ‘Science in the Community’,

academic and peer mentoring, advanced tutorial

groups (providing preparation for the most

competitive university courses) and much more.

Regular field trips take place during course study,

as well as an annual Sixth Form outdoor pursuits trip.

3

Facilities

&Opportunities

Sixth Form students at Birkenhead School have accessto some of the best facilities on the Wirral.

4

art

Biology

Business studies

Chemistry

Classical Civilisation

design technologyProduct design

design & technologysystems Control

economics

english language

english literature

French

Further mathematics

Geography

German

Greek

history

iCt

latin

mathematics

music

sports studies

Physical education

Physics

Psychology

religious studies

spanish

theatre studies

Learning in our Sixth Form is about so much

more than the subjects you choose to study.

Away from your studies, we offer an extensive

programme of co-curricular activities, ranging

from sports to science clubs to our very own

Combined Cadet Force, all of which are open

to you from your very first day.

in addition, our Sixth Form students have the

opportunity to take part in our ‘Beyond the

Curriculum’ workshops, which include a range

of ‘interest’ courses. in recent years, these have

included politics, law, fashion design, Dutch,

Mandarin, singing and much, much more!

And to stimulate your imagination further,

we hold weekly lectures from guest speakers

who are Captains of industry, leading

professionals, Old Birkonians and field

specialists. These speakers come and explore

their specialist fields of interests and give you

an insight into careers and options you may

never have even thought of!

The

Curriculum

Beyond the

Curriculum

We offer a range of subjects to our Sixth Form students, including:

We recognise that the classroom is only a small part of the story. Our co-curricular activities are designed to both complement and extend learning in the classroom through an enriching programme of activities that stretch both mind and imagination.

We advise that you select subjects for which you

have already demonstrated an aptitude and, as far

as possible, a combination of subjects which takes

account of your career intentions. Although many

courses at university will require specific AS/A2

level subjects, it is by no means so in all cases.

it is also very important that you choose subjects

you really want to study because this will help

you when you make the step up from AS to A2

level work. Students are most likely to achieve

success in subjects which they enjoy. it is also

very likely that their future intentions will be

affected rather more by the quality of their AS/A2

level grades than by the actual subjects they

have studied. More than 50% of careers chosen

by graduates are not linked to a specific subject.

To follow through a subject to AS Level a student

will need to have obtained a minimum of 6

GCSE ‘passes’ (i.e. grade C or above) and at least

an A in the chosen subjects - grade B is

sometimes considered where students have

shown particular commitment and aptitude to

succeed. in the case of subjects which have not

been taken at GCSE relevant other subjects will

be taken into account. if in doubt, ask Mr Parry,

Assistant Head of Sixth Form, for advice.

Please note that provision of teaching in some of the above subjectsis dependent on demand and staffing.

5

6 7

The Creative

Artsindividual expression and

creativity are key to developingstudents’ confidence, attitude andexpertise across our drama, music

and art provision.

Students in our Sixth Form are encouraged

to take opportunities to express themselves

through a calendar of productions,

performances and showcases throughout

the academic year.

SPORTGreat emphasis is placed on the

importance of physical resilienceand robustness with our school

sport programme. From the veryfirst day students are invited

to engage in sport and to beambitious in reaching their goals,

regardless of level and ability.

Many of our students regularly achieve

representative honours at county, national and

international levels and pupils are inspired by

the example of first class sport coaches and

teaching staff.

suBJeCt a* a B C d

Art 1 1

Biology 3 7 1 2

Business Studies 4 2

Chemistry 5 10 4 2 1

Design Technology 3 1

Product Design

Design Technology 3 1

Systems and Control

Economics 4 1 5 1 2

English Language 2 1 1

English Literature 2 3 1

French 1 1

Further Maths 1 2 1

Geography 1 2 2

German 1

History 4 1 1

iCT 1

Latin 1

Maths 5 13 2 2 1

Physics 2 2 3 1

Religious Education 1 3

Spanish 1 1 1

a-leVel summary By suBJeCt 2014

100% Overall percentage pass rate at A-Level

383 Average total points score at A-Level

110 Average A-Level point score per entry

20%

58%

80%

Candidates achieved A* grades in all their subjectsat A-Level

Candidates achieved A* – A grades in all their subjectsat A-Level

Candidates achieved A* – B grades in all their subjectsat A-Level

2014

Exam Results

8 9

Birkenhead School educates boys and girls

from 3 months to 18 years. it selects students

on the basis of their academic aptitude and

their ability to benefit from the kind of

education offered by the School.

in selecting students at 16 for admission to the

School’s Sixth Form, we are looking for

academic potential to proceed to Higher

Education. We also seek students with wide-

ranging interests and talents who are prepared

to participate in the broader life of the School.

Academic ability is assessed at age 16 by

means of GCSE results, an interview and by

references from candidates’ secondary schools.

The School’s policy is to apply its admissions

criteria to all potential and current students

regardless of any disability of which it is aware.

in order to encourage a strong academic ethos

for all students, the School offers a number of

scholarships at 11 and 16, awarded solely on

ability.

Parents who are offered a place for their child

will be required to secure this place with a

deposit of £300. This deposit is refundable

upon the child’s completion of their education

at Birkenhead School, providing all fees and

charges have been met.

FeesFor the Current aCademiC year 2014/15

lower and upper sixth Form £3580 per term

Fees include tuition, a wide range of co-

curricular activities, almost all text books and

materials, examination fees (not re-sits),

fieldwork trips, whole year-group trips, travel to

sporting fixtures and travel and personal

accident insurance.

An additional £15.00 is added to the fees for

the Michaelmas Term for all pupils in the Senior

School, giving students life membership of the

Old Birkonians’ Society when they leave the

School.

additional CharGesFor the Current aCademiC year 2014/15

homework Club £6.20 per day

(1 hour session)

£10.20 per day

(2 hour session)

Charges for any ‘extras’ will be advised individually.

Admissionsand Fees

Our full admissions policy is available on our website.

For admissions Please ContaCt the headmasters Pa

debbie roberts

Debbie.Roberts@birkenheadschool.co.ukTelephone 0151 651 3009