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Welcome to Great Barr Sixth FormWe would like to wish you all a very warm welcome to Great Barr Academy Sixth Form. We are delighted that you are considering joining us and we most certainly hope that you choose our Sixth Form in which to embark upon your Post-16 educational journey. I hope that this Prospectus will help you to make an informed choice about where you wish to

take the next important steps in your education and personal development. I am sure that you will be looking for a Sixth Form which has firmly established structures for: • supporting students in all aspects of their studies• guiding students through the difficult transition from Key

Stage 4 to Key Stage 5• helping students develop the independent study skills, self

confidence and personal disciplines necessary to take fullcontrol of their learning, achieve success in their coursesand prepare themselves for university orcontinuous professional development in the workplace.

Our Sixth Form has all of these.

For those students who were with us through Key Stage 4, there is the additional advantage of knowing the quality of support we give to all students and for those joining us from another school, you will be welcomed and supported by our highly skilled and dedicated staff and by our friendly students. All students are guided and supported in their transition to new ways of learning and on to their chosen pathway in life.

The Sixth Form has been rated as “Good” in the last three Ofsted inspections. This is because the progress of Sixth Form students is good, we offer a wide range of academic and vocational subjects, we have excellent pastoral support, with students having a personal tutor to guide them through their KS5 studies. We also have an excellent record of getting students to university, 87% in fact, significantly higher than the National Average!

I am confident that in choosing Great Barr Sixth Form, you will be choosing a solid path to success.

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Mrs J Garvey Director of Sixth Form

No one at Great Barr Academy underestimates how important the decision is around where you should study for your A levels and other Level 3 courses.

Great Barr Academy’s Mission StatementAt Great Barr Academy, it is our mission to be an innovative, forward-thinking school, which provides a secure and caring environment built on values, mutual respect and the principles of equality and in which:

We can all achieve the very best of which we are capable.

We strive to achieve ambitious goals based on our own unique interests, abilities, talents and needs.

We support each other, help each other to achieve our goals and ensure that no one is left behind.

We develop confident, independent life-long learners who understand that tackling new challenges and gaining new knowledge makes life richer and more fulfilling.

We all want to play an active part in making our community sustainable, ordered, peaceful and successful.

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SuccessfulAt Great Barr Academy we offer the full range of academic A levels, as well as vocational BTEC and CTEC level 3 courses. We also offer the opportunity to study the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Our high flying students at GCSE also fly high at A level.

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Our success in delivering A level qualifications leads to more of our students reaching university than the national average year on year. Great Barr offers a wide range of A levels including the facilitating subjects encouraged by the Russell Group universities and have been named a ‘valued partner’ of the University of Birmingham. Great Barr Academy also has excellent links with Birmingham, Aston and Aberystwyth Universities. These universities provide support and advice to students along with excellent offers of places through the A2B Scheme. Many of these supported places are only available to students at Great Barr Academy and similar schools. This focus on the academic curriculum and partnership work with universities means that many of our students gain places on prestigious courses at Redbrick/Russell Group universities.

APP for STEM students run by Aston University and the R2P scheme from Birmingham University provides mentoring by undergraduates to students at Great Barr. Students wishing to apply for medicine are supported in applying for the Doug Ellis scheme run by Aston University – an 18 month programme mentoring students through the application process.

We also specialise in the delivery of high quality Level Three ‘applied general’ qualifications. Students can study subjects such as Sports Science. ICT, Applied Law, Applied Science and Music to a high level and gain qualifications which are recognised by universities and employers as being the most relevant in that area. For specific details about these and all our courses please check our website.

We have business links formed with ‘Business in the Community’ along with local businesses. This is an area where Great Barr Academy will focus on, as effective links enhance your CVs and offer valuable insights into the world of employment. Many of these links are only available to students at Great Barr Academy.

Whichever option students choose, their outcomes are excellent. We are very proud of the results our students achieve, with grades regularly going over and above what would be expected nationally. This in turn helps drive positive destinations for our students. We have an excellent record of helping students into university, apprenticeships, employment or further study.

So, whatever your ambitions, it is likely that Great Barr Sixth Form has a range of courses to help you achieve your goals.

We are a supportive, diverse team in the Sixth Form this includes both students and staff. Sixth Form offers a wide range of opportunities to prepare us for life after Sixth Form. Janisha and Amarat

SupportingThe Sixth Form Team is led by the Director of Sixth Form who is supported by the Progress Leader and Lead Practitioner. This team is jointly responsible for monitoring progress and supporting students in their academic studies and personal development and welfare.

Pastoral care has always been an acknowledged strength of Great Barr Academy, which is valued by our young people and their parents and this remains central to our Sixth Form provision.All students have a personal tutor who oversees the academic progress of the students in their care. They are the first port of call for parents and teachers if there are any concerns. Personal tutors are also responsible for the students’ welfare and conduct and for helping them to make choices to plan their futures effectively. They will provide emotional support and advice and liaise with parents to ensure that we are all working together to remove any obstacles which might prevent our students achieving their full potential.Personal tutors deliver a programme of sessions focussed on developing effective study skills and habits of learning in Year 12 and on UCAS applications in Year 13.The Sixth Form secretary is normally the first point of contact for parents wishing to contact the Sixth Form Team.

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We encourage all students across the school to be involved in the life of the school. Our Head Boy and Head Girl in Sixth Form lead the Junior Leadership Team (JLT) and are elected by student form groups. They meet regularly to seek views and opinions and take these to the Senior Leadership Team who use them to refine the academic and pastoral support we offer.

Junior Leadership Team

EnrichingGreat Barr Sixth Form is about more than just fulfilling your academic potential and passing exams. We aim to help our students become mature, self-confident, self-sufficient, well-rounded and mature individuals who have a sense of purpose and direction.

All students in Year 12 are supported to carry out enrichment activities and work experience across the year. Our specialist Work Related Learning team will support students in finding properly vetted work experience placements.‘Enrichment’ can involve a wide variety of activities from voluntary work in the community to mentoring younger students in school. Our Sixth Form students have the opportunity to be professionally trained as Peer Mentors.Our students regularly participate in organised debates, fund raising events or other whole-school charity events. There will be many subject-related visits to museums, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, as well as a number of compulsory field trips and other activities, including Birmingham University Master Classes and other university events.

These enrichment activities help the students to complete a very important sections of their university applications – the Personal Statement. Students who have participated in a wide range of enrichment activities and who can show evidence of individual initiative are at a significant advantage: the competition for places at university is very intense.

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Tips For SuccessAll of our staff will say that those students who do best at A level approach their studies in the same way. Here are some of the features of ‘the successful student’:• They are well organised, keep their files up to date and

devote adequate time to thinking about their subjects,preparing work and revision.

• They keep abreast of developments in their subject bywatching current affairs programmes, reading qualitynewspapers and appropriate magazines. They use thisknowledge in discussions and written work to give extradepth to their ideas and to ensure they see topics from arange of different angles.

• They actively use the OLC and Learning Gateway andengage in all the relevant learning activities.

• If they are struggling, they don’t bury their head in thesand and hope it will all go away. They seek help quicklyand put in the necessary time and effort to overcome theirdifficulties.

• They act on all advice given by teachers.

• They view learning as a two-way process and engagepositively in class. They concentrate, take adequate notesand ask questions. They don’t just accept what the teachersays at face value if it doesn’t make sense to them; theychallenge and debate ideas until they feel that they have afull, rounded understanding.

• They take reasonable breaks from their work to ensuretheir minds don’t become over-tired and they don’t wastelarge amounts of private study time chatting when there iswork to be done.

• They revise material in preparation for the next lesson sothey can understand more easily how the new materialbuilds on what they have already covered. This keepsthe work fresh in their mind and reduces the workload atexamination time.

• They go back over their previous work and use theirteacher’s comments to improve it; teachers are very happyto remark work that has been improved.

• They use their planners effectively to ensure that they canmanage their time effectively and complete work by, orpreferably before, the deadline.

• They enter fully into Sixth Form life and make the most ofthe opportunities offered, but they are careful not to takeon too much.

The Learning Contract

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If the school, the student and the parent work closely together with a common aim, it is more likely that the student will achieve their full potential. The Learning Contract sets out what we should all be able to expect from each other.

We will• Provide an appropriate learning environment.• Provide high quality learning opportunities.• Monitor academic progress closely and will provide academic

mentoring and target setting to help students stay on track.• Identify underachievement and intervene where necessary.• Provide formal and informal reports to parents.• Support and guide students through the Higher Education

application process.• Provide extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities, both

in and out of school.

Students will• Do at least 20 hours per week of personal study outside the

classroom.• Seek assistance from teaching and pastoral staff promptly

when needed and follow the advice given.• Recognise that teaching staff are here to show students how

to achieve, but that achievement also depends on thestudent’s hard work, commitment and determination not tobe defeated by challenging work.

• Undertake independent research using the Learning Gateway,the OLC, the internet and other sources of wider reading.

• Organise class notes and maintain them in good order to aidrevision for exams.

• Find a sensible balance between their studies, part time workand social lives which allows them the freedom to enjoy lifewithout sacrificing academic achievement.

• Maintain high levels of attendance at lessons.• Be a positive role model for students further down the school.• Dress smartly for work.

Parents will• Ensure the good attendance and punctuality of their child.• Monitor the balance between their child’s schoolwork and

other interests.• Monitor their child’s progress by asking to see work and

reports.• Be aware of the course demands and ensure that targets are

met.• Attend Parents’ Evenings and other meetings.• Keep the school informed when appropriate and relevant.

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Professional LearnersIt is a minimum expectation that all Sixth Form students will attend wearing smart casual dress appropriate to a place of work.Men Smart full length trousers (not denim/jeans)A collared shirt.Smart shoes (leather type) with plain socks in a dark colour.

The following are NOT acceptableT-shirtsSportswear including sweat pants.Shorts, ¾ length trousers, beach-wear.Trainers, sandals and canvas shoes.

Women Smart skirt (not too short) or smart full length trousers.Dress with a modest neckline.Smart shoes (leather type).

Applications The application form can be downloaded from the Sixth Form website: http://www.greatbarracademy.org.uk.Year 11 students and their parents are invited to meet with staff at our Sixth Form Open Evening in November. Information about courses and advice on choices will be available. All applicants will be invited for interview with one of our Senior Tutors during the Spring term.The character and diversity of our Sixth Form is enriched by students joining us from other schools. We, therefore, welcome external applicants; details are available from the Sixth Form Office. Applications from students from other schools can be made any time after January 31st.Students who are accepted into the Sixth Form will take part in a full induction programme over several days in the summer term after the GCSE examinations have finished. They will have the opportunity to gain a flavour of their chosen courses and meet other prospective Sixth Form students socially.The minimum entry requirements for A levels are 5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English and Maths. Further details for the entry requirement to specific courses can be found on the school website.

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Fantastic opportunities and inspiring, supportive teachers. Lewis

Great gym facilities and an exciting new build in the future. Ahnaf

Studying at Great Barr Academy Sixth Form has made me more enthusiastic about learning, developing new skills and meeting new people. Anna

Whilst the new build will be exciting, what counts are the amazing teachers that support and encourage us to succeed. Maria

Great Barr Academy is more than just a Sixth Form, it’s a community where we support each other and celebrate our differences. Charlotte

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Aldridge Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B44 8NUTelephone: 0121 366 6611Email: sixthform@greatbarr.bham.sch.ukwww.greatbarracademy.org.uk

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