POST-16 COURSES EVENING Wednesday 11th November 2015

Post-16 Courses for 2016Ms Rutherford – HeadteacherMr Butler – Head of Sixth FormMiss Williamson – Y12&13 Achievement Leader

Sarah Hartley – Head GirlOliver Moloney – Head BoyJames Mortimer – New 6th form student

Format of the evening• Presentation

• Life in the Sixth Form• Sixth Form Curriculum & Entry Criteria• Maximising achievement• The application process

• Opportunities to visit departments and meet students

Why choose to study at King Edward VI Sixth Form?

• Strong Sixth form community• Opportunity to develop leadership skills

especially through house system. • Chance to be involved in the wider community• Medical research project• Opportunity to take part in plays, musicals,

sporting activities, trips, debating, DoE etc.Sarah Hartley – Head GirlOliver Moloney – Head Boy

James Mortimer – New 6th form student

Why choose to study at King Edward VI Sixth Form?

1st in Staffordshire for 2011-2014 with the highest average points score per

candidate

78% of applicants went to their first choice of university

Why choose to study at King Edward VI Sixth Form?

•2015 at King Edward VI School:

• Over 99% overall pass rate• 23.5% of entries at Grade A*/A grades• 52% of entries at Grade A*/A or B• 77% of entries at Grade A*-C

Why choose to study at King Edward VI Sixth Form?

• High expectationsA number of Oxbridge students over the last few

yearsIn 2015 33% of university applicants went to Russell

Group universities 71% of students went directly to university15% Gap year & 2015 UCAS applications86% of students going to university in total14% direct employment, apprenticeships, further

education

Why choose to study at King Edward VI Sixth Form?

• Breadth of subjects available• 29 Advanced Level subjects (plus more locally)

• Range of courses available• to meet all abilities and talents

• Competition of high calibre students• to stretch students, maximising potential

• Strong specialist teaching staff

Lichfield & Burntwood opportunitiesBy working together we can:• Offer a wider subject choice. e.g. Media Studies, Photography, Engineering• Ensure course availability• Investigate opportunities to resolve clashes• All courses will run subject to viable numbers.

Where the numbers of applicants for a course are low, the school may work in partnership with another school/other schools in the district to maintain the offer.

What’s new for A-levels?PHASE 1• In 2015, the following A-levels became two-year courses:• Art & Design, Business, Economics, English Literature,

English Language, History, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Sociology

PHASE 2• In 2016, the following subjects will also become two-year

courses:• French, Geography, German, Music, Physical Education,

Religious studies

How does that change courses?• In 2016, only A-level courses in Accounting, Product

Design, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Applied Science will have an AS examination at the end of Year 12 which will count as 50% of the A-level grade.

• In 2017, all these subjects will also convert to two-year courses

Changes to other courses• Applied A-levels are being phased out

• Health & Social Care will be offered as a Level 3 BTEC course. This still contains a required examination component but ensures that this highly successful course can continue to be a highly practical vocational course.

• BTEC Sport Level 3 (double option) will continue to be offered and will contain a required examination component

• Offering BTEC level 3 Performing Arts this year instead of the revised A Level in Theatre Studies

• ICT Cambridge Technicals are being updated in line with new government requirements

Two year A-levels

• The new AS levels are equivalent to 40% of a full-A level

• AS content is similar but different methods of assessment

• Longer-term focus for A-level requires different skills and emphasis

A two year programme

• 3 course programme for most students• (A-levels, BTEC, Cambridge Technical)

• Option to discuss 4 courses for students with a grade A average at GCSE level

• High achievement in 3 courses to access university places and opportunities beyond school

Entry criteriaMoving towards ‘Attainment 8’ average points score of at least 5.0 (C).

• To calculate the points score:• Assign each GCSE/Level 2

equivalent qualification a score from 1 (G) to 8 (A*),

• Double the scores for English Language and Mathematics,

• Add the scores for the best 6 other grades and

• Divide the total by ten.

A* 8 BTEC Distinction*A 7 BTEC DistinctionB 6 NVQ/ ITQ Certificate

BTEC MeritC 5 BTEC Level 2 PassD 4 E 3 F 2 G 1

ExamplesSTUDENT A GCSE English Language C 5 x 2 =10 GCSE English Literature C 5 GCSE Mathematics D 4 x 2 = 8 GCSE Double Science CC 5 x 2 = 10 GCSE French C 5 GCSE Philosophy & Ethics D Disregard Disregard (lowest) GCSE Art B 6 BTEC L2 Performing Arts Merit 6 50÷10 = 5.0 (C AVERAGE)

The student above has an ‘Attainment 8’ score of 5.0 and would therefore take a 3 course programme in the Sixth Form. He/She would still be restricted in courses they would be eligible to start. Requirement to re-sit GCSE Mathematics in order to achieve at least a ‘C’ grade.

Examples

The student above has an ‘Attainment 8’ score of 6.1 and would take a 3 course programme in the Sixth Form.Most courses are accessible based on current entry criteria.

STUDENT B GCSE English Language B 6 x 2 =12 GCSE English Literature B 6 GCSE Mathematics B 6 x 2 = 12 GCSE Double Science BB 6 x 2 = 12 GCSE German B 6 GCSE Product Design A 7 GCSE History B 6 GCSE PE B (Disregard as only 8 qualifications needed) 6 61÷10 = 6.1 (B+ AVERAGE)

Examples

The student above has an ‘Attainment 8’ score of 7.0 and would be able to discuss taking a 4 course programme in the Sixth Form.

STUDENT C GCSE English Language A 7 x 2 =14 GCSE English Literature A 6 GCSE Mathematics A 7 x 2 = 14 GCSE Additional Maths A 6 GCSE Biology A 7 GCSE Chemistry B 6 (Disregard) GCSE Physics A 7 Level 2 ITQ Certificate (ICT) 6(Disregard) GCSE Geography A* 8 GCSE History B 6(Disregard) GCSE Philosophy & Ethics A* 8 70÷10 = 7.0

Entry requirementsIn addition to basic requirements, e.g.• BB in two sciences for Biology, Chemistry & Physics• BB in English Language & Literature for both

courses• BB in science, B in English, C in maths for

Psychology• Recommend at least a B at GCSE in the subject

you’re taking

See page 20 & individual subject pages

Personal Development ProgrammeFor all students:

• Tutor programme• Curriculum Enhancement Days• General Studies

• Additional options:• Personal Development Programme• Young Enterprise• Extended project Qualification• Support for university applications & careers

Independent study

• Transition sessions to help students develop skills of independent study

• Emphasis on developing skills for lifelong learning

• Classwork and homework is just the beginning

Tracking achievement

• Department tracking

• Postcard system enhances communication with home

• Monitoring through:• Staff feedback• Termly reports• End of year examinations

Progression into Year 13

• Clear policy for progression into Year 13

• High levels of attendance• Following the Code of Conduct• Department tracking• Termly reports• Year 12 examinations

Making the next step

Support throughout Year 12 and Year 13

• Pastoral programme• Curriculum Enhancement Days• Visiting speakers• Returning students• Additional opportunities such as Young Enterprise, Debating

Society, Ashmole Society

Support and Guidance

• Tutor• Bob Keen, Careers Advisor• Subject staff• University visits• Experienced and skilled team of tutors for UCAS and other

higher level applications• Additional support for Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary

Medicine, Law including mock interviews• Sixth Form administrator• Resources in LRC and Common Room

Application Process• Find out about courses in options week Wed 4th -

Wednesday 11th November• Year 12 Courses Evening Wednesday 11th November• Individual meetings with Form Tutors• Application deadline: Mon 7th December 2015• Individual interviews with Senior Staff for all applicants

in January and February• Final option blocks issued in February• Confirmation letter by the beginning of April

Post-16 CoursesKing Edward VI School

• Talk to students

• Talk to staff

• Look forward to receiving your application

Find out more….