Year 12 Information Evening

Monday, 15th October, 2018

Sixth-Form Team 2018

Mr Swinburne, Mrs Corney and Mrs Fraser

The Sixth-Form Centre

One of the best facilities in the country!

Upstairs – Silent private study only. 60 large individual work desks including 10 computers. Wi-fi is available

Downstairs – Large social area where talking is allowed. Paired and groupwork space is available.

All Year 12 should be in school each day at 08.30. Periods 1 and 2 each day are now allocated as work only downstairs.

How Many Subjects?

Most start with three A levels, some start with four.

Almost all finish with three A levels.

For those starting with four subjects, one may be dropped at an agreed time.

For those that take four A levels - take care, universities want three good grades only.

AS Exams in Year 12

These are entirely voluntary.

AS exams are not part of A levels. If an A level is taken as well as an AS in the same subject, all of the content will be examined again.

Students will choose whether to do AS exams; they can do none or up to all of their subjects.

They do not have take an AS in the subject that they are dropping.

Parents pay the entry for any AS exams.

Universities do not now tend to look at AS grades.

There is no point in declaring a poor AS grade on the UCAS application.

Internal end of year exams will be taken in all subjects.

The EPQ – Extended Project Qualification

The EPQ is an individual research based project. It is difficult and requires a lot of self motivation and a good work ethic over a long period of time.

Normally it is a 5000 essay together with a presentation to a small audience. Students have to reflect on the process as they go along in a formal log.

Universities are impressed by an EPQ, particularly if it is related to the course that you are applying for.

It can help secure a place in clearing if grade offers are missed.

Timescale – start November Year 12, finish December Year 13.

Assessments in the Sixth-Form – Year 12

This week – First Impressions data Formal Assessments at end of Autumn and Spring

terms. 2-3 days off-timetable Sat in an exam room with invigilators Around 60 – 90 mins per subject Students are given revision guidelines Marked at A level standard and assessed with an A

level grade Also scored 1 to 4 on the following criteria: Attitude in lessons, Attitude to learning, Organisation of notes

Assessments in the Sixth-Form – Year 12

UCAS Internal End of Year Exams after Summer half term – 1 week

The results will help determine the school predicted grades for your university application. The grade predicted can be one higher than the UCAS exam result but can go higher if you prove yourself in early Year 13.

If you fail a UCAS exam, you will be required to do a re-sit just before school starts in Year 13. If you fail this, you may not be allowed to continue with that A level but re-sit in a Year 12 class and finish with an AS grade.

Assessments in the Sixth-Form – Year 13

Short Mocks after Autumn half term - 3 days

Full Mocks after Spring half term – 1 week

Around 90- 150 mins per subject

Work and Study Skills - Expectations

A levels are difficult; commitment, self-discipline and a consistent work ethic are essential for success.

Work/life balance. What are the priorities?

Try and avoid conflict – contact tutor and HOH if necessary.

Organisation is important, notes should be carefully presented in folders.

It is not about ‘getting work done’ but ‘doing it well’ and having full understanding.

Everybody finds work difficult at times; the students should not be despondent when the work is hard, doing badly at times is to be expected – they need resilience and determination.

Independent Learning

This is important for success at A level and University.

They should be pro-active - seek help, ask questions and discuss with others.

Reflect on every lesson - check knowledge and understanding.

Write additional notes, research on the internet, read around the topics and do the extra –opportunities are there.

‘1 week later’

‘1 month later’ - write out flash cards (‘Flash card Hero’)

Revise for all tests and assessments – use note books.

Re-visiting revision over time is the key. Each time process the information properly – avoid browsing or just reading.

For the main exams, a long period of steady revision is needed.

Activities, Enrichment and Service

We are a school, not a college of Further Education.

Students are expected to take part in activities other than A level subjects such as sport, music, drama, CCF and DofE.

We also would like as many as possible to engage in service and volunteering activities.

This will include the following:

- Yr 7 and 9 Activities programme

- Help in local primary schools on Weds and Fri afternoons

- Helping to run clubs and societies

Th Cranbrook Sixth Form Diploma

This will be awarded to those who have undertaken a broad education whilst contributing to the school and broader community.

To achieve the award, you need to: 1) Complete an EPQ or write an extended research

essay based on your university or career ambitions

2) Take part in two part time or one full time co-curricular activities at Cranbrook

3) Take part in a volunteering project with the aim of helping others or the environment in or outside school

4) Undertake a period of work experience ideally linked to your university or career aims

5) Take a leading part in a school or House assembly.

Building a Profile

Year 12 is the time to consider adding to their profile to help applications

This could include:

Work experience

Visits to lectures, universities, organisations

Volunteering

Residential courses – eg Headstart

Reading

On-line courses eg Future learning

‘Futures’ Newsletter

UCAS KEY DATES

“UCAS APPLY 2019”

Five applications can be made. The student writes a personal statement. The school provides predicted grades and a reference.

Universities then may or may not make offers.

15 October Deadline for Oxbridge, Vet., Medicine and Dentistry.

15 January Deadline for almost all other undergrad. Courses.

25 February “UCAS EXTRA” opens.

March – Deadline for some Art & Design courses.

UCAS Decisions

1 May, 6 June or 21 June – Deadline for student decision for First and reserve choices depending on when all institutions relied to the application

Clearing begins 5 July

A Level Results Day – Thursday August 15th 2019 – grades released at 06.00

UCAS goes live at 08.00 with decisions from the two choices. ‘Clearing’ opens

‘Adjustment’ opens when those with higher grades than their offers can look for one other course in clearing, whilst ‘holding’ their original offer

Other Pathways - National Apprenticeship Scheme

Independent Careers Advice from Chris Targett (CXK)

A real job with a real employer

Paid a salary

Qualifications and experience

Contract of employment, holiday, sick pay

Support from a training provider

Up to 5 years

There are advantages and disadvantages when compared with a university course

Which employers offer apprenticeships?

These are a few…

“Cranbrook Together” Annual Giving

Laying the foundations for Active, Creative, Enquiring Futures

1518-2018: A Statement of Vision

School funding: the national context

• National Funding Formula (NFF)

• Per Pupil Funding (MPFL = £4800)

• Kent CC top-slice and the role of Schools Forum

(reduction in SEN budget by 50%)

• Minimum Funding Guarantee - ended

Increase in cost burden 2018-19

• Teacher salaries:

unfunded above 1% budgeted

• Teacher pensions:

increase (employer contributions) by 7.1% in 2018-19

• Utilities: probable 20% increase, unsubsidised

National response: WorthLess? campaign

• Contests official figures about school funding

• Currently include private spending by families!

• Rise of academy chains

• #parentsteachersunite

Local response – Cranbrook School strategy

• The 2015-16 re-structure: • Reduction in teaching and support staff headcount

• Reduction in curriculum offer

• Reduction in Leadership capacity

• Reduction support staff capacity

• Expansion of school roll: • NoR now at 840 (rising to 870 in 2019-20)

vs. 730 in 2016

• Increase in Pupil Premium pupils

• Fundraising operation

Parental Support to date – thank you!

• “Annual Giving”

• Capital Campaigns

• Cranbrook School Parents Association

Unique environment of day and boarding, boys and girls,

selected to be part of a 500 year tradition of producing far

more than just a good set of exam results

Cranbrook School Experience

Academic Boarding

“OUTSTANDING” “OUTSTANDING”

“Cranbrook Together”

Most of us chose this school for the “Cranbrook Experience”

Staff give their time for the extra-curricular activities they are passionate about.

The government pay for our kids’ education.

Increasingly parents must help maintain outstanding standards outside the classroom.

What Cranbrook Together supports

• Operational needs

• Create and maintain the best environment for our kids

• Staff training and development

• Focus on your, and your children’s, priorities.

Projects

• Recording Studio

• Music Co-ordinator – 1 year

• NZ All Black rugby coach

• Big Side Pavilion

• Kerboodle Software – Science

• Bedrock Vocabulary Programme for building the Literacy skills across the curriculum for our YR7/8 and selected EAL/SEN students.

• Projector EN2

• My Concern Software

• Refurbishment of 3 Maths Classrooms

• New Lab Coats

How we are asking

• Standard monthly contribution of £20 per child for

improving their school environment.

• Parents invited to consider a higher contribution of £40 or £60.

• You direct everything above the Standard level to the areas that make your child’s Cranbrook experience special.

• “Sports & Active”, “Creative”, “Enquiring Minds”

Sports and active

Extra Sports Coaches

Specific equipment

Off site training

Creative

Composer in residence

Music and Drama productions

Studio equipment

Enquiring minds

Curriculum clubs

Equipment

Robotics, Computing, Astronomy, ….

How we are performing…

21

16

56

59

24

17

11

1

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

Alumni

Number of Monthly Donors per Year Group

Cranbrook Together – getting started and keeping in touch

• Hand in giving/Gift Aid forms tonight

Or,

• Take home, fill in, send back

• All communications about Cranbrook Together go to:

Email: cogswells@cranbrook.kent.sch.uk

Tel: 01580 711800 Ext 364

Website:

www.cranbrookschool.co.uk/parents/supporting-cranbrook/cranbrook-together