Furnishing the Sixth Form Centre

THE BUILDING

The building continues apace and will be completed and furnished, fully fitted and ready for our Year 12 on September 1st 2011.

THE FURNISHINGS

I am currently planning the interior decor and fittings / furnishings of the classrooms, as well as the Sixth form Social area and the cafeteria. This week Mr Cook and myself visited another Sixth Form centre in Oxfordshire which is currently refurbishing their sixth form facilities. This gave us more ideas and contacts and I have put together a visual display of the ideas that we are working on. Please follow the link to see this. We are planning the centre to be bright, light, modern and fully equipped and designed to support the learning needs of Post 16 students. The images on the Sixth Form page of the website reflect our intentions of providing a modern, flexible learning environment.

I will fully involve our prospective students in the furnishings to ensure we support their learning styles and design ideas. The trip to furniture companies with Year 11 students is still planned and will happen soon!

APPLICATIONS

Applications are coming in from a variety of students and it is very exciting to see the level of interest and the variety of course options that students are applying for. All applicants will be issued with an interview date and time where we will explore their aims and intentions to ensure each student is applying for the most appropriate courses.

THE REVISION TIMETABLE

A number of students have asked for clarification on this. The aim is for us to discuss with prospective students their independent study skills and how they are preparing to achieve their predicted grades. A revision timetable will show us the organisation skills of students.

Developments

Another week has passed and the building continues to develop. I have been informed that the internal partition walls are going up which will mean the structure of the rooms is more visible. I have been promised another tour within the next 2 weeks so that I can make the next video update of the progess.

We have even begun to discuss the colour of the walls and the use of the entrance foyer, cafeteria and study area for A Level Art displays. Combined with the use of the LCD screen we should have a multi-media ever-evolving & changing display space. Discussions have also begun on the size of the foundation stone to be laid, its inscription and also the beginning of plans for the opening. Students will be involved in these decisions and I have some plans for commerative goods to mark the occasion - more details of this to follow.

Applications are continuing to arrive in waves and have come from internal students as well as applicants from outside - 1 student has even applied from Liverpool! Former students who left 12 months ago have also applied as they wish to return to the school for greater success in Year 12 here. I have even begun to draft out my welcoming speech.

The date for interviews will be WEDNESDAY 9th FEBRUARY 2011 and students will be receiving individual, written confirmation of the time and venue for this. Students are being asked to bring their revision timetable as they will be asked to explore their intentions in gaining or exceeding their current predicted grades.

As ever, if any student wishes to discuss the interview beforehand , they are very welcome to contact me directly at the school - cmal6047@cooper.ocnmail.net

IMPORTANT DATES

I would like to thank Connexions (Megan & Hayley) for their support at 'The Pathways Advice Evening' on Wednesday. The personalised guidance given to prospective students and their parents was invaluable in helping students make important course choices for their future. The guidance websites also helped students begin to focus on their academic strengths and needs and begin to tailor their options to suit their future aims and plans. I know that the parents and students who attended found the evening very helpful.

Miss Esther Miller from the Science department also spoke about the importance of STEM -Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. As the STEM co-ordinator for the school she is available to guide students and is also planning to highlight the need and importance of STEM in this country and also the increased role of women in STEM.

Some important dates are :

Closing date for applications : FRIDAY 28th JANUARY 2011

Interviews for students : Wednesday 9th February 2011
(letters will be issued)

Year 12 INDUCTION : Wednesday 20th July & Thursday 21st July 2011
(details will be issued)

The building continues to progress and take shape with windows in and the internal structure coming along well. James Batty has promised me another tour soon and I am looking forward to that. Each week marks another stage of development and takes us a step closer to the completion of the build and the 'Grand Opening.'

2011 begins

2011 is going to be a momentous year for the school. The Sixth Form will enrich all the staff and students here and will raise aspirations of learners in all Year Groups. Much anticipated and greatly deserved for all.

The building continues to develop and it was the first place I went to after the holidays. The windows and all the walls are now being created and it is becoming an impressive part of the landscape of the school. The size of the building never ceases to impress me and it will be such an asset for its future sixth form inhabitants in the years to come. James Batty, the project manager has informed me that they are now working on the interior of the build and he is very happy with the progress.

Applications are arriving daily and it is very exciting to see the combinations and choices that the students are applying for. I would like to remind all prospective students that if they need further advice and guidance on choosing the most suitable courses there are a number of options that can be taken:

• Any student can seek advice directly from me - in person, by telephone or by email (cmal6047@cooper.ocnmail.net)
• Students could book an appointment with Connexions
• Students could speak directly to their tutor and / or subject teachers for advice on suitable courses

In addition, I would like to remind students that there will be a 'Pathways Information Evening' on Wednesday 12th January 2011 from 6 pm - 7 pm in the L2L centre. This will be an informal evening where students and their parents can seek advice on possible options. Connexions will also be in attendance.