As we move into half-term I have been reflecting on the significant progress and developments we have made with the Sixth Form. The past week has been centred on the continued organising of the interviews and processing of the applications.
POST 16 COURSE OPTIONS
We have also been exploring the course options and provision of our Post 16 choices. I have added more courses to Pathways 3 & 4 which are now placed on the school website for information. It is also exciting to note that due to the demand for certain subjects, we have created 2nd groups. These are also clarified for information.
COURSE CHOICES
We are also exploring the combination of courses that students have opted for. Our aim is to ensure a flexible approach to this and as we begin to create the timetable for next year, this aim underpins our intentions and our aims.
BRICKLAYING
The contractors of the Sixth Form build have even given me a lesson in bricklaying this morning! Although, it took me about 15 minutes to set one brick! As a consequence of this, I have promised the Facilities staff that I will not get involved on the building site.
To all our future students, I hope you have a good half-term. Work hard for your forthcoming examinations and approach the time with a positive attitude. I promise, it will be worth it!!
Friday 18 February 2011
Friday 11 February 2011
Our new Year 12
The interviews this week have been fantastic.
The Senior Leadership Team at the school were very impressed by the quality of the applications and the mature manner the students exhibited during the interview process. Many students came extremely well prepared: outstanding personal statements, detailed CV and some very extensive revision and study guides to show their preparation plans for their forthcoming examinations. These were able to give us insight into each student's approach to learning and their capacity for independent study. It is these qualities that will determine success at KS5.
Many students showed tremendous support and enthusiasm for the new Sixth Form. We were told by students who are already here that they want to continue their education with the staff they know, believe in and trust. They stated that this is a place where they feel their talents will be further nurtured and they see this as the environment in which they can fulfil their potential. In addition, external applicants stated that they wanted to come here for their Post 16 education because of the excellent reputation of the school. These comments I shared with the staff here during our morning briefing session today.
All students will be informed, in writing, of the outcome of the interview. More interviews take place next week and thereafter we will issue the offers of places. I would anticipate that students should receive these within the next 3 weeks.
I would personally like to thank all the students for their efforts with the interviews. For the first time I felt able to 'see' the new Sixth Form and envisage the students in the building and preparing for KS5. Once again, we move another step closer to the opening.
The Senior Leadership Team at the school were very impressed by the quality of the applications and the mature manner the students exhibited during the interview process. Many students came extremely well prepared: outstanding personal statements, detailed CV and some very extensive revision and study guides to show their preparation plans for their forthcoming examinations. These were able to give us insight into each student's approach to learning and their capacity for independent study. It is these qualities that will determine success at KS5.
Many students showed tremendous support and enthusiasm for the new Sixth Form. We were told by students who are already here that they want to continue their education with the staff they know, believe in and trust. They stated that this is a place where they feel their talents will be further nurtured and they see this as the environment in which they can fulfil their potential. In addition, external applicants stated that they wanted to come here for their Post 16 education because of the excellent reputation of the school. These comments I shared with the staff here during our morning briefing session today.
All students will be informed, in writing, of the outcome of the interview. More interviews take place next week and thereafter we will issue the offers of places. I would anticipate that students should receive these within the next 3 weeks.
I would personally like to thank all the students for their efforts with the interviews. For the first time I felt able to 'see' the new Sixth Form and envisage the students in the building and preparing for KS5. Once again, we move another step closer to the opening.
Friday 4 February 2011
Applications & the Sixth Form common room
The Applications
The Sixth form applications are now in and we are delighted by the number of prospective students and the range of choices being made. We are clearly oversubscribed. Some subjects will potentially have more than one group to cater for the demand. This is fantastic news as it reflects the interest of students, supports our aim to offer the very best post 16 courses that we can and also provide a range of opportunities for our students.
To repeat, if any student would like some advice or guidance on the interviews please contact me. The interview process aims to ensure that students have applied for the most appropriate courses and also to explore attitudes and style of learning.
The Sixth Form Common room
The Senior Leadership Team was given a guided tour of the site this week. This was also filmed and I hope to update the website soon with the latest screen offering. The most striking feature of the build is the sheer size of the common room. I had not realised how big it is and it means that we can furnish it to provide a truly flexible learning environment with a broad range of seating / lounging opportunities for the students. The common room feels as big as the performance hall and will, no doubt, prove to be the hub of the Sixth Form.
In addition to this fantastic space, Post 16 students will also have a cafeteria area for social use. There will also be doors that will open onto a grassed area which we could make into a summer seating area.
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