CHRISTMAS ACCOLADES

Fantastic achievements

93 students nominated across all 26 courses for high achievement and commitment to KS5 studies and our congratulations are passed to these students for their tremendous efforts

Year 13 University applications

93% of the Year 13 have completed their university applications for 2014 start

4% deferring their university applications for a 2015 start

3% are entering the world of work and Apprenticeship

Applications for Year 12 (2014 start)

These have now started to flood in and we are busy interviewing potential applicants for Post 16 study. The students who have been interviewed have been extremely impressive with the determination and ambition to do and be the best they can. I look forward to welcoming these students to post 16 next year.

I would like to wish all Post 16 studies a very Happy Christmas and I hope 2014 be all you wish for yourself.

YEAR 13 STUDENT SHAVES HAIR FOR CHARITY

The commitment of the Post 16  students at this school continues to amaze and impress me. 

This week, Charlotte Golder in Year 13, shaved her long hair off to raise money for cancer research. 

The hair before the shave!

Glowing smiles of triumph and support!

'Cancer charities are close to  my heart and I wanted to do something to raise funds for vital cancer research,' says Charlotte.

And in order to keep all of Post 16 entertained (and well fed) during this incredible act of commitment, the Post 16 students also baked an array of cakes to sell to increase the funds raised.

Beautifully arranged baking!

Post 16 students preparing for the challenges ahead

The post 16 area is abuzz with conversation about subjects, debates on issues from lessons and shared planning of courses. It is a delight to see these students developing their independent study skills and focus on academic achievement.

UCAS applications being completed are impressive with the range of courses being applied for: medicine, chemistry, History, Psychology, Adult nursing and Maths to name a few! To read the personal statements has been a revelation as students show their maturity, responsibility and wide ranging enrichment activities. the current year 13 are a talented bunch and with so many offers coming into school it is a pleasure to see their sense of achievement.

The quickest offer received so far was for GILES BALDWIN who got his first offer the same day he sent his application form!! 

All this hard work, this commitment to their studies and personal ambition and loads of enrichment... and they still have time to fill the vending machine!

POST 16 SUPPORTS 'CHILDREN IN NEED'

Post 16 students really impressed with the range of interesting and creative fancy dress.

All in support of 'Children in Need' - we have had a group ready for a tropical beach, a selection of outfits and a range of festive themed wear. It is has all made the day lively, colourful and full of interesting sights.


The highlight of the day was the Post 16 v Staff 'fairies' football team.... a 1:0 victory to the staff but a great atmosphere in the astro - all the school turned out to cheer and support. The drummers kept the mood uplifted and all the proceeds and donations collected will go to children in need.

POST 16 OPEN EVENING

Thursday 7th November - Large numbers of prospective Post 16 students attended the evening.

Last night the Post 16 centre at The Cooper School opened its doors to year 11 students considering their Post 16 options. The evening began with a presentation by the Headteacher, Mr Baxter and the Director of Post 16 Studies, Cate Mallalieu-Needle.  The school was inundated by prospective students and their parents and it became impossible for everyone to attend the presentation. Doors were closed at 6.05pm as there was no room left in the performance hall.

Nearly 300 prospectuses were distributed to year 11 students. The Post 16 centre has never had so many people within its doors and the buzz and excitement was palpable. Departments hosted stand with current students and advised / guided prospective students in making appropriate choices.

APPLICATIONS FOR POST 16 STUDIES 2014 CAN NOW BE SUBMITTED.

INDEPENDENT STUDY DAY

Independent Study Conference

Another exciting event when the 2 Post 16 providers in Bicester worked in collaboration.

Our Year 12 students were joined by Sixth Form students from Bicester Community College to attend an Independent Learning Study Conference led by the Life Skills Company.

During this three hour conference, the 150 students participated in five sessions. 

Improving independent learning 

Speed and skim reading

Effective note-taking

Time management 

Presentation skills.

Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive and the advice and guidance will support all the students in their studies. 

Post 16 student receives prestigious award

Orla Welby 

Year 13

Post 16 studies is delighted to announce that Orla has now received an additional National award. She is now recognised as  'The South-East Region, Young Volunteer of the Year 2013'

This is a prestigious accolade for the 300+ hours of sport volunteering that Orla has completed. She is a fantastic sporting ambassador as well as being an outstanding role model for others; not just in Oxfordshire but now nationally.

UCAS PROCESS BEGINS

Year 13 students begin the UCAS Process

The applications for UCAS have now begun and today we sent off the first 5 completed applications

Students are applying for a range of courses including:

Oxbridge entrance

English Literature

Veterinary Science

Medicine 

Bio Medicine

Physics

Chemistry

This is a very exciting time for the Year 13 students as they are busy writing personal statements and I have been impressed by the diligence and focus the students are showing as well as the breadth of work experience and extra-curricular activities they are involved in.

 It is amazing to think how quickly this academic year is passing. Last year's students are all now commencing their university courses and our current students are ambitious to join them!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE STUDENTS WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS

SCHOOL OPEN EVENING

Last night Post 16 students impressed parents of Year 6 prospective students.

Post 16 students acted as tour guides for Year 6 families and impressed with their maturity and helpfulness to families. As a consequence they were fantastic ambassadors for the school and impressive role models. 

Post 16 students also helped staff in departments to welcome Year 6 students and to showcase much of the excellent work that happens in this school. 

There was drama performances in the post 16 centre, dissection / experiments in Biology, Engineering and design for a race car seat, as well as explosive experiments in Chemistry to name a few!!

I was extremely proud of the Post 16 students. Their presence in this school enriches the whole community and I would like to thank all of them for their commitment, time and support of the school.

Year 13 Student wins prestigious award!!

CHERWELL SPORTS AWARDS 2013

Orla Welby of Year 13 has won the prestigious title of 'VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR' at the recent Cherwell Sports award.

To achieve this accolade, Orla has significantly impressed staff  in Oxfordshire with her outstanding commitment to supporting others in sport through volunteering at a variety of sporting events. This has entailed tremendous commitment from Orla ; above and beyond anything that would be expected from anyone.

In the past 2 years, Orla he has volunteered in sporting events for over 300 hours. 

She has been team manager for U15 boys at Bicester athletics club who were Oxfordshire sporting champions two years in a row. She has also attended the National Young Coaching Academy and is hoping to go again next year as a mentor. She has supported and volunteered for football, netball, hockey, tag ruby, athletics and rounders.

She is a fantastic role model to others in this school and we are tremendously proud of her. She is intending to become either a PE teacher or a sporting coach - her career in this field will be outstanding.

She would like to personally thank Mr Andrew Brown, Head of PE at The Cooper School for his support and also for nominating her.

REBECCA MATTINGLEY - YEAR 12 - RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Rebecca Mattingley, Year 12,  has been awarded the prestigious award of 'Student of the Year 2013' at the graduation ceremony for the OXFORD YOUNG AMBASSADORS programme.

In Year 9 Rebecca was selected by Oxford University to participate in a 3 year programme. This has included mentoring from university staff and students, study skills workshops and residentials at Oxford University. 

She was selected as the top student for her perseverance, dedication, commitment and excellent GCSE results.

KS5 Explained - Tuesday 10th September

KS5 Evening

This week we welcomed over 110 Year 12 students with their parent/s to post 16 studies. It was a very busy evening devoted to outlining to parents the expectations of Post 16 study as well as giving information and advice about the best way to be successful at KS5.  I would like to thank everyone for their attendance and for the Post 16 tutor team for their continued support of the students

At Post 16 our stated aims are to support our students to achieve the best qualifications they can, offer a broad range of enrichment opportunities and to ensure that work experience is included.

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

Sam Sykes, DofE expeditions, came to the evening to outline to the students the opportunities and challenges of the gold award. He said that a recent survey of the top 100 employers ranked the following as the 3  most important qualities they look for in potential applicants:
1. Qualifications
2. Work Experience
3. Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

It is good to know that our stated aims are mirrored by future employers and that we are right to focus on developing study skills as well as enrichment and work experience.

NEW YEAR COMMENCES

2013-14 Academic cycle begins

Congratulations to all new and returning Post 16 students on a fantastic set of GCSE and AS level results. Students should be very proud of their achievements and should start the new year confident and determined to build on this success.

YEAR 12

The new Year 12 commenced their studies this week. We have 116 students joining Post16 studies - some have come to us from as far afield as Iceland! The students are settling into the the building and their lessons and as I look across the cafeteria from my office I can see students working, discussing, planning their work and there is a very healthy productive buzz in the centre.

YEAR 13

Year 13 have also returned and I have already received my first UCAS personal statements to read. Both Adam Sapnik and Megan Greenway have impressed me by being the first students this year to have written their statements, chosen their courses and selected the institutes they would like to attend. I look forward to the next cycle of UCAS applications.

So another academic year commences with the new challenges of Post 16 study and all the opportunities that it will bring for all of us. I look forward to all of it and wish all the students and staff good luck.

SIXTH FORM LEADERSHIP TEAM 2013-14

Following fantastic and close run Post 16 elections,  I am delighted to announce the results:

 Head Boy is BEN DAVIES & Head Girl is AMY DIGMAN 

These 2 remarkable students will continue to take Post 16 studies onwards and forwards.

They will be admirably supported by a Deputy Head Girl Misha Staples and a Deputy Head Boy Francois Blin alongside Grace Stirrat, Owen Mitchell, Gemma Pugh & Jack Shepherd.

Congratulations to all these students - an impressive election campaign, speeches and presentations. 

YEAR 13 LEAVERS' CEREMONY - JUNE 2013

The leavers' ceremony was held last night as a tribute to the completion of KS5 studies and examinations for this remarkable group of Year 13 students. 

The Performance Hall was packed with the students, their families and staff who were surrounded by balloons and candles that made the area magical. The students looked stunning in their evening wear ; they have become poised and confident young adults who are an asset to this school and to Post 16 studies. It has been a privilege to support them over the past 2 years.

The evening was a formal celebration of their time at The Cooper School and was a very moving evening of speeches and awards.  The school is rightly proud of this group of students who were the first ever KS5 students and who have paved the way for others to follow. They are an inspiration to others and have set a very high standard.

They will be greatly missed by all of us but we wish them all health, happiness and success in their future ambitions. 

RETURN OF YEAR 12 - Monday 10th June 2013

Year 12 Induction into Year 13

Monday 10th June - Friday 5th July 2013

The current Year 12 students have now completed their AS examinations and there was a visible sense of relief yesterday when the last exam finished. Year 12 students have approached their exams with motivation and I wish them all luck with the forthcoming results.

Year 12 will return to Post 16 studies on Monday 10th June at 8.40 am to commence 4 weeks induction into Year 13. These 4 weeks will be an essential time to prepare for the challenges of Year 13 study and students will be supported by departments with the transition to Year 13 study.

I look forward enormously to the return of the students as the Post 16 centre has been very quiet for a few weeks with only the occasional group of students quietly awaiting the start of the exam or silently revising between examination.

KS5 STUDY LEAVE

As we approach the 2013 examination period, I would like to wish all Post 16 students GOOD LUCK with their forthcoming examinations and I sincerely wish them success and fulfilment. 

During study leave, the Post16 centre will remain open and available for students. In addition, some departments are continuing to offer revision sessions.

Year 12 Study Leave - Monday 13th May - Friday 7th June

• Year 12 Students  to return to school on MONDAY 10th JUNE to commence Year 13 induction.

Year 13 study leave - Monday 20th May - Onwards.

GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCK

A LEVEL EXAM PREPARATION

Working hard in private study

The Post16 centre is notable for the quiet hush during private study time. It is a real joy to see the KS5 students forming study groups. The classrooms upstairs have become a real haven for the Year 13 students who I see with their heads down, surrounded by books, folders, netbooks and stationery. Many students are also wearing headphones and seem to be oblivious to the world around them as they are totally focused on their revision and examination preparation.

Completing coursework

Students are also into the final completion of their coursework and it is very clear that the students are determined to get as many marks as possible and are striving for excellence. This commitment to their studies is highly commendable

Final few weeks of school & lessons

With study leave in sight, KS5 students are using their last few lessons to ensure they are fully prepared for the examination and that they are taking advantage of all opportunities to raise their level of understanding.

It is amazing to see how quickly this academic year has flown by....

JANUARY 2013 - EXAM RESULTS

A Level January unit results - Impressive

35    'A' GRADES AWARDED !!!

History -  2  'A' grades

Hannah Cherry, Kirsty Mills

Biology  - 8  'A' grades

James Nellis, Rachel Byrne, Charlotte Cannon, Alessio D'Addabbo, Gemma Pugh,

Lucy Waugh, Chloe Whitehouse, Carl Bartlett

Chemistry- 9  'A' grades

David brown, Adam Sapnik, Punit Sevak, James Allen, Shaun Bailey, Harry Magnay,

Georgina White, Mathew Ash, Gaith Khan

Economics - 1  'A' grade

Ben Davies

Physics - 3  'A' grades

Adam Sapnik, Killian Stenning, Shaun Bailey

Maths - 5  'A' grades

Stephen Rust, Shaun Bailey, Ellen Giles, James Allen

ICT - 1  'A' grade

Shaun Bailey

Psychology - 5  'A' grades

Jenny Howes, James Nellis, Sam Bosley, Savannah Seger, Katherine Worsfold

Further Maths - 1  'A' grade

Stephen Rust

Geography Field Trip

Field Trip

Year 12 students will spend next week in Kingsbridge, Devon to study essential flora and fauna as part of their studies for AS Level Geography. I wish them a productive week of investigation that will underpin their studies and forthcoming examinations in Geography.

Special thank also go the the Geography staff, Mr Chambers and Ms Cawood for enabling and supporting the students in their studies.

U19 Foot ball League update

The Cooper School: 2       MCS: 1

Thursday 28th February

Another victory from this fledgling team who continue to gain in strength and confidence. Man of the match was Jake Fuller who scored both goals. As Jake was simultaneously filmed for his A level PE assessment , this was clearly a double victory on his part.

The Golden Sport

STOP PRESS.......STOP PRESS.....STOP PRESS......

Oxfordshire U19 Football league

The Cooper school :2    Wheatley Park 0

On Wednesday 20th February, our first ever post 16 football team, led admirably by the captain James Allen, took an amazing victory against Wheatley Park in the league. Wheatley Park have been previous championship winners and this was a hard won victory by our boys. Extensive cardio-vascular treatment supported the development of Tom Bosley and ensured his driving role in the game. Jake Fuller is also developing his passing skills, much to the relief of the rest of the team.

Looking resplendent in their new royal blue kit, the students from both Year 12 and Year 13 battled the giant of Wheatley Park and are still currently heady with victory.

The Post16 centre is buzzing much anticipation is in the Post 16 centre as the fans amass in preparation for the next game. Cheer leaders rehearsing, managing strategic planning and even Mrs Mall will be there to support, cheer and hopefully celebrate!

Brackley vs The Cooper School

Thursday 28th February

3.30 pm kick off

At Home

AWAY THE LADS!!!!!!

Post 16 Trips

Auschwitz

Last week, the Year 12 History students spent 4 days in Krakow, Poland visiting the memorial site for the Holocaust at Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. As Nazi Germany is one of the main units for the AS examination, this visit was able to provide the students with detailed insight and experience of the terrible consequences of the Nazi regime. Our thanks go to the History department for enabling this opportunity for Year 12 students: Mrs Roberts-Ablett, Mrs Winwood & Mr Dean. The staff have commented that the year 12 students were a credit to the school throughout

Madrid

This week A level Art students are going on a trip to Madrid to study the Art & Architecture of this beautiful and fascinating city. I look forward enormously to seeing the work produced by the students. The work from the Venice trip last year was stunning and I am sure this trip will be an inspiration for the Art students. Once again, we thank the Art department for their time and support of the students.

SNOW WORK

To all post 16 students.... in case of inclement weather...and in case the school is closed.

Please use the departmental blogs to find work set by staff as needed. Use the time wisely to complete independent research and to ensure you maximise your learning IF the school is closed.

Many staff will regularly check emails so please  maintain contact with your teachers to keep up to date with work.

2013 Begins

Welcome back to all the Post 16 students and happy new year to you all

University Offers

Congratulations to all our university applicants who continue to receive offers. Particularly of note today is a special congratulations to our first ever Oxbridge applicants : one offer received for Computer Science at Cambridge University and one offer received for Physics as Oxford University. The first of many such successes.

January Examinations

Many Year 12 & 13 students are now starting their examination modules in a variety of subjects and I would like to wish them all the best of luck over the next few weeks. I am aware of revision sessions being held at lunchtimes and after school and students can be found all over the building working and revising.

Post 16 Applications

Many applications for the sixth form have now arrived at the school and the process of interviews and offers of places has now begun. It is very good to meet the prospective students who have applied from a number of schools across the county and have impressed  me with their commitment to their studies and their ambitions for the future.

Only one week in and yet so much has already happened!