Ethos

Relationships

Sixth Form education is a partnership between staff and students. It is not a one-way process of teacher talking and student listening. Students are encouraged to share responsibility for their learning by enthusiastic participation, intelligent discussion and careful preparation of their work. Staff have the time to give a lot of individual help and students can feel confident to be open about what they find difficult.

Students also support each other. The Sixth Form is a small and friendly environment. It is essential that all students trust each other and can work together. The S.W.A.G., elected by the student body, holds its own funds and has the role of organising events and advising on the running of the Sixth Form Centre.

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the extra-curricular life of the Sixth Form, including sport, community activities, music and social events. Many visits to lectures, museums, University Open Days, and Careers Fairs are organised. For a few days each year, the whole Sixth Form take part in a Study Day about areas not covered in the ordinary curriculum.

Universities and employers are particularly interested in voluntary activities and responsibilities that students have undertaken, in addition to their normal studies. They ask for this information in references from the College

Standards of Work

GCSE, National Certificate and A level courses are demanding, and public examinations are highly competitive. Students are required to complete all the work on their courses by the deadlines which are set. It is particularly important that major coursework assignments and projects are planned, started and completed in good time. Success in examinations also requires personal reading and research in addition to the specific work set by staff.

Programmes of Study for each course are posted home twice a year to keep students and parents well-informed of the work and styles of learning involved in studying at Sixth Form.

Students should study for 40 hours each week, including classes, study time at College and homework. Part-time employment is often important to students: the recommended maximum is 10 hours. This should be reduced during assessments and final examinations. The records of past students show that most high grades were achieved by students who were not in part-time work.

Students are encouraged to use their academic diary to record and plan their use of private study time. This helps students meet deadlines and work efficiently.

Each term ends with an assessment week in which student progress is assessed through examinations and coursework. Staff .complete reports in December and are available at a consultation evening in January. Entry to public examinations requires satisfactory progress by students, including achieving at least Grade E (40%) in A level trial examinations.

Attendance

The Sixth Form is like any other place of work, and requires that students attend all timetabled classes, meetings and interviews. Attendance and punctuality to lessons is recorded by subject teachers. Only the most serious difficulties justify absence. Students may not arrange outside appointments, including driving lessons, during classes. Holidays should not be taken while the College is working: students considering taking a holiday must put their request in writing to the College Principal.

On arrival each day, students read the noticeboard and sign the Attendance Sheet by the Office.

A student who, through emergency, is unable to attend, must telephone the Office (410711 or 417986) before 9.00 in the morning. On return to college students are expected to provide a note to explain any absence. Students who are under 18 years need confirmation from their parents of the reasons for absence. EMA will not be approved for students who have unexplained absences or who are late to lessons.

Unexplained absences will result in students leaving Sixth Form. Details of absences are also required on most employers' reference requests to the College. Attendance figures are published half-termly, and a £25 prize is awarded each term in a prize draw for all Sixth Form students with full attendance that term.