|
HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS The tutors will meet with their tutees as a group on a fortnightly basis during which a programme of personal development and careers planning is delivered. In addition to this tutors will see their tutees for an individual discussion at least once per half term to discuss progress and well being. Tutors will oversee the student during their two or three years in the College and will write their UCAS reference and/or employment reference. Ms O’Grady is always available if students wish to discuss any issues affecting their academic progress or general well-being in the College. We have an excellent Connexions Personal Advisor, Julie Reeves, whom students are encouraged to see throughout the year. Connexions provides both a careers advice service and acts as a gateway to many other services and organisations which students may wish to access. The Connexions service is a confidential service for young people. We also have the services of a confidential counsellor, Sonya Dunsdon, who comes in on a weekly basis and students can access through Ms O’Grady. Students will also have access this year to a weekly health clinic. Much of our academic monitoring is done by mapping student progress against their Target Minimum Grades. Target Minimum Grades (TMGs) are calculated using the average point score gained at GCSE to produce a grade for each subject which the student could reasonably be expected to gain. They are based on a very wide database of results accumulated across the country over a number of years and usually provide an accurate benchmark. These grades are used by teaching staff, tutors and students to monitor progress and performance against an agreed base line. Needless to say we work hard to encourage students to exceed this ‘minimum target’. All staff will record a minimum of 3 formally assessed pieces of work per term and tutors will use that to closely monitor progress across their subjects. Sixth form students take an increasing responsibility for their own learning and have up to 20% of the college week for independent study and extra activities. However, we know that as a parent, you will want to know how things are going and for this reason feedback to parents is frequent and comprehensive. Year 12 Screening takes place during December. This is a snapshot of progress during the first term. Teachers mark students on Motivation and Commitment, Meeting Deadlines, Folder Organisation and Attainment, the latter being related to AS grades. Students and teachers discuss grades achieved in the subject in relation to their Target Minimum Grades (see above). This screening information is then posted to parents. Term 2 Screening takes place again towards the end of the Spring Term. This follows the same format as above and gives a clear indication as to whether or not the student is continuing to make progress and is on line to achieve or exceed their Target Minimum Grades. Screening sheets are posted to parents. During this term there is also an opportunity for you to discuss your son/daughter’s performance in their January modules or their progress generally on Monday 14th March from 4.30-6.30pm. Term 3 A full subject report is written and this forms the basis for the subject comments on the reference written for university application or for future employment. The reference is open and also includes information about other achievements. Personal tutors write the references and these are ready for discussion with students before the beginning of Term 4 – the start of Year 13. Your son/daughter will have an interview with his/her personal tutor, during the week before full term starts in September. This is an opportunity to discuss AS results and to confirm the choice of A2 subjects. Parents are welcome to attend these interviews. A D grade at AS in a subject is normally required in order to proceed to A2. Year 13
TUTORIAL AND SUPPORT SYSTEM All departments organise a whole day of preparation for A2: this may take place in College or it may be a conference or other outside activity. Students have time in which to complete their Communications and ICT portfolios for the Key Skills qualification. There are field trips for Biology and Geography and whole day workshops covering Careers, Health and Well-Being, Global Citizenship, The Environment and Sports Many students will undertake their Extended Project
Qualification during this half term and will be required to have
completed it by the second week back in September. If they are also
undertaking the AQA Baccalaureate this is also an opportunity to make up
their 100 hours of Personal development, Community Action or Work
Related Learning Sixth Form ends its term ton Friday 15th JUly. Please see calendar for further details. The College does not have its own Governing Body as it is part of the two 11-18 High Schools in Dereham. There is a committee made up of members of the Governing Bodies of Northgate and Neatherd High Schools which looks particularly at Sixth Form issues. Sixth Form students are young adults who want to, and should be, taking increasing responsibility for their own social and academic development. However, there are a number of ways in which you as parents can support them while they are at the College and you will want to know how we deal with various issues.If your son/daughter cannot attend College, please would you telephone or e-mail the office (Dereham 696884/ office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk) each day of the absence so that we know what is happening – or check that your son or daughter has telephoned. If your son/daughter becomes ill during the day, we ask them to inform the office so that suitable arrangements can be made. On their return to College they should fill in an absence form. Where an absence is planned they should fill in an Authorised Absence form and hand it in to the office with the relevant supporting evidence. Further information is enclosed regarding EMA payments and bonuses. Absence Form Absence Regulations We do not register students on arrival at College, but we take registers at the beginning of every lesson. These registers are checked regularly and absences logged. We calculate the percentage attendance every half term. We have an expectation that lesson attendance will not fall below 95% apart from in exceptional circumstances, of which we would appreciate notification. There is a very clear link between attendance at lessons and success at A Level. The College year is short and the time-scale for completing courses is very tight. It can be extremely detrimental if a student takes a holiday during term time. We appreciate your help in ensuring that your son/daughter has a good attendance record. From experience we recommend that no more than 10 – 15 hours per week of paid employment should be undertaken by students as more than this can have a detrimental effect on their studies. Our Sixth Form students are generally hard working and well-motivated young people, who behave appropriately, while enjoying their time here. We have no doubt that this will continue with our new cohort. Alongside their AS and A Level studies there are a very broad range of enrichment activities both compulsory and optional which your son/daughter can experience.All of our students will follow a Key Skills Communications course during their Year 12 unless they are studying an English based subject at AS or Health and Social Care. This equips them with the more advanced literacy skills necessary for success at A Level and at University. All students who do not have a level 2 qualification in ICT, and who are not pursuing an AS course in ICT or computing, follow a Key Skills Level 2 course in IT to ensure their computing skills are at the required standard. In Year 13 all students are encouraged to take an AS in Critical Thinking or Citizenship alongside their chosen A Level subjects. Those who wish to are encouraged to take the AQA Baccalaureate overarching qualification which includes an additional AS in the form of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Some students may also take up the opportunity of taking an Open University module at this stage. Beyond their academic studies there are a wide range of activities which your son/daughter can participate in and we would strongly urge them to join in one or more of these. Please check the list in the front of their Student Planners or on the website for further details. The Community Action Group is a body which represents the student community and is central in encouraging engagement and participation in the life of the college and in the wider community locally, nationally and globally.It provides a forum for students to take an active part in making the college work for its students and making their time here as happy, successful and productive as possible. It co-ordinates the charity work which happens throughout the college supporting both local, national and global initiatives. It organises and co-ordinate social events culminating in the Leavers Ball in May The Community Action Group is open to keen, interested and enthusiastic individuals who enjoy a bit of responsibility. The key positions of chairperson, secretary and treasurer will be held by Year 13 students and will be voted in by the rest of the group. The meetings will take place fortnightly during a designated lunch hour though occasionally extra meetings may be called. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Richardson or Ms O’Grady if you have any concerns during the year or would like to inform us of any circumstances likely to adversely affect your son or daughter’s progress and/or well-being during their time with us . Please note that while the college will occasionally organise events of a social nature we do not organise and are therefore not responsible for ‘Student Parties’ which are occasionally organised by groups or individuals outside the college. Where individual students may occasionally organise a party off site for fundraising purposes we may advise them on health and safety aspects but staff will not be present and it is at the discretion of the parents whether or not they wish their son/daughter to attend.PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT The Dereham Sixth Form aspires to be an inclusive and stimulating environment where all members of the community are equally valued and are encouraged to fulfil their potential. Our Commitment to Students and Parents We will aim to provide our students with a broad curriculum offering a range of learning experiences. We will give all students every opportunity and encouragement to achieve their academic potential We will prepare each student as thoroughly as possible for higher or further education or for employment. We will encourage students to develop a sense of self-discipline and responsibility for their own learning. We will try to develop students who are thoughtful, tolerant and responsible in their thinking and actions. We will provide opportunities for students to mature and develop as young adults enabling them to become informed, engaged and valued members of society. We will involve parents/guardians in the support and guidance of their son/daughter whilst a student at the Dereham Sixth Form College. Our Students’ Commitment to the College To recognise the values of tolerance and respect for one another that underpin the College community and to behave in a mature and responsible way having respect for all members of that community. Attend all timetabled lessons and tutorials and work with commitment and dedication. Respect that the Sixth Form and grounds are non-smoking areas. Accept all illegal substances are banned from the site and students must not consume alcohol during the College Day THE COLLEGE DAY
For
information about school transport please follow the link:
|