stockport academy sixth form prospectus 2011-2012

Stockport AcademySixth Form Prospectus 2011-2012

Can I first of all thank you for taking the time to read our Sixth Formprospectus, which provides an insight into our exciting andrewarding learning environment that aspires to broaden theaspirations of students and bring out ‘the best in everyone’.

At Stockport Academy, we provide a welcoming and inclusiveenvironment, offering an all through 11-18 education for ourstudents, where we help them to fulfill their potential and preparethem for higher education and the world of work. We also want ourstudents to be not only academically successful, but to also takethose extra ‘learning steps’ that will equip them with the skills tobecome lifelong learners and valuable members of their local,national and global communities.

We aim to provide an education that enables our students to achievetheir personal best. In 2011, our pass rate increased to 99%, withover a third of our Year 13 students achieving A*-A grades. Thissuccess is reflected in the number of students achieving universityplaces, with 75% progressing into higher education. This also builton the success of the previous year, which saw the academy’s firstOxbridge entrant taking a place at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Stockport Academy is sponsored by the United Learning Trust (ULT),a leading education charity and the largest single sponsor ofacademies in the UK. ULT recognise the importance of choosing theright Sixth Form provision. Students want somewhere where theywill be happy, have the opportunity to broaden their horizons andmake the academic progress of which they are capable.

If you are encouraged by what you read in the prospectus, thenplease feel free to visit the academy and see for yourselves. You cancome to one of our open days or contact us directly to arrange atime to come and visit. Staff and students will be more than happyto show you around and answer any questions you might have.

Principal Ben Dunne

“In 2011, our pass rate increased to 99%, with over a third ofour Year 13 students achieving A*-A grades...75% of studentsprogressed into higher education.”

Stockport Academy Sixth Form Prospectus 2011-2012

No limits...

Assistant Principal - Sixth Form, DavidGoodfellow and Director of Sixth Form,Jo Harcup The Sixth Form’s mission is to provide high quality education, toinspire and empower students to seek out new opportunities andenrich lives through learning.

To achieve this, we provide clear and personalised pathways for eachstudent: from those hoping to attend university to students wishingto gain further training or employment in a particular sector. This ismade possible through the benefits of small class sizes and ourdynamic staff. It is also reflected in the diverse range of courses weoffer.

As Stockport Academy has a specialism in Science, we offer AS/A2Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, alongside other traditionalAS/A2 Level courses such as English Literature and History.

We also offer innovative vocational OCR and BTEC courses in Sport,Fashion, Music Technology, Dance and ICT. This is made possiblethrough our outstanding music suite, dance studio and sportingfacilities.

As well as supporting students’ educational wellbeing, weencourage students to make a positive impact on the localcommunity – one example has been A Level Sciences studentsworking with local primary schools to promote Science in classes.

Stockport Academy Sixth Form gives students freedom, respect andindividual responsibility within a framework of high standards andexpectations. With this, we also offer students individual supportthrough their own personal tutor, who provides advice, monitorsprogress and helps with career planning.

Students choosing Stockport Academy Sixth Form leave us asconfident, mature young adults, equipped and qualified for the 21stcentury. We would love you to see for yourselves, so please feel freeto attend our open days (further details can be found on theacademy website) or arrange an appointment to come and visit us.


...just aspirations.


Eight Reasons toChoose StockportAcademy

“Personalisedadvice, guidanceand support forall students fromhighly qualifiedstaff”

1. Personalised advice, guidance and support for all students from highly qualified staff

2. A small and dedicated Sixth Form where personalised learning is a priority

3. Engaging and challenging classes delivered by course specialists

4. Dedicated one-to-one tutorial support with individualised learning plans

5. Superbly equipped modern laboratories complementing our Science specialism

6. Excellent learning environments for all our students across our whole curriculum,complemented by state-of-the-art technology

7. Enrichment activities that offer a range of valuable experiences, complementing learningand broadening aspirations

8. Spacious student common room with catering facilities and designated spaces wherestudents can spend time between lessons

Course SelectionCareful consideration is given to eachstudent’s course choices and the potentialof the student to achieve success on his/herchosen programme.

Enquiries about admissions or particularcourses can be made by contacting theDirector of Sixth Form Jo Harcup or SixthForm Administrator Jan Vale on 0161 2860330 or by emailing us at: [email protected].

You can choose from a wide variety ofsubjects and courses, enabling you to studythe combination that is best suited to yourability and learning style. Depending onyour results and plans for the future, yourprogramme of study could consist of:

● Advanced level academic subjects(AS/A2)

● Advanced level vocational subjects(National courses)

● A combination of both academic andvocational subjects at advanced level

● A combination of intermediate levelcourses alongside advanced level

Course Structures

The qualifications we offer each have adifferent type of assessment and value aftertwo years of study:

Each qualification, depending on the valueafter two years and the grade achieved, isalso worth a certain number of UCASpoints.

These points are used by universities toassess whether a student meets entrycriteria for a particular course. For example,a university may ask for a student toacquire 300 UCAS points – or theequivalent of three B grades at A2 Level –to gain a place on a course.

The UCAS points table can be found byvisiting: www.ucas.com/students/ucas_tar-iff/tarifftables.

Course Profiles

Information on all courses offered(depending on availability and studentnumbers) can be found on the academy’swebsite at www.stockport-academy.org.


Course Type ofAssessment

Value aftertwo years

AS/A2 At least 2/3by exam

One A Level

NationalAward

Coursework One A Level

National Certificate

Coursework TwoA Levels


Students’ Rights andResponsibilitiesYour time as part of Stockport Academy’s Sixth Form will help to shape your future lifeand career aspirations, enabling you to fulfill your true potential.

Our shared goal is that you leave the academy equipped with the qualifications andunderstanding to set you on the career path of your choice.

We will also work with you to help ensure that you leave the Sixth Form as enriched andmore mature individuals, having positively benefitted from and contributed to the learningprocess, whilst also playing a key role in helping us to create the best post-16 provision inStockport.

At Stockport Academy, we treat our Sixth Form students as young adults and expect theyuphold and support the strong positive learning ethos of the academy by adhering to clear


expectations that form part of the learning contract, which we also ask your parent orguardian to support. In return, every student will have the right to:

• A supportive learning environment which is safe, secure and stimulating and in whichall people are valued as individuals and where the environment and personal possessionsare treated with respect • An outstanding education provision that is appropriate to the individual’s need• Learning activities and opportunities at a personalised level that match and providechallenges, encouraging students to achieve and make progress• Opportunities to develop confidence as a learner in order to develop well informedattitudes and opinions.

Expectations of Students

Stockport Academy wants all of its Sixth Form students to have a successful, rewarding,enjoyable, aspirational and safe time while studying here.

As such, we expect you to:

• Adhere to the academy’s business dress code for Sixth Form students outlined on ourwebsite• Co-operate with staff at all times and treat everyone in the academy community withrespect• Carry your ID card at all times • Respect and take care of the buildings, facilities and equipment• Play an active role in supporting the younger members of the academy community, actingas role models.

Attendance

The academy places high priority on good attendance and punctuality as these areimportant factors that contribute to progress and the achievement of high standards.

Entry RequirementsTo attend Stockport Academy’s Sixth Form, you will need a good school record in termsof attendance, punctuality and behaviour. You will also need 5 A*-C grades at GCSEincluding English and Maths.

To assess your results we will look at your best six grades, plus English and Maths, andallocate points as follows:

Grade A* A orDistinction

at BTEC

B orMerit at

BTEC

C orPass atBTEC

D E F G

Points 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The points will then be totalled. The tablebelow shows the minimum points for entryto different courses. The most appropriatecourse will be discussed with eachindividual student at interview:

In the case of those with 33-37 points,GCSE courses may need to be added toyour programme depending on results inEnglish and Maths.

Please note: There are specific requirementsfor some subjects. We strongly advise youto refer to the information on our individualcourses that can be found on our website.

You will be given an individual interview foradmission to the academy and anotherwhen enrolling after receiving your GCSEresults. We will discuss with you whetherthe subjects passed at Grade C or aboveform an appropriate basis for progressionto the courses you have chosen.

Making Your Choices

You will want to choose subjects you enjoyand are good at. However, the combinationof subjects you choose at this stage can bevery important to your future studies orcareer. Some universities will accept anycombination of subjects, while others prefera specific combination. If you are unsureplease speak to your careers advisor,careers teacher or academy staff.

Points Courses Example ofGrades

42 Coursesamountingto Four ALevels

Seven Bs(42 Points)

38-41 Three orFour A Levels

Three Bsand Four Cs(38)

33-37 Two or ThreeA-Levels

Seven Cs(35) or FiveCs and TwoDs (33)


Application, Enrolmentand InductionApplication forms can be obtained from Stockport Academy on 0161 286 0330 or atwww.stockport-academy.org. You are advised to apply by February 2012 half-term. Lateapplications cannot always be accommodated. The academy will confirm receipt of yourapplication form. Interviews will be arranged from January 2012 onwards. Confirmationof any offer will be sent to you and you will be asked to return an acceptance pack.

Things to Remember at Interview

Whilst priority is given to applicants from Stockport Academy, we more than welcomeoutside applications. If demand for places exceeds the number we can offer, the academywill look at certain factors before inviting applicants for interview:

● Predicted or achieved GCSE or GNVQ grades● Grades achieved in mock GCSE exams● Attendance and commitment shown at school● The availability of places on specific courses● The interests and abilities of individual students.

The Interview

At interview, all students will be asked to produce:

● Their most recent school report● Achievement record and/or other documentation highlighting personal achievements.

Student enrolment and induction will take place when you have received your GCSE results. Further information about enrolment and induction will be sent to you when you havebeen offered a place.



All Sixth Form students have tutorial sessions each week. Students also benefit from ourenrichment programme, which offers the opportunity to get involved in peer mentoringand the student committee, enabling students to have a voice in how their Sixth Form isrun.

Our Sixth Form students are seen as leaders and role models within the academy andambassadors in the wider community for a variety of projects and initiatives.

Your hours in class will be around 18 hours each week if studying the equivalent of threeAS/A2 levels and 23 hours if you study four. However, we will also expect you to devoteabout the same amount of time to independent study – either at home, your study areaor in the academy’s Learning Resource Centre (LRC).

Pastoral Support and Personalised Learning

Students at Stockport Academy’s Sixth Form will benefit from an individual personal tutorwho they will meet regularly. The personal tutor assists students and helps them developstudy skills and prepare them for the transition to university and adult life. This partnershipis a vital ingredient in ensuring success and happiness for our students in their studies.

We welcome applications from students with additional support needs and will help tomake the transition from school to Sixth Form as smooth as possible.

We are able to provide a range of specialist facilities and equipment. Support for studentscan take a variety of forms including literacy workshops, individual or group support forthose with specific learning needs and special arrangements for exams. A counsellingservice is also available in the academy.

If you do have any special learning requirements, please contact our Assistant SENCoordinator Lisa Redshaw at the academy before you start, where she will do her utmostto ensure your requirements are met.

Copies of Stockport Academy publications are available in alternative formats on request.

Student Experience

Stockport AcademyHeathbank RoadCheadle HeathStockportCheshire SK3 0UP

t: 0161 286 0330e: [email protected]: www.stockport-academy.org

Company number: 4439859United Learning Trust is an exempt charity.

© 2011 United Learning Trust

stockport academy sixth form prospectus 2011-2012

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