the bedford sixth form

COURSE PROSPECTUS 2015–16

The BedfordSixth Form...where you can achievegreat things

Connect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth2A

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The Bedford Sixth FormAspire. Believe. Achieve. Succeed...

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Discover more online at: www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

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nConnect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth

DisclaimerWhile every effort is made to ensure the information withinthis prospectus is correct at the time of printing, somedetails may be subject to change. We reserve the right tomake amendments to the courses, dates, fees or otherdetails, and to make cancellations or changes if studentnumbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course, we will refund your fees in full,but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if youwithdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.

Open Days...Talk to teachers,get a feel for TheBedford Sixth Formand find out howwe’re different toschool at one ofour Open Days…

Pre-register your place now atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/events

ContentsWelcome to The Bedford Sixth Form 5

Our vision 5

What we offer you 6

Results and destinations of past students 8

Our campus 12

Beyond the classroom 14

Student support 16

Sixth Form choices 18

Changes to A-Levels 20

How to apply 21

A-Z of courses 22

A-Levels and Level 3 Technical Diplomas 23

Level 3 Extended Diplomas 35

Fees and funding 36

Travel and transport 38

Information for parents 40

Keeping in touch 42

Tuesday 23 September 20145.00pm – 8.00pm

Thursday 6 november 20145.00pm – 8.00pm

Wednesday 14 January 20155.00pm – 8.00pm

Thursday 19 March 20155.00pm – 8.00pm

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a message from our head…

The next stage in your life is going to be an exciting one.Like all of our students here at The Bedford Sixth Form,we’re sure you have high aspirations and a good idea ofwhere you want the next two years to lead you.

We’re delighted you’re considering studying for your A-Levels ortechnical qualifications with us. We are the only institution in Bedfordsolely focused on sixth form study, which means we know what ittakes to excel and will provide you with everything you need to do so, including first-class tutors, facilities and support.

Our beautiful, period campus has a long heritage of great educationand today we continue to strive for high academic performance amongall of our students. You’ll be following in the footsteps of formerstudents who have gone on to great universities and great things.

There are some national changes being made to A-Level study from2015 onwards. We have put together a short overview on page 20 tohelp you understand the key changes. However, as this information is being updated all of the time, please keep an eye on www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk for the latestinformation.

Our Open Days are the perfect opportunity tosee what we can offer you, so make sure youget a date in your diary (see opposite) to comeand find out more.

I look forward to welcoming you soon.

Gail CocozzaHEAd, THE BEdfORd SIxTH fORM

OUR visiOnThe Bedford Sixth Form aims to help youachieve your career aspirations through highacademic success. We strive to offer you asixth form experience that’s different toschool and one that will make you stand out from the crowd.

OUR valuesOur values reflect how we set out to achieveour aim, putting our students at the heart ofall we do. Our three core values are…

STUdEnT fOCusWe will seek to achieve a high qualitylearning experience for every student.

HIgH PerfOrmanCeWe will strive for consistently high levels of performance in all aspects of our work.

resPeCt , OPenness And hOnestyWe will treat everyone with respect,encourage openness and honesty, andrecognise each other’s contribution andachievements.

OUR ethOsWe are committed to providing you with thehighest quality sixth form experience toachieve your goals in work and life – in return,we expect you to meet certain standards ofbehaviour and attitudes including…

• outstanding attendance• work completed on time and to the best

of your ability• full participation in the learning process• act as an ambassador for our Sixth Form

at all times.

The Bedford Sixth Form also has a Code ofConduct that sets the standard we expectfrom our students. You can read this in ourStudent Handbook, available online atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/downloads

Welcome toThe Bedford Sixth Form

1 Source: The Bedford Sixth Form StudentSurvey 2014

2 Source: The Bedford Sixth Form DestinationsSurvey 2013

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excellentacademic successIn 2014 our A-Level studentsachieved a 96% pass rate. See our full results on page 8.

fantastic facilitiesAs a student at The BedfordSixth Form, you’ll be able to make our truly inspiringcampus your own, as youtake control of your ownlearning, much like you willdo at university. Facilitiesavailable to you includemodern IT suites, a LearningResources Centre packedwith printed and electronicresources, plus spaces whereyou can relax with friendsand study individually. All ofour study spaces have aunique blend of old and new;for instance, the top floor ofthe old on-site chapel hasbeen converted into modernclassrooms. Find out moreon page 12.

your own personalsupport teamYou’ll know by now that we arededicated to getting you where youwant to be in life, and that means wewill support you every step of the way.You will be allocated your very ownpersonal tutor to provide one-to-oneadvice and guidance on everythingfrom your academic performance to your personal wellbeing. Our teamof professional careers advisers canhelp you plan your next steps intouniversity and work, while our financeadvisers are on hand to support youwith any money issues. Find out moreon page 16.

What we offer you10 ways in which The Bedford Sixth Form is an excitinglydifferent learning environment to school…

study the subjectsthat work for youWith the chance to study uniquecombinations of A-Levels in over30 subjects, alongside a range of Level 3 Diplomas, you canchoose the subjects you want to study and that will progressyour university and career plans.Due to the size of our studentpopulation and course offer, weare able to provide you with ahuge range of study options to support the widest range ofprogression opportunities. Youcan study any combination ofsubjects that suits you.

Source: The Bedford Sixth FormResults Summary 2014

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life beyond the classroomThere is so much more to life at The Bedford Sixth Form than study.Joining clubs and societies is not only great fun, but will really help toenhance your CV. We have an extensive enrichment programme, soyou’re sure to find something you fancy. See page 14 for a taste ofwhat we have to offer.

experienced teachers help with travelWe don’t want travel costs to be abarrier that stops you from comingto study with us. That’s why weoffer all of our full-time studentsaged 16-18 a travel bursary worth£450 a year. Terms and conditionsapply. See page 37 for moreinformation.

a platform forprogressionWe’re dedicated to helping youachieve academic success tosecure your place at university,and providing you with the advice,guidance and support you needfor your next step. In 2013 81% ofour A-Level students went on tostudy full-time at degree level2.Other students chose to continuewith full-time study at a differentlevel, get a job or take a gap year. We offer full support with UCASapplications and help with anyother queries you have aboutmoving on after Sixth Form.

Our courses are taught by subjectspecialist teachers with a range ofdiverse backgrounds, includingteachers with expert knowledge oftheir field, examiners with first-handknowledge of how to achieve greatexam results, and professionals withreal industry experience.

feel at homeWe aim to make our campus as welcoming as possible, and mostimportantly, a place where you will feel safe, so that you can focus onstudying and having fun with your friends. 95% of our students reportfeeling safe and secure on campus1.

a mature learningenvironment Your teachers will expect you towork hard, but will offer all thesupport you need to reach yourgoals. You will be expected toapproach your studies in a maturefashion and develop a higher levelof independence during your timewith us, preparing you well foruniversity and the world of work.

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Results and destinations

Our 2013/14 results...a-levels

Source: The Bedford Sixth Form Results Summary 2014

a2 level subject a*-C % a*-C a*-e % a*-e

art & Design 6 5 83% 6 100%Business studies 18 10 67% 18 100%Chemistry 13 12 77% 13 100%Citizenship studies 2 2 100% 2 100%Communication & Culture 7 7 100% 7 100%Dance 2 2 100% 2 100%economics 6 6 100%english (language & literature) 4 4 100% 4 100%english literature 24 13 54% 24 100%environmental studies 4 1 25% 3 75%film studies 7 6 86% 7 100%french 4 4 100% 4 100%Geography 3 1 33% 3 100%Geology 6 5 83% 6 100%Government & Politics 7 6 86% 7 100%Graphic Communication 5 5 100% 5 100%history 12 8 67% 12 100%human Biology 13 6 46% 12 92%italian 3 3 100% 3 100%law 29 17 59% 27 93%mathematics 22 15 68% 20 91%Photography 2 2 100% 2 100%Physical education 3 2 67% 3 100%Physics 11 6 55% 10 91%Psychology 33 18 55% 30 91%religious studies 2 2 100% 2 100%sociology 26 23 88% 26 100%spanish 4 4 100% 4 100%

a2 level total 278 189 68% 268 96%

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Our Extended Diploma students achieveda 99% pass rate in 2014

Source: The Bedford Sixth Form results summary 2014

Source: The Bedford Sixth Form Destinations Survey 2013

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and here’s where they can take you…In 2013, 81%3 of our A-Level students progressed on to higher educationat institutions across the UK. This word cloud shows the proportion ofour students that went on to study at the various universities.

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3 Source: The Bedford Sixth Form Destinations Survey 2013

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here is a taste of the subjects some of our studentschose to study at university starting in 2013…

accounting & finance at University of Cardiff

accounting & finance with a year in industry at University of Kent

Biomedical sciences (forensic) with Professional experience at BrunelUniversity

Communications & media at University of Leeds

Computer science & mathematics at The University of Manchester

ecology & environmental Biology at University of Leeds

english literature at University of Reading

Graphic arts at University of Southampton

human Physiology at University of Leeds

law at Queen Mary University of London

Policy, Politics & economics at University of Birmingham

Politics & sociology at The University of Manchester

Politics at Loughborough University

Psychology at University of Sheffield

science with an integrated foundation year at The University of Manchester

sociology at London School of Economics

veterinary nursing and Bioveterinary science at Bristol University

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teaching and learning spacesfACIlITIES THAT InSPIRE

Our study facilities help you make the most of your chosen subjects, including specialist artand design studios to hone your creativity,fully-equipped laboratories to explore thesciences, plus access to a dance studio andtheatre for drama and performance.

learning resources CentreSUPPORTIng yOUR STUdIES

The latest computers plus thousands of books, journalsand a wide variety of electronic resources are availableto you in our Learning Resources Centre, where youcan find quiet spaces for individual study and areaswhere you can study in groups.

For instance, the new Learning Resources Centre islinked to the wood-panelled original library and theformer onsite church has been refurbished as amodern restaurant and classrooms. The grandVictorian Hall is often used for students’ own privatestudy. We think you’ll agree it’s quite a magnificentplace to take your learning to another level.

Our campusThe Bedford Sixth Form’s stunning campus delivers a unique blend ofmodern study areas and Victorian architecture, which echoes the excellenceof education that has been delivered at the site for over a century.

it and internet accessCUTTIng EdgE kIT THAT BRIngS lEARnIng TO lIfE

Including a host of modern PCs – all internet-enabledand running the latest software – plus 24/7 access toMoodle, our internal student portal and virtual learningenvironment providing access to course materials,your personal files and email account. Wi-fi is availablethroughout the campus.

recharge and relaxTIME TO EAT, SPACE TO MEET

It’s not all about work – at TheBedford Sixth Form there isspace for you and your friendsto relax and enjoy somethingto eat and drink, including theHub, the Refectory and theGrand Hall.

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sportAs a student at The Bedford Sixth Form, you’ll havethe opportunity to access fantastic sports facilitiesat the Trinity Arts & Leisure sports complex, basedright on campus, at a specially discounted studentrate. So you can get involved and get active in thelarge sports hall, gym, dance studio or 25m indoorsix-lane swimming pool.

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Beyond the classroomAt The Bedford Sixth Form, life doesn’t stop at the end oflessons – you can challenge yourself and achieve success in arange of extra-curricular opportunities that aim to enhanceyour learning experience and prepare you for university life.

team sports

football

girls football

Badminton

dodgeball

Basketball

netball

Enjoy team sports in our fantastic sportsfacilities at Trinity. They’re great for meetingpeople, improving fitness and team skills.

media

Book Club

film Society

debating Society

Student Magazine

These clubs offer fantastic experience if youare looking to get into a specific career, suchas journalism.

Performing

drama

Feel the buzz of performing and gettingto grips with new skills in Trinity’s fantastictheatre.

arts

fitness

Swim fit

Swim Fit helps with fitness andtoning, and is great fun too.

Because water is 800 timesdenser than air, it’s a greatworkout!

Art

Photography

Start from scratch or buildon your existing experienceat our art and photographyclubs.

You’ll be able to take part in many clubs and activities that won’t just help youstand out from the crowd when applying for university, but also let you have funalong the way.

You might join a club because it’s already of interest and you want to learn more,or simply to add variety to your studies and try something completely new.

Here are some examples of activities we ran last year:

DEPARTMENT: ART & dESIgn

ACTIVITY: TRIP TO BARCElOnA

WHEN: fEBRUARy 2014

Creating memories for life

In a new trip for 2014, studentsenjoyed first-hand experience ofBarcelona’s artists, designersand architecture. One particularlocation that impressed was theSagrada Familia; the incredibleand very large Roman CatholicChurch. One student said: “Ifthis was the only place I visitedhere in Barcelona, I would stillfeel lucky to have travelled tosee it for myself”. Studentsfilled entire books with sketchesand photographs during thetrip and reflected their thoughtsin their own journals. But itwasn’t all about the art; studentssampled tapas at the manyrestaurants and witnessedincredible views across the cityfrom the terraced area at thetop of Park Güell.

tripsHere is just a selection of themost recent trips our studentshave enjoyed as part of theircourses:


student CouncilWe know your views matter so atThe Bedford Sixth Form, we makesure they’re heard. By standing forelection for a place on our StudentCouncil you’ll have the opportunityto represent your fellow students,get more involved with student life and give valuable feedback toteachers and managers on whatwe do.

student ambassadorsBecoming a Student Ambassadorhelps you get more involved inSixth Form life through a range ofactivities and events that you willtake part in around your studies,some of which will be paid. It’s afantastic opportunity to developwider skills that both universitiesand employers look for.

If you are selected as a StudentAmbassador you could get involved in…

• promoting the Sixth Form atlocal schools and events

• inspiring potential studentsthrough getting involved at ourOpen Days

• improving your course byrepresenting student views onour Student Council

• making an impact on how ourSixth Form operates throughfocus groups

• helping out at fairs and eventsduring our themed weeks.

Just a few more...

EnglISH – inspiring talks by Dr Mandy Bloomfield (lecturer in modern and contemporaryliterature) and Dr Nicola Darwood(expert in nineteenth centuryliterature) from the University ofBedfordshire.

SCIEnCE – a visit to the NaturalHistory Museum and the ScienceMuseum.

BUSInESS - a two day trip to Londonvisiting Lloyds of London insurancemarket, the Bank of England,including a tour around the museum,and the Museum of Brands focusingon the advertising and packaging ofwell-known brands over the years.

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DEPARTMENT: gOvERnMEnT &POlITICS

ACTIVITY: lOndOn POlITICAlExPERIEnCE dAy

WHEN: fEBRUARy 2014

Gaining real life experience

As part of the day, students weregiven special permission to gothrough the security barriers atDowning Street, and enjoyedposing outside the famous doorof Number 10. They also visitedthe House of Commons andHouse of Lords and took part in aSelect Committee experience.The trip provided students withgreat insight in preparation fortheir end-of-year exams.

DEPARTMENT: fIlM STUdIES

ACTIVITY: TRIP TO THE BRITISHfIlM InSTITUTE In lOndOn

WHEN: MARCH 2014

Taking control of their own learning

Students visited the British FilmInstitute to help with their filmresearch and really bring theirsubject to life. They were allowedaccess to look around the libraryand each student was given anallowance to gather articles,reviews and film scripts to assist intheir individual learning.

Connect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth16S

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Personal tutor As a student at The Bedford Sixth Form youwill be assigned a professionally trainedpersonal tutor when you start your course whowill give you continual, one-on-one supportthroughout your time with us – from regulartutorials that give you the opportunity todiscuss your studies face-to-face, to help withpersonal development including producing anindividual learning plan tailored to your futureaspirations. You will also meet your tutor,together with the other students in your tutorgroup, to keep you informed of everythinggoing on at our Sixth Form or to work ongroup issues, such as career planning.

Careers adviceWhere do you want to be in 10 years?Throughout your time with us, our careersadvisers are there to help you find the rightpath, providing impartial advice and guidanceon everything from your education, trainingand work prospects to support with UCASapplications, CVs and interview preparation.

Supporting youEveryone has different needs when it comes to support and guidance –at The Bedford Sixth Form our team of Student Services advisers makesure that we provide the support you need, when you need it.

financial supportCourses at The Bedford Sixth Form are free to study for 16-18year olds, however we understand that the cost of studyingcould be a worry, so our student finance team are there toprovide you with practical advice on student bursaries, travelcosts, higher education funding, grants and much more. Wealso have a range of financial support packages available tohelp with essential costs, such as equipment, books or clothing,as well as bursaries for vulnerable students or those in severefinancial hardship – because we don’t want money issuesbecoming a barrier to your learning.

Discover our full range of financial support packages on page 37.

additional supportIf you have an identified learning difficulty and/or disability youmay be entitled to additional support, which could include help in and outside of class, the loan of specialist equipment you may need to complete work, support with making specialarrangements for taking exams, as well as providing support inaccessing our facilities.

Personal counsellorsTo achieve your best work, you need to remove any distractions.That’s why our counsellors are available to help if personaldifficulties are getting in the way of your studies. We providequiet spaces where you can talk through your problems with acounsellor, and work towards making them easier to handle.

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a safe environmentWe take the wellbeing and safety ofevery single student very seriously. We strive to ensure a safe andwelcoming environment at The BedfordSixth Form, and have safeguarding andanti-bullying policies in place to ensurethat young people and vulnerableadults studying with us do so in a safeand secure environment. If you haveany concerns about these issues, ourtrained staff are here to help.

of our students feel safe and secureon campus95%

Did you know?

Source: The Bedford Sixth Form Student Survey 2014

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What to study atthe Bedford sixth form When you join The Bedford Sixth Form you will study at Level 3. This is a two-year studyprogramme consisting of two options for you to choose from (see opposite page).

For both options, you will need to have achieved the following results in your GCSEs:

• 5 GCSEs at A*-C including English.

• A GCSE at A*-C or a Level 2 Merit grade in yourchosen subject if you have studied it previously.

You will also need a GCSE in Mathematics A*-C. If you don’t already have this, you will need tostudy this alongside your chosen study option.

In addition, there may also be special entryrequirements for certain subjects – please visitwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/courses for the most up-to-date information.

Your sixth formchoicesWe offer several course options atThe Bedford Sixth Form. Here’s ashort guide to our qualifications andwhat they mean. There are also anumber of changes taking place tothe way A-Levels work, so make sureyou take a look at our overview onpage 20.

What are level 3 technical Diplomas?These assessment-based courses aim to develop specialistskills, enabling you to demonstrate your knowledgethroughout the course via coursework, rather than takingexams. The Level 3 Technical qualifications that we offer areeither Cambridge Technicals (CTECs) or BTECs, both ofwhich are recognised by universities and employers as agreat alternative to A-Levels. One Level 3 Technical Diplomais equivalent to either one A-Level (qualifying for up to 140UCAS points) or two A-Levels (qualifying for up to 280UCAS points).

What are level 3 extended Diplomas?This is the perfect route if you want to study one subject areain detail. One Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to threeA-Levels and qualifies for UCAS points (maximum 420 points).

What are a-levels?A-Levels are academic examination-based qualifications atLevel 3 offered by schools, sixth forms and colleges. They are recognised as a traditional qualification to gain entry touniversities and higher education. A-Levels focus mainly onacademic subjects. There are some changes taking place tothe qualification from September 2015 - see page 20 for moreinformation. A-Levels qualify for UCAS points (maximum 140 points per A-Level).


OPTIOn 1

Study a total of four qualifications in our A-Levels or Level 3 TechnicalDiplomas.

Example: You could study three A-Levels and one Level 3 TechnicalDiploma, or two of each, and so on. Find out what subjects we offerfrom page 22.

If you choose a combination that includes A-Levels you will also needan average GCSE point score of 38 or above. If you are not sure whatthis means, take a look at the table below.

how to calculate your average GCse score

Each grade at GCSE is given the following point score…

Step one: Add together the number of points you have achieved (or arepredicted to achieve) in each subject.

Step two: Divide this number by the total number of subjects you have taken.

Step three: The answer will be youraverage GCSE point score.

grade Points valueA* 58

A 52

B 46

C 40

d 34

E 28

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What to do if you don’tmeet our level 3 entryrequirementsYou can study a selection of GCSE courses(Level 2 programme) at The Bedford SixthForm in order to gain the qualificationsyou need to progress on to our Level 3programme.

What entry requirements apply?

At least three GCSEs at A*-C.

The subjects you study will depend on theGCSEs you already have – for example ifyou do not hold English or Mathematics atA*-C, you will be required to take these.

See page 22 for the full list of GCSEs thatwe offer.

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OPTIOn 2

Study one of our Level 3 Extended Diplomas. Each one is equivalentto three A-Levels. Find out what subjects we offer for this option onpage 35.

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A-Level reform in England:An overview of what’s happening and when

how will the changes affect my study?• You will sit all exams at the end of your

qualification. If you take an AS-Level, you will take your exams at the end of the year.For an A-Level, you will not take any externalexams until the end of the two years.

• As part of your studies, you will take internalpractice exams throughout your course.

• Course content is also changing fromSeptember 2015. You can view our most up-to-date course information sheets atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/courses

• There will be less coursework and morefocus on exams.

Currently, whilst AS-Levels can be taken as a stand-alone qualification, they are generally taken as the firstpart of an A-Level course. AS-Levels are completed atthe end of Year 12 (first year of Sixth Form). A2 examsand coursework are then added to an AS-Level at theend of Year 13 (second year of Sixth Form), bringing itup to A-Level standard.

From September 2015, the way A-Levels are made up is changing. A-Levels will still take two years tocomplete but will no longer be split into AS and A2-Level. AS-Levels will still be offered as a stand-alone high quality qualification in their own right,taking one year to complete, but will no longer be a means to progressing up to A-Level standard.

Old SySTEM

1 year

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1 yearOr

a2-level

as-level

a-level(2 years)

as-level(1 year)

For all the latest information, visitwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

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How to applyFollow our eight simple steps to apply for your place at The Bedford Sixth Form...

REMEMBERDeadline for applicationsis 31 May 2015 – you canapply before you getyour GCse results!

8 enrolmentYou will be invited to the Sixth Form to review your GCSE resultsat the end of August 2015 and finalise your offer of a place. Termbegins on 7 september 2015.

7 advice dayPost-GCSE results advice is available at our Sixth Form Advice Day onthursday 20 august 2015 – come to The Bedford Sixth Form if yourresults aren’t what you expected and discuss your options.

6 Welcome eventAfter accepting your offer you will be invited to attend our special welcomeevent on 29 June 2015 where you’ll get a real insight into life and your courseat The Bedford Sixth Form.

5 receive your offerWe will let you know if you have been successful and offer you aplace at The Bedford Sixth Form within two weeks following yourinterview (subject to achieving the relevant entry requirements).

4 attend an interviewAfter we receive your application we will invite you to attend aninterview with one of the team, who will be able to answer anyquestions you may have.

3 apply online at – www.bedfordsixthform.ac.ukVisit our website, click the ‘apply online’ button and send us your application.And remember: you can apply before you receive your GCSE results. Thedeadline for applications is 31 may 2015.

2 attend an open dayTo discover more about your chosen courses and life at our Sixth Form, come and seeus at one of our Open Days throughout the year (find the latest dates on page 4).

1 find the subjects you are interested inHave a good read through this prospectus to explore the subjects and courses we offer andget an idea of which ones interest you. For more information on any of our courses, just visitwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/courses

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ANY QUESTIONS?if you have any questionsregarding the applicationprocess, please call us on01234 291768.

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A-Z of Courses

level 3 Programmes -a-levels & level 3 technical Diplomas

applied iCt � �

applied law �

applied science �

art & Design � � �

Biology � �

Business �

Business studies � �

Chemistry � �

Citizenship studies � �

Communication & Culture � �

Dance � �

Drama & theatre studies � �

economics � �

english language & literature � �

english literature � �

environmental studies � �

film studies � �

french � �

further mathematics* �

Geography � �

Geology � �

Government & Politics � �

Graphic Communication � �

Graphic Design �

health & social Care �

history � �

human Biology � �

it �

italian � �

law � �

mathematics � �

Philosophy & ethics � �

Photography � �

Physical education � �

Physics � �

Psychology � �

sociology � �

spanish � �

sport �

Subject to change – check online atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/coursesfor the latest list of courses we offer

OPTIOn 1

Choose a total of four of the following subjects to study at The Bedford Sixth Form (see key to qualifications below):

level 3 extendedDiplomas

Business �

Childcare �

health & social Care �

sport �

OPTIOn 2

Choose one of the following to study atThe Bedford Sixth Form (each one isequivalent to three A-Levels):

If you wish to increase your Level 2/GCSEgrade profile to allow you to progress onto study at Level 3, you can join our oneyear programme. Choose two GCSEs andone Level 2 Technical Diploma from thefollowing lists:

gCSEs

level 2 programme

englishlanguage∆

mathematics∆

Psychology

sociology

lEvEl 2 TECHnICAldIPlOMAS

Business

health & social Care

it

∆These are compulsory subjects if you have notalready achieved a grade A*-C in them.

*You must also bestudying Mathematicsto take this course.

Key to Course list a-level � as-level � technical Diploma � extended Diploma �

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Art & design

graphic Communication

graphic design

Photography

SUBJECT AREA HIgHlIgHTS

Our art and design studios are trulyinspiring spaces situated at the top of the main building. Our Art andPhotography students take part in anumber of external events includinggallery trips, such as to The TateModern, National Portrait Gallery, V&Aand the Barbican. There may also bean opportunity to visit a European cityas part of our Art & Design course. In2014, for instance, our students spenta few days in Barcelona, sketching andphotographing the city’s incrediblearchitecture. Extracurricular lifedrawing classes may also be available;the perfect way to extend your passionfor the arts. As a student you will haveaccess to the latest Adobe productsincluding Lightroom, as well asscanners and a photography studio.

UnIvERSITy And BEyOnd

Did you know that the UK’s creativeindustries are worth more than £36billion a year and employ 1.5 millionpeople across the country?2 A widerange of degree courses can provideyou with the perfect step on theladder to a career in the arts, includingFine Art, Architecture, Interior Design,Graphic Design, Fashion and SurfacePattern Design, Painting and Printing,as well as a number of combinedcourses. Photography is an ever-expanding medium and is employedin many contexts, including fashion,advertising, journalism, medicine,science and art and design. It can also be studied at university.

JOB SnAPSHOTS

Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer is responsible for designing a variety of materialssuch as magazines, packaging andposters to ensure the words andimages look appealing.

How to get there: Although there is noset entry route, more and more peopleare studying a degree in an art relatedsubject. Work experience is also veryimportant, as is natural creativity.

museum Curator

Objects of artistic, scientific, historicaland general interest will be under your care as a curator. Your role willinclude storing exhibits under theright conditions, setting up displaysand arranging restorations.

How to get there: You will usuallyneed a degree and a postgraduatequalification in the area you want tospecialise in, for instance Archaeologyor Classics. If you enjoy the history ofart, this could be the role for you.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOy ARTSgRAdUATES…

Animation; Architecture; Design;Education; Entertainment; Fashion;Painting; Photography; Sketch &Drawing3

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

Job Snapshot information fromwww.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

2 www.gov.uk3 www.theartcareerproject.com

A-Levels & Level 3 Technical Diplomasby subject area

Here is a little more information about the subjects andindustries you could enter at degree-level and as a career.The job snapshots are intended as examples of careers thatstudying these programmes could eventually lead to – andones perhaps not commonly thought about.

art & Design

Courses are subject to change. For up-to-date detailed information on course content, visitwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/courses

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Business

Business Studies

Economics


Students often escape the classroomas their learning comes to life duringvisits to working businesses to seehow things work in real life industries.Many Business students haveentrepreneurial minds and so we like to invite local people working in industry to give inspiring talks tostudents about their own individualjourneys and area of expertise. OurEconomics students will have theopportunity to travel to London toattend conferences and hear viewsfrom the UK’s leading economists; a great way to stay up to date withcurrent affairs and issues.


Studying Business and Economicsopens up a wide range of furtherstudy and career options. You couldgo on to study a related subject atuniversity, such as Business, Marketing

or Finance, or use the analytical andproblem-solving skills you will haveacquired to study a different area. A large part of the business sector is consultancy; helping businesses to solve problems and enhanceperformance across finance, IT,human resources and planning, toname a few. The UK consultingindustry is worth around £8.5 billionand employs more than 80,000people4. The finance sector is biggerstill, employing two million people,which is around 7% of all UKemployment5.

JOB SnAPSHOTS

economist

Economists advise organisationsabout the economy, such as banksand a variety of businesses. There is alot of research and work with statisticsinvolved, as well as explaining complexthings in simpler terms.

How to get there: You will need anEconomics degree or one in arelated subject, although someemployers request a postgraduatequalification. Whichever path youchoose, your course must includemacro and microeconomics.

marketing executive

As a marketing executive, you willneed great communication andorganisational skills to plan productlaunches, market research andpublic relations events to promoteand enhance a brand.

How to get there: Many marketingexecutives gain their role havingstudied for a HNC/HND or degree in subjects such as marketing,communications, or business andmanagement. It is worth noting that,as in many sectors, experience isvery highly valued by employers.

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk Business and economics

4 www.prospects.ac.uk5 www.prospects.ac.uk

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I've been very happy here. Peopletried to convince me to stay at myprevious school, but I had a gutfeeling when I came to the open dayat The Bedford Sixth form – it justfelt right, and I revelled at the thoughtof the freedom being offered. I thinkit’s one of the best decisions I’veever made – I love studying now andbeing onsite, whereas before goingto school was a chore.

I like the fact that all the subjects I’mtaking interlink with each other. forexample, in film Studies we watchedthe Invasion of the Body Snatchersand I enjoyed learning about thecontext of the film, the vietnam War,Watergate and communism. I wasalso studying communism in Historyand drama & Theatre, so I was ableto get a broad understanding of thetopic from a variety of perspectives.

In my experience the teachers have been amazing; they really careabout each student as an individual.They’ve certainly seen the potentialin me and encouraged me toachieve the best grades I can. I don’t think I would have been asenthusiastic about my gradesanywhere else.

The Sixth form offers lots ofenrichment activities and I’m part ofthe student council, which will lookgreat on my UCAS application andCv. I’m also attending the six weeklondon in literature course as partof the Summer Challenge atUniversity College london (UCl).I’m studying Chaucer, Shakespeareand dickens (to name but a few)and it’s giving me a taster of lookingdeeper into English literature andpreparing me for studying thesubject at university.

English language & literature

English literature


Visits to the theatre are an integralpart of English students’ courses,where they get to watch variousadaptations of works that they arestudying. Trips are also arranged tothe British Library to ensure thatstudents get hold of all theresources they need for their ownlearning. The department has recentlyinvited lecturers from the Universityof Bedfordshire to talk to studentson topics including modern andcontemporary literature.


The study of English in all its formsis valued highly by universities, andin a wide variety of career paths aswell. Through the study of Englishyou will develop skills of analysis,interpretation, communication andargument, which are integral tocareers in law, teaching, journalism,publishing, public relations, salesand marketing and others.

JOB SnAPSHOT

Copy editor

If you have an excellent standard ofEnglish, can work to tight deadlinesand have exceptional attention to detail,

this could be the role for you. Copyeditors proof read, check and correctwritten text before it's published.

How to get there: You are likely toneed a degree and if you are copyediting in a specific area, employerswill prefer your degree to be relatedto the relevant industry, for instance,history. Some work experience in thepublishing industry will also help.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOy EnglISH gRAdUATES…

Journalism; Marketing; Media;Public Relations; Publishing;Translating; Writing; Teaching.6

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk english

6 www.whystudyenglish.ac.uk

STUdyIng:AS-Level English Literature,Film Studies, History andDrama & Theatre

PREvIOUS SCHOOl:St Thomas More CatholicUpper School

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26 Connect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth

Applied law

government & Politics

Health & Social Care

History

law

Philosophy & Ethics

Psychology

Sociology


Our Humanities students have lots of opportunities to get out of theclassroom, including attendingconferences, listening to guestspeakers and visiting museums and parliament. Our Law studentsregularly enjoy hearing from guest speakers from the crownprosecution service and lawyerswho specialise in criminal defence.Both our Law and Psychologystudents also have the opportunityto be involved in a mock trial andvisit the Galleries of Justice inNottingham, as well as the OldBailey. We also hold membership of the Historical Association, whichmeans that our History studentshave plenty of opportunities toattend talks given by visitinghistorians.


Having one or more A-Levels in aHumanities or Social Sciences subjectwill provide you with skills that arevalued by both universities andemployers, including investigation,analysis, interpretation, evaluation,communication and debate. Theseskills can open doors to someparticularly interesting careersincluding: cultural roles such ascurative positions in art galleries andmuseums, or for companies like The National Trust; roles in politics,such as a social researcher for thegovernment; or even researchersand archivers for not-for-profitagencies and charities.7 Did youknow that 60% of the UK's leadershave Humanities, Arts or SocialScience degrees?8

JOB SnAPSHOTS

social Worker

A job as a social worker involvesrelating to different people and theirneeds so you can help them. You’llneed to be able to assess individualsituations efficiently and sensitivelyin order to deal with themappropriately.

How to get there: You will need an undergraduate degree orpostgraduate degree in social work

approved by the Health & CareProfessions Council (HCPC). Entryon to the undergraduate degreerequires at least two A-Levels or anequivalent qualification such as aBTEC Level 3 Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

legal executive

Legal executives specialise in onearea of law. The job is quite similarto a solicitor; you’ll need to bepatient and clear in explainingcomplex legal matter to people.

How to get there: To becomequalified you will have to follow one of the training routes offered by the Chartered Institute of LegalExecutives. There are two routes,which differ depending on whetheror not you have a Law degree whenyou begin training.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOyHUMAnITIES And SOCIAlSCIEnCES gRAdUATES…

Accountancy; Banking; Broadcasting;Central and Local Government; CivilService; Insurance; Journalism, Law;Management; Nursing; Personnelwork; Police Force; Public Services;Publishing; Research; Social work;and Teaching.

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk humanities andsocial sciences

7 www.totaljobs.com8 Research undertaken by the New College of the Humanities -

http://careers.theguardian.com/careers-blog/matthew-batstone-new-college-humanities

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Applied ICT

IT


Our cutting edge kit will bring your IT studies to life, including ahost of modern PCs running thelatest software. You will gain a broad educational basis for furthereducation or for moving intoemployment within the ICT sector.


Nowadays, IT is an inevitable part of everyday life, let alone more orless every industry. Nonetheless,there is still a wide variety of routesto choose from, should you feel that IT is the right career path foryou. You can study for a degree inrelated subjects such as ICT,Computer Science, Information

Systems, Multimedia, SoftwareEngineering, Computer Networking,e-Business and InformationManagement. You could also go on to work based training such as IT User/Practitioner NVQs orvendor-specific qualifications.

JOB SnAPSHOTS

systems analyst

Systems analysts have excellentknowledge of software, hardware andprogramming. Various companies willemploy a systems analyst to look atthe way their IT processes work andrecommend improvements.

How to get there: You will need aBTEC HNC/HND or degree, andsome industry experience.

Computer Games Developer

Computer games developersproduce and update existing gamesfor PCs and games consoles, as wellas the internet and mobile phones.You’ll need real creativity and anability to hit deadlines.

How to get there: Many gamesdevelopers have a higher educationqualification, and employers will alsobe interested in your experience.Relevant degree courses includeMaths, Graphic Design andInteractive Media.

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk information technology

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french

Italian

Spanish


Language students enjoy lots ofopportunities to get involved withnational conferences and local clubsduring their courses, which can helpto enhance their language skills inreal-life situations.


Modern languages provide practicaland enjoyable lifelong skills. Whetherused in the workplace or for leisure,they can open up new opportunitiesfor communication and encourage a broader cultural understanding.Research has shown that 70% ofbusinesses value foreign languageskills, which can help buildrelationships with clients andsuppliers.9 This figure is likely togrow, making a qualification inlanguages particularly valuable.

The study of modern languages canlead to a variety of careers both inthis country and abroad. Internationalcompanies welcome languagegraduates, and an ability in a locallanguage can help for those planningto work overseas; for example, as aforeign language teacher.

JOB SnAPSHOT

translator

To be a translator you must be fluentin one or more foreign languagesand able to write in different styles.You will translate text from onelanguage to another, either writtenor verbally.

How to get there: You need to be educated to degree level, andthen usually have a postgraduatequalification in translation. Relevantdegree subjects include languages,or a combined degree with Law orScience, for instance. You must befluent in one or more languages andhave thorough knowledge of thecountry’s culture too.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOylAngUAgES gRAdUATES…

Business services; CentralGovernment; Construction; Creative and Media; Engineering;Event management; Financialservices; Hair and Beauty; Health;Medicine and Social Care; Land-based and Environmental; Law;Local Government; Manufacturing;Marketing; Public services; Retail;Teaching; Technology and computergaming; Translation and Interpreting;Travel and tourism; Voluntary andcharitable sector10

languages

9 Changing the Pace CBI/Pearson Education & Skills Survey 2013 10 www.languageswork.org.uk


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further Mathematics

Mathematics


There are plenty of opportunities for our Maths students to bring theirlearning to life and discuss variousissues with experts in the subject. In the lead up to exams, we oftenhold revision sessions hosted byguest lecturers. This is great forfocusing the students’ learning andenabling them to look at things froma different point of view. Studentsalso get to visit the Open Universityfor a special Maths lecture, addingbreadth to the course content.


An A-Level in Mathematics is highlyregarded by both universities andpotential employers, as it shows aninterest in logic, problem solving andlooking at situations sometimes in anabstract way. Mathematics at A-Levelcan lead to work as a climatologist,statistician, analyst, financial advisor,or games programmer. You can alsopursue further study on business andeconomics degree courses. However,a Maths degree in itself is a greatinvestment; graduates can earn£220,000 more on average over theirlifetime than someone with just two A-Levels. The equivalent average for agraduate of any degree is £129,000.11

JOB SnAPSHOT

actuary

As an actuary, you analyse andinterpret data—researching,analysing and interpreting it—tojudge probability and risk, and solvebusiness problems. This will alsohelp companies forecast long-termfinancial costs.

How to get there: The main route isvia a graduate training programmewith major employers. You mustqualify as an Associate or Fellow ofthe Institute and Faculty of Actuariesby joining as a student member andstudying for professional examswhilst working as a trainee. Tobecome a student member, you willneed a Maths-based qualification;either a degree, or two A-Levelsincluding Maths.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOy MATHSgRAdUATES…

Accountancy; Aerospace & Defence;Automotive; Biosciences; Businesssupport services; Chemicals;Construction; Consultancies;Education; Engineering;Environment; ExplorationGeophysics; Financial Services; Food& Drink; Government; Healthcare;Insurance; IT & Computing;Manufacturing; Media; Metals &Minerals; Operational Research;Pharmaceuticals; Recruitment;Academic Research; Science;Telecoms; Transport/Travel; Utilities12


maths

11 www.mathscareers.org.uk12 www.mathscareers.org.uk

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e30 Connect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth

Citizenship Studies

Communication & Culture

film Studies


Guest speakers are often invited intothe Sixth Form to give valuableinput across a range of courses, andvarious trips are organised to placesof cultural interest. In 2014, thedirector, Paul Brown came in to talkto our Film Studies students. Thestudents also entered a short filmcompetition with the British FilmInstitute and visited the Institute’slibrary in London. Our CitizenshipStudies students met with MPs ofdifferent political parties, as well asthe local Mayor, here on campus.


Successful completion of thesecourses will open up opportunitiesto study a number of universitydegree programmes, such asEnglish, Sociology, Philosophy, Media and Humanities, as well asFilm, Television or Media Studies(Film Studies).

The media industry, in particular, has experienced change over thelast few years, as the expansion ofdigital media over print media hasseen a need for people with skills invisual effects and the film industry.The media industry employs justunder one million people in the UK,according to the UK Commission forEmployment and Skills (UKCES).13

JOB SnAPSHOTS

Public relations Officer

Working in public relations, you will be responsible for managing an organisation’s image throughpromotion and crisis management.This requires confidence, excellentcommunication skills and timemanagement.

How to get there: There are no setentry qualifications, but due to thecompetitiveness of the industry,many employers expect you to havea degree. Relevant degrees includeMarketing & Communications,English and Politics or Business.

media researcher

This is a great investigative andcreative role where you work underthe instructions of programmeproducers to find people and placesneeded for programmes on radioand television.

How to get there: Many mediaresearchers have a degree, and it’s also important to gain workexperience and develop as manycontacts as possible in this verycompetitive industry. If you areworking on very specialistprogrammes, you may benefit from a degree in the subject, or even a postgraduate qualification.

13 www.prospects.ac.uk

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk media, Communicationand Culture

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Environmental Studies

geography

geology


Students will take part in a range of external visits to support thesyllabus content and gain practicalexperience out in the field. Varioustrips to sites of interest help toenhance the learning experience. In the past these have included tripsto local geological sites, such asquarries in east Bedfordshire, chalkquarries on Dunstable Downs, or Ice Age deposits in the Great Ousevalley. Geology students, forinstance, will carry out a fieldinvestigation and collect specimensfor later lab analysis, such as rocktesting and identification.


From these A-Levels, you couldprogress on to studying a degree ina related subject, such asGeography, Town Planning, or anEarth Science or EnvironmentalManagement course. An A-Level inGeography, in particular, isconsidered favourably by universityadmission tutors for a range ofdegree courses, because it includeselements of the physical and thesocial sciences, and geographershave to develop the ability tosynthesise information from a widevariety of sources and disciplines.

If you want to pursue Geology atuniversity, or in combination withother sciences, some offer coursesin Palaeontology, Geophysics orEarth Sciences. There are many jobsin environmental survey andmanagement, such as those with theEnvironment Agency, and geologistsare often employed by mineral,mining and oil companies.

JOB SnAPSHOTS

Geoscientist

Geoscientists, or geologists, studythe earth’s structure and history ofhow it was formed, as well as itsnatural energy resources.

How to get there: You will need arelevant degree, such as Geology,Geoscience or Earth Science. It isalso becoming more common forpeople to gain a postgraduatequalification, such as MSc or PhD.

environmental health Officer

This role involves responsibility formaking sure people's living andworking surroundings are safe,healthy and hygienic in the privateand public sectors. You will needgood people skills and a good levelof scientific understanding.

How to get there: You will need anEnvironmental Health degree (twoA-Levels or equivalent required) orpostgraduate degree approved by theChartered Institute of EnvironmentalHealth (CIEH), followed by a periodof work-based training and a seriesof professional exams.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOynATURAl SCIEnCES gRAdUATES…

Town and transport planning;Chartered surveying; Land andwater management; Sustainability;Environmental consultancy;Development; Tourism; Conservation;Demography; Housing and socialwelfare14

For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk natural sciences

14 www.rgs.org

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dance

drama & Theatre Studies


Theatre trips are organisedthroughout the year and a numberof workshops are held with visitingcompanies to support classroomlearning. Students also have plentyof opportunities to showcase theirtalent and newly learned skills. Forinstance, our A-Level Drama studentsrecently put on performances of‘The Grandfathers’ by Rory Mullarkey,as part of their AS-Level Drama &Theatre Studies performance exam.We have a theatre and dance studioon campus so you’ll be learning inprofessional environments.

UnIvERSITy COURSES

Dance and Drama can both bestudied at university at undergraduateand postgraduate level, as a singlediscipline or as a part of a combineddegree with a vast range of subjects.For example, you could go on todevelop a career as a professionaldancer, West End performer, teacher,community dance artist, or artsmanager. Did you know that 86% ofactors have had professional training?15

Employers are seeking to recruitindividuals who can demonstrate keyskills that are developed throughoutthe course, such as communication,analytical and creativity skills.

JOB SnAPSHOTS

actor

If you love performing and arecreative and adaptable, acting couldbe a great career for you.

How to get there: You will need tocomplete professional training atuniversity or drama school, whereyou can study towards a qualificationsuch as a diploma, foundationdegree, or degree in subjectsincluding: performance studies;contemporary theatre; andperformance and acting.

Dance movement Psychotherapist

Dance movement psychotherapyuses dance and movement to helppeople deal with emotional,psychological and physical issues.You will need to have creative ideas,excellent communication skills and be a good performer.

How to get there: You will need a master’s degree (MA) in DanceMusic Psychotherapy recognised by the Association for Dance MusicPsychotherapy (ADMP UK). To geton to a master’s you need anundergraduate degree, orequivalent, in a relevant subject.

Performing artsFor detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

15 Research by Drama UK –www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

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Applied Science

Biology

Chemistry

Human Biology

Physics


Our Science students are kept busywith a range of trips outside of SixthForm, which have recently includedthe British Science Museum, NationalHistory Museum and attendance atexternally planned lectures, as wellas plenty of opportunities forpractical investigations.


Science A-Levels are required asentrance for most medicine andveterinary courses, but there are manyother science degree courses andjobs that you can progress on to.Studying these A-Levels does notrestrict you to a life in the world ofscience. For example, a Physicsqualification equips you with problem-solving, Maths and analytical skills,and employers are always looking fornumerate employees. The salaries ofPhysics graduates are also wellabove the national average. Over aworking lifetime, the average Physicsgraduate earns 30% more thansomeone holding just A-levels;whereas graduates in all subjects onaverage earn 23% more than non-graduates16.

JOB SnAPSHOTS

Zoologist

Zoologists study animals and theirbehaviour in a wide range of areasincluding conserving endangeredspecies and disease and pest control.

How to get there: You will need adegree in a relevant subject, such as Zoology, Animal Ecology orConservation.

forensic scientist

A Forensic Scientist is responsiblefor preparing evidence to bepresented in courts. Playing a bigpart in helping to solve crimes, youwill need an enquiring mind andattention to detail.

How to get there: You would usuallyneed a degree or postgraduatequalification in Forensic Science, or a science-based degree such asChemistry, or Biology.

SECTORS THAT EMPlOy SCIEnCEgRAdUATES…

Architecture; Astronomy;Astrophysics; Biomedical sciencesand healthcare; Computer science;Dentistry; Ecology; Engineering, IT;Medicine; Police Services; Teaching;Veterinary Science; Zoology.

Many careers come from blurring twoscience areas, such as Biochemistryand BioPhysics.


sciences

16 www.futuremorph.org

When I attended The BedfordSixth form Open day, I really liked the feel of it, plus I knewthat a few of my school friendshad chosen to study here. Thecourse I enjoy most is BusinessStudies as I have a real interest inthis subject and when I’m olderI’d like to set up my own business.In particular, I really enjoyed thetopic on human resources whichcovers management, motivatingstaff and leading teams.

The work we have to do is morechallenging than at school, but theteachers here are very supportiveand have helped to make thetransition from gCSEs to A-levelsgo well. The lessons are reallyinteresting and the teachers getyou involved by asking lots ofquestions. Plus, they are alwayswilling to go over a topic again if you need them to.

The Sixth form’s facilities arereally good, particularly the gymand swimming pool that we haveaccess to at Trinity Arts & leisure,just next door to the Sixth form.

I’m now thinking about whether togo to university and study businessor apply for an Apprenticeship andwork my way up that way. Thecourses I’m taking at the momentkeep these options open to me,which is great.

STUdyIng:AS-Level Business Studies,Chemistry, Economics andGeography

PREvIOUS SCHOOl:Rushmoor School

Ryan

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sports studies For detailed information on course content, visit www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

I want to become a primary schoolteacher and originally thought aboutstudying A-levels. However, at The Bedford Sixth form Open day Iheard about this Extended diplomacourse and I was really impressedwith the amount of work placementsand practical experience it offered,so I chose this route instead.

I’m really glad I chose sixth form.After gCSEs everyone needs toconsider all their options. for me,because I want to go into primaryteaching, I felt it was more importantto get practical, hands on experiencethat I need for the job, rather thansitting in a classroom and learningsubjects that may not be directlyrelated to the job. It’s aboutunderstanding what suits you best.

Our teachers arrange for guestspeakers to come in and talk to us.We’ve had presentations frommidwives, complementary therapistsand charities such as the Samaritansabout the health and social carework they do.

I’m currently on a placement atShortstown Primary School helpingwith the after school club, so I’minvolved with activities for lots ofdifferent age groups. I haveappraisals, just like with a real job,so I receive feedback about how I’mgetting on and what I can improve.

I’ve got one more year of my courseleft. Then I’m planning to go on touniversity to study primary educationat degree level, and then become a teacher.

STUdyIng:Health & Social CareCambridge Technical Level 3Extended Diploma

PREvIOUS SCHOOl:Samuel Whitbread Academy

Hayley

Physical Education

Sport


In previous years, students have beengiven the opportunity to experience awide range of sporting activities andachieve recognised sporting leadershipqualifications, such as The RugbyFootball Union Rugby Leaders Level 1Award for students on the SportLevel 3 Diploma. Past enrichmentactivities that have specificallycomplemented our Sports andPhysical Education courses includethe Inter-college rugby 7s tournament,5-a-side football tournament andBedford mixed netball tournament. In lessons, students regularly have

chance to participate in football,dodgeball, badminton, netball,handball and fitness sessions, as well as the chance to coach fellowstudents.


Physical Education at A-Level or aTechnical Diploma in Sport, can helpyou progress into a range of careersincluding sports therapy, sportsscience support (for both the general public and professionalathletes and teams), fitnessconsultancy, sports coaching and development, teaching andlecturing, sports marketing andpromotion and academic sportsresearch.

JOB SnAPSHOT

sport and exercise scientist

Sport and exercise scientists helpsports people with their performanceand general health using scientificknowledge of the human body andhow the mind works in relation tophysical activity.

How to get there: You will need adegree in Sports Science or youcould take a degree in a similarsubject such as Physical Education,Physiology or Psychology and thencomplete a postgraduatequalification.

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If you choose to study an Extended Diploma, you only need to choose one of the below, as each is equivalent to three A-Levels. This is the perfect route if you want to study onesubject area in detail. Here we include more information on the subjects on offer, plus anyspecial qualifications you need to study your chosen course. Our courses are regulated bythe major national awarding bodies Edexcel and OCR.

find out more about all of our courses online atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk

SUBJECTS WE OffER…

Level 3 Extended Diplomas

Business

Cambridge technical level 3extended Diploma

This course will prepare you formoving on to further study of thesubject at university, or intoemployment in the business world.The course will provide you with theknowledge of key business concepts,both theory and practice, that willequip you for working in a variety ofbusiness organisations.

Childcare

BteC level 3 extended Diploma

This course will enable you to study a diverse range of childcare topics,including children’s development,independent play, and literacy andnumeracy for 0-8 year olds. Thecourse will provide you with a goodfoundation for starting a subjectrelated course at university orentering the workplace. It will equipyou with a theoretical backgroundreinforced with practical skills.

health & social Care


This course will introduce you to a wide range of topics relating to the health and social care industry,including learning about individuals’rights and needs. The programme will provide you with a foundation for undertaking further study atuniversity or entering the workplace,and will equip you with a theoreticalbackground knowledge reinforcedwith practical skills that transfer tothe modern world.

sport


Sport is one of the fastest growingindustries in the UK, and is about so much more than just being aprofessional performer. There is ahuge range of sport related coursesto go on to study at university, andprofessions to pursue within theindustry, from the grassroots throughto international level. This course willprovide you with an ideal, practicalintroduction if you are interested inexploring sport as a career option.

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tuition and exam feesIf you are aged 16-18 on 31 August 2015 and a British orEuropean Union resident, the tuition and exam registrationfees for your course are FREE.

If you are aged 19 or over on 31 August 2015, you willnormally have to pay a fee for your course. Fee waivers maybe available depending on the qualifications you alreadyhold or if you are in receipt of certain means-tested benefits.

Fees and funding

subject to change

The financial support information listed onthese two pages is based on what we offeredour students in 2014/2015 – please checkwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/finance for thelatest updates.

international students

If you have not been living in the UK for the lastthree years, or if you are on a student visa, differentfees may apply to you – contact us on 01234 291291(+44 1234 291291 from overseas) to find out more.

Find out about the costs of coming to The Bedford Sixth Form and the financialhelp that may be available to you.

additional costsDepending on the course or courses you choose to study,there may be extra costs you have to pay on top of anytuition and exam fees – these generally include money forbooks, trips, equipment or specialist clothing required byyour course.

For more information just check our courses online atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/courses – and remember,financial support may be available to help with your costs.

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Apply and find out more about each ofthe financial support packages online atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/finance

financial supportHere’s a review of the financial help we can offer you asa student of The Bedford Sixth Form. Please note,funding is limited so we strongly advise that you applyas early as possible.

type of support available to available to informationstudents students agedaged 16-18?* 19 or above?**

Childcare Yes Yessupport

Course costs Yes Yesbursary

Discretionary Yes Nohardshipbursary

travel bursary Yes No

Further terms and conditions for each bursary apply – please check online at www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/finance for full details.

If you’re a parent aged 16 to 19, the government's Care to Learn schemecould pay up to £160 per child per week towards your childcare andtravel costs while you're learning. If you are aged 20+ you may receivehelp through the Sixth Form's Adult Support Fund.

You may be able to receive up to 90% of essential course costs. To qualify, for those aged 16-18 your household income must be£30,000 or less. For those aged 19 or above your household incomemust be £26,000 or less.

For students aged 16-18 in cases of exceptional financial hardship wemay also be able to provide support of up to an additional £100 perterm on top of support you may already be receiving, subject to ahousehold income of £16,190 or less. This is awarded at the end ofOctober if funds are still available, after priority is given to allessential support funding for applicants.

This is a bursary worth £450 per year that aims to help with the costs oftravelling to the Sixth Form. In 2014/2015 students had to be aged 16-18,intending to study one of the courses in this prospectus, living more thanthree miles away from the Sixth Form and not qualify for any help fromtheir local authority, to be eligible. For the latest information and up todate terms and conditions for 2015/2016 please visitwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/travel

Young people aged 16-18 in care, care leavers, young people receivingincome support and disabled young people receiving both EmploymentSupport Allowance and Disability Living Allowance are eligible toreceive a guaranteed bursary of up to £1,200 a year.

You may qualify for a free meal in the campus restaurant if you areaged 16-18, have a household income of £16,190 or less and are inreceipt of specified benefits. You can apply for this through the 16-18Bursary scheme.

*On 31 August 2015. **On the start date of the course.

vulnerable Yes Nolearner bursary

meals bursary Yes No

Connect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth38T

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Which bus can i get?

Over 20 bus routes covering Bedford, Luton andthe wider local area all terminate just a two-minutewalk away from The Bedford Sixth Form campusat Bedford bus station in the centre of town.

With routes running as frequently as every 12minutes, it’s the ideal way to make your journey toour Sixth Form.

Find the best route that suits you using the tableopposite – you can find more detailed route andstop information online at the local bus operator’swebsite, www.stagecoachbus.com

Travel and transportThe Bedford Sixth Form is located on the former Bedford High School site onBromham Road, right at the heart of Bedford town centre. There are excellent publictransport links, covering our Bedford Borough catchment area and further afield.

routenumber Destination frequency

1 Kempston Every 12 minutes(via Bedford Road)

2 Elstow Park & Ride site Every 12 minutes

3 Fenlake Every 20 minutes

4 Goldington Every 20 minutes

5 Elms Farm Every 12 minutes

6 Woodlands Park Every 12 minutes

7 Woodside Every 20 minutes

8 Great Denham Every 20 minutes

9 Shortstown Every 12 minutes

10 Goldington Every 20 minutes

40 Milton Keynes Every 60 minutes

41 Northampton Every 60 minutes

42 Ampthill & Flitwick Every 60 minutes

50 Rushden & Kettering Up to every 60 minutes

51 Clapham & Oakley Every 30 minutes

52 Cranfield Every 60 minutes

53 Wootton Every 30 minutes

71 / 72 Shefford & Hitchin Every 30 minutes

73 Sandy & Biggleswade Every 30 minutes

74 Biggleswade Every 60 minutes

81 Clophill & Luton Every 60 minutes

X5 Cambridge-Oxford Every 30 minutes

BEDFORDTOWN CENTRE

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Please note: routes and timings correct as of May 2014

Discover more online at: www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk 39

help with travel costs

At The Bedford Sixth Form, we don’t wanttravel costs to be a barrier that stops you fromcoming to study with us. That’s why we areoffering all of our full-time students a travelbursary worth £450 a year. In 2014/2015 the bursary was available if you were...

• aged 16-18

• living over three miles away from The Bedford Sixth Form

• not eligible for support from your local authority.

For the latest information and up to dateterms and conditions for 2015/2016 please visitwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/travel

young people with a disability or mobility problem

If you have a particular disability or mobilityproblem (including a temporary medicalcondition), you may be entitled to assistancewith travel arrangements, even if you liveunder three miles from The Bedford SixthForm. Please check your local authority‘stransport policy on our website atwww.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/travelfor more information.

alternative ways to travel

By fOOT

Take a stroll to The Bedford Sixth Form – we’re locatedright in the centre of town (see the map).

By BIkE

Good for the environment, good for you – Bedford hasa network of signposted cycle paths and designatedcycle lanes, and we also provide safe and secure cycleracks to store your bike. Download a copy of theBedford Borough Council’s Cycle Map on our websiteat www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk/downloads

By TRAIn

Bedford’s mainline station is just a ten-minute walkfrom The Bedford Sixth Form, with frequent railservices running between local towns, villages andstations including:

Aspley guise

Bedford

Bedford St Johns

Bletchley

Bow Brickhill

fenny Stratford

flitwick

Harlington

kempston Hardwick

leagrave

lidlington

luton

Millbrook

Ridgmont

Stewartby

Woburn Sands

By CAR

We provide a safe drop-off area for students gettinga lift to the Sixth Form by car, however parking is notavailable on site.

Visit National Rail at www.nationalrail.co.uk forinformation on train times and ticket prices.

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Parents’ GuideAt The Bedford Sixth Form we realise that parents and guardians play a hugely importantpart in our students’ academic lives. You are there to help guide them in the decisions theymake, and support them throughout their studies. That’s why we've put together this sectionof our prospectus to show you what The Bedford Sixth Form can offer your son or daughter.

how many students progresson to university?

In 2013, 81% of our studentsprogressed successfully on tosome of the top universities in thecountry, including Kings CollegeLondon and the University of York.

how will you support myson/daughter in theirapplication to university?

We offer full support with UCASapplications and, as always, oursupport teams are available toassist with any concerns orproblems students may encounterin moving on to higher education.We also make sure there areplenty of opportunities forstudents to enhance the personalstatement section of their UCASapplication, through clubs andactivities, for example.

Will my son/daughter haveto pay any costs for studyingat the Bedford sixth form?

If they are aged 16-18 our courses are free for them to study. Theywill be required to buy courserelated textbooks and, for a few courses, clothing, specialistequipment and pay towards tripsand visits. If your son or daughteris facing a financial hardship weoffer financial support includinga number of bursaries to helpwith the costs of study. See page37 for details.

my son/daughter has alwaysreceived free school meals.Will they have to pay fortheir lunches at the Bedfordsixth form?

Your son/daughter may be ableto continue to receive free mealsin the restaurant at The BedfordSixth Form. You can apply forthis through our Bursary scheme.See page 37 for moreinformation.

how will you keep myson/daughter safe?

We take the wellbeing and safety of every single student veryseriously. We strive to ensure a safe and welcoming environment at The Bedford Sixth Form, andhave safeguarding and anti-bullyingpolicies in place to ensure that yourson or daughter can study with usin a safe and secure environment.95% of students feel safe andsecure on campus.

Source: The Bedford Sixth Form StudentSurvey 2013/2014

We live outside of Bedfordshire.Can my son/daughter still cometo the Bedford sixth form?

Yes. Unlike the school applicationprocess, we do not operate acatchment area, so places at TheBedford Sixth Form are not basedon where you live.

Who can my son/daughter turnto when they need help withtheir studies?

All students benefit from their ownpersonal tutor for ongoing one-to-one support. For help with subjectrelated questions and queries, theirsubject tutors will always be onhand to help, making sure your sonor daughter gets the help they needto perform at their very best.

Source: The Bedford Sixth Form DestinationsSurvey 2013

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my son/daughter’s friends maystay at school for sixth formstudy – how will they makenew friends if they come tothe Bedford sixth form?

Many of our students have takenthe choice to leave their existingschool to join The Bedford SixthForm, so your son or daughter willbe able to meet fellow students inthe same position. Our positiveapproach to student involvement,with great clubs, societies andactivities, will also ensure your sonor daughter meets and gets towork with a wide range of fellowstudents. Students also meetweekly for group tutorials.

how can i keep up to date withmy son/daughter’s progress?

We feel students perform betterwhen their parents take an active rolein their education, so the SixthForm holds parents’ consultationevenings and issues writtenstudent progress reports.

have another question?Just ask! Call us on 01234 291291

We recommend you come along to an Open Day with your son/daughter tofind out everything you need to know –see the latest dates on page 4.

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Connect with us for all the latest news – Like us on facebook.com/bedfordsixthform – Follow us on @thebedfordsixth42

Keeping in touchThe Bedford Sixth Form

Keep in touch

throughout the year

Like us on Facebook at

facebook.com/bedfordsixthform

Follow us on Twitter

@thebedfordsixth

As well as loads of information about our campus and

courses, have you checked out some of the great

features below at www.bedfordsixthform.ac.uk?

• Read our student blogs with regular instalments

throughout the year at /blogs

• Have a read of our student handbooks, get all the

forms you need and more at /downloads

• Browse through our photo gallery at /gallery

• Meet the teachers at about-us/teachers

We also have a new version of the website optimised

for mobile – and one for tablets – perfect for easy

browsing on the go!

Great features on our website that

you might have missed

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term dates 2015/2016 Find out your study and holiday times forthe academic year ahead…

Autumn Term 2015

Monday 7 September 2015 – Friday 18 December 2015half-term: Monday 26 October 2015 – Friday 30 October 2015

Spring Term 2016

Monday 4 January 2016 – Thursday 24 March 2016half-term: Monday 15 February 2016 – Friday 19 February 2016

Summer Term 2016

Monday 11 April 2016 – Friday 17 June 2016half-term: Monday 30 May 2016 – Friday 3 June 2016

Telephone: 01234 [email protected]

The Bedford Sixth FormBromham RoadBedford MK40 2BS

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This prospectus is also available in large print and audio formats.Call 01234 291291 to get your copy

the bedford sixth form

Documents

form study

form choices

bedfordsixth form

outstanding fees

key changes

national changes

course prospectus

great universities