Welcome to the Sixth Form College

PARENTS’ BRIEFING

SUMMER 2011

Welcome to the Sixth

Form College

PARENTS’ BRIEFING

SUMMER 2011

CHARACTERISTIC QUALITIES OF THE COLLEGE

Care and concern for the individual student

High expectations of students

High quality of academic teaching for students of all abilities

High levels of student achievement, success in examinations and retention levels

Breadth of education

CHARACTERISTIC QUALITIES OF THE COLLEGE

A lively and stimulating community

An environment specifically designed for sixth form study

A positive and happy place enabling students to achieve their academic potential, develop and to prepare for adult life and their future

Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ assessment/status (see College website for November 2007, OFSTED Report)

Ofsted Subject Visits and Inclusions in national Good Practice Reports – Sciences, History, English, Economics and Business

‘Beacon’ status awarded and maintained since its introduction in 2001

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES

Academic Choices:

INTERNATIONAL BACCAULAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA

Or

AS/A LEVELS from over 50 subject options in Year 1 and with further specialist AS subject options in Year 2 (e.g. AS Sculpture, AS World Development, AS Science in Society)

Also:

A RANGE OF GCSE COURSESIncluding choices from key ‘re-take’ subjects and/or a range of

‘new’ subject choices e.g. GCSE Spanish or Italian ab initio for good linguists

Students choose an individual programme from:

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES

Options/Choices from a range of other qualification based courses including:

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – ‘worth half an A level’ – Wide range of opportunities to complete an individual EPQ

Financial Literacy

Geographical Information Systems

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

Work Skills (including ICT)

Sports Coaching Awards

.........................

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES

Over 70 Additional Studies options on offer to choose from including:

Vocational link courses e.g., Pre-Teaching, Pre-Clinical Creative and performing arts activities – very wide range of choices Sports - over 20 individual sports at recreational or competitive level

(including high level opportunities) Other Skills courses – wide range of choices e.g. Creative Writing Active

Citizenship, Radio-Journalism……………………….

Many Additional Studies courses are valid as CAS activities for IB students

Additional Studies Booklet issued to students to look at over the summer period

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES

Second half of Summer Term Activities including - more Creative and Performing Arts opportunities and a Summer Sports Programme.

Extra-Curricular Activities – regular and ‘one-off’s’

including:

Clubs, Societies, Field trips, Expeditions, College Council Committee activities, Unplugged on the Concourse Programme, Theme Days and Weeks, other Charity activities.........

Pastoral and Tutorial Programme – all students

OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES

Virtually any subject combinations of AS/A/Additional Studies courses possible within the timetable framework

Most subject/Additional Studies combinations possible for IB students – but not all

Opportunities to make changes to the AS/A subject programme of studies at the end of the first year of study

Support, guidance and advice available throughout

It is important to check subject entry requirements and finalise selection of the ‘right’ programme and courses for Year 1 by the end of enrolment (in early September)

EXPECTATION OF STUDENTS

Motivation and commitment to study and development Co-operation

Maturity

Being part of a young adult environment, thinking of the impact on others as well as ‘self’

Aim for students to develop, to achieve, and to lay the ground for happy and successful futures

Each student making the most of their academic potential

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS

Attend all timetabled lessons regularly and punctually

Complete all set work to meet deadlines set by subject tutors

Participate in lessons and involvement in the learning process

Engage regularly in ‘private study’, background work, reading, etc.

Complete assessed coursework, project work etc. by deadlines

Prepare properly for tests and external examinations

STUDENT ‘TERM TIME’ COMMITMENT

FIRST YEAR AS LEVEL PROGRAMME STUDENT Timetabled ‘Contact Time’ with Teachers:

Hours/week/term time

5 AS Levels *(e.g. 4 AS subjects plus* AS Critical Thinking or Citizenship) 19.5 hrs

Additional Studies 1.5 hrs Tutorial Programme/Support 1.5 hrs TOTAL timetabled ‘Contact Time’ in College Approx 22.5 hrs

+ independent study time (about 4 hrs per subject) 17 hrs TOTAL WEEKLY TERM TIME COMMITMENT Approx 40 hours * Instead of a ‘5th AS Level’ some students will take an alternative qualification based option e.g. Work Skills or financial Literacy…….

STUDENT ‘TERM TIME’ COMMITMENT

FIRST YEAR IB PROGRAMME STUDENT

Timetabled ‘Contact Time’ with Teachers: Hours/week/term time

6 Subjects (3 Higher, 3 Standard Level) 18 hrs

Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay 2 hrs

Additional Studies/Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) 2.5 hrs

Tutorial Programme 1.5 hrs

TOTAL timetabled ‘Contact Time’ in College Approx 24 hours

+ independent study time 16 hrs

TOTAL WEEKLY TERM TIME COMMITMENT Approx 40 hours

STUDENT WORKLOAD

Each student’s programme is individual and the weekly level of timetabled ‘contact time’ will vary in a range from a minimum of 21 hours up to a maximum recommended level of 26 hours.

Students will also need to be involved in study time beyond term time. There will be academic work required to be completed in most non term time periods. Further guidance will be given in September as to when and how much.

A COLLEGE TIMETABLED DAY Monday - for illustration

BLOCK 9.00-9.45 Period 1 D 9.45-10.25 Period 2 D 10.25-10.45 Break 10.45-11.30 Period 3 F 11.35-12.25 Period 4 F 12.25-12.35 Registration 12.40-1.25 Period 5 C 1.25-2.35 LUNCH (Period 6)

*Additional Studies options (including Sports, Performing Arts), Support and Extension classes, and extra-curricular options

2.40-3.20 Period 7 A 3.20-4.05 Period 8 A 4.15-5.45 Period 9 and 10

*Additional Studies options, extra curricular options, small number of timetabled classes in subjects with needs for specialist facilities eg AS/A2 Photography *Additional Studies options are also available within each of the timetable ‘Blocks’ (A to F).

AS/A2 PROGRAMMES Effectively:

AS Level has just over 2 terms available for teaching prior to the public exams (Sept – early May)

A2 Level has 3 terms available for teaching prior to the public exams (mid June – end of May)

AS Level modules are:• Designed for 16/17 year olds• Harder than GCSEs• Less demanding than A2 Level modules. A2

modules have more ‘stretch and challenge’ in the questions and are designed for 17/18 year olds and one A2 Level module must be ‘synoptic’, an A* grade can be achieved.

AS/A2 PROGRAMMES

PROGRESSION FROM YEAR 1 AS LEVEL TO YEAR 2 A LEVEL

In each AS Level subject area, minimum requirement will be to achieve a pass at Grade E, along with satisfactory levels of attendance and commitment and an aptitude shown for the more demanding A2 Level

and

An overall achievement level of 3 AS Level passesand

At least a satisfactory level of ongoing commitment demonstrated in the first year including full attendance in the period from mid June to the end of Summer term in mid July when A Level work will commence and satisfactory completion of work set over the summer period (around 4 hours in each A2 Level subject)

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

(IB) DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

Broader education than AS/A Level – ‘a baccalaureate’ - with 9 elements Includes a requirement to cover a wide range of curriculum areas within defined ‘families’

Good organisational skills and ‘get up and go’ needed

The course has an International focus

A 2 year ‘linear’ programme – Assessment is largely based on exams and most of the assessments are at the end of Year 2 (exams in May, results issued in early July)

THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM

PROGRAMME AND COURSE CHANGES

Some changes will still be possible after GCSE results are received.

However:

- Some courses are or will become over-subscribed/‘closed’

- Changes in student’s AS subject choices after enrolment is completed in early September becomes very difficult -

largely because of the very short time available for AS Level courses

- There are excellent opportunities for changes and adjustments to AS/A course choices at the end of Year 1

- IB students study the same subjects for both of their academic years

Welcome to the Sixth

Form College

PARENTS’ BRIEFING

SUMMER 2011

INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – IB

Session 1 Summary of day’s activitiesWith Personal Tutor and Tutor Group

Session 2 Briefings re:English LiteratureMathsSciencesLanguages

BREAK

Session 3 Briefings re: Theory of Knowledge (TOK)Creative Action Service (CAS)Extended Essay (EE)

Lunchtime Additional Studies andSession 4Wider Activities Fair

INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – IBcontinued

Session 5 Briefing re:HumanitiesElectives (Arts)

Session 6 With Personal Tutor and Tutor Group

Session 7 Further subject and guidance information available

End of the Day Other advice available including transport, financial support

INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – AS LEVEL

Session 1 Summary of the day’s activitiesWith Personal Tutor and Tutor Group

Sessions 2/3/4 In subject briefings- finding out about potential subject choices/options

Lunch time Additional Studies and Wider Activities Fair

INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – AS LEVEL continued

Sessions 6/7 In subject briefings - finding out about subjects

Session 8 With Personal Tutor and Tutor Group

End of the Day Further subject and guidance information available

Other advice available including transport, financial support

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Thursday 25 August

GCSE Results Released. Check results against relevant subject entry

criteria

Thursday 25 August – Friday 26 August

College - Post GCSE Results’ advice and guidance service

for those with significant issues. (Email or Telephone service and, if

necessary, appointments at the College)

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?Tuesday 30 August or Wednesday 31 AugustIndividual Enrolment Interviews – (a specific individual time is given to students at Induction). This will focus on ‘coursing’ and other varied enrolment activities (e.g., lockers, transport, library and ICT registration) - approx 2 hours at the College

Thursday 1 September – 1.30pm - 4.05pmIncludes Pastoral / Administration, confirm subject choices, meetingsN.B. Students who wish to study AS Level Maths and have achieved a grade B at GCSE will need to attend at 12:00 to undertake an Algebra/Trigonometry based diagnostic assessment.

Tuesday 6 September - 9.00am–4.05pm

Detailed timetables givenAll teaching classes startThe first full day of teaching and learning

ITEMS FOR ENROLMENT

TUESDAY 30 August or WEDNESDAY 31 August

GCSE Results Slips

£5 (includes £2 refundable deposit) if Locker required

Additional Studies Booklet

Pen

ITEMS FOR ENROLMENT

THURSDAY 01 SEPTEMBER (1.30am - 4.05pm)

GCSE Results Slips (again)

1 Passport Photograph

Bite Card or National Insurance Card or Passport

Address/Telephone Number of Parent or Guardian Places of Work or daytime emergency contact information

Parental contact email address/addresses Name/Address/Telephone Number of Doctor

Pen

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

BOOKS AND LEARNING RESOURCE DEPOSIT/ CONTRIBUTION TO ILT RESOURCES/PERSONALACCIDENT INSURANCE COVER

£50 (includes £25 refundable ‘book’ and learning resource deposit) COLLEGE FUND

£15 (or £10 for 1 year Advanced Foundation programme) COLLEGE ASSOCIATION

£10 for membership

LOCKER KEY

£5 (includes a £2 refundable element)

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

College will have a limited amount of Government monies to help support

students from low income households

Details available on the Concourse

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - TRANSPORT

Summary of details given to students including contact details: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL (ECC) ‘FREE TRANSPORT PASS’ SCHEME

Available to some students who are resident in Essex and who meet both the EMA and other criteria

ECC CONCESSIONARY TRANSPORT PASSApprox £485 for a year – conditions also apply and only some Essex residents will be eligible/meet the criteria

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL Concessionary post-16 transport scheme available to all students resident in Suffolk for travel to a College or School up to 75 minutes journey from home. £150 per term.

CONCESSIONS FROM LOCAL TRANSPORT SERVICE OPERATORSSeries of transport concessions offered to our students by a variety oflocal operators – details in Induction packs and on College website

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

COLLEGE STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND Some further support possible based on financial

‘need’ or educational ‘need’. Support can include funding for ‘compulsory’ fieldwork

CHILD CARE SUPPORTCentrally administered by Young People’s Learning Agency

COLLEGE ASSOCIATION SUPPORT FOR INTERVIEWS

Provides assistance with transport costs for some students attending university/employment interviews.

PASTORAL CARE

PERSONAL TUTOR

SENIOR TUTOR

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

(Other support: Counsellors, College Nurse, Study Plus & Learning Support Provision)

STUDENT PARTICIPATION

ACADEMIC

Learning Agreement

Progress Reviews/Reports (November/March/June)

PARENTS AND THE COLLEGE

FORMAL CONTACT Parents’ Handbook (Enrolment)

Email – Please provide a personal email address to support on-going contact. Progress Review :

November, March (Full Report) and June

Consultation Evenings (December/July) Higher Education Briefings (March, July) Principal’s Newsletter each Term (Oct/Feb/April) Parent Governor opportunities

College Association Membership and Committee

College Website: www.colchsfc.ac.uk

PARENTS AND THE COLLEGE

INFORMAL CONTACT

College Events College Association Activities

PERSONAL CONTACT

With Personal Tutor Senior Tutor Assistant Principal Vice Principal

COLLEGE ASSOCIATION Group of parents and staff which organises social and other events

to raise resources for the enhancement of student facilities

Up to £7,000 per annum is raised and in recent years has been used to:

- assist students to attend interviews for Higher Education or employment where resources are limited;

- enhance facilities available to all students: e.g. ILT facilities, Radio Station, Refectory, Library, Social Facilities,

Minibus

In Summer 2012 the College expects to open a new building on the lower site

and the College would like to provide general students facilities in the vicinity

of this building (external seating, bike racks etc)

COLLEGE ASSOCIATION

Events held in 2010/11

Quiz EveningsColchester Walking TourCarol Service with ‘Mulled Wine and Mince Pies’ Prize Draws

COLLEGE ASSOCIATION

Joining the Association - £10 per student

Membership gives entry to Christmas Prize Draw

Also the chance to attend a range of social events

Open Meeting with Cheese and Wine - September

Why not join the Committee?