Year 12 Information and Guidance Evening

2015-2016

Thornleigh Sixth Form

Welcome Further Education A level reform/UCAS points Support College day, subjects and tutorial programme Attendance & Punctuality Target setting Assessment Independent Learning Opportunities available in 6th form Bursary Fund

Enrolment

Further Education

First time that full time education is not compulsory. Thornleigh offers the following courses:

Foundation Studies GCSEs Level 3 BTEC (equivalent to A level) A Levels

A Levels are graded from A*-E. A C grade is not seen as a “Pass” in the same way as it is at GCSE.

Students must have L3 qualifications to progress to university (Higher Education).

A Level reformYear 12 Year 13

AS Maths A2 Maths

50 % of an A Level or a stand alone AS. Worth UCAS points

50% to top-up a full A Level that topped up UCAS points

Students could drop a subject here and keep the AS qualification/points

New specificationsStudy either as an AS or Full A level

AS Maths A2 Maths

1 year courseCannot be topped up to a full A

levelWorth UCAS points

Two year course with some slightly different topics to AS

2 year course

UCAS points

Courses with a new specification this year

English Language & LiteratureEnglish LanguageEnglish LiteraturePhotographyPhysicsChemistryBiology

HistoryEconomicsBusiness StudiesPsychologySociologyGraphicsArt

Support for StudentsYear 12 Group Tutors

12.1 Mr Jason Ashton

12.2 Ms Nuala McKenna

12.3 Ms Philippa Wiseman

12.4 Ms Rachel Wilson

12.5 Ms Judith Darby

12.6 Mr Locke

12.7 Mr Todd Gregson

12.8 Ms Keogh/Mr Carey

Mr Tonino Passarello- Director of Sixth Form

Mr Ged Gleeson - Deputy Director

Ms Sam Leaf - Learning & Progress

To email any of the above use the email address: (First initial)(surname)@thornleigh.bolton.sch.ukekirk@thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk

The College Day

8.00 Centre Open. For Independent Study.

8.45 Registration and Tutorial Time

12:45 Lunch13:30 Afternoon sessions15:10 Day ends

The College DayHopefully students have made the right choice of subjects. Many students find aspects of their course difficult at some time and this is natural. We do not encourage students to swap subjects, if there is a major issue they need to speak to a member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team ASAP.

Each student has four subjects timetabled- file required for each subject

Students are allocated study time

Every Year 12 student will also be timetabled for a tutorial session

The “SMART” ID badge

• All students must wear their ID badge at all times.

• Used to register students on to, and off, site.• Used for printing and photocopying.• Used for Cashless catering.

Students without an ID badge risk being sent home for it.

Tutorial Programme All Year 12 students will follow a structured tutorial programme

A rolling programme across the timetable

University lecture style delivery along with group sessions

This course allows students to support their learning and prepare for their future

Spend time as a community together as well as valuable time with their group tutor

Opportunity to research and prepare for exams, interviews, university life, apprenticeships, jobs and much more

PIXL Edge

Attendance & Punctuality

Good attendance and punctuality are crucial to success.

A student’s place at Thornleigh Sixth Form is at risk if their attendance drops below 95%.

Attendance is always included in references.

It is the students responsibility to inform the College of absences by telephone to the Sixth Form reception on the first morning of absence and before 9.30am.

Attendance & Punctuality

All students must swipe in and out using their ID badge whenever they arrive on/leave the site.

More than five days or repeated absences should be covered by a doctor’s note.

Students absence will be traced and monitored after the first day by Mr Gleeson

We will text parents if students attendance/punctuality drops

Attendance & Punctuality

In order to maintain a good record of attendance:

Medical appointments should be made out of College hours.

Interviews, especially for part-time jobs, should be made out of college hours.

Holidays should not be arranged during term time. Term dates are printed in the student diary. We do not authorise any absence for holidays for Post-16 students.

Driving lessons must be booked for after college

Student targets

• All students will be given a target grade for all their subjects.

• The target is calculated on how they have performed in all GCSE subjects and an assessment which took place yesterday.

• The target grade will appear on all reports that we send home.

• Students will receive target grades at the end of next week.

Assessment & Tracking

Students will be formally assessed on a regular basis with a moderated assessment grade being provided every half-term.

The first tracking data will be influenced by the transfer tests students completed yesterday and will be based on skills and needs.

Weekly marking will be present in files and formal assessments of learning are expected every 2 weeks.

Pre-Public Exam dates here:W/C 7th DecemberW/C 14th March

Show my homework

Show my homework

• Homework monitoring system• Set by teachers, monitored by tutors and LT• Student can see their timeline on mobile

devices• Parents can also see what homework has been

set• Access details will be given at the end

Independent Learning

Students are now much more responsible for their own learning and independent study plays a large part if they are to be successful. As a general rule independent work should be 5 hours per week

for each AS level in addition to any homework.

Students should use periods when they have no timetabled lesson for independent work, we encourage them to study in the LRC the Sixth Form is open 8.00am until 5.30pm every day and students are encouraged to make use of the facilities for independent work.

Students can also use MOODLE to supplement their learning. 

Getting a head startStudents should already be doing the following for all of their courses:

• Have one folder for each subject with PLCs in the front.• Finding out the exam board and downloading the specification.• Purchasing a textbook/revision guide.• Begin learning about different topics using websites such as

Khan Academy.• Commit some time to Online courses (MOOCS) and develop

your Pixl Edge portfolio of evidence.• Researching potential careers and university courses at

ucas.com.

Post-16 Bursary Fund

Level 1 The school is required to pay £1200 over the course of the year to:

Young people in care. Care leavers living independently after Local Authority

Care. Young people in receipt of income support. Disabled young people in receipt of Employment

Support Allowance who also receive a Disability Living Allowance.

Post-16 Bursary Fund

Level 2A smaller bursary is available to students who are currently in receipt of free school meals (FSM).

Receipt of this weekly payment is determined by attendance, behaviour and academic performance.

What’s new this year• Tanzania• NUS extra• Work experience• Custom kit• Mission Week Tuesday: 20th October 2015• Themed sessions• Student Committee• Free time support is needed

Contacting usIf you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact one of the Sixth Form Team or visit our website where many questions can be answered

Via Phone : Thornleigh Sixth Form - 01204 301351

Via Email : contact@thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk

Via Website : www.thornleigh.bolton.sch.uk

Mr Passarello Director of Sixth Form Mr Gleeson Deputy Director Miss Leaf Learning and Progress