burford school sixth form prospectus 2012

8/13/2019 BURFORD SCHOOL Sixth Form Prospectus 2012

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BURFORD SCHOOL & SIXTH FORMOXFORDSHIRE

A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE

Cheltenham Road, Burford, OX18 4PL

Tel: (01993) 823303 Fax: (01993) 823101

www.burford.oxon.sch.ukE-mail: [email protected]

HEAD: Mrs K M Haig BA(Hons) MEd

School achievement award 2007 - 2010

December 2011

Dear Parent and Student,

Thank you for expressing an interest in Burford Schools Sixth Form. I am delighted toenclose a copy of our Sixth Form prospectus. Burford is a school with a long andsuccessful history in educating young people. Our outstanding examination results aresomething we are rightly proud of. In 2011 students achieved an average of 318 UCAS

points, that means the average Year 13 student achieved three grade Bs at A level plusGeneral Studies. All our students passed level 3 BTEC with Distinction.

This academic success forms part of what makes Burford special. We are committed toproviding outstanding educational opportunities for all our students both within and beyondthe curriculum. In January 2009 OFSTED recognised our extra curricular opportunities forstudents as outstanding. This commitment to educating the whole student is particularlyimportant in the Sixth Form where students grow into adults. Sixth Form students are ableto become involved in many extra curricular activities including: Orchestra, Jazz Band,Music Residential, Sports Teams, Inter House competitions, the Duke of Edinburgh awardscheme, French/German Exchanges, Uganda Link, Debating Matters, Young Enterprise,

Youth Speaks, MUNGA, Shakespeare Festival, Enrichment, Senior Leaders, StudentMentors. We encourage all Burford students to participate fully in their education.

The best way to see our school is by visiting and I would encourage you to make anappointment to see the school while it is in operation. This would provide the opportunityto meet Ms Denny, the Head of Sixth Form, and talk to our current sixth form students whoare our best ambassadors.

Burford is a school where students are both happy and successful. Our well qualified andhard working staff are dedicated to ensuring every student achieves their full potential.

I look forward to meeting you.

Yours sincerely

K Haig (Mrs)Headteacher


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December 2011

Dear Student,

Burford School Sixth Form is part of a thriving and popular school with an outstandingacademic record. Every year we welcome many new students from other schools andabroad, all of whom enrich the school experience. Our considerable resources andcommitted staff enable us to fulfill our main aim, which is to help all our students fulfil their

potential.

Burford School Sixth Form is a vibrant community and one which places great value uponeducating the whole person. However our main priority is to help you to achieve youracademic potential. Our wide range of courses, means there is plenty for you to choosefrom, and once you have made that choice our staff will ensure that your time in the SixthForm will be stimulating, challenging and fruitful.

As a sixth former you are expected to work hard, establish good relations with the teachingstaff and set high standards in all respects. You lead the school and as such weencourage you to participate fully in the social, cultural and sporting activities that are on

offer as well as getting involved in the management of the Sixth Form and our manycharitable fund-raising activities.

Ask any former student which part of their time at Burford they enjoyed the most and theywill tell you it was their time in the Sixth Form. In the next two years you will become youngadults with all the opportunities and responsibilities that entails. My aim is that BurfordSchool Sixth Form should help you to develop by combining the best features of a collegewith highest level of support and care that a good school can provide. If you are committedto seizing all the opportunities that Sixth Form life can offer and getting the best from youreducation, I hope you will take up the challenge and join us.

Ms E DennyHead of Sixth Form


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Burford School seeks to provide outstanding educational opportunities for students, withinand beyond the curriculum.

SIXTH FORM TEAM

Ms E Denny Head of Sixth Form

Mrs C Rose Deputy Head of Sixth Form, with day to day responsibility for halfthe tutor groups. Also responsible for extra curricular activities,the Extended Project and the Gifted and Talented enrichmentprogramme

Mrs A Lenton Deputy Head of Sixth Form, with day to day responsibility for halfthe tutor groups. Also responsible for extra curricular activities,

Young Enterprise and the Extension Programme

Mrs M Alcock Sixth Form Administrator, responsible for day to day managementof sixth form.

Mr J Pilgrim Deputy Head teacher with Sixth Form Responsibility

We have a dedicated team of form tutors ready to help you adapt to Sixth Form study withadvice and guidance through our Academic Monitoring programme. Tutor groups aremixed Year 12 and 13 to allow for integration across the whole Sixth Form. All parentsreceive academic reviews (snapshots of current performance) in addition to a full writtenreport with targets. The latter can be discussed at parents evenings, which are arrangedfor each year group. Of course, parents are welcome to contact the school at any time ifthey wish to discuss a particular issue with the Head of Sixth Form, form tutor or subjectstaff.

Form Tutors meet students at the start of each day for a 20 minute registration and tutorialsession. Form Tutors will also monitor student welfare and progress and help encourageself appraisal, work evaluation and target setting for effective progress.


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WHY IS BURFORD SCHOOL SIXTH FORM SO SPECIAL?

Our Sixth Form has a proven track record of outstanding academic success in 2011the average points score was 320

Our Sixth Form provides continuity with the teaching staff you know and who knowyou, as well as Burford Schools excellent academic atmosphere

Our Sixth Form has a wide subject choice 26 A Levels and 4 Level 3 BTECs.Smaller classes give you the opportunity to achieve the best standards possible

Our Sixth Form block provides you with a common room, private study room andcomputer room all for the exclusive use of Burford School Sixth Form

Our Sixth Form team is experienced at monitoring your progress and helping you to

achieve your potential. They will give you advice and support in planning your future Our Sixth Form is about belonging to a community where you will be valued and

supported as an individual. All students with a positive attitude will be welcomedinto our community

Our Sixth Form welcomes a large number of new students each year, both from thelocal area and further afield.

Our Sixth Form runs a special programme for gifted and talented students, whichaims to challenge them intellectually and inspire them to aim high. This includes theopportunity to undertake an Extended Project Qualification, Oxbridge Programme.

WHAT EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE?A great strength of Burford School is its commitment to extra-curricular activities whichwere graded as Outstanding by OFSTED. Here is a brief selection of the enrichmentopportunities taken up by our students in recent years:

The Uganda Link

Charitable fund raising activities

University Open Day visits

Visit to Higher Education Conference

Youth Speaks competition

Debating Matters competition

Model United Nations General Assembly Young Enterprise

Safe Drive Stay Alive Morning

Politics in Action day

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Debating Society

Orchestra, Jazz Band, Rock School

Sport


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Our Sixth Form Extension Programmeprovides an opportunity for all Year 12 students tohelp staff and students by spending one period per week providing support in lessonslower down the school. Staff welcome the help you give, you get to use your subjectexpertise and the younger students look forward to your presence.

Opportunities to take responsibilityAt Burford we believe it is important that our Sixth Form students have the opportunity totake on varying types of responsibility this helps grow skills useful for adult life andsupports our commitment to student voice.

Head Boy & Girl, and Deputy Head Boy & Girl Student Leaders scheme, building links with students in the rest of the school

through lunch time duties.

Student Forum

Charity Committee

School counsellors working with Year 7

Ushers for Open Day and guides for visitors to the school

House Captains and Vice Captains

Community Sports Leadership Award

PSHE/Citizenship programmeWeoffer a variety of tutorial sessions and visits from guest speakers. Examples of topicswe cover include:

Drug Awareness

Sexual health

Personal finance

Entrepreneurship/Creative Thinking

Healthy eating

Relationships

Safe driving

What to do on a GAP year

Guest speakers have included representatives from:

Alcoholics Anonymous

Council for Arab-British understanding

Amnesty International

Oxfam

The main political parties

Volunteering organizations


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Finally, Burford School Sixth Formers always play leading roles in our renowned musicaland drama productionsas well as competing successfully in a range of sporting eventsincluding cricket v MCC, rugby, football, netball, hockey, athletics and many more. As wellas this there are many Sixth Form trips arranged by our departments including theatretrips, conferences and History department trips to Russia, Berlin and Krakow.

How are students supported & challenged?It is important that as students you are supported in your learning but also challenged to

achieve the best you can: we do this through:-

An induction programme at the start of the year including team building exercisesand learning strategies to help you cope better with Sixth Form studying.

Academic Monitoring

Target setting and regular reviews

Gifted & Talented programme

Help from Learning Support department

Strong pastoral system

Most Burford School Sixth Form students decide to go on to Higher Education and so wehave a comprehensive Thinking about Higher Educationprogramme. Advice is givenon the procedure for applying to university, how to research appropriate courses, how towrite personal statements etc, involving Sixth Form tutors and outside experts. There is avisit to a Higher Education convention.

Sixth Form students do not wear school uniform but are expected to dress in accordancewith the Sixth Form dress code. Whilst being an integral part of school life, the Sixth Formalso has its own separate facilities for private study and recreation, include a CommonRoom in the Sixth Form Centre.


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WHAT COURSES CAN I CHOOSE FROM?There are three entry routes into the 6thForm:

The Traditionalroute is to study 4 or 5 AS Levels as the first year of a two year A-Level course. There are 26 AS subjects that can be studied in Year 12.

The Applied Level 3route means studying BTECs rather than AS levels or acombination of AS levels and BTEC qualifications. There are 4 Level 3 BTECs thatcan be studied in years 12 & 13 as well as an Applied Science AS level.

The AppliedLevel 2route is for students intending to continue or progress to Level2 courses (A* - C GCSE) for one year.

LEVEL 3 COURSES

THE TRADITIONAL OR APPLIED LEVEL 3 ROUTES

HOW DO I DECIDE WHICH SUBJECTS TO CHOOSE?Deciding what subjects to choose can be difficult, here are some questions you should askyourself:

What do I need to study in order to follow my chosen career?

Am I predicted the correct subject specific grades?

Which subjects do I most enjoy?

Which subjects am I likely to be good at?

It is very important that you think carefully about what courses you wish to take. If you areinterested in following a particular career you must research thoroughly to make sure that

you make the appropriate choices.

Here are some examples of requirements for some popular careers:Career A-Levels required

Architecture Mixture of arts and science

Dentistry Sciences preferably Chemistry and Biology

Engineer Maths, Physics, Design Technology

Forensic Scientist Science/Maths

Journalism English

Medicine Chemistry and Biology/Physics/Maths

Nursing/Midwifery Sciences preferably Biology, Chemistry Physiotherapist Science preferably Biology


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If you want more advice you should:

Make an appointment to see our Connexions adviser Mrs Knowles or Ms Denny,Head of Sixth Form.

Talk to subject teachers and current students will also help your decision making.

Take part in our Taster Day when you will be able to experience a typical day inthe 6thForm, including attending lessons in subjects you are considering studying.

Read the subject details in this prospectus very carefully (some coursesrecommend particular GCSE grades).

HOW MANY SUBJECTS WILL I STUDY? Most students will study four Level 3 (AS/BTEC) subjects in Year 12, plus General

Studies or Critical Thinking.

Some students, who have achieved outstanding GCSE grades, may decide to studyfive Level 3 subjects.

Students will be given the opportunity to complete an Extended Project Qualificationstarting at the end of Year 12

Some students, who find studying four Level 3 subjects too demanding, maychoose to study three plus General Studies.

WHAT ARE THE AS/BTEC COURSES?Below is our Provisional Option Grid from which you must pick your chosen courses.You can only choose one subject in a column.

This gridmay change, depending on numbers of students signing up for each course andcombinations required. Subjects can proceed only if they are selected by a sufficientnumber of students.

(ALL students take General Studies or Critical Thinking AS, one period per week inaddition to 3 or 4 other subjects)

Option A Option B Option C Option D Option E

DramaEconomicsEnglishHistoryPhysicsPhotographyPsychology

BiologyChemistryEnglishFoodTechnologyPEPhotographyPsychology

BusinessStudiesGeographyMathematicsMediaRE

ArtBiologyEconomicsFurther MathsGeographyHistoryICT BTECProduct Design

Applied ScienceBiologyComputingEngineeringBTECGermanMusicTextiles BTEC

General Studies General Studies General Studies General

Studies

General Studies


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WHAT ARE THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY LEVEL 3 COURSES INTHE SIXTH FORM?

The general requirement for students who wish to enter the 6thForm to study eitherAS or a combination of AS & BTEC Level 3 courses, is to gain at least five A*- Cgrades at GCSE.

However it is important to note that in order to study AS levels some subjectsrequest a B grade at GCSE.

Please read the Subject Choices section of this prospectus very carefully.Students who achieve the general GCSE requirements but do not obtain the correctsubject specific grades should contact Ms Denny to discuss their options. There is a

degree of flexibility which depends upon a students effort and commitment duringKS4

The requirement for students who wish to follow a purely BTEC route is to gain atleast 4 A* - C grades at GCSE

Students should have gained a grade C in Mathematics and English Language atGCSE as failure to do so is a barrier to progression into Higher Education andentering many careers.

APPLIED LEVEL 2 ROUTE

WHAT ARE THE LEVEL 2 COURSES?The Level 2 pathway involves a one yearcourse of study:

The Applied Route will be made up of all or some of the courses outlined below. Fulldetails for each subject can be found towards the back of the 2012 prospectus.

1. Level 2 Extended Certificate BTEC in Travel & Tourism (compulsory)2. Level 3 Certificate in Personal Effectiveness (compulsory)3. Level 2/3 Certificate for Young Enterprise (compulsory)4. Work experience - one day (compulsory)5. GCSE Mathematics, English and Single Science re-takes compulsory if grade C

not achieved

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO STUDY ON THE LEVEL 2 COURSES?

Students wishing to study on thiscourse will have achieved a range of GCSE grades, butwill not have the grades necessary for Traditional or Applied Level 3 courses. Grades inat least two of the three core GCSEs (Mathematics, English Language, Science) are likelyto be below a C.


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After applying to the Sixth Form you will be

asked to an interview to discuss thesuitability of your chosen courses and toanswer any questions you may have.


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HOW DO I APPLY?Here are some key dates:

Wednesday 11thJanuary 2012 - The Sixth Form Information Evening will take place at

7pm in the School Hall, when you will have a chance to find out more about life in BurfordSchool Sixth Form and talk to subject staff about courses and talk to students studying thecourses.

Monday 16thJanuary 2012 Deadline for handing-in Taster Day subject choices(finalised after the Information Evening)

Friday 27thJanuary 2012 Sixth Form Taster Day when you will be able to experience atypical day in the Sixth Form, including attending lessons in subjects you are consideringstudying. (See separate information in the prospectus)

January and early February Students must complete their application for the SixthForm (choices finalised after Taster Day). The application form is available as, part of thisprospectus pack, from the sixth form centre or school reception.

Monday 6thFebruary 2012 Deadline for receipt of applications.

February and March 2012 All applicants will be interviewed to discuss their coursechoices, likely GCSE grades, career aims etc.

April 2012 Letters of acceptance/rejection sent out

Thursday 23rdAugust GCSE results day. Students should check that they haveachieved the necessary grades to follow their chosen courses. Mrs Knowles from theConnexions service and Ms Denny, Head of Sixth Form and Deputy Heads of Sixth Form,will be available for consultation.

IT IS UNWISE TO BOOK HOLIDAYS FOR THIS PERIOD AS YOU MAY HAVE TO ACTQUICKLY IF RESULTS ARE NOT AS YOU ANTICIPATED.

We strongly recommend that you visit the Sixth Form and School to meet current studentsand talk to Ms Denny, Head of Sixth Form


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WHERE WILL 6thFORM STUDIES LEAD?

AppliedLevel 2 Course

Further college

coursesEmployment

with a higherbase of

qualifications

Entry to

Traditional/AppliedRoute

Level 3 courses

Traditional orApplied

Route Level 3

University ArtFoundation

Other collegecourses/

Apprenticeships

Employmentwith

a higher base of

qualifications

burford school sixth form prospectus 2012

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