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St. Michael’s

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SM2015_6thFormPromo_FinalAWB.qxp_Layout 1 07/07/2016 13:17

• Outstanding academic performance

• Small class sizes

• Wide range of subjects

• High expectations

• Flexible timetabling arrangements

• Supervised study

• A wide range of extracurricular activities

• One-to-one assistance with university application

• Specialist teaching for University entrance exams

• Dedicated Sixth Form IT and Library facilities

• Weekly and termly boarding accommodation available

What can we offer?


“Throughout the seven years I was at St. Michael’s I was given a lot of individual support by teachersand other members of staff – fromtheir subject knowledge through to guidance on my university application. The school not only focused on high academic standards but encouraged us topursue extracurricular activities.Gaining an A* at Music GCSE,performing in a variety of schoolproductions and playing thedrums in many school concertsalso helped to improve my confidence and allowed me to de-stress after a busy school day.”

Raghav Aerasala, former pupilStudied: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry andPhysicsNow reading Chemical Engineeringat Bath University


A* and A grades in traditional A Level subjects are becoming increasingly important for entry into leading Universities and the chances of achieving these grades and accessing the right courses are far higher in a school like St. Michael’s. At St. Michael’s we focus strongly on facilitating subjects, and student application and entry into Russell Group Universities.

Our students’ academic results have consistently allowed St. Michael’s to be placed highly in academic league tables, giving them the best possible chance of achieving their university and academic ambitions. The history of excellence in our A Level results and success in our objectives for our SixthForm can be clearly demonstrated through our past achievements, some of which are summarised below.

The A Level Class of 2015 are ranked 49th in the Top 100 Mixed Schools in the UK by the Telegraph. This year, pupilsat St. Michael’s achieved an excellent 25 % A* grades and 55%A*-A grades; with a 100% pass rate. The top pupil was PhilippeRodgers who achieved an outstanding 5A* grades and 1a.Philippe is now reading Mathematics at the University of Warwick. Indeed 65% of our university applicantsachieved a place at a top 30 university and 83% of students who applied for Medicine gained a place.

With the A Level Class of 2014, pupils achieved an excellent43% A*-A grades and 73% A*-B grades. Indeed 3 of this year’scohort achieved places for medicine. 52% of our UK universityapplicants achieved a place at a top 30 university.

A Level Results


The A Level Class of 2013 were ranked 37th in the Top 100 Mixed Schools in the UK by the Times. In this year, pupils at St.Michael’s achieved an excellent 27 % A* grades and 60% A*-A grades; with a 100% pass rate. The top pupils were Rishi Gupta andThomas Walters who both achieved an outstanding 5A* grades each. Rishi from Carmarthen is reading Medicine at the University College London. Thomas from Gowerton is now reading Natural Sciences at St John’s College, Cambridge.

Over the last 10 years six of our A Level pupils have won the Independent Schools Association Student of the Year award for best A Level results. Our Sixth Form teachers and support staff are devoted to ensuring every A Level student fulfils their potential, and leave St. Michael’s with the academic foundation for successful undergraduate study.

A Level

A* -A Grade

A* -B Grade

A* -C Grade

66%

82%

94%

61%

84%

95%

43%

73%

92%

55%

80%

93%

2012 2013 2014 2015


Daily LifeThe core of the Sixth Form facilities arewithin the Sixth Form Centre. Within thebuilding are study rooms for up to 30pupils (which are supervised at all times),teaching rooms, a Drama studio, library,plus relaxation facilities for 6th Form students, including kitchen and commonrooms.

The Sixth Form Centre has been recentlymodernized and extended, enabling us to increase the capacity of the Sixth Form,whilst at the same time retaining a controlled and friendly, family atmosphere. A Student Liaison Officer isresponsible for monitoring the Upper and

Lower Sixth, setting study timetables, assuring attendance, and establishing aneffective working atmosphere.

All pupils are required to attend a numberof study periods per week (the actualamount depends upon lesson load), andwithin these periods, checks are made onwork completed and homework due. Forour science orientated pupils we have recently upgraded our Biology, Chemistryand Physics Labs. We also have a separateMusic Block where pupils are able to practice playing instruments, and wheremusic is taught.

There is life beyond academic study, andwe strive to ensure that our A Level students are able to extend their range ofactivities and interests during their time atSt. Michaels.

Activities available include:

Orchestra, the school orchestra practicesafter school once a week. A number ofperformances are arranged each year including, the Christmas Carol service, theEaster Concert, and a Summer ArtisticEvent.


Duke of Edinburgh and activity/teambuilding days, we of course participate inthis important Youth challenge, with anumber of groups involved each year, theschool now offers Silver and Gold Awards.

The school has senior rugby, football andbasketball teams and takes part in a number of friendly matches and tournaments.

A number of drama groups operate withinthe school, with the opportunity of inputinto the Easter concert, practical exam and performances at the Summer ArtisticEvent.

Sixth formers make up the bulk of thecharity committee and are involved in arranging a variety of charitable eventseach year. Events have included singingand music marathons, discos, walks, andfashion shows.

The school Christmas Ball is the time forparty dresses, and seeing how badly theteachers dance. The Ball is always held inan exclusive venue. Students arrive in stylein a limo, eat well and dance the nightaway to live music.

Other activities include Dance Groups,French, Language Trips, Skiing Holiday, Geography Field Trips to Iceland and Italy,Business and Economic Competitions leading to London Finals, Business and Economics Study Tours to France andSpain, Politics, Trips to WAG and London,Theatre Trips and Art Gallery visits.


A Level subjects offered do vary from year to year according topupil demand. We are often able to add additional subjects atshort notice, and have timetable flexibility to adapt to optionchoices of individual pupils.

The core subjects offered at A Level are:

Arts, Humanities and LanguagesArt Business Studies Economics English French Geography History Music Physical EducationSpanish Welsh

Sciences and MathsBiology Chemistry Computer Science Physics Psychology Maths Further Maths

Subjects on Offer


An increasing awareness of the importance of a good degree from a leadinginstitution has meant that there is rising demand for courses at the more wellrespected institutions, i.e. the Russell Group of Universities and those with First Division Performance. This makes it essential for every student to be giventhe correct guidance when he or she is progressing through the application procedure. St. Michael’s Sixth Form students are given on-going advice in regard to choice of most appropriate course and university, timetabled teaching for entrance exams such as BMAT, UKCAT and LNAT— and in-depthassistance in completing their UCAS forms, especially their all-important personal statements.

As some of the most prestigious courses attract hundreds of applicants for perhaps a few dozen vacancies, the initial effect of the UCAS form becomes allimportant. Thus the monitoring and guidance students receive is highly advantageous to them, making a crucial difference in this highly competitivemarket place. Staff work together to ensure that every pupil’s UCAS application is correct, appealing to the admissions tutors, and submitted early,(before the end of November - some 7 weeks before the UCAS cut-off date).

As soon as individual offers of interview are received, St. Michael’s applicantsare taken carefully through a range of interview preparation techniques. This iscarried out through group discussions, one to one practice and mock panel interviews.

Our holistic approach to the university application process, which covers as already indicated personal statements, correct choice of courses and institution, as well as attendance at 6th form taster courses in Law, BusinessEngineering and Medicine, plus focus on added value aspects of CVs, regularlyresults in 100% entry into Higher Education, with a highly pleasing successrate into the immensely competitive fields of Medicine, Dentistry, VeterinaryScience, Pharmacy, Engineering, Finance and Law.

University Admissions


A new UCAS tariff is to be introduced for first use in 2016 applications for 2017 university entry.

This new tariff is designed to better reflect the difficulty of courses studied between the ages of 16 and 18, and the time commitmentrequired to complete these courses. The major impact on St. Michael’s pupils is the downgrading of importance of AS Level qualifications from equivalence of 50% of a full A Level, to around 40% of a full A Level. The table below shows how the new pointssystem relates to A Level grades (there will be no change to the A*-E grading bands at A Level).

An offer of 120 UCAS points would mean for a candidate sitting three A Levels with no AS Level 3 B grades. If a candidate were sitting three A Levels and had already achieved an AS grade A in a different subject, then meeting the offer would mean BBC at A Level (112 points), plus A grade at AS (20 points ), totalling 134 UCAS points.

Although a number of universities will adopt the new UCAS tariff system, many selecting universities and courses, such as RussellGroup universities, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and so on, will continue to base offers on grades not points. So offers willremain in the range A*AA -AAA or similar.

Some universities will combine the two systems, with specific grades requested in subjects relevant to the degree studied. So an offerfor a Computer Science degree may be 125 points including an A in Computing. The A grade in computing would score 48, leaving77 to be achieved. This could be gained through 2 B grades at A Level (80 points), or BD at A Level (64 points), plus a B at AS (16).

The new tariff takes in a much wider spread of qualifications than previously. UCAS points can now be achieved through higher levelawards in Drama, Speech and Dance.

International students will require for university entry an IELTS (or equivalent) test score of at least 6.5, but more likely to be 7.0 orhigher for the most competitive of courses.

UCAS Tariff and University Offers

A LevelA* Grade

A Grade

B Grade

C Grade

D Grade

E Grade

56

48

40

32

24

16

A Grade

B Grade

C Grade

D Grade

E Grade

20

16

12

10

6

A* Grade

A Grade

B Grade

C Grade

D Grade

E Grade

28

24

20

16

12

8

AS Level Extended Project


Making choices For A Level study can be a daunting prospect, after all the 4 or 5 choices made will set an academicpath for at least the next 5 years of school and university life. For some students with clear vocational objectives,such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, or Dentistry, the combination of A Levels studied will be clear—the sciences.For others, even those intent on other career related courses, such as Law, the choices are less obvious, so careful consideration of options must occur before final choices are made.

For guidance a variety of internet based sites are available, but perhaps the most relevant is the UCAS website, where using the course search facility allows potential undergraduates to see specific course requirements set byeach university. It is also important that you speak to your subject teachers and available careers services. Our Headof Sixth Form, will also spend time with you, helping you make choices, and if required showing you how to access internet resources.

Every A Level is divided into two parts AS - normally studied in the Lower 6th and examined in January and or June of that year, and A2 studied in the Upper 6th, and examined in January and or June of the Upper 6th Year. It is quite normal for students to ‘drop’ one subject at the end of the Lower 6th, this AS Level is a standalone qualification, and gains UCAS points (for more on UCAS points and university offers see previous page).

It is possible to study 6 A Levels, but 4 is more typical. For a student focussed on sciences, three sciences and anarts/humanities subject would be a standard combination. For students who are arts/humanities based, then the reverse applies, so it is likely they will study 3 arts/humanities and one science subject. Languages produce anothercombination of options, where they can be mixed with either sciences or arts and humanities.

On page 8 the A Levels offered by St. Michael’s are given, and full descriptions of course content are described on subject information sheets. Subject choices should of course be based on ambitions, but also on personal commitment and enjoyment. So choose subjects that you enjoy, subjects that you like discussing in and out of class. One mistake that Sixth Form students sometimes make is to choose A Level subjects that they have no experience of at GCSE, this is not advised, unless there is a clear reason for taking the new course. For exampleMedia Studies is often taken as an option at A Level, but this course has little value when applying for leading universities. So beware soft options, as they may not lead where you think!

A Level Choices


Boarding LifeSt. Michael’s boarding offers, strong pastoral care which is, varied, imaginativeand challenging. Our aim is to successfullymotivate boarders so that they leave us asconfident and self-disciplined individuals.

Our in-house LIFE programme allowsboarders to develop their, everyday lifeskills, roles and responsibilities, alongsidegrowing an understanding and toleranceof other cultures.

Boarders are encouraged to make suggestions and help organise events and

special evenings. These have included:running their own tuck shop, cultural foodmenus, cookery nights, quizzes, arts &crafts, music nights, days out and offsiteactivities. Offsite activities may include visits to historical sights, theatre trips, social and sporting events, and adventures, charitable and cultural visits.

Furthermore, healthy competition amongthe boarders provides an opportunity forleadership, a Head Boy and Head Girl areappointed at the start of every new school

year and they take a positive role in theday to day life of boarding. They will helpnew boarders settle into St. Michael’s wayof life and aid them to feel comfortableand at home.

Nurturing individuality, whilst understanding and appreciating the differences of others is a central beliefwithin St. Michael’s boarding life and students develop and flourish during theirtime with us.


The Extended Project provides students with an opportunity to carry out an in-depth study,based on personal interest or an aspect of a subject they are studying. Learners are supported throughout the process by a supervisor and a teaching and learning programme.

The Extended Project is becoming more sought by universities as evidence of independent learning, and counts for UCAS points at AS Level, but with the added advantage of a potentialA* Grade.

The Extended Project can be a written project - e.g. research into an historical, political, sociological, economic or cultural issue or perhaps a fictional work, film or theatre script, or can take a variety of other forms. The EP can therefore be a field study, or a scientific reportbased on research or experimentation (ideal for medicine/dentistry candidates), or even a performance-based activity e.g. role in a drama production or a film.

The Extended Project

A range of scholarships are available for entrants to St. Michael’s Sixth Form. These scholarshipscan reduce fees substantially and are designed to widen the access to years 12 and 13, and to reward those who have performed well at GCSE level.

In recent years we have granted scholarships to those from our own 5th form and also to pupilsfrom outside St. Michael’s, who wish to take the opportunity of entering the only GrammarSchool style 6th Form available within the region.

We strongly believe that the fee structure at St. Michael's offers real value for money, with positive returns being shown in AS and A Level performance, as well as much improved opportunities to move onto first division universities and all that brings in regard to careerprospects and future incomes. For full details of fees and scholarships available pleasecontact the school on 01554 820 325 or [email protected].

Scholarships


St. Michael's School (Bryn) Ltd. Registered Office: Bryn, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA14 9TU

[email protected] • www.stmikes.co.uk • 01554 820 325

“At first I found it hard to express myself when mixing withfriends or speaking in English lessons. I hadn’t been too concerned about my English level as I had studied English inThailand, but I was wrong! Only through having good IELTSclasses am I now able to engage and understand people, as wellas fully answer exam questions.”

Cholpicha Suebsubanant (Esther), Year 13 pupilStudying Maths, Further Maths, Economics & Biology

My aim is to read Law at Durham University

“I opted to be a weekly boarder as I felt this option best suited my academic needs, whilst also bridging the gap between secondary school and university.Boarding is like having a home away from home, everyone iswelcoming even though we are from diverse backgrounds.”

“St. Michael's School has given me an abundance of opportunities, both academic and extracurricular. I hosted a 'Question Time' debate with many of the leading political names of Wales - a dream for any 18-year-old that became a reality for me with helpfrom St. Michael’s. I have received tremendous support with my university application such as personal statement guidance, academic assistanceand university interview preparation. Because ofthis focus, I have been able to gain a place at OxfordUniversity; something I owe a great deal to theteachers and staff at St. Michael's for supportingme throughout the process.”

Theo Davies-Lewis, Year 13 pupilStudying History, English & GeographyMy aim is to read Archaeology and Anthropology at Oxford University

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Megan Evans, Year 13 pupilStudying Maths, English & Creative Writing

My aim is to read Religious Studies & Theologyat Durham University


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