SIXTH FORM SUPPORTING PROGRESSION EVENING

WELCOME TO THE MIRFIELD FREE GRAMMAR AND SIXTH FORM“An outstanding school with an outstanding Sixth Form” - Ofsted 2012

WHAT TONIGHT IS ABOUT!

• Explaining the changes from GCSE to A Level study and what this can mean for students.

!

• Sharing information, tools and guidance to support your son/daughter this year.

!

• Opportunity to meet and begin to establish a relationship with your son/daughter’s personal tutor.

!

2014 A Level

Pass Rate 99%

55% of the A2 Grades were A* - B

“OUTSTANDING SIXTH FORM”- Ofsted 2012

SUCCESS @ THE MFG SIXTH FORM

!

• Results continue to be above the national average.

!

• Be part of this increasing success story. !

• With our experienced guidance they will be able to STAND OUT in the crowd. !

• Compliment outstanding grades with our unique individual Personalised Enrichment Programme.

!

ETHOS & EXPECTATIONS!

• Adult, mature and responsible approach to studies and life in the Sixth Form.

!

• Open dialogue with teachers. !

• Positive role model in school and community. !

• 100% attendance and punctuality. !

• Be the best you can be. !

!!

SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS!

• Personal Tutor !• Creating Futures and Alpha Reward Group !• Academic Mentoring !• Learning Mentors !• Student Support System !• Personalised Intervention Strategies !• Extensive Enrichment Programme !• Think Futures Team !

!

SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

!

• All Enquiries !

• Open 8am - 4pm !

• Attendance !

• Bursary Forms !

• First Aid !

• Safeguarding !

!!

Sixth Form Student Support Office

THINK FUTURES• Personalised emails to

share opportunities !

• Wednesday Spotlight

!

!

!!

• Modern Apprenticeships !

• University Guidance !

• Work Experience !

• Work Shadowing

SUBJECT SUPPORT!

• Subject Handbooks !

• Important deadlines • Course Specification • Assessment Breakdown • Course expectations & standards

!

• Skills for Learning on FROG - VLE !

• New BTEC regulations !

• Regular classroom assessments !

• January internal exams !!

!

SCHOOL VLE - FROG

FROG - DASHBOARD (TOOLS)

Set Work Frog Mail

E-Portfolio (work is saved here)

6th Form Resources (Subject / Skills For Learning)

Secure Gateway

FROG - SIXTH FORM RESOURCES!• Subject folders of resources, tutorial info/tasks and SKILLS FOR LEARNING

!!

!

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT!

• Have open discussions from the beginning !

• Contact personal tutors !

• Attend parents evenings !

• Put key dates on family calendar !

• Don’t book holidays in term time !

Supporting Study Skills !

Take an active role in supporting your son/daughter:

!

• Proof read work (see information in booklet) !

• Guide them to and discuss subject handbooks and assignments

!

• Guide them to subject specific “Help” resources on FROG (handbooks, emails, set work)

!!

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT

PARENT LEARNING CONVERSATIONSTALK TO THEM (TOMORROW) EVERYDAY OPEN QUESTIONS (FUTURE)

“What is your preferred learning style and what does this mean?”

“What have you learnt today?”

“What are your likely target grades? How many UCAS points could you get?”

“Can you tell me what you now need to do to improve your work based on the feedback you have received from your teacher?” ... If no ... “Have you spoken to your teacher about this? What next steps do you now need to take?”

“Tell me about the Mindset session you did? How does Mindset influence your study?”

“Let’s sit down and talk about the subject CF targets you have set.”

“What do you want to achieve at the end of your Sixth Form studies?”

“Have you checked your emails?”

“What two university courses have you found that you could access with your target UCAS points?”

“Do you need help from one of the academic learning mentors?”

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO!

• Consider HOW they learn and study best !

• Be dedicated and have an “I CAN” attitude !

• Be prepared !

• Take time to proof read work !

• Use feedback as a dialogue !

• Manage your TIME !

• Know your GOAL !

• ‘Stand out from the crowd’ !!

!

• GCSE: Pass is considered to be a A* - C grade. !

• A Level: Pass grade is A* - E. Standards considerably higher.

!

• ‘A’ grade at GCSE does not equate to an ‘A’ grade at A Level. !

• UCAS points allow access to university courses with E & D grades.

!

UNDERSTANDING A LEVEL AND BTEC GRADES

UNDERSTANDING A LEVEL AND BTEC GRADES

A Level Grade UCAS Points BTEC Grade UCAS Points

A* 140 Distinction* 140

A 120 Distinction 120

B 100

C 80 Merit 80

D 60

E 40 Pass 40

CAREER / COURSE ASPIRATIONSBased on a student’s GCSE results, we have guided them onto courses so they have the opportunity to achieve the highest possible grades to successfully compete with other university, modern apprenticeship or employment applicants.

!

!

• Grades are NOT enough. !

• Employers, universities and modern apprenticeships are wanting EVIDENCE of when students have:

!• Developed experiences linked to career aspirations. • Practical understanding and application. • Learnt about the day to day demands of a career. • Given something back e.g. time to the community.

!• Personal Enrichment Programme in school opens a

wide range of opportunities for students to take up independently to suit their needs and career path; these include many volunteering opportunities.

!!

!

MORE THAN A GRADE

SUBSTANTIAL ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES!

• Pupil Mentoring • Guided Reading • Classroom Support • Sport Leaders • Royal Voluntary Service • Police Explorers • National Citizen Service • RYLA

!!

!

• Duke of Edinburgh • Library Support • Charity Committee • Progression Module • General Studies • Extended Project

Qualification (Year 13) • Work Experience • Work Shadowing

!!

!

A2 Studies Achieved A2 Results UCAS PointsBTEC Business Distinction* 140

BTEC Sport Double Distinction* 280

Psychology B 100

Total: 520

GCSE: 1A, 8Bs, 1C Target = B / Distinction*

CASE STUDY 1

PLAY TO STRENGTHS!

• Guided to take courses involving coursework assessments as completing coursework was clearly a strength. !

• Aspired to study Sport and Exercise Science at university.

!

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD!

• From start of Year 12 involved with The MFG Sports Leadership Academy. !

• Volunteered more than 140 hours supporting The MFG and local primary school sports festivals. !

• Volunteered in main school PE lessons. !

• Represented school and local rugby club. !

• Work experience and employment in a sports centre. !

• Has deferred university entry for 1 year to experience working in the sports industry in Australia.

!

A2 Studies Achieved A2 Results UCAS PointsPsychology B 100

English Language C 80

BTEC Fashion and Clothing Distinction* 140

Total: 320

GCSE: 1A, 3Bs, 4Cs, ICT Distinction* Target = C Grade / Distinction

CASE STUDY 2

UCAS COURSE APPLICATION CONCERN

!

• At AS Level attained 3C grades. !

• Converted to 3C grades at A2 Level = 240 points. !

• BBB = 300 UCAS points was required to study Linguistics and Phonetics:

! Leeds University - First choice

Manchester University - Insurance choice !

IMPORTANCE OF BEING REALISTIC IN COURSE CHOICES

!

• All course requirements were BBB or 300 points (with B in English). !

• Advised by personal tutor to have a insurance choice LOWER than the first choice. !

• Had to go through CLEARING PROCESS on results day.

CASE STUDY 3

AS STUDIES AS RESULTS A2 STUDIES A2 RESULTS UCAS POINTS

Biology B Biology B 100

Chemistry C Chemistry A 120

Philosophy and Ethics (Religious Studies)

C Philosophy and Ethics (Religious Studies)

B 100

Psychology C Did not continue study of Psychology at A2

(60*)

*University required points from 3 subjects. Total: 320

GCSE: 1A*, 2As, 4Bs, ICT Distinction Target = Grade B

!

• More than a grade. !

• Committed to academic success:

!• Completed additional work beyond that set by staff. !• Independent study in all non-contact periods (Silent Study

Area is open 8am - 4pm every day). !• Asked for help. !• Attended all lessons and revision/support sessions. !• Completed exams under timed conditions at home. !• Worked with peers to revise for exams, discussing topics and

testing each other. !

• Driven to achieve points required for his first choice at Newcastle University.

BEING PROACTIVE

!

• Newcastle ABB + meet requirements of University Summer School. !

• Back up plan = insurance offer lower than firm first choice offer. !

• Huddersfield University: 280 points to study Biochemistry.

CONSIDER ALL THE OPTIONS

!

• Attended a seminar advertised through ‘Think Futures’ email and Sixth Form assembly. !

• Attended the Open Day held at the university. !

• Attended compulsory summer school at the university - met entry requirements. !

Newcastle University: Biochemistry

NEWCASTLE PARTNERSHIP SCHEME

SUBJECT PARENTS EVENING!

• Thursday 5th February 2015 !

• 4pm - 7pm !

• Invitation letter sent out in January !

• You will be given appointments to see each subject teacher

!

• Reply ASAP !

• Students MUST attend with you

SUCCESS

WE AIM TO PROVIDE STUDENTSWITH THE SUPPORT AND

OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN HIGHER EMPLOYMENT

ULTIMATELY STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THEIR

OWN FUTURE SUCCESS

THANK YOU FOR COMING

!

• Role of Form Tutor !

• Academic Mentoring Process & Creating Futures

!

• Student Support System !

• Questions & Answers

Tutor Session (30 minutes)