Why Sixth Form?

A Short Guide

Staff • Miss Atkinson: Vice Principal Teaching and Learning

• Mr Hare: Head of Sixth Form

• Mrs Evans: Careers & Guidance

• Miss Wightman: Head of Year 12

• Mr Montgomery Senior Teacher in charge of Timetable

Important Dates

• Student Options Introduction 19th January

• Parent Information Evening 19th January - 7pm

• Options Afternoon Wednesday 21st January 1.30 – 3.30 – parents are welcome

• Interview Request by 2nd February

• Parent/teacher meeting 4th February

• One to One interviews 26th & 27th Feb

• Decision making time 24th Jan – 1st March

• Option forms handed into your form tutor on or before 2nd March– this deadline must be met

What do I know about Sixth Form?

• Post 16 Study

• Two year course

• Two types of A Level

• Mix and Match Choices

• Qualification for Higher

or Further Education

• Access to a professional career

What are the advantages?

• Offers more time to decide what students want to do in the long term!

• Offers a pathway to future studies and careers

• Allows students to pursue subjects that they have enjoyed at GCSE or to pursue new interests

• Gives opportunities to acquire more life skills

• Develops confidence and independence

What is the alternative?

• Leave school at 16

• Enter the workforce

• Pursue Further Education (Belfast Metropolitan College)

• Vocational route

• Apprenticeships

Why are A Levels a good idea?

• Opportunity to go to University or enter FE at a higher level

• Gives an advantage in the market place for jobs

• Gives access to a better paid job

• Gives better career choices

Why are A Levels at Lagan a good idea?

• Teachers and students know each other

• Students are comfortable with their environment

• Range of subjects offered

• Extremely high quality of teaching and learning

• Excellent results - consistently above NI average for A* grades at A2 level in a number of subjects

• Top performing candidates in Northern Ireland

Enrichment Students will have the opportunity to participate in

a range of enrichment activities – these build up life

skills and enrich the students Post 16 curriculum.

Students can choose from: • Young Enterprise

• Sentinus

• First Aid

• Sign Language

• Personal Safety

• Mandarin Chinese

• European Awareness

• Uni Survival

Extra Curricular

• Mediation

• Mentoring

• Wide range of sports : Football, Basketball, Hockey, Netball

• Volunteering

• John Paul ll Award

• Prefect team

• World Challenge

A Level Choice

• Choice of 25

• 19 General A Levels:

History, Maths, Geography, RE

• 6 Applied A Levels:

Business Studies, Health & Social

Care, Moving Image Arts

What are the main differences between General and Applied A Levels?

• Both types of A Level are equal in value

• General A Levels are more academic and

exam based

• Applied A Levels can be more practical in

nature and are assessed differently having a mixture of exams and assignments

Applied A Levels Single or Double Award

Double Award Applied A Levels are equal

to 2 General A Levels and are counted as

separate A Levels for University/UCAS

purposes

Applied A Levels have their own entry

requirements. (Identified in Sixth Form options

booklet)

A Level Choice

Changes to some A Levels

• AS and A2 are no longer linked in England which impacts on 2 subjects in Lagan

• Art & Design & Sociology become a full 2 year course with no AS level exams. The full grade comes from exams at the end of Year 14.

• No AS grade gained

Year 13 Entry Requirements To study 3 A Levels

• 5 Passes at GCSE A* - C, one of which must be English Language, English Literature or Maths.

• To study 4 A Levels

• 7 Passes at GCSE A* - C, one of which must be English Language, English Literature or Maths – minimum of 24 points from GCSE grades.

Year 13 Entry Requirements

• Students with the highest GCSE score – will be considered in descending order - an applicant’s GCSE score being calculated on the basis of GCSE results as follows:

• A* - 4 points

• A – 3 points

• B – 2 points

• C – 1 point

• A Grade B in the subject to be

studied at A Level

Additional Criteria

• Good attendance record

• Good behaviour and attitude

• Good uniform

• Commitment shown to the College

Admissions

• Approximately 110 places

• Strong Competition

• Lagan College Students who meet the requirements, will be given priority over students applying from other schools

How many A Levels may be taken?

• It is possible to take 4 A Levels, If students have a minimum of 24 points from GCSE results

• Most students take 3 A Levels

• Students can mix and match General with

Applied A Levels

Can students take only 2 A Levels?

• It is not possible to study 2 A Levels unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Career Profiles

• If I was interested in a career in Business but wanted to travel, what should I study?

- Business Studies Double Award

- Spanish or French

Career Profile • If I was interested in Journalism, what should I

study?

- You could study English Literature, Sociology and History

or

Politics, RE and Geography

What do I need to take for professions like….

• Medicine

- A Level Chemistry & Biology

- A Level Maths is very useful

- 4 AS subjects required

What do I need to take for professions like….

• Engineering

- A Level Maths is compulsory

- Chemistry or Physics or both

Primary School Teacher

• 3 Academic A Levels

Or

• Mixture of Academic with Applied A Levels

But not

• Simply Applied A Levels

Application Process?

• Options Forms given out

- Identify preferred choices from a list

- Rank order choices ( 1 -3)

- Include a Reserve choice

What happens in August?

• Students come to school to collect

• results.

• Those who meet the requirements

with no changes to subject choices

will collect an acceptance pack.

• Those who meet the requirements

with changes to subject choices will

have the opportunity to do

this – timetable allowing

What happens in August?

• Students who do not meet all of the criteria, for automatic acceptance, will be asked to attend a guidance interview before leaving the school.

• We aim to let all students know if they have been given a place by the end of the results day.

• Representatives from the Careers Dept and Careers Service will be in school to offer support and guidance.

• All students should have a “Plan B”

What if I really don’t know what I want to do as a career….

• Students should:

• Choose subjects that keep options open

• Choose subjects that they like

• Choose subjects that marry well together

What should I do now?

• Support the students in meeting the demands of their GCSE courses

• Work with them to ensure they get the best grades possible

• Encourage them to work hard

• Look at all alternatives offered for students at Post 16.

Important Dates

• Student Options Introduction 19th January

• Parent Information Evening 19th January - 7pm

• Options Afternoon Wednesday 21st January 1.30 – 3.30 – parents are welcome

• Interview Request by 2nd February

• Parent/teacher meeting 4th February

• One to One interviews 26th & 27th Feb

• Decision making time 24th Jan – 1st March

• Option forms handed into your form tutor on or before 2nd March– this deadline must be met