prospectus2012-13

The joint sixth form provision for St

Gregory’s Catholic College and St

Mark’s Church of England School

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‘‘Staying at St Gregory’s would change my education for the better, as I could carry on learning with teachers that know me and the way I work. It would create an unrivalled family atmosphere tailored for the learning of its pupils.’’ T i m , Y e a r 1 0, S T G r e G o r Y ’ S C aT h o l i C C o l l e G e

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welcomeThe New SIxTh is an exciting collaboration between St. Gregory’s Catholic Sixth Form College and St. mark’s Church of england School, funded and supported by Bath and North east Somerset Council. With £2.8m capital funding we will provide a learning environment of the highest quality, including a dedicated learning resource centre for Sixth Form students on our new site adjacent to St. Gregory’s. all Sixth Form courses will take place at St. Gregory’s, making full use of our existing facilities, with expert tuition from teachers of St. Gregory’s and St. mark’s. The New Sixth will open its doors for the first cohort of students in September 2013.

our vision for The New Sixth is to provide a unique post-16 experience in the state sector in Bath and North east Somerset: a high-quality Sixth Form education with outstanding pastoral support and a wide range of enrichment activities, inspired by our Christian values. For us, this means that each student is uniquely gifted and will be supported in his or her Sixth Form programme in the best traditions of both schools.

We will build on the outstanding academic tradition of our schools to inspire our students towards the best possible outcomes, enabling them to continue their jour-ney in the educational or employment setting of their choice. Just as important to us, however, are the values our students learn while they are with us and take into the wider world. We want to develop future leaders who will take their place in society as well-rounded, caring and principled citizens.

‘‘The sixth forms of St Gregory’s and St Mark’s have come

together to create a unique provision for young people in the

Bath area: a high quality sixth form built on Christian foundations.

we want all our students to continue to develop the values,

confidence, knowledge and skills they need for adult life, and to grow into caring, well-rounded

citizens who will contribute to the common good of society’’

You are very welcome to come and see for yourself how our plans have taken shape in the last few years to the point where we are ready to deliver an outstanding new Sixth Form for the area. our Open evening will be held on Thursday 18th October from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and will be an opportunity to see for yourself all that The New Sixth has to offer.

AdMISSIONS all students in their final year at St. Gregory’s and St. mark’s have an automatic place in the Sixth Form, provided they meet the entry requirements for a full-time programme of study. We also have places for external students who may wish to experience a new type of Sixth Form provision and who meet the requirements for a full-time course of study. i look forward to welcoming you as the first students in this major new development in education in Bath and North east Somerset.

M r r AyM O N d F r I e l e x e C u T i v e h e a dT e aC h e r

The New Sixth is the joint post-16 provision of the sixth forms of St Gregory’s Catholic College and St Mark’s Church of England School, supported by the Clifton Diocese, Bath and Wells Diocese and Bath and North East Somerset Council.

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location and facilitiesThe New SIxTh will be located at the southern gateway to the World heritage City of Bath with beautiful views towards the Severn estuary and over Bath. access to the sixth form is easy as it is on main bus routes and next to the Bath Park and ride terminus.

The New Sixth, supported by B&NeS Council, will open with a state of the art new building in September 2013. This building has been designed by the Bristol-based architects White design using modCell, an innovative and sustainable construction technique. our students have been involved in the consultation process from the

beginning and they have helped to design a learning resource centre that will support them with the latest technology as well as access to the best advice for the next step in their journey after the sixth form.

The new facilities will have a range of learning spaces, from comfortable and well-lit library style space to seminar rooms for group discussion and social space for relaxing. in addition, our students will benefit from the existing facilities at St. Gregory’s which have received considerable investment in recent years and are widely regarded as providing an excellent educational environment.

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the New Sixth experiencelIFe AS A SIxTh FOrM STudeNT will be different for you, but we are committed to providing the same level of personalised support, both in and outside of the classroom, that has been recognised as outstanding. We will always provide a caring supportive environment and all individuals will be warmly welcomed into the student body.

The New Sixth seeks to equip students with a rich mix of experiences and opportunities that will prepare them for adult life. Being a Sixth Form student means developing skills and qualities in leadership, self-reliance and independence. You will have a very vital role to play as ambassadors and role models for younger students. We expect that many of you will be interested in being part of the Student Council and the Sixth Form social committee. We will continue to offer opportunities for student voice and student representation. We very much want you to have a say in your Sixth Form and to play an active part as always in making decisions that will enhance Sixth Form life and the whole college community.

‘‘Being a part of The New Sixth will mean that we can get a good quality education without losing the close family of teachers and friends that we have grown up with’’ P o l lY a N d lu C Y, Y e a r 1 0, S T m a r k ’ S S C h o o l

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academic excellenceThe New SIxTh will strive for academic excellence, to this end there will be a rigorous monitoring and tracking of your progress. Teacher assessment and feedback will be shared with students and parents via interim progress reports, formal written reports and parent consultation evenings. in regular formal interviews with your tutor, you will receive both detailed reports on your attainment and advice and guidance for sustained improvement and progress.

however, we believe it is important that you take ownership of your learning therefore we will expect you to monitor your own development as a learner and we will encourage self-assessment and independent tracking of your progress. We will support you in building up a learning and skills profile which will inform your decisions about your future and assist us in our discussions with you.

choosing your course • IF yOu hAve a specific career in mind, check as to whether that will require specific advanced level subjects for entry to university. many do not, but a few do. medicine, veterinary Science, engineering, Teaching and architecture are among those that do require specific subjects.

•SOMe SuBjeCTS go well together or support each other. maths is helpful if you are studying Physics or Chemistry, for example.

•IF yOu Are particularly good at something or have enjoyed it at GCSe, the chances are that you will enjoy it and do well at a/S-level and advanced level. For university entrance, the grade you gain at a/S or advanced level is usually more important than the name of the subject. however, do be aware that for the russell Group universities some subjects are more facilitating than others.

•FINd OuT what the course involves and consider whether these skills and activities appeal to you. how much reading, essay-writing, calculation, laboratory work, practical or field work is involved? Will you have to participate in residential visits or out-of-school activities?

•CONSIder using your fourth subject to balance your course of study and develop your key skills. a scientist, for example, might add a creative arts subject, a linguist a scientific subject.

•ABOve all Talk to your teachers! They know your strengths and their advice therefore is crucial.

You may be aware that further changes are planned in the 14 - 19 curriculum over thecoming years. We will keep pace with these changes, and always seek to offer you the very best educational pathways.

teaching and learningyOur CurrICuluM You now have an exciting opportunity to deepen your knowledge of subjects that you really enjoy and the chance to embrace new ones. it is a time for intellectual exploration, transforming you in only two years into a mature young person who is ready to pass through the gateway to the challenges and rewards of university or career. Great care and attention has been paid to providing a range of qualifications that are highly regarded by universities and potential employers and which will enable you to grow in intellectual and personal maturity.

The majority of students will study four aS level subjects in the Year 12 and continue with three a2 subjects in the Year 13. We offer 24 a level courses, from which you can select those which will provide you with the right personal challenges.

our personalised approach also extends to those who have not yet reached the entry requirements for level 3 courses and need an additional year to achieve their ambition. This will include concentrated study at GSCe and a range of level 2 BTeCs . This will enable students to progress onto level 3 courses here or to begin or continue level 2/3 courses at other schools, colleges or training providers.

Full course details and specifications can be found in the back of this Prospectus and can also be found online at www.thenewsixth.bathnes.sch.uk.

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support and challengeyOur perSONAl development is very important to us. There will be a dedicated team of Sixth Form tutors, led by a head of Sixth Form from both schools, who will work with all Sixth Form staff to ensure that every student is supported and challenged to achieve their full potential. our aim is to offer you personal freedom in a more adult environment and to ensure that we do this within a friendly, supportive framework. Your tutor will be in close daily contact with you and will monitor both your academic and personal progress. There will be a dynamic and relevant pastoral programme in place which will cover topics ranging from study skills to health and wellbeing and social awareness.

Chaplaincy will be a key element of support within The New Sixth. it will provide a witness to the Christian ethos of the Sixth Form. Sixth Form spiritual life will include the opportunity for worship, prayer and retreat. Christian values will permeate many of the activities students will do such as leading assemblies, mission conferences and charity fundraising.

Spiritual life in The New Sixth will be enhanced through a general course which will allow students to explore further aspects of their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

enrichment opportunitieswe OFFer all students the chance to deepen and enrich their studies, to go above and beyond just gaining qualifications. in particular, we offer you the chance to personalise your education and we challenge you to go on a journey to extend your thinking, your skills, your intellect so that you can engage in debate or discussion at interview and show the real potential that universities or employers seek. The planned enrichment programme which has dedicated time allocated to it each week on your timetable will give you the opportunity to develop those skills that have been identified as vital to achieving success in adult life. The skills of working with others, problem solving and independent learning will be developed via a range of options including:

•Curtain up Theatre Programme •duke of edinburgh Award Scheme •The extended project Qualification •The Community Sports leadership Award •work experience/work shadowing •The v Scheme (accredited volunteering) •I nternational cultural exchange programmes

preparing you for the next steps…we Are very much aware that Sixth Form is a stepping stone to the next important phase in a young person’s life. For some it will be the last stage in formal education for others it will be the means of securing a place in Further or higher education. Therefore from the very start of your

time in The New Sixth we aim to treat you as adults within a friendly and supportive environment that prepares you for progression

an excellent careers guidance programme will be on offer which will enable all students to make the right choices. We will provide an ongoing and highly structured programme of preparation for higher education so that you are well-informed and confident when it comes to choosing and applying to College and university.

You will be fully supported in this process and advice and guidance will be given with all university applications, but especially for highly competitive courses such as medicine, veterinary Science and law. in addition there will be specialist guidance and preparation for those students considering oxbridge entrance. mock interviews, appropriate for the post 18 route you choose, will be available for all students

You will be encouraged to participate in sport, performing arts or community action projects either within the school or the neighbouring community. We will strive to give you a diverse selection as possible of extra –curricular activities and events such as travel abroad, theatre and educational visits, university information fairs and residential retreats - all of which will enrich all aspects of your Sixth Form experience and fully develop your leadership skills.

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international linksBuIldING ON existing international links, The New Sixth will further strengthen these by providing sixth form students with a host of opportunities to become involved in Global education projects.

There are already well established ongoing partnerships across europe and asia with students visiting France, Germany, Czech republic, Spain, Poland, hungary and Turkey through British Council sponsored projects, and to the St. Gregory’s partner school in Suzhou, China. There are currently plans to link with a school in West Bengal, india.

Taking part in these projects helps our students to prepare themselves as global citizens, more aware of social, economic and political issues that affect people across

the world and wanting to make a difference by sharing what they know with their peers, and making their views known within the Sixth Form and wider community.

Students who have a bigger picture of world affairs are better able to make a contribution and to have their voices heard. enriching experiences such as these are highly valued by universities who constantly demand more of their students in an increasingly competitive market place.

expectationswe hAve A high expectation that the exemplary personal conduct of our Sixth Formers will set the tone of the whole college community. You will not wear a uniform, but we will insist on appropriate dress and appearance.

Good attendance is important in ensuring the best opportunity for outstanding academic achievement. You will be free to leave the building at lunch time, but you are expected to return punctually.

use of private study time will be closely monitored and you will be expected to develop the habit of spending your study time working in the new learning resource Centre.

our aim is to provide a disciplined framework while permitting sufficient freedom for you to learn to cope with greater personal responsibility.

executive headteacher Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons) NPQHhead of Sixth at St Gregory’s Catholic College Mrs Christine Boardman BEdhead of Sixth at St Mark’s Church of england School Mrs rachel purnell BASt Gregory’s Catholic College Chair of Governors Mrs M Goodbody BA MA PGCESt Mark’s Church of england School Chair of Governors Mr R Coombe

The New Sixth Administrative CentreCombe Hay LaneOdd DownBath BA2 8PATel 01225 832873Fax 01225 835848e-mail www.newsixthbath.org.uk