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Prospectus
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WELCOME FROM THE HEADS OF PGW SIXTH FORM First of all we would
like to thank you for considering our PGW Sixth Form as the
provider of further education for your child or children. At PGW
(Partnership of Greenacre and Walderslade) we prepare them for
their future. We hope that through reading our prospectus you will
be able to gain an insight into the vast and varied range of
subjects, excellent pastoral care and extensive extra curricula
activities that will inspire, nurture and stimulate your children’s
education.
Our Sixth Form at PGW is unique, comprising two partner schools,
Greenacre Academy and Walderslade Girls’ School. Through offering a
partnered Sixth Form, we have the luxury of being able to combine
the specialisms, resources, facilities and expertise of staff from
both of these excellent schools.
In addition to being a unique, partnered Sixth Form, PGW is also
one of the largest Sixth Forms in Medway – which we think is a true
testament to our success. At PGW, we recognise our students as the
young adults that they are and, as such, we consider them to be
ambassadors for both Greenacre Academy and Walderslade Girls’
School. They serve as role models to our younger cohorts, as echoed
by Ofsted May 2018 "They are good role models for younger pupils in
the school,".
PGW Sixth Form aspires to deliver an exemplary learning
experience for our students through a nurtured atmosphere of both
cooperation and mutual respect. Ultimately, our main aim is to
ensure that when PGW students leave us they all have the
qualifications, knowledge, and personal attributes needed to
succeed in their desired future path, whatever that may be: higher
education, an apprenticeship, or the world of work.
We understand how challenging it can be to choose the right
Sixth Form provider for your child but you can be assured that,
should you choose PGW Sixth Form, it will be the start of a
successful journey which we warmly invite you to be part of. We
look forward to receiving your application to join PGW Sixth Form
and we invite you to contact us should you require any further
information or assistance.
Mr Mallia & Mr CrossHeads of Sixth Form
WELCOME
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SKILLS FOR LIFEThrough our ‘Skills for Life’ strategy, we aim to
be the first choice for employers when they look to recruit, as
well as ensuring that those who wish to follow an academic path in
further education are given comprehensive advice and support. Many
visitors to PGW Sixth Form and outside agencies regularly remark on
the positive relationships we have forged between the students and
our highly accomplished staff – a real testament to the benefits of
instilling our ‘Skills for Life’ principles in our young-adult
learners.
We are passionate about equipping our students with the skills
and attributes that will help to make them happy and successful
adults with satisfying careers. Our ‘Skills for Life’ principles
are at the heart of all we do at PGW Sixth Form. Our well-developed
links with local and international businesses and organisations
offer students exceptional careers guidance which heightens
aspirations and further educates students on potential prospects
for their future.
"Leaders have developed strong curriculum links with business
and industry through talks and work experience. For example,
students have the opportunity to hear external speakers offering
independent careers advice. Consequently, students understand the
wide range of employment and further educational opportunities
available to them,"
Ofsted, May 2018
Our Skills for Life motto is:
E xcellenceM annersP erseveranceL isteningO rganisedY ou
M otivationE mployability
LIFE AT PGW SIXTH FORM The PGW Sixth Form ‘experience’ begins
with an immersive induction process which is designed to hone and
develop the skills necessary for a successful transition from Year
11 to Year 12. We endeavour to work with all of our new Year 12
students to ensure that they are integrated into the Sixth form and
are studying the right courses for their future. Skills for Life is
an ethos that is embedded in the PGW Sixth Form and we offer a
variety of experiences that are designed to develop the whole
individual and not just their exam grades. For example, early into
term one, Year 12 students are given the opportunity to spend the
day working with the British Army which helps them to develop some
key skills, including team work and communication skills.
PGW students, as senior members of both school communities, are
recognised by staff as young adults and this is reflected in the
high expectations that staff place upon them. Our students have
periods of independent study in one of our dedicated study areas
when they are not in their timetabled lessons. During study
periods, all students have access to computers and laptops to
further aid their independent learning. In addition, students will
have periods of ‘home study’ woven throughout their fortnightly
timetables.
During social times our students have a dedicated and
comfortable common room which features a mineral water drinks
dispenser, air conditioning and numerous areas for students to
relax following a morning of focused and highly motivated
learning.
Whilst we place an emphasis on students’ studies, we also
encourage our Sixth Form cohort to play a role in the wider
community. We encourage students to volunteer and explore
opportunities for valuable work experience, which will support
future employment prospects, in their timetabled ‘enrichment’
periods. We have strong links with our Trust primary academies and
our other neighbouring primary schools and it is commonplace for
our Sixth Form students to work with, support, and coach local
primary school pupils, enabling our students to add an impressive
and unique feature to their CVs
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Vocational• Applied Science
• Business• Criminology• Fashion Textiles• Forensic Science•
Graphics• Health & Social Care• ICT• Law• Music• Media•
Professional Cookery• Performing Arts (Musical Theatre and Dance)•
Sport & Exercise Science• Electronics and Electrical
Installation• BTEC Engineering (Level 2 and 3)• City and Guilds
Engineering• NVQ Engineering• Painting & Decorating• Site
Carpentry
Engineering and Construction PathwaysAt PGW Sixth Form we have
the expertise to offer a strong and varied range of Engineering and
Construction courses. We encourage both male and female students
who are interested in this field to take either one of our pathways
for a more vocational, ‘hands on’ approach to post-16 study. Both
pathways contain a range of three different qualifications related
to that industry. We are also one of only two schools in the UK to
offer the NVQ Engineering course at level 2. These pathways have
been very successful over the past two years and we are incredibly
proud to advise that 100% of students who have completed their
pathway have secured an apprenticeship before leaving us. These
apprenticeships have come from many local businesses but also
multi-national companies such as: BMW, Mercedes and BAE.
OUR PGW CURRICULUM PGW Sixth Form is the perfect progression
route for students to complete academic, applied general and
technical level vocational courses. We offer courses at Level 3 (A
Level/BTEC equivalent) and Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) in order to
suit all skills and abilities. Students are set challenging targets
and encouraged to work independently, which yields ‘strong
progress,’ Ofsted, May 2018. We also recognise the importance of
students having a further opportunity to obtain Level 4 grades in
English Language and Mathematics GCSEs should students not have
obtained these results in Year 11 and, as such, factor ‘re-sit
lessons’ , if required, into students’ timetables, ‘Those students
who retake GCSEs in English and Mathematics achieve above-average
outcomes,’ (Ofsted, May 2018).
We have a wide range of subjects to choose from in both academic
and vocational pathways:
Academic • Art & Design • Core Maths • English
Literature/Language • English Literature • Ethics, Philosophy and
Religion • History • Photography • Psychology • Sociology
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STUDENT SUPPORTAs we are two schools working in partnership
together in PGW Sixth Form, this has enabled us to build a strong
support network for our students, allowing us to fully support
their’ transition from Year 11 to Sixth Form. PGW Sixth Form has a
dedicated team of staff in place to support our students throughout
their journey through Sixth Form and beyond.
Support Network: • Head of Sixth Form (males & females) •
Deputy Head of Sixth Form (males & females) • Form Tutors •
Pastoral Support Assistant • Study Supervisors (Year 12 and 13) •
Progressions Mentor
WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS SAY?"Now that I'm coming to the end of my
time at PGW, I can honestly say that coming to this Sixth Form was
the best decision I could have made. PGW Sixth Form has given me
endless opportunities to excel in my studies and each of my
teachers have given me the best support to achieve the best
possible grades for me to move onto university next year. I study
both Triple Applied Science and Psychology and I love both of my
subjects as well as the dedicated staff members who have made my
time at PGW both educational and fun. PGW has prepared me for not
only University, but also life. The skills I have gained I will
continue to use for the rest of my life. I truly believe this is an
amazing sixth form."
Cassie, Year 13
"'At PGW Sixth Form, you are never stuck for support - a helping
hand is always
there. I never feel hesitant to ask for help because there is
always someone around who can help - regardless of what you might
need. PGW has prepared me for my future, it has helped me realise
what I want from life and what my goals are. I have also had help
and support in preparing me for the world of work. The staff treat
us as young adults and give us privileges, but still have high
expectations of us."
Jay, Year 13
"I find that lessons are well planned and strict deadlines are
in place which has helped me to progress. In Year 12, there were
opportunities to attend university events and information was
circulated about apprenticeships and our next steps. During study,
I have had the opportunity to work both independently, as well as
seeking support from my class teachers when needed. The Sixth Form
team recognise talented individuals and like to promote them well.
I am looking forward to a successful end to my school career."
Sam, Year 13
"Since joining the sixth form, I’ve always been encouraged to do
my best, and am always given the support I need to do well in my
subjects."
Shelby, Year 13
"I discovered boxing in year 8 and fell in love with
it.Greenacre Academy has been incredibly supportive and has been
instrumental in ensuring I get the best mentors and the help I
need. I attend boxing bootcamps and also help out young beginner
boxers on Saturday mornings. I began my fashion brand because I
love my Business studies and want to be a successful entrepreneur
as well as being a champion boxer."
Karol, Year 13 Head Boy PGW and Youth Olympics Gold
Medallist
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PROGRAMMES OF STUDYAlthough we understand that our students’
academic progress is key to their time at PGW we are also keen to
develop the ‘whole’ individual. Through our Skills for Life
programme students have access to numerous non-curriculum
timetabled activities throughout the two years they study with
us.
We provide access to: • Team building activities • Mock
interview days • Trips to universities • Targeted careers
assemblies • Social action projects • Peer mentoring • Charity and
volunteering experiences
Non-curriculum time is also supported by in-school supervised
study time, enrichment periods, and home study periods.
PROGRESSIONS & DESTINATIONS
PGW Sixth Form is truly the perfect progression route for all of
our students’ next steps. Whatever career path a student is
interested in we provide support in striving towards that goal. All
students are given dedicated time with our Progressions Mentor,
leading to expert advice from external sources if needed by the
student.
All students are given their own UniFrog account which allows
them to continue to research both university prospects and
apprenticeships, as well as create their own shortlists and share
with their parents or guardians.
We commit resources to university applications by investing time
in preparing students for the rigorous university application
process and guiding them all the way through to completion.
PGW students go on to have successful careers and we are proud
of what our students’ final destinations are – here are some recent
examples of our successful alumni: • University of Kent •
University of Greenwich • Canterbury Christ Church University •
University of Creative Arts • University of Essex • Police Force •
BAE Systems • BMW • Mercedes • Delphi • BDS Architecture &
Design • Volvo • SSE • Camp America • Greenacre Academy •
Walderslade Girls School • Studying Sport at CCCU AND represented
GB in Women's Hockey Team • 1st from CCCU in Film, Radio &
Television • University of Lincoln • BA(Hons) English and Drama -
Anglia Ruskin University • English Literature and History BA (Hons)
2:1 from University of Westminster • Entrepreneur, fashion designer
and Youth Olympics Gold Medallist
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CONTACT DETAILS
Greenacre Academy157 Walderslade Road
ChathamKent
ME5 0LP
01634 861593
[email protected]
Walderslade Girls School
Bradfields AvenueChatham
KentME5 0LE
01634 861596
[email protected]
@PGWSixthForm @PGWSixthForm
Karol Itauma Head Boy PGW, entrepreneur, fashion designer, Youth
Olympics Gold Medallist
Photo credit: Team GB/Lumix UK
