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Pro

spectu

s

Six

th F

orm

2016-18

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Our Vision• Torquay Academy will provide high quality

education and state-of-the-art facilities for

students, families and the wider Torquay

Community.

• The Academy will offer students learning

opportunities to suit their individual abilities and

aspirations.

• The Academy will raise the aspirations of young

people, opening doors for their future success.

• No student will leave the Academy without a

path to further education, training or the

workplace.

• Teaching and learning will be at the highest

level to drive academic standards

• The Academy will focus on the needs of

individual students.

The Post 16 provision at Torquay

Academy will offer a range of high

quality academic and work related

courses to suit all students aged 16 –

19, whatever your ambition.

Whether your aim is to go to

University, College, take an

Apprenticeship, go on to further

training or directly into work we have a

programme that will suit your needs.

Alongside opportunities to gain formal

qualifications and vocational training

there is a full range of enrichment

activities which will enable you to build

a programme that is varied, relevant to

your needs, motivating and enjoyable.

Every student will have a personal

tutor who will be an academic mentor

and provide specialised support

together with careers advice and

guidance.

A very warm welcome to Torquay Academy

Sixth Form. You are joining us at a very exciting

period of our development. With a new, dynamic

Sixth Form Centre, excellent personalised

learning resources, extended curriculum offer,

dedicated Sixth form team and highly skilled,

professional subject teachers our Sixth Form is

designed to be the place for you to stretch,

grow, learn and fulfil your true potential and

broaden your horizons.

Life in the Sixth Form is based upon a strong

partnership between you, your parents or

careers and school. You will enjoy more

freedom to determine your chosen curriculum.

However, with this freedom comes a

responsibility to have a mature, motivated and

honest approach to your learning commitments.

You will be required to show initiative, undertake

research and read broadly (not just set texts)

around your chosen subjects. In return we will

provide you with excellent quality teaching,

pastoral support, career guidance, help and

advice when you need it most. However, it’s not

all about the curriculum! We are passionate

about providing you with every opportunity to

enrich your experience with extra-curricular

activities; supporting local charities, working with

younger students, becoming anti-bullying

ambassadors, work experience placements,

Ten Tors and Duke of Edinburgh award.

We believe that Futures are made HERE and

we know that in joining us at Torquay Academy

Sixth Form you are making a step in the right

direction to securing a very bright future!

Mrs. Jane Thomas

Head of Sixth

Futures are made HERE …

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Our ExpectationsWe are looking for students who arecommitted, ambitious and willing to work hardto achieve their goals.

When you choose to commit to joining ourSixth Form you do so in the knowledge that weexpect you to give of your best at all times andthat you will act as a role model to otherstudents in the school.

You will agree with our expectations regardingattendance, punctuality and uniform and takeresponsibility for your own actions and yourown learning. We want you to be integral tothe life of the school and the local communityand expect you take on leadership roles in anumber of the enrichment activities we offer.

In return you will find teachers and other staffthat will fully support you in your journey fromYear 11 to whatever route you decide to takeonce completing your courses at the school.

AttendanceStudents are expected to attend school

full-time, albeit that some of your

attendance maybe off site provision.

Registers will be taken in all lessons, you

are expected to be on time for all lessons.

Both punctuality and attendance will be

monitored on a regular basis, if you are not

meeting the expected standards you will

be interviewed by the Head of Sixth form

to ascertain whether there are legitimate

reasons. You will be expected to register in

school each day at 8.25am unless you

have permission not to do so.

16-19 BursaryIn March 2011 the Government announced a new

16-19 Bursary Fund to support the most vulnerable

young people to participate in and benefit from

Post 16 education and training, following the

closure of the EMA (Education Maintenance

Allowance) Scheme. The funding is designed to

help support those young people who face the

greatest barriers to continuing in education or

training post 16. The maximum amount awarded is

£1200. Bursaries are awarded on an individual

basis at the discretion of the Principal. More details

of eligibility will be available prior to the deadline

for applications.

Joining the Sixth FormThis prospectus will provide you with

information about our Sixth Form and will

also give you information about joining

us.

Our entry requirements for each subject

are listed under the individual subject

information found in the subject

handbook enclosed in this prospectus.

All students will be interviewed to ensure

that we offer them courses that suit their

needs.

Prior to commencing your studies you

will be asked to sign a learning

agreement in which you agree, to abide

by the expectations that Torquay

Academy has of its Sixth Form students.

Please note: You will be expected to remain in school until 3.00pm each day. You

are welcome and indeed encouraged to stay later than 3pm each day to continue

your independent studies, should you wish to do so.

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Uniform and Responsibilities We believe it is reasonable to expect a high

standard of dress and behaviour from our

students, just as in the professional working

environment. Sixth Form students are

therefore expected to wear school uniform at

all times.

All our uniform items can be bought locally.

The official stockist of the Academy Sixth

Form uniform is Riviera Schooldays, 134

Union Street, Torquay (01803 293650).

Uniform

The following items must be bought from

Riviera Schooldays:

Black blazer embroidered with Academy

logo

Sixth Form House tie worn traditionally

and full length

Pleated black skirt

The following items can be bought from other

outlets but must conform to Academy

requirements

Plain collared white shirt (top button

fastened, shirt tucked in)

Plain black trousers of traditional design

(no jeans or leggings)

Plain black school shoes of traditional

design-no canvas/training style shoes or

boots

Plain black tights or plain black ankle or

knee length socks

Sixth Form students are also expected to:

• Agree to be bound by the school code of

conduct

• Attend all lessons

• Complete work on time

• Use study periods sensibly

• Wear School uniform at all times whilst

on the School site

• Involve themselves in the extra-

curricular life of the school

• Be Role models to other students

The Learning EnvironmentStudy

The ways in which you study and learn as a

Sixth Form Student, will develop you and

will empower you to assume greater

responsibility for your own independent

learning. You will become increasingly self

motivated and self disciplined. Choosing

the right courses is vital to your success so

seek advice, information and guidance and

take time to consider your programme of

study very carefully.

There are many routes possible through the

Sixth Form but generally students will

choose according to their career intentions,

personal interests, learning styles and

academic ability.

You can choose an academic or a work

related pathway. In certain cases,

depending on courses, it may be possible

for you to combine pathways.

Each student will receive Independent

Careers Guidance on a regular basis

throughout their time in the Sixth Form.

Private study time The state of the art facilities at the Academy

together with the Sixth Form study centre,

include a wide variety of study areas to give

you every opportunity for success and will

support your independent learning. There

are extensive learning resources available

around the school for students to use to

enhance their learning. The school places

much emphasis on Digital Learning

consequently we have excellent ICT

facilities, providing a basis for independent

learning. These can be used by Sixth Form

students before, during and after school,

students can also access their work at

home through our Virtual Learning

Environment.

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Google Chromebook Scheme

Students joining our Sixth Form will have the opportunity to

buy a subsidised Google Chromebook under a new

scheme.

The purchase scheme was put together after Torquay

Academy identified that independent learning was a barrier

to learning in the Sixth Form and the the Google

Chromebook is an excellent device to address that.

In addition to this we have developed our network structure

to support the use of this mobile device around the

Academy building.

Assistant Principal Gareth Harries said ‘ There are a lot of

mobile devices on the market. We have investigated a

range of devices and after consultation with the e-learning

foundation, parents and students, we have decided to offer

the Google Chromebook. This is a robust and cost

effective mobile device which will support independent

learning of Sixth Form students’

Under the scheme you will be asked to either pay a ‘one

off’ fee of £200 or make ten monthly payments of £20

towards the cost of the device.

Students eligible for the Sixth Form bursary will be able to

use part of this to cover the cost of their Chromebook.

Torquay Academy will be maintaining the devices and will

provide technical support for the duration of the student’s

studies in our Sixth Form. We will also provide a robust

carrying case.

If you require any further information please see Mr.

Harries who will be more than happy to answer your

questions.

Fitness SuiteAs a member of our

Sixth Form you will

also get free Junior

Membership to our

Fitness suite

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How we build your individualised programme

You will have the opportunity at the Year 11next steps evening, to talk to subject staffabout the courses and subjects that interest

you.

This prospectus includes further information oneach course.

Mrs. Hadden the Academy Careers Officerand Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Harries will beavailable to assist on the evening should youneed further information. In addition to this wewill be available on 15th December, Year 11Parents Evening.

The deadline for Sixth form applications is the1st February 2016.

You may also be invited to a separate 6th FormInterview, to which your parents are also mostwelcome to attend, during this interview youwill have time to discuss and consider yourchoices.

In the Summer term we will host a Post 16Induction Day so you can sample the subjectsor courses that interest you. During this dayyou can check any information or queries youmay have before the summer holiday starts.

On GCSE results day on Thursday 25th

August 2016 Mrs. Thomas and other SixthForm staff will be available in school all day tohelp and advise you if you wish to change yourcourse choice.

In September when you join the Sixth Formfurther information about Enrichment andOptional Courses will be available. Your SixthForm Personal Tutor will help you with this.

All students need the security to know that support is available for them. Whether the issue is subject specific, general study skills or personal you can be assured that we offer a wealth of appropriate support. In particular:

Subject Staff Our Sixth Form teachers will work hard to ensure that students are supported in the classroom as well as enabling them to work independently on projects, research, group based learning and individual set tasks. As part of our classroom practice across the school we aim to make sure that students fully understand and can apply the ingredients for success.

Pastoral Tutors and support staff: Every student will be allocated a personal tutor who meets with them on a regular basis for mentoring support. We have members of staff who are based in the Sixth Form Centre; specifically to work alongside students and support them in an independent learning environment. Trained staff are able to support students with specific learning needs.

Careers Advice We will provide an excellent Careers programme organised by the Academy Careers Advisor and delivered by trained staff. We have a wealth of resources to help make career decisions: books, videos, CD ROMS, magazines, ICT links.

ParentsWe recognise that parents play an important part in supporting students throughout their time in our Sixth Form. Parents will be invited to an introductory meeting early in the Autumn term. Regular contact is then kept through consultation evenings, reports and other special events. Parents may, of course also make an appointment to talk to staff at any other time.

+ 6Course

Gu

ide W

hic

h LevelSHOULD I

CHOOSE

LEVEL 2LEVEL 3

Level 3 means qualifications at an advanced level. It

is the step up after GCSE. There are different types

of qualification at this level, but they are all

equivalent. They include:

- GCE A level

- BTEC Diploma

- OCR National

You will need to make the academic entry

requirements for each course. This is because

courses are challenging and we must ensure that

you have the ability and skills to be successful. See

each subject listing for entry requirements.

Each course takes two years to reach the full

qualification.

LEVEL 1

ACADEMIC OR

VOCATIONALAcademic courses are traditional courses which deal with more theoretical

ideas. You will need to process information and usually present ideas in written

form, often as reports or essays. Some courses will include practical elements

and a little coursework, but overall they will be assessed by examination. If you

want to go into a traditional career such as teaching, medicine or law you will

need academic subjects.

Vocational courses are work related qualifications. They are designed to allow

you to learn in a way that suits you, and give you the skills employers are

looking for. There will be more practical activities and you will produce a portfolio

of coursework. You will get feedback on how you are doing during the course

and how to aim higher. Vocational qualifications can lead on to training,

employment and vocational courses at university.

Level 2 qualifications are GCSEs or an

equivalent qualification. This is what

you will have completed in Year 11. In

order to be fully qualified at level 2 you

need to obtain at least a grade C in

English and Mathematics as well as a

minimum of three other subjects,

including level 2 BTEC qualifications.

This is what you need to get onto most

apprenticeships and to get many jobs.

It is also what you need to get onto

most level 3 courses.

If you expect to get grades D-G at

GCSE, we offer a one year course in

the Sixth Form. You will be able to re-

sit English and Mathematics, as well as

choosing other subjects.

We aim to make this one year course

successful for you so that you can

either enter employment, take on an

apprenticeship or carry onto to level 3

courses the following year.

In most cases

level 1 courses are

practically based

and would suit

students who have

a willingness to

work hard and are

looking to gain

qualifications that

will promote

employability

opportunities,

these courses are

highly

individualised. A

good attitude

towards work is

required for these

courses, is the

expectation that

you have studied

Mathematics and

English at Key

Stage 4

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Course

Gu

ide

Wh

ich Courses

SHOULD

I TAKE

DO- Choose courses you enjoy and want to spend

time studying

- Choose courses you are good at, which use your

strengths

- Choose courses which are relevant for your

future career

- Choose courses that work well together and

support each other e.g. mathematics and physics

- Talk to your teachers and parents

- Find out what the course involves

- Research which qualifications an employer or

university requires

DO NOT- Just do what your friends are doing

- Choose a subject because you like the

teacher

Remember

- Do get your

application

in on time!

It is your decision which courses you choose, but make sure

you have researched all options and listen to advice given

When you apply you will need to list the subjects you are interested in. We

will then use this to plan our timetable and group subjects into option blocks.

We will try and fit you in with as many of your choices as possible, providing

you meet the course entry requirements.

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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat are the entry requirements for Torquay Academy Sixth Form Centre?

Your Study Programme will be personal to you and, so, it is difficult to specify general entry requirements. Whatever

courses you choose, the most important requirements are:

an enthusiastic and positive approach to your studies a commitment to being part of the Torquay Academy Sixth Form

community and meeting the high expectations we have of our students full time attendance and punctuality. Each

course has its own entry requirements. It is important that you check the course details carefully. If you do not get a

grade C in GCSE English or Maths when you join our Sixth Form, you will be required to continue your GCSE studies

in these subjects in the Sixth Form and resit these qualifications.

How many courses should I choose?

Your Study Programme at our Sixth Form is about much more than just the courses you choose. Your Programme is

personal to you and will be made up of examination courses, tutorial, the opportunity to develop important skills for

learning and life and a variety of other activities. We aim to provide you with a Programme which meets your

individual needs and will provide you with the qualifications and skills to enable you to progress to higher education,

employment or further training as well as developing your personal interests. The Sixth Form team will advise you

carefully about the right number and type of courses for you.

Can you guarantee that all the courses that I choose will be available?

The courses in this brochure are our ‘offer’. Whilst we would love to run all of the courses, sometimes we are not able

to. Decisions about whether to run courses will depend on the number of students who opt for them. If we are not able

to run a particular course for any reason, we will let you know in good time and advise you on choosing a different

course.

How do I apply to Torquay Academy Sixth Form?

Simply complete the application form in your Prospectus or visit our website to download an application form.

Applications forms should be posted to the Sixth Form Office. Torquay Academy students can drop them into the Sixth

Form Centre. Deadlines for receipt of applications is 1st February 2016. See the Application Timeline for more

information.

What will happen at my interview? Do I need to bring anything with me?

It is a good idea to bring a recent school report with you and, for some courses, you may need to bring examples of

work you have done - but your letter will tell you exactly what you need to bring. Interviews will be held throughout

February and March. You will be interviewed by a member of the Sixth Form Team. Your interview is an opportunity

for you to ask any questions that you might have and for us to advise you about the right courses and activities for

your personalised Study Programme. At the end of your interview you will be given an ‘offer’ confirming your Study

Programme and the grades you will need to be able to do those courses.

What happens if I change my mind about what I want to study?

You just need to let the Sixth Form team know what you would like to change to. If it is a major change, we may ask

you to come in for another interview.

What happens if I don’t get my predicted grades?

The most important thing is that you are studying on the right courses at the right level. Our admissions process takes

place in the week after your GCSE results are available. Every student will have an admissions interview and if you

haven’t got the grades that you need, we will work with you to look at the options available to you. This might mean

changing course. The Sixth Form Team will also be available for advice on GCSE results day. Full details will be on

the website.

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Key Dates What Happens? Further Details

10th December 2015 Year 11 Next Steps

Evening

A chance to find out more about the

opportunities on offer at Torquay Academy.

Meet the staff and current students. Explore

subjects that you might be interested in and

get expert advice about the right Study

Programme for you.

December 2015-January

2016

Visits to Sixth Form for

external students

A chance to find out more about the

opportunities on offer at Torquay Academy.

Meet the staff and current students. Explore

subjects that you might be interested in and

get expert advice about the right Study

Programme for you.

December 2015 – January

2016

Taster sessions and

‘Drop Ins’ for TA

students

TA students are invited to attend lunchtime

taster sessions to find out more about the

courses on offer at Sixth Form or ‘drop in’ to

advice sessions with the Sixth Form Team

about choosing a Study Programme. Details

will be on the Bulletin.

1st February 2016 Applications Deadline 1st February 2016 Applications Deadline.

Completed application forms must be

returned to the Sixth Form Office by this

date.

February – March 2016 Sixth Form Interviews Your interview is an opportunity for you to

ask any questions that you might have and

for us to advise you about the right courses

and activities for your personalised Study

Programme.

May – June 2016 GCSE Examinations Good Luck!

29th June 2016 Induction Day Students are expected to attend induction

activities on this day and to collect their

induction tasks.

25th August 2016 GCSE Results Day The Sixth Form Team will be available for

advice, guidance and support.

29th -31st August 2015 Admissions Meetings We meet all students to confirm their Study

Programme and complete the official

enrolment process.

September 2016 Welcome to Sixth Form

Key D

ate

s

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EnrichmentOur enrichment activities are wide ranging, it

is something that the school places great

emphasis on.

One of the core values at the school is to

produce a young person who is well-

rounded, polite, disciplined, has good

communication skills, problem solving skills

and who has both teamwork and leadership

qualities in equal abundance. The

enrichment programme will reinforce and

enhance this concept in our Sixth Form

students.

Opportunities will range from;

• First Aid training

• Peer Mentoring opportunities

• Community Services

• A wide range of sports

• Music productions

• The Duke of Edinburgh Award

• Drama productions/Fashion Show

• Sixth Form Charity

• Fitness Suite

• Sports Leaders Award

• Reading Buddies

• Student Council

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Opportunities will expand in line with student

demands

So Why Torquay Academy?

In summary:• You will have an individualised pathway

• You will know most of your teachers

• You can continue at a school that you know

and one that knows you

• There are a wide range of subjects available

• Learning takes place in small groups where

you will receive personal attention

• You will receive lots of support with job

applications, careers advice and University

applications

• You can take part in a range of enrichment

activities

• You will be part of a forward thinking school

where digital learning is at the heart of the

school community

• If you are new to Torquay Academy you will

find us friendly, inclusive, student focused

with exceptional pastoral support system,

where you are at the centre of your own

learning experience

Application ProcedureThe Sixth Form Prospectus and Application

Forms are available from the school or on

the school website (www.tqacademy.co.uk)

Applications should be sent to or handed into

Torquay Academy

Cricketfield Road

Torquay

Devon TQ2 7NU

by 1st February 2016

1st February 2016Final submission date of application forms

from internal and external prospective

Sixth Form students.

Applications received after this date will

be at a disadvantage in the allocation of

places in over-subscribed groups.

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2016-18