Be Who You Are, Become Who You Want to Be

Be who you are, become who you want to be

Bilborough Sixth Form College Open Day Newsletter Autumn 2017 Free!

Virtually ANY 52% A* to B combination of subjects grades

Widest choice of A levels in Notts 99% pass rate & Derbyshire 2017

7 students at Oxbridge this year! What’s Inside? • A Message From Principal Chris Bradford • Reaching Your Full Potential • Performance And Progression • Careers • Courses We Offer • Teaching And Learning At Bilborough • Supporting You • Proud Of Our Oxbridge News

A Message From Principal Chris Bradford A very warm welcome to Bilborough Sixth Form College! We’re delighted you’re thinking about coming here for the next stage in your education and taking the time to explore what we’ve got to offer. Bilborough is a publicly-funded, independent, specialist Sixth Form College offering a wide range of courses and custom-made study programmes to help you progress to university or employment. Here you’ll learn in an environment which will feel more like a university than a school. Our excellent teachers along with your own Personal Tutor and fellow students will make sure you are supported every step of the way. At Bilborough we’ll celebrate your individuality and challenge you to excel. Later in this booklet you’ll read fantastic success stories from some of our former students. Our open events are designed to give you all the information and advice you need to help you make the right choice for you so please feel free to talk to any of our students and staff. They’ll give you open and honest answers to any questions you might have. We were sorry that some students hoping to join us this September were disappointed, even though they met our entry requirements, because all our places had already gone to students who had applied earlier. We hope you’ll agree that Bilborough Sixth Form College is a very special place. We also hope that you’ll decide this is the place for you and, if so, look forward to receiving your application soon. More information on how to apply is on our website and on the back of this brochure. Chris Bradford Principal

Moodle A classroom in your pocket Every subject has its own Moodle intranet page where students can find course information, homework tasks, handouts, presentations, further reading and much more! It can be accessed anytime, anywhere – it’s a classroom in your pocket!

2 www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 Performance and Progression

Our students consistently achieve excellent results and our outstanding Oxbridge and unique links with universities and 1.09% employers help us to support them Gap Year with exceptional rates of progression to 7.91% university and into employment. Further Other Anyone applying to university receives Education Russell 3.65% specialist in-house support, with Group Unis 23.36% dedicated staff to focus on medicine, Employment dentistry, veterinary sciences, drama 7.4 2% and theatre. Students applying to Oxford or Cambridge are supported by Apprenticeships our dedicated Oxbridge Tutor. 5.23% Other Unis 43.55% In 2016, 68% of our students went to university, over 24% to prestigious Russell Group universities Armed Forces 0.49% Still Chasing 5.11% Other 2.19%

BBC East Midlands Presenter, Geeta Pendse, Launches Our Ambition Programme!

We’re very proud of our former students – launched this popular programme. Geeta many of whom have gone on to achieve great studied A levels in English Literature, History, things. We thought that our current students Drama and Theatre Studies and spoke to would be interested to hear from some of them students about her own journey to becoming a – what they’re doing now, how they got there, TV presenter. the barriers they overcame on the way and any advice they might have on how to maximise “Some of the happiest days of my their chances of success. life were spent at Bilborough Sixth So, we planned a series of monthly talks from Form College, particularly because alumni called ‘The Ambition Programme’ of what I learnt here and the friends because it’s intended to inspire our students that I made, many of whom I’m still and help them realise their ambitions. friends with today,” BBC East Midlands Today presenter and former - Geeta Bilborough student, Geeta Pendse, officially

www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 3 Students benefit from a wide range of qualification options, including an increased Here’s A Bit More About vocational offer, and take programmes tailored to their individual aspirations. The Courses We Offer... - Ofsted Report 2016 A Levels BTECs A Level route: In Year 12 you will study up to 4 The BTEC Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A subjects. levels) is a full programme of study and cannot If you opt for an A level programme at Bilborough be combined with A levels. Alternatively, a BTEC Sixth Form College, you will take either 3 or 4 Subsidiary Diploma or a BTEC Extended Certificate subjects depending on your aptitude and preferences. (both equivalent to 1 A level) can be combined with up to 3 other qualifications. Alternatively, A levels can be combined with BTEC qualifications to create a full time programme of study. Want to know more about our BTEC offer? Drop into the Information Hub in main reception to We will always provide advice and support at the have your general questions answered or visit the summer induction and then again at enrolment and departments if you want to know more about a in the first few weeks at the start of term – just to particular subject. make sure you’re happy and on the right course.

Virtually any combination of A Levels - your choice! Want to study maths, chemistry and dance? you can at Bilborough! We’re happy to meet your requests for subject combinations... no matter how unusual! For a detailed list of the courses we offer, refer to our prospectus or website. Visit From Spaced and W1a Star, Jessica Hynes! When TV and film actress, Jessica Hynes offered to donate 20 days of her time to schools this year, Bilborough Sixth Form College was one of the places she was keen to visit, and our Drama students were treated to a question and answer session and workshop with the star. Jessica talked to students about her career, how she got started and her experience of acting in films and TV and being a screenwriter. Sharon MacInnes, Head of Drama at Bilborough Sixth Form College, said the students were thrilled to work with Jessica. “The students enjoyed listening to her talk about her own career and took on board the advice she offered them. It was a fantastic experience for them.”

“Absolutely anything is possible, if you can imagine it then work backwards, there is a process by which to make it happen. There’s no limit to what you can do,” Jessica’s valuable advice to our ambitious students

4 www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 Supporting You The college has an outstanding reputation for supporting students and helping them to overcome potential barriers to their learning. Our Learning Support service is offered to students with a disability, a health problem or those who feel they need help with their course. We also have a Wellbeing Coach, Welfare Officer and Counsellors at college. Talk to our Learning Support team if you need any advice on the support available, you’ll find them near the main entrance.

Olivier decided he wanted to study in the Results Stories 2017: USA after experiencing life at seven American universities in 2016 when he was awarded a place on the Sutton Trust US Programme during Olivier’s his first year at Bilborough College. He stayed at Yale University in New Haven for a week and also Story visited Harvard, Columbia and Barnard College. During the week he attended university fairs, sat in on lectures, met current and former students as well as doing some sightseeing. The costs were covered by the Sutton Trust programme. “I would say that it was the placement with the Sutton Trust that made me Bilborough College student Olivier Niyibizi want to study in America. If I hadn’t achieved top A-level grades and is now set done that I think I would have thought to live the American dream after securing that studying in the USA wasn’t an a scholarship at one of the world’s leading option for me. I had to do a lot of research universities. interviews on Skype once I’d applied to Olivier achieved an A in Maths, an A in Business universities in America. Studies, a B in Computer Science and an A* in Extended Project and has already flown out to I spent five days at Emory earlier this Atlanta, Georgia. year and I just knew it was the place He said: “I just thought this would be such an for me. I’ve been lucky enough to be amazing opportunity to experience a different awarded a scholarship which means education system and I think it will help me that everything is funded from my immensely when I return to the UK and apply for course to my accommodation.” jobs. I haven’t decided what I’m going to major in yet but I’m looking at a degree in Computer Science or Quantitative Science. I’ll be out there for four years and I’m so excited to go out there and meet people and experience it all and everything the university has to offer.” Students become more independent and make good progress without constant reference to the teacher. This is particularly evident in art, economics, English language, chemistry and mathematics. - Ofsted Report 2016

www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 5 Students benefit from a highly effective enrichment programme that broadens their experience and enables them to develop a wide Reaching Your Full range of skills and attributes that will help them to become thoughtful and productive citizens. Potential - Ofsted Report 2016

We have high expectations for you! We You will be assigned a Personal Tutor whose monitor your progress closely, challenging role is dedicated to supporting you. You will and supporting you to ensure you have the meet with them weekly, but they are available best chance of reaching your full potential. throughout the week if you need them. You In fact some of our students participate in will also be offered extra help from your subject annual Maths and Science Olympiads and other teachers if ever you need it. competitive scenarios to extend their learning.

Results Stories 2016: BTEC Distinctions Help Caring Warda Achieve Her University Dreams

Bilborough Sixth Form College student Warda said: “I am really pleased with my results Warda Khan, who has been the main carer for and my mum is so proud. I have had to work her mum for the last six years, is celebrating really hard to fit everything in from caring for after achieving outstanding BTEC results. my mum, to getting all my work done as well as trying to see my friends. Warda achieved two Distinction* and a Distinction in her BTEC Extended Diploma in Warda had thought that she may have to defer Business and now she plans to go to University of university for a year to organise a proper care Liverpool to study business. plan for her mum, however now she plans to take her mum to Liverpool with her. The 18-year-old from Bilborough has been caring for her mum Rifat, since she was in Year “Originally I had thought I would go to Liverpool 7 at secondary school. Rifat, 50, has a condition and then come home to Nottingham every other called Paraneoplastic Syndrome which she weekend,” said Warda. “But then her care plan fell began to suffer with after being diagnosed with through so we are looking at residential homes breast cancer. As a result Rifat has problems with for my mum in Liverpool so she will be near me. walking, balance, speech and vision and Warda “We are both really excited as we haven’t left has been her main carer. Nottingham for seven years, not even for a holiday, so this is an exciting time for both of us.”

6 www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 Results Stories 2017: Lucas’ Story

Lucas Burgess is celebrating achieving the “I had to go through quite a rigorous grades he needs needs to pursue his dreams process, doing entrance exams and of studying medicine at the university of Nottingham after being inspired by his own interviews to secure my place at the battle with Leukaemia. Lucas, who joined University of Nottingham. I also went us from West Park School achieved three A* on work experience. I spent a few grades in Biology, Chemistry and Maths. days at the Royal Derby Hospital and The teenager was diagnosed with acute then a week at the Queen’s Medical lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 10 and Centre. following intensive treatment he went into remission five years ago. “I had chemotherapy “I’ve really enjoyed my time at and that was intensive for the first six weeks and Bilborough College, it was the right then began to spread out. I had it over a four- year period until I was 14 and I was at West Park choice for me and they have been School in Spondon, Derby, then.” so supportive and given me lots of “Since then I’ve been going back to Queen’s help with careers advice and helping Medical Centre in Nottingham for regular checks”. me get work experience. They have Lucas has now been given the all clear by specialist support for people wanting doctors. He said: “I was surrounded by doctors to apply for medicine and I think for a long period of my life and what I’ve been through has definitely been a factor in wanting if that wasn’t there I wouldn’t have to study Medicine, I just want to give something known what to do.” back and help people. I also know what people in hospital are going through.”

Careers With specially trained careers advisers on site throughout the week and our annual on-site Careers and Higher Education Fair, you too will be helped to take the smartest possible route to achieving your dreams!

www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 7 Staff provide excellent support to help students who have leanring difficulties Teaching And Learning and/or disabilities to succeed. At Bilborough - Ofsted Report 2016 Our class sizes allow for a good mix of group Our students tell us Bilborough Sixth Form work and attention to individual needs. Our College really feels like a halfway house supervised quiet study areas and student between school and university or work – a social spaces are well-used, adding to the place where we’ll help and support you as you ‘mini-university’ atmosphere so many of our develop into an effective, independent learner. visitors and students detect. You’ll find a supportive, friendly environment at Bilborough that’s fully-equipped for learning. Our purpose-built accommodation offers “It’s good to know that students specialist teaching facilities and the very latest get free Microsoft Office!” technologies. - a parent

Results Stories 2017: James’ Story

James Hickinbotham achieved a B in Drama, C “I went through school not realising in Performance Studies and a Distinction in BTEC I had dyslexia. When I got here I Dance and has secured a place at the University of Derby to study Dance. did my first Drama assignment and straight away my tutor, Sharon, said James was diagnosed with dyslexia whilst at Bilborough, something he was unaware of before she thought I might be dyslexic. I was he attended the college. tested and it was confirmed and it all He said: “The courses made sense. Bilborough staff have were all really challenging been great. but I love a challenge and particularly love They put lots of support in place to performance. I’ve been help me and I can’t thank everyone dancing since the age of enough for that. I’m nervous about seven so I’m really looking starting university but also looking forward to studying it at university. forward to it.”

8 www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 Proud Of Our Oxbridge News 2017 was another successful year for our Oxbridge applicants, with close to a third receiving offers! Our dedicated Oxbridge co-ordinator helps with the particular demands of the admissions process. Through masterclasses, taster days, open days and summer schools, our co-ordinator supports our students with their applications and develops their self-belief - ensuring that we continually raise aspirations, so that they’re fully able to achieve everything they’re capable of. Our Oxbridge co-ordinator works closely with our independent careers adviser and personal tutors. A total of seven of our students took up their places at Oxbridge in autumn 2017.

Results Stories 2017: Results Stories 2017: Jasmin’s Millie ‘s Story Story

Jasmin achieved four A* grades in Maths, Millie was awarded three A* grades in English Biology, Chemistry and Physics and is going Literature, French and History. She will now to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge study English at Cambridge. University. ‘I’ve tried not to think about results day so ‘I’ve always had a natural ability for have been just reading lots of books’ I was up maths and enjoyed sciences so I really early on results day as I heard the email ping through on my phone and saw that I had knew what I wanted to do. I wasn’t secured my place.’ quite expecting the results I got but ‘I’m really looking forward to obviously I’m really happy with them.’ meeting and working with people ‘I started thinking about going to Cambridge who have similar subject interests in year 12. The process to get in was quite daunting. I think the degree will help me and living independently too.‘ develop my skills and I am thinking about going into finance afterwards.’

Students receive very good advice on their future options, especially if they are progressing to university. - Ofsted Report 2016

www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 9 Results Stories 2017: Eloise’s Story

Eloise Siani Djiajkou achieved two A*s and an A “English was really hit and miss for me because I grade despite losing two years’ worth of A-level lost my revision notes. The teachers helped me, work in a fire which left her homeless a week they spent extra time with me before the exams before her exams were due to start. and gave me lots of notes. Eloise said she was thrilled with her grades in “Fortunately after the fire I was able English Literature, Psychology and French, which to get my Psychology textbook from mean that she can go on to Nottingham Trent University to study Psychology. my house and a lot of what I needed The fire broke out at Eloise’s three-storey home, for that exam was online but for my while she was in her room on the top floor. She other subjects I had help from my said: teachers and I literally locked myself “I lost all of my notes from every subject, which in a room and revised.” was hundreds and hundreds of pages and two Eloise said she was surprised when she received years of work, because they were damaged by her results. “I was quite shocked when I found out the smoke from the fire, everything was just what my results were. My mum was really proud black. of me.”

The college has an inclusive culture in which students with diverse identities feel Equality & Diversity welcome and safe. They show respect and tolerance towards each other. We aim to ensure that students, their parents - Ofsted Report 2016 or carers, staff and visitors are treated with dignity and respect regardless of their age, disability, gender, pregnancy or maternity status, marriage or civil partnership status, race religion or belief, sexuality or transgender status. The college strives to create a teaching and learning environment that is free from discrimination and actively celebrates diversity.

98% of students would recommend Bilborough College to a friend Source: Ofsted learner view, September 2016

10 www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 Notes

www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol 0115 851 5000 11 Where To Find...

Green Blue Pink

Design & Technology, Media Photography, Dance, C3 Physics, Electronics B3 Studies, Film Studies, Welcome talks A3 in B3.07 Performing Arts

IT, Computing, The Library (LIC C2 Chemistry, Biology, Science B2 - Learning Information Centre), A2 Art, French, German, Spanish Sociology

Public Services Maths, Ethics & Philosophy, Business Studies, Economics, C1 B1 Main Entrance A1 Psychology Bridge to Sports Centre (PE & Sport) INFO HUB*

Geography, History, English Music, Music Technology, C0 Language & Literature, B0 The Refectory, Vending Machines A0 Drama & Theatre Studies Politics, Law

Lifts and stairs are located between A/B and B/C blocks. Stairs are also at each end of the building. Don’t Miss! Welcome Talks take place throughout the event, talk to the team on reception for details. In need of refreshment? Drop into Costa Coffee in the main foyer! Vending machines in B block lower ground floor & in the Sports Centre. *INFO HUB: Reception, Student Support, Bus Info, Tutors, Additional Learning Support, BTEC overview, and Bilborough Xtra.

Don’t 2018 Applications miss Now Open! out! It’s time to apply NOW to secure your place! Some students missed out on a place this September, even though they had the entry qualifications, because our places had all gone to students who had applied earlier. Apply on-line via the college website or if paper’s your thing, ask us for an application form! Want to know more about applications? Our Welcome Team on reception can help!

Say Hello! Bilborough Sixth Form College College Way, Nottingham, NG8 4DQ 0115 851 5000 www.bilborough.ac.uk @bilboroughcol Any questions? Talk to a member of staff today - or ask one of our student helpers.