Sixth Form Guide 2015 Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Welcome SIXTH FORM GUIDE 2015 Dear Student, Thank you for your interest in Clitheroe Royal Grammar School. We hope that this Noah Froud, Head Boy guide will assist you in making a positive Formerly CRGS decision to join our outstanding, diverse I’ve found CRGS puts students and vibrant Sixth Form. at the heart of the Sixth Form; students are encouraged to We are very proud of our Sixth Form take part in extra-curricular which is housed in its own centre at York activities and even to run and Street. Clitheroe Royal Grammar School start extra-curricular clubs. is based on firm values and traditions and Teachers are always willing to provides not only outstanding academic discuss problems and difficulties. opportunities, but also an environment They’ve never let me rest on where each student can further develop my laurels and I’ve gone from essential life skills. Clitheroe Royal strength to strength with their Grammar School has Academy status which help and encouragement. Looking gives us considerable freedom to enhance the opportunities for our students. ahead to university, I know what I’ve achieved has opened doors We have an extensive guidance programme and students are supported by to opportunities I didn’t know subject tutor, form tutor and senior tutor. We also provide opportunities existed before. for sport, music, expeditions, foreign travel, cultural visits, work experience and much more. We recognise that Sixth Form life is more than just an opportunity for academic study. A Levels 2014 Students join us from over 40 schools. For everyone it is a new start and an 100% Pass Rate opportunity to excel in this caring community. Students quickly settle in and Ranked the No. 1mixed Sixth receive excellent preparation for the challenges of A Level courses. Form* in Lancashire for A*- B grades (68%) at A Level. This guide aims to give you an idea of what Sixth Form life is like at Clitheroe The Times - School Results Royal Grammar School. A visit to our centre will give you an even better idea. We look forward to meeting you. Judith Child Headteacher CLITHEROE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2 SIXTH FORM GUIDE 2015 Admission There are over 630 students in our Sixth Form, all of whom study A Levels. We welcome students from the Ribble Valley, Longridge, Preston, Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Barnoldswick and beyond. The school is served by public transport from a large number of areas and financial aid may be available via the 16-19 Bursary depending upon parental circumstances. For Sixth Form entry, there is no catchment area and no entrance examination. The criteria for admission are high enough GCSE grades and a sound track record at your present school. To be able to join the Sixth Form you must achieve a minimum of five grade Bs at GCSE with at least a Grade C in English Language and Mathematics. In addition, each A Level subject has its own requirements which are indicated in each subject entry in the guide. Please see later in the guide for more information. There will be an opportunity to visit our school, meet our students and staff and to see our vibrant Sixth Form at the Open Evening. This will be held at the Sixth Form Centre on Wednesday 22nd October 2014 from 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Information sessions will be held in the Lecture Theatre at 5.30 p.m. and then repeated at 6.15 p.m. and 7.00 p.m. Please complete the application form at the back of this guide and return it to school by Friday 9th January 2015. Please note that entries will be closed after this deadline. You will be invited to an interview which will take place one evening in January or February. At this interview, we will look in detail at the courses you wish to study and discuss your future. We look forward to receiving your application. Rani Govender, Head Girl Formerly Bowland High School When I started Sixth Form, I never imagined that settling in would happen as smoothly and quickly as it did. The challenge that is presented by A-Levels is balanced by the welcoming and supportive staff. They are always understanding and encourage students by helping us to develop a passion for our subjects. They have high expectations for us all. I have been especially interested to study courses I haven’t learnt about previously. The atmosphere is very inclusive as students make new friends from the very first day, coming together from a range of High Schools. Mr J Powell Mrs K Johnston I can’t believe I will have left Sixth Form this time CLITHEROE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL next year, but I know that thanks to the wonderful Deputy Headteacher Assistant Headteacher experience I have had here, I will be ready for Head of Sixth Form Sixth Form whatever lies ahead. 3 A Level Courses SIXTH FORM GUIDE 2015 The Curriculum At Clitheroe Royal Grammar School we offer 29 different Art and Design A Level courses. Students study four subjects to AS Level in In this rewarding subject, students are introduced to a variety Year 12 and continue with three or four of these in Year 13. of experiences employing a range of media, processes and Generally AS examinations will be taken at the end of Year techniques. Art, craft and design skills are developed through 12. A2 examinations will be taken at the end of Year 13. In practical research and experimentation and exploration of addition, students take AS General Studies in Year 12 and ideas and concepts. Many of our students have progressed continue to A2 in Year 13. onto Foundation Courses at local colleges and to Degree level. The course is suitable for students who wish to develop their For subjects where there are new specifications for 2015, AS interest and enjoyment in Art and Design, fostering its value in will be a standalone qualification and these will generally be lifelong learning. taken at the end of Year 12. The curriculum also comprises a programme of Guidance and Enrichment activities. Students Students are are guided by their Form Tutors in a weekly timetabled session required to and on a one-to-one basis by their Senior Tutor. participate actively in their We try to build our timetable around student option choices course of study, – we do not pre-determine our option blocks. The following recognising and subject descriptions are intended to be brief guides only. developing their More detailed information will be found in the course leaflets own strengths available at the Open Evening. and identifying and sustaining their own lines of enquiry. They develop personal responses to their experiences, environment and culture in practical A Levels 2014 activities such as painting, drawing, Over 12% of all results graded A*. sculpture and Platform Gallery exhibition of CRGS 25% of students gained one or more A* grades. printmaking, as students’ artwork well as developing insight into and an appreciation of the History of Art and Design. Esther, Year 12 Students have opportunities to take part in workshops and Formerly CRGS regular visits to local and national galleries. Recent activities, My first year here has passed incredibly quickly and for instance, have included trips to Galleries in London such been thoroughly enjoyable. There is a very noticeable as the Saatchi Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Wellcome sense of community here; it has been very easy to Collection and Tate Modern. meet new people and make new friends. Everyone has Previous experience of working in Art and Design is desirable. CLITHEROE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL been genuinely willing to help and foster a real passion The entrance requirement is a grade C in GCSE Art and for study. Both academic and extra-curricular life at Design or a portfolio of work. Enthusiasm, commitment and a the Sixth Form is brilliant! strong work ethic are essential! 4 SIXTH FORM GUIDE 2015 A Level Courses Biology Business The department is large and successful with over 270 students This is a flourishing department in which there are currently across the two year groups. Biology may be combined with over 150 students combining Business with a wide range a wide variety of subjects but students should be aware that of other A Levels amongst both the Arts and Sciences. A Level Chemistry is necessary for Medical and Veterinary The course is designed to develop knowledge and critical courses and also for the majority of other Biological degrees. understanding of business structure and practice, whilst Some leading Dental Schools allow a third non-science A Level providing an opportunity to develop decision-making and subject only if Biology has been taken in addition to Chemistry. problem-solving skills. The course encompasses the whole biological spectrum The course covers all types of businesses and all aspects of including biochemistry, cell structure, physiology, genetics of Finance/Financial Planning, Marketing/Competition, People/ inheritance, ecology, and DNA technology. Students are given HRM, Operations Management, External influences, Business ample scope to develop their powers of analysis, evaluation Cultures/Ethics, Management Growth/Change. and interpretation as well as learning factual learning. They A wide variety of teaching methods encourage the students are required to demonstrate an ability to communicate their to adopt hands on approach to the subject, in all our teaching strategies throughout the two years of study. Out of the ideas and to understand some simple mathematical skills as classroom we expect students to take an interest in current well apply statistical tests to data.