Information for Parents And

Ponteland High School 6th Form

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND YEAR 13 STUDENTS

2016-2017 Introduction

This short handbook is intended to provide you with a framework of information, much of which will be familiar to you but some of which will be new. Further information about coursework deadlines and how to support your child’s learning will be available throughout the year.

Supported by the Senior Leadership Team, the Sixth Form staff team for 2016-2017 will be:

Head of 6th Form: Mr D Hicklenton Deputy Head of 6th Form (Head of Yr 12): Mrs D Howorth Deputy Head of 6th Form (Head of Yr 13): Mr K Z Chaudhry Student Support Co-ordinator: Mrs D McKenna Administrative Support: Mrs D Boyes

6th Form Tutors: Mr A Atkinson Mr D Anderson Mrs C Brockenbrow Ms A Burridge Mrs P Davison Mrs C Dawson Mr M Driver Mr G Grier Mrs J Hall Ms H Hartley Mrs C Heath Mrs H Johnson Mr A Poulter Mr P Ross Mrs S Tuck/Mrs S Brough Mr A Weir

In association with the 6th form team, I look forward to working with you to support the learning of our new Year 13 students.

Mr D Hicklenton Assistant Headteacher Head of 6th Form

2 6th Form Student Responsibilities

Whilst the Presidential and Prefect Teams have visible roles of responsibility on behalf of others, the rest of the 6th form students are expected to assume responsibility for their own actions and set a good example, as role models, to the students in main school, these responsibilities include:

Engagement with Academic Studies: Students are expected to attend all lessons, and it should be noted that the 6th form Leadership Team reserves the right to withdraw a student from external exams if the student’s attendance persistently drops below 90%. If a student begins to miss lessons it can be the first sign of underlying problems. Tutors, teachers and the 6th form administration team monitor attendance on a daily basis and will speak to students, parents and Mr Hicklenton if they have concerns about an individual student. Students are expected to organise their time to enable them to manage the private study expected in each subject and to complete and submit work on time. Teachers are happy to give extra help whenever it is needed, but the responsibility to seek that help lies with the student.

Study Areas: The 6th form Centre is divided into 2 halves, with one side for quiet study work (silent during exam season) and the other for socialising. Students who wish to study may do so in the study area, library (located above the 6th form Centre) and in an array of free rooms. During examination seasons there will be some free teaching rooms made available for student quiet work. Students are expected to respect the rights of others to study in a quiet and peaceful environment and confine their socialising to the social area or dining hall. There is no eating or drinking in the library or study room. Mobile phones are also not to be used in the library.

Dress Code: Students in 6th form are expected to dress smartly and adhere to the following dress-code:

Suits S Matching two or three piece  Suit must be matching

L suit  Zigzag hems on skirts are inappropriate  Jacket and skirt or trousers  Stretchy skirts or mini-skirts are inappropriate R

I – matching in colour and  No casual trousers (i.e. jeans, leggings, cargo or style ski pants or cropped trousers) G  Dresses are not to be worn Tops Blouse with collar  Shirt/blouse must be tucked in, unless tailored Or:  Collars and cuffs may be different colours Collared shirt  Blouses/shirts with or without pockets allowed  Any colour; fine  Cufflinks allowed stripes/pattern allowed  Short sleeved blouses/shirts allowed Options Optional extra underneath  Jumper not to be worn instead of jacket jacket:  No long cardigans/jumpers that extend past jacket  Plain jumper  Plain, smooth, no sweatshirts or hoodies  Colourless, tan or black  Not patterned or coloured tights  Tie  Appropriate for school with no garish pictures Footwear  Sensible dark footwear  No trainers or similar e.g. canvas/converse type

3  No stilettos or excessive heels  No Ugg boots or equivalent  No plimsolls types including those with different coloured soles  Boots to be worn underneath trousers and not with skirts

While many students wear their uniform smartly and proudly, some do not. The following plan of action is intended to rectify this:

 To avoid any confusion/misinterpretation of the dress code for 6th form students, copies of the current dress code requirements are issued prior to the commencement of the current academic year and copies of this dress code are displayed in each tutor room, stored in tutor files and available on the school website and in the 6th form office.  Should any students not adhere to this uniform code without a reasonable explanation, they will be issued with a 6th form detention  Those that do attend with incorrect uniform but have a valid reason should see Mr Chaudhry or Mrs Howorth before AM registration and have a note written in their planner and have an agreed time for when uniform will be corrected  Following 5 detentions for uniform, students will be placed on report which will need to be signed each lesson  Student who fail to maintain their uniform during the report may be issued more detentions, extended reports, Level 1 contracts and also be sent home to change  Students who are sent home and who rely on school transport will be sent to Mrs Howorth or Mr Chaudhry who will endeavour to lend them something appropriate to wear from a small collection of shirts, blouses, ties and skirts that have been purchased in a variety of sizes. Should nothing fit, then they will either have to work off-site in the local library/study room until the end of the day, or find their way home by public transport or finance their own taxi fare home.  Staff will conduct regular uniform inspections throughout the year

Although this may read as punitive in nature, it is actually a more relaxed policy than in previous years and provides more parity between genders. In the past students would have to wear dark suits only, plain tops and shirts, no boots and be sent home in the first instance if they could not correct uniform immediately. By using onsite sanctions students will be kept in school for as long as is practical so that they have the opportunity to amend their clothing choices before more serious sanctions are issued.

Also note the following conditions:

 No visible body piercing except ears – maximum two studs per ear allowed (no expanders)  Natural hair colours only (no multiple colours)  No coloured/heavily studded belts  Excessive jewellery is not acceptable  Outside coats are not to be worn around the school  Business jackets are to be worn at all times around school whilst in circulation

SUMMER Following the Summer half term holiday (during final half term), students will be permitted to NOT wear their suit jacket in the same way lower school students do not have to wear their blazers.

4 Mr Hicklenton, Mr Chaudhry and Mrs Howorth will decide on the appropriateness or otherwise of any item worn in school by 6th form students.

5 Tutorials and Enrichment & Extension Programme

Tutorials take place on Tuesday week 2 period 1, and are preceded by a 6th form assembly. Both this assembly and the tutorial are mandatory elements of our 6th form educational programme and we expect all students to be present.

In essence, the programme for Year 13 students will consist of:

 6th form study skills and UCAS applications in the autumn term;  Preparation for HE/job applications and independent living in the spring & summer terms.

Enrichment and extension programmes are personalised to students. Students select a subject of their choice and will be timetabled into main school lessons to work as a student mentor which will then provide them with opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills. Additionally students are encouraged to undertake a range of voluntary work and work experience related to their career aspirations or higher education courses which can be timetabled within their study periods

Private Study and Part-time Employment

Learning to motivate oneself and take responsibility for one's own learning is central to 6th form study. It is important to realise the need for homework and personal research beyond that set as a minimum. Every hour in the classroom should be matched by an hour of private study.

It is vital, therefore, to limit paid part-time employment to a Saturday or Sunday or two evenings a week maximum. This is a real source of conflict for many students and one which is best faced early on, but research has shown that the more part-time work a student does, the lower their final grade at A Level, and although work up to 10 hours a week has been shown to be beneficial, over 10 hours a week starts to have a detrimental effect on academic work.

Under no circumstances whatsoever should any students make themselves available for part-time employment during the school day up to 4.30 pm. If and when study leave is approved, these are offered on the understanding that they will be used for this purpose alone. Our students are funded on the understanding that they are in full-time education with us, even if that does include periods of self-managed study. Study leave is discretionary and maybe revoked at any time for any reason.

6 The Tutor’s Role in 6th Form

As in main school the 6th form tutors see their students twice every day and, through activities and conversation, get to know their students well. In this way the tutors are able to support, guide and encourage their students. They are also keen for parents to make direct contact with them over any concerns they might have.

The tutors are responsible for:

 Maintaining an overview of students’ progress with their chosen subjects through target setting meetings linked to grade card data and informal feedback gained in tutor time.  Negotiating study leave sessions for students.  Maintaining an overview of each student’s attendance and discussing attendance and punctuality issues with students.  Monitoring the students’ interpretation of our dress code and ensure that students dress appropriately.  Writing references for students applying to higher education or employment.  Helping subject staff monitor students who are placed on a work ethic or attendance contract.

Academic Tutoring and Monitoring

At the end of each half-term subject teachers compile a report card detailing an effort grade and teacher assessment for each subject which the students then take home. Early in 2017, parents will have an opportunity to discuss student progress with subject teachers, and a full report will be sent home in the spring term.

If parents have questions or concerns at any time they are welcome to contact the 6th form office who will direct them to the person most likely to be able to help.

7 Attendance

We monitor attendance very closely and registers are taken at the beginning of the morning and afternoon, by tutors, and during each lesson, by subject teachers. If a student is absent we expect parents to phone the 6th form office on ext 252 by 9.30 am. If we have not heard from the parent of a student who is absent by the end of the day, we will ring them.

If a student’s attendance average falls below 95%, and there is no verified medical reason, the tutor will speak to the student. Students would normally be issued a detention for absence without adequate justification. If the attendance problem persists then a member of staff will inform the parents and put the student on attendance report. If there is still insufficient improvement in the student’s attendance then the Assistant Headteacher, responsible for 6th form, will arrange a meeting with the parents and the student. Persistent poor attendance could result in the student being withdrawn from external exams and removed from the school roll. Work Ethic and Progress

We are committed to ensuring that all our students reach their potential, but understand that some students fall behind with the work from time to time. Consequently subject teachers closely monitor each student, paying particular attention to the quality of students’ work and the students’ consistency with meeting deadlines. Students who fall behind or show a poor or negative attitude are spoken to and supported by subject staff initially and, if necessary, the subject staff will contact the parent and put the student on a level 1 contract. If the problem persists the matter is brought to the attention of Mrs McKenna, our Student Support Co- ordinator. She will work with the student on a level 2 contract and timetable non-contact sessions in the study area for work to be completed. If this yields poor results a Deputy Head of 6th Form will invite the parents and student to a meeting to discuss the issue and put the student on a level 3 contract with agreed targets and sanctions. If the student fails to make the necessary improvements the Assistant Headteacher responsible for 6th form will, in discussion with the student, and their parents, put the student on a level 4 contract which begins with a signed withdrawal form. Failure to comply with the terms of the level 4 contract will result in the form being actioned and the student being withdrawn from external exams and removed from the school roll.

Examination Entry Policy

It is the school's policy to enter all students for the public examination which is the qualification for the course on which they are enrolled. The school will finance all such entries, providing that:

 Course work deadlines are met and assignments completed.  Module and trial examinations indicate that success will be likely.  Students maintain an attendance record of at least 95%. Special dispensation is given to students with medical concerns that are supported by a letter from their GP.

We reserve the right to withdraw students from external examinations if their attendance persistently drops below 90%, unless there is a serious and verifiable medical issue that is supported by a letter from a medical professional involved with the case.

The decision on entry will be made by the Deputy Head of 6th Form in consultation with Subject Tutors and Subject Leaders. In cases of dispute the Headteacher will be the final arbiter.

8 The Senior Student Team

At the end of year 12 students are invited to stand for election to our Presidential Team. The Year 13 Presidential Team works alongside the 6th form leadership team to support our 6th form students and organise activities and events that enhance their 6th form experience. This is an opportunity for students to take a leading role in shaping the school, whilst also developing their own skills.

6th form Staff Team

President

3 Vice-Presidents

Deputy Vice-Presidents elected from Year 12

Members of Committees & Prefects

The Presidential Team is then supported by Year 12 students, both in the capacity of Committee Members and as Prefects. Year 13 students are invited to apply, in writing, for a position as Prefect for subject areas they wish to represent. This opportunity, in turn, affords students of Year 13 to develop as responsible young people and make their own personal contribution to the school community.

For 2016-17 the elected senior students are as follows:-

President: David Johnson Vice President (School): Jack McMaster Vice President (Charity & Community): Joe English Vice President (Sports & Events): Chloe Bland

Year 13 Prefect Duties:

 Carry out a regular prefect duty at lunchtimes and break.  Represent the school at evening events  Represent their subject area at all options and promotional evenings  Act as a link to other areas of the school.  Support the school ethos in dress code and behaviour.  Take a leading role in ensuring the social and study areas are treated appropriately at all times by all students.  Some act as ‘buddies’ to individual students in the lower school.  Commit to the role of teaching assistant to lower school lessons, timetable pending.

9 Key Dates : 2016-2017

9 September 2016 All student timetables reflect course choice for A2 19 September 2016 Internal deadline for early UCAS entry applications 7 October 2016 Final UKCAT test date 15 October 2016 UCAS Entry deadline for Oxbridge and all high tariff courses (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Durham, Edinburgh) 21 October 2016 Grade cards home. (Progress checks take place at the end of each half-term and students are given grade cards to take home to their parents. Should this information not reach home, please contact us at the start of the new half-term) Internal deadline for all personal statements for 2017 entry 1 November 2016 Future Options Evening (Apprenticeships and Higher Education Event) 2 December 2016 Internal deadline for UCAS applications for submission before Xmas 9 December 2016 Internal deadline for UCAS 2017 16 December 2016 Grade cards home 12 January 2017 Parents Evening w/c 13 February 2017 Grade Cards home w/c 27th February 2017 A Level Mock Exam Week w/c 13th April 2017 Grade Cards home 15 May- end of June AS and A level external examinations window 2017 25 May 2017 Year 13 Celebration of Achievement 26 May 2017 Last day for Year 13 Students 17 August 2017 A Level Results Day

How to contact us:

Mr Hicklenton, Head of 6th form, Director Key Stage 5, on 01661 824711 ext 306 or via [email protected]

Mrs D Howorth, Deputy Head of 6th Form (Head of Year 12) on 01661 824711 ext 302 or via [email protected]

Mr K Chaudhry, Deputy Head of 6th Form (Head of Year 13) on 01661 824711 ext 251 or via [email protected]

Mrs D McKenna, Student Support Coordinator on 01661 824711 ext 290 or via [email protected]

Mrs D Boyes, 6th form Office, on 01661 824711 ext 252 or via [email protected]