2019 Balcarras Sixth Form Alice Twine Sophie Wheeler (Year 11 Winchcombe School) (Year 11 Balcarras) AS: AABC AS: AACC Plans: to take a gap year before getting an Plans: to study business management at Bristol apprenticeship as a researcher in a media company. University. The positive atmosphere, the great relationship between Continuing my studies here at Balcarras was the obvious option teachers and students and the academic results, made for me, due to my experiences with the focussed yet encouraging Balcarras my first choice for sixth form, a decision I don’t environment, I learned of in lower school. Balcarras offers regret. When I first joined Balcarras in Year 12, I did not an opportunity for independent study alongside high quality know what I wanted to do after, but through help from teaching which allows students to reach their full potential. my teachers and a wide variety of post-sixth form options The sixth form provides a broad variety of extracurricular provided by external speakers, I have now become drawn to opportunities for all students; a highlight for me was being a the idea of journalism and am aware of possible routes to part of the Young Enterprise team. I enjoyed every moment of become one, information I did not know before. Before sixth the process, and it gave me a great insight into the day to day form, I was set on the belief that I would go to university life of running a business. Having created a product that we yet Balcarras has showed me that there are plenty of were passionate about, it motivated us to work really hard. We other credible options such as degree-apprenticeships, were fortunate enough to reach the South West Finals of the apprenticeships, courses abroad and gap years which may competition, making it a fulfilling experience. For A-level I am be more suited to me and still allow me to do what I want. studying economics, business and Russian. I believe that the This has been invaluable help for me as I now feel more enthusiasm of the teachers to help wherever possible, combined positive about the future and feel confident that I will be with the motivating study environment has kept me on track to able to experience lots of exciting new things along the way. achieve my aspirational grades. I truly enjoy studying my chosen Balcarras has prepared me with this information, support subjects and believe that the sixth form has supported me in and freedom not only for A-levels, but also for whatever the guiding my future. future throws at me! Hannah Slack Rachel Farr (Year 11 Cirencester Kingshill School) (Year 11 Cleeve School) AS: AABB AS: ABB Plans: to study anthropology and archaeology at Plans: to study economics at Warwick university. I joined Balcarras in Year 12 as an external student after I chose Balcarras when I was in Year 11 as I believed the structure, being impressed by their study facilities and the opportunity support and the quality of teaching here would help me achieve to gain additional UCAS points with and EPQ and AS level my full academic potential. When I arrived at Balcarras in Year 12 qualification. I have never been an outgoing person, and I knew very few people and was nervous about settling in but the starting a new school wasn’t something I was completely relaxed atmosphere created by Balcarras helped me and many comfortable with, however in hindsight I’m glad I did. I feel other external pupils integrate easily into the school. In addition that joining Balcarras’ Sixth Form has enabled me to really to the obvious academic benefits there are a wide range of build my confidence and meet an abundance of wonderful extracurricular activities on offer, for example in Year 12 I joined people. The idea of being a new student was something I found Boost and began the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, allowing me daunting but when I joined the sixth form, the team was eager to meet new people outside of my classes. to help new students settle in, with team building exercises My highlights at Balcarras have been the Duke of Edinburgh within tutor groups and meetings with externals to address expeditions to Dartmoor and the Peak District as they have any concerns. As well as this, external and internal students allowed to try something completely new and put me out of are provided with plenty of opportunities to get involved with my comfort zone whilst giving me more confidence, a sense of the sixth form, for example, expeditions to various countries, independence and develop a wide range of skills that will assist the Duke of Edinburgh award and Young Enterprise. me throughout my life and further education. I have found that the school has an excellent support network for those looking to further their education after sixth form. I feel that joining the school has helped me develop my confidence within myself and these abilities will be vital when transferring to university. welcome to Balcarras Sixth Form A warm welcome to this guide about the courses available in the sixth form from September 2019. We are proud of the opportunities we offer, based around an exciting range of courses, excellent teaching and an atmosphere of enjoyment and collaboration. This combination, along with outstanding results at A-level, led Ofsted to judge that we are one of the best sixth forms in the country. As well as superb facilities for academic study, there is a wealth of extracurricular activities, along with consistent support and guidance throughout your two- year programme. I hope you will want to join us and I look forward to the contribution you can make to our success in the future. Dominic Burke Headteacher The sixth form is outstanding. The quality of teaching, leadership and what the school provides is exceptional. Students gain a very high standard in examinations. OFSTED page2 contents a supportive environment 4 the courses on offer 6 a rich experience 7 outstanding facilities 9 uniform 10 baccalaureate 11 welcome applied science 12 art 13 Thank you very much for taking some time to read our new sixth form brochure! biology 14 business studies 15 Your sixth form education is an exciting stage of your life and a successful and rewarding chemistry 16 experience from 16 – 18 will unlock a world of opportunities before you. I am confident computer science 17 that at Balcarras you can thrive and succeed. drama & theatre 18 The quality of the teaching in the sixth form is exceptional and the experience you will economics 19 have as a Year 12 and Year 13 student is, I believe, unrivalled. The exciting and positive english literature 20 atmosphere in our purpose-built sixth form building is tangible. The recent renovation food science & nutrition 23 of the sixth form common room has added an extra dimension of quality and shows the french 24 commitment the school has to its sixth formers. further mathematics 25 geography 26 We hope that you will leave the sixth form as well-rounded and highly qualified adults with a clear vision of your future intentions and pathways. health & social care 27 history 28 At the beginning of this journey you will choose four subjects in which you have a keen mathematics 29 interest. This can sometimes be a difficult decision and therefore your teachers, tutors music 30 and parents are on hand to guide and advise you where necessary. You may also wish to photography 31 talk to the sixth form team, Mrs Derrick, Mr Constance, Mrs Shute or me. physical education 32 I cannot wait to meet you and discuss your plans and aspirations. physics 33 politics 34 product design 35 psychology 36 religion, philosophy and ethics 37 russian 38 spanish 39 Darren Leatherbarrow Head of Sixth Form Teachers are textiles 40 experts in their extended project qualification 41 how to apply 42 subjects. OFSTED page3 a supportive environment Sixth form team Mr Darren Leatherbarrow, the Head of Sixth Form, Mr Constance and Mrs Derrick, the Heads of Years 12 and 13 and members of the Senior Management Team meet with each applicant before they enter the sixth form to help them to make the right choices. This gives students and parents the opportunity to discuss any questions they might have. Throughout your time in the sixth form, Mr Darren Leatherbarrow, Mrs Derrick and Mr Constance will be available to offer advice on your studies and your future, and to listen to your concerns. They each have an office in the Sixth Form Centre and are the normal points of contact for parents of sixth formers. There are many friendly faces in the sixth form and Mrs Gill Dean is certainly one of them. She is the study supervisor for the state-of-the-art purpose-built study rooms and is often a good contact for students with many questions about sixth form life, as well as academic support for the EPQ and is a sixth form mentor. Teachers Mrs Derrick Mr Constance Your A-level teachers will probably be your most important Mrs Dean Tutors contacts. After all, you are coming to the sixth form for academic success. They will advise you about your progress, Students will be in tutor groups. The role of the sixth form tutor is to be concerned with the as well as reporting regularly to your tutors and, of course, welfare and academic progress of their students. Tutor groups meet as a whole, but there will your parents. They can also be a useful source of information also be regular individual tutorials at which your academic progress will be discussed.