Sixth Form Prospectus
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Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 1 Welcome from Yvonne Powell, Principal It gives me great pleasure as Principal to introduce ARK Walworth Academy Sixth Form to you. The sixth form has been open since 2010, and our key aim remains to prepare students for entry to university. We are therefore proud to have seen many of our 2012 and 2013 leavers progress to degree courses at excellent universities such as Oxford, King’s College London and similar top tier institutions. We aim to provide our students with a high quality learning experience in a formal and academic environment. We are also committed to providing a wide range of enrichment opportunities to ensure all of our students gain broader experience and skills that will help them success at university and in professional life. Walworth students are fortunate to have a range of dedicated sixth form spaces in the school, including a fully-equipped study centre, common room and a sixth form-only section of our large library. All of our teaching staff are committed to supporting students to achieving the grades required for their chosen university or aspirational school leaver programme. From 2014, we will be working with other ARK academies in south London to share teaching expertise, offer a wider range of courses, and to enhance our students’ experience of sixth form even further. I very much look forward to welcoming you to Walworth Academy Sixth Form. 2 Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 3 Our mission “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle From the moment you join Walworth Academy Sixth Form you will be encouraged to develop and foster habits that lead to a successful application to either a good university or an aspirational career path of your choice. Our core expectation of you is that you are willing to embrace the hard work required to reach excellence in both your studies and extra-curricular activities. We also expect that you will dedicate yourself to meeting or exceeding the aspirational targets we set for you. Our expectations of you are unashamedly high, both in terms of the progress you make as a student and the attitude you display to school and to your peers and teachers. We want you to achieve the great grades you need to progress to your next step, but we are also interested in developing individuals who are well-rounded, articulate and highly employable. 4 Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 5 Prepare for university The fundamental aim of Walworth Academy Sixth Form is to prepare our students for university. We believe that a degree from a good university is the best way for you to access a broad range of professional careers. The courses we offer are designed to help you keep your choice of university and course as wide as possible. We also aim to provide students with meaningful and valuable work experience placements through our Year 12 work experience week, and throughout the year with our corporate partners such as Morgan Stanley and Bloomberg. Our enrichment programme is designed to help you develop the communication, problem-solving and thinking skills that are prized by both universities and employers. In addition, we provide a full support package for students who wish to apply for aspirational school leaver pathways in professional firms and/or Advanced Apprenticeships. 6 Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 7 Extend a gold standard curriculum Our A level course offer will help you keep your options as wide as Your possible. Most of our students take four subjects at Skills AS level in Year 12 and then choose three of these to continue at A level in Year 13. We encourage students to choose at least two core a gold standard curriculum Enrichment academic subjects as good universities have made it clear that these are We use the pathways below to guide your choice of courses and to ensure the best preparation for studying at degree level. We also offer a range When studying at Walworth Academy Sixth Form, it is important that you that you are on the most appropriate programme of study and have the of broadening subjects both at Walworth and through our sixth form extend your range of skills to enhance your university and job applications. highest chance of success in sixth form. partnership with ARK Globe Academy. This will be done through enrichment each Wednesday afternoon. Enrichment is a compulsory element of our sixth form programme and you are able to Pathway 1 2 3 choose from a wide range of activities available across both Walworth Academy and Globe Academy. These include not only sport, music and drama, but also activities aimed 3 AS levels BTEC Extended Diploma 4 AS levels at developing your team-working and leadership skills. Our UCAS programme will also A specialist curriculum ( 3 A2 levels) + (3 A level equivalent) + ( 3 A2 levels) General Studies AS one AS level ensure that you have the opportunity to visit universities and meet university admissions For those students who have a particular interest in Business, Media, tutors from a range of institutions. Frequent visits from speakers across a range of Performing Arts or Engineering we have BTEC Extended Diploma courses professions and backgrounds will provide you with the confidence and drive to embrace Entry Mostly B or Mostly C (Principal Learning Diploma for Engineering) at Walworth Academy or Mostly C at GCSE criteria better at GCSE and B GCSE the world beyond Walworth Academy. Globe Academy to prepare our students fully for careers or university courses in these fields. Students taking these course will usually also study 43+ average GCSE 40+ average GCSE point Detailed 46+ average GCSE the access project point (Distinction in score (Distinction in L2 a broadening subject at AS level in Year 12. point score and B+ in entry L2 BTEC) score and C+ BTEC) and C+ in English English and Maths criteria in English and Maths and Maths From September 2014, Walworth Academy will work in partnership with The Access For full details of the courses we offer please visit the Sixth form section of Project, an educational charity aimed at helping students access the very best universities. our website at www.walworthacademy.org The Access Project will provide targeted students with one-to-one tutoring in their AS and NB: entry requirements for individual A level subjects apply A level subjects, workshops aimed at developing interpersonal skills and extensive support with the university application process and additional trips to universities. 8 Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 9 exceed your expectations Every student at Walworth Academy Sixth Form signs a contract committing themselves to the highest standards of personal conduct at all times What we expect from our students a week in the life A typical 30-hour week consists of: 100% attendance and punctuality • 20 hours of lesson time • Compliance with our smart business dress code of navy, 6 hours of independent learning time grey or black suit with jacket 2 hours of tutorial/assembly • Full participation in every lesson 2 hours of enrichment • Completion of independent work to the best of your ability What can from us • Adherence to our culture of respect and maturity students expect • The commitment to being a positive role model to the • Challenging lessons that are carefully planned younger students in the academy and skilfully delivered • Pastoral support from a dedicated and experienced tutor • Personalised university and careers advice • Access to first-class facilities and resources • To be treated as young adults 10 Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 11 beyond the sixth form We will support you from day one of your sixth form journey to ensure that you make the right decisions for the next stage in your life, whether you are applying to university or embarking on the career of your choice. We will ensure that your application is of the highest quality and provide tailored preparation and support for interviews. We are proud of the fact that Walworth students leave the Sixth Form prepared for all aspects of their lives as successful young adults. 12 Sixth Form Prospectus www.walworthacademy.org 13 how to apply Application to Walworth Academy Sixth Form is by an online application form. For full details on how to apply and to register your interest in attending our open evening please visit the Sixth Form section of our website at www.walworthacademy.org. ARK Schools South London Sixth Form Consortium From September 2014, a group of ARK secondary schools in south London will work together to deliver high quality sixth form courses and provide outstanding support and opportunities for ARK students. Our objective is that 100% of our sixth form leavers progress either to a good university or an aspirational career path of their choice. Applications to the sixth form consortium will also be welcomed from motivated, hardworking and well qualified students from other schools. Members of the Sixth Form consortium: • Globe Academy, Southwark • Evelyn Grace Academy, Lambeth (from September 2015) • Walworth Academy, Southwark • ARK All Saints Academy, Southwark (from September 2015) Five key benefits for students 1. Wider choice of subjects – by working together, the four sixth forms will allow you to choose from a wider range of subjects than most school sixth forms. 2. Top class facilities – you will have access to four new school sites containing a wealth of dedicated sixth form ICT and study facilities. 3. Shared opportunities – the schools will work together to pool opportunities for university preparation, work experience (through ARK’s partners like Burberry, Google, Bloomberg and others), volunteering, mentoring, sport, music, drama and more.