Sixth Form Prospectus How to apply To apply for a place at AJK Sixth Form simply visit our school website and complete an online application form: arkjohnkeats.org/sixth-form-admissions 2 Your future starts here Principal’s welcome I am delighted to introduce you to Ark John Keats Sixth Form. This is an important milestone in your study you choose, with a focus on debate and education and in our school’s development discussion, deep thinking and the pursuit of because it is the final step before you choose academic excellence. Our sixth form tutors the university or career of your choice. It has will provide expert guidance and advice on always been our aim to provide an education post-18 pathways. Alongside this, you will visit that is as good as any state or private school professional environments, businesses and in the country, so that our students can go on industries linked to your areas of interest. to the best universities worldwide, pursue a wide range of exciting careers and ultimately We are also preparing you to be leaders within have the ability to become leaders in their your community and society more broadly, as chosen field. well as to lead happy and fulfilling lives. To support this, you will broaden your horizons We have already established a very successful through a wide range of enrichment activities, school, with a focus on academic excellence, volunteering and leadership opportunities, character development and self-discipline. the post-16 Character programme, and In 2015 we were graded outstanding in work experience. all areas by Ofsted. Our success to date has been the result of exceptionally hard We work closely with the Ark Network. work from both students and staff who are Through this partnership, our students have committed to making AJK the very best it access to exceptional programmes of study can be. Whilst the Sixth Form will have the across a number of subject areas as well as a same ethos of high expectations, academic wide range of industry links and enrichment excellence and character development as opportunities. Past Ark students have gone on the rest of our Academy, it will also have a to secure places at some of the most prestigious distinct environment, similar to a professional institutions in the country such as Oxford workplace or university. This is the best and Cambridge universities, with over three way to prepare you to be successful within times the national average number of students these settings, where you will have a greater securing places at Russell Group universities. degree of autonomy and independence. Our expectations of you and for you are We have thought carefully about what you will extremely high. We know that you can achieve need to be able to make aspirational post-18 great things and that we are able to provide the choices that satisfy your individual interests. support and challenge you need to reach your The curriculum is designed to build a solid full potential. academic foundation that will secure access to high quality opportunities at post-18. You Jane Witheford will be taught by specialists in the field of Principal 1 Welcome As a school we are extremely aspirational for all our students and our sixth form has been designed with this in mind. Academic in nature, our sixth form is committed to ensuring our students achieve outstanding results so that they are able to secure a place at a top university or higher apprenticeship and become leaders in their chosen field. We will ensure that our students: In addition to character development • have the knowledge and support they need and enrichment, we offer work readiness to make the best choices for their future programmes to prepare our students for the competitive nature of the world of work. • secure the place they deserve at the We teach our students to write personal institution of their choice statements and CVs, prepare for an interview • have the developed character and and interact with professionals from a variety well-rounded education to succeed when of industries. As a school, we already have they get there excellent links with a number of universities. Our students visit a university every year to Achieving outstanding results requires a speak to staff, students and admissions officers. curriculum that has been rigorously planned This gives them a significant advantage over by subject experts. Our primary and secondary many of their peers as they embark upon the curriculum was graded as outstanding in our UCAS process. most recent Ofsted inspection, and has been used as a case study to share excellent practice In order to achieve our goals, we have amongst schools. Our key stage 5 curriculum unashamedly high expectations of our builds on this success. It has been designed students. This begins with their enthusiasm around the principles of mastery and will and engagement in lessons but extends to prepare our students exceptionally well for all aspects of life at sixth form, including further study. As an outstanding school and attendance, punctuality and personal conduct. sixth form, excellent teaching is at the heart We know that these excellent habits, developed of what we do. Our teaching staff all attended in our formal academic setting, support strong excellent universities and are extremely examination performance and build the right well equipped to prepare our students for character to be successful in the world of work. higher education. The young people in our community are We understand that developing leaders ambitious and capable of achieving incredible requires more than academic success. Our sixth things. AJK Sixth Form is here to nurture that form Character programme has been designed ambition and ensure that they reach their to develop the global, cultural and political full potential. literacy of our students, and ensures they are prepared to meet the challenges that await Frances Freeman them at university and beyond. Enrichment Head of Sixth Form is planned into our school day, and provides additional opportunities for our students to develop their leadership skills. Whether this is through sports, the creative and performing arts, debate or STEM, there are a wealth of activities that our students will have the chance to participate in. 2 In 2016 38% of Year 13 leavers progressed to a Russell Group university. This is over three times the national average for all schools and colleges (including independent schools and grammar schools). The right choice for sixth form Ark’s London schools work in partnership to This means you can expect to receive excellent, deliver outstanding opportunities for sixth dedicated support for your academic progress, form students. Attending an Ark sixth form alongside advice and guidance about your next means benefiting from the shared expertise of steps, tailored to your individual needs. We a network of excellent sixth form colleges from work hard with universities, employers and across London. Our partnership is based on the Ark network to ensure your sixth form shared values and a shared ethos. We aim to experience will prepare you for success in make sure that all our sixth form students are your future study and employment. able to progress to university or directly into a career of their choice. 3 Sixth form helped develop my academic “ profile and my character. I had loads of support and input including mentoring opportunities, work experience and even being taught how to network. I learned how to study effectively, the importance of being organised and how to balance my studies and hobbies, which has been very helpful for university. The personalised support from staff was incredible and made me feel very confident that I knew my strengths and weaknesses and how to address them. I had an amazing time!” Ark 2016 Leaver, now studying at a Russell Group university ” Key benefits to students Wider range of A level courses and 1 Professional Pathways, including all Russell Group facilitating subjects. Experienced and well-qualified 2 A level teachers from across the partnership. Ark University Massive range of enrichment opportunities Bursary Programme 3 offered to support your progression to university or directly into a career. Awards from £3,000 over Opportunity to meet other ambitious 4 students from Ark’s south London schools one year to £30,000 and beyond. over three years 4 Best of both worlds You will benefit from both the individual support provided by AJK, and the wider opportunities offered across the partnership Your route to university and career success A level pathway Professional Pathways We focus on offering the core academic subjects In addition to A level courses, we offer two at A level that we know are most valued by Professional Pathways (see Course Guide good universities, and that allow you to keep pp. 26–27). These programmes are also aimed your progression options as open as possible. at preparing students to apply for selective If you have met the entry criteria below at universities, or for progression directly into GCSE, you can choose from over 20 A level employment through school leaver programmes courses (see Course Guide pp. 16–24). You or degree apprenticeships. We receive support will receive guidance at interview and during from the Ark network for Professional enrolment about the best subject combinations Pathways, including visits to businesses, for different degree courses and careers. Most access to work experience opportunities, a students will study three linear A levels; some bespoke work readiness curriculum, and career will take a fourth subject, depending on mentoring from both teachers and employers. GCSE results. You will work with corporate partners such as Grant Thornton, Lloyds Banking Group and Entry criteria Bloomberg, and university partners including You will need to achieve an average point score King’s College London and Imperial.