The Sixth Form College Farnborough ‘An OUTSTANDING College’ Ofsted Learn, Enjoy, Achieve Prospectus 2012-13 Welcome… to The Sixth Form College Farnborough. I am delighted that you wish to find out more about the College and I hope this prospectus will help you to understand the many opportunities available to you here. The College is a wonderful place to work and study. It is one of the top performing sixth form colleges in the country, committed to building upon its national reputation as a provider of the highest quality teaching and learning. At Farnborough, we have one shared objective for all staff: to improve students’ achievements. We like our students here and seek to work with them to gain success. Students are engaged in their subjects by talented teachers, inspired to enjoy studying in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support. We are an ambitious college, with high aspirations for students and ourselves. I am proud to be the Principal of an establishment which inspires and challenges young people. It is our hope that the College provides a spacious environment in which students can grow tall; a place in which the ordinary can become extraordinary. Farnborough offers you a stepping stone between the world of school into employment or Higher Education: an Hi! Welcome to the College... important stage in the development of all young people. Here, you will make many new friends, experience the process As a part of the Student Association, it’s our job to make sure of maturing in a specialist 16-19 community and you will have an opportunity to benefit from what Ofsted has that students have a fantastic time here at Farnborough through described as ‘the best sixth form teaching in the country.’ organising events such as the Freshers’ Ball and helping to ensure that the education here remains of the highest standards. Simon Jarvis - Principal We are also both full governors so we have a real influence over what goes on at Farnborough. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been here a year now – the time Economics students receive has flown! In our view, you will find it hard to study in a College the winners’ trophy for the where teaching is more personalised or where there are as many Bank of England’s prestigious great enrichment activities on offer. There really is a friendly Target 2.0 competition from atmosphere at Farnborough; it’s an amazing place to get ready the Deputy Governor of the for the next stage of your life. Bank, Charles Bean. Russ Kelaart - Student President and Josh McCusker - Vice President The sixth form COLLEGE with the UNIVERSITY FEEL… ‘I would like to thank you and your College for the care and encouragement that my son has received during the last two years. The staff have been excellent and he has felt valued and cared for during this time with you. 2 I honestly believe that he now has many opportunities ahead of him that he would not have had if he had not attended Farnborough Sixth Form for the last two years. Thank you.’ Letter from parent, 21 July 2010 The Sixth Form College Farnborough - a Beacon College Farnborough Sixth Form College was one of A full list of courses offered, correct at the time of going to press, the first four colleges in the country to be is given on page 14 of this prospectus; further details are in the Course Guide which is available on the College website awarded Learning and Skills Beacon status, in (www.farnborough.ac.uk/courseguide). recognition of its excellent teaching, learning and management skills. In addition, the College The College has a reputation for being lively, caring, scholarly and has won three individual Beacon Awards for purposeful. Students can expect to lead full lives and become engaged in a variety of College activities, both academic outstanding teaching of the sciences and and social. Secretary of State for Education, the mathematics. Right Honourable Michael Gove The atmosphere is relaxed but the expectation is high - and MP, speaking at the opening of On a recent visit to open the new John Guy Building, Michael The John Guy Building. students enjoy responding to the challenges of sixth form work. It Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education, said, ‘...This College is an ideal preparation for Higher Education and employment. has been, and continues to be, more and more impressive with An admissions tutor from a college in Oxford said, ‘We like your every year that passes, and the reason that it’s so impressive is students - they already know how to balance study and leisure.” that it has both learning and enjoyment at its heart...’ There is no catchment area for the College but the majority of students come from North-East Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. Most students undertake advanced level study, starting AS Reprinted from: Times courses in their first year before proceeding to A2 courses in year Educational Supplement. two. The College also offers a number of one-year pre-A level courses and a limited number of GCSE subjects. I really enjoy College life as everyone here wants to learn. It's been a hard first ‘ ‘year but the best year of my education! At Farnborough, you get respect from the teachers, you’re not treated like a child. Robyn Hart 2nd year from Cove School, studying English Literature, Maths, Law, Accounting and Arabic. LEARNING and ENJOYMENT at its heart.... ‘I would like to thank the Sixth Form College for making my two years at College one of the most beneficial and enjoyable experiences of my life. I was always undecided whether to remain at my school’s sixth form, or to move to Farnborough, but I truly believe I made the right decision. It is a brilliant College, which understands the concept of further education perfectly...’ Letter from former student, November 2010 3 The College is‘ designated as Judgement of the inspectors Outstanding Ofsted ‘ Overall effectiveness Grade 1 In the most recent Ofsted Report, the College was awarded Grade Capacity to improve Grade 1 1 (outstanding) in all aspects of its provision. Ofsted reported: Achievement and standards Grade 1 ‘The College has achieved consistently high success rates which Quality of provision Grade 1 have been well above the national averages for sixth form Leadership and management Grade 1 colleges for the last three years.’ Of all lessons observed, 91% were found to be good, very good or excellent, which led Chief What students like about the College HMI (David Bell) to describe the College as ‘the college with the helpful, informative Open Days best teaching in the country.’ In 2011, Ofsted selected both the high quality of teaching Mathematics and Biology departments for inclusion in the the atmosphere: national guide to good practice. ‘safe’ The full Ofsted Report can be found on the College website: ‘positive’ www.farnborough.ac.uk/ofstedreports ‘amazing’ ‘brilliant’ Key strengths identified by Ofsted ‘welcoming’ Outstanding students’ achievements friendly staff who treat you with respect: Exceptionally broad curriculum ‘we are in it together’ Outstanding teaching and learning key role of Personal Tutors to monitor and support progress Very good academic skills plenty of help with UCAS and job applications Outstanding support for students good range of enrichment activities Outstanding leadership and management the social dimension to College life Rigorous monitoring of students’ progress impressive buildings and a clean campus Excellent attendance and punctuality regular and dependable transport links Extensive range of enrichment activities excellent, abundant ICT facilities Very innovative approach to students’ development (Source: student opinion surveys 2009-10) Very high progression rates Outstanding value for money Since the Open Day, it has been my ambition to study here because of the amazing comments people make about the College ‘ and the outstanding first impression it made on me. So far I ‘ have had a wonderful experience... all the teachers are so amazing at what they do and I feel that they can help me to achieve my full potential throughout my whole journey with the College. Liam Chowdhury 1st year from Weydon School, studying Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Economics. IMPROVING students’ ACHIEVEMENTS... (the corporate objective of the College) ‘A BIG thank you! Through the efforts and professional dedication of the College team our son is now living his dream having gained a place to study Music Production. All of his tutors gave him the opportunity to excel 4 and gave him belief in himself. I have absolutely no doubt that this is driven from the top. I know that this ethos is hard to achieve and maintain but it seems it’s “what you do” at the College.’ Letter from parent, November 2009 I chose to come to Farnborough Sixth ‘Form as it was one of the best colleges in the area, with excellent results and a great reputation. I am enjoying life here at Farnborough, the teachers are really friendly, open and helpful. I particularly like the fact that you have more freedom, more‘ responsibility and also the atmosphere at Farnborough. A truly great College! Hiteshsingh Roopun 1st year from a local Camberley school, studying Use of Maths, Accounting, Economics and French. I love being able to focus on the subjects ‘that I enjoy the most and I'm always looking forward to going to my lessons. The work here at Farnborough is challenging but the high standard of teaching gives you the support that you need in order to be successful. One of the ‘ best things about Farnborough is the broad range of student societies here which allows you ‘ to meet people who share similar interests and make your The atmosphere is very comfortable here.