Prospectus 2019 – 2020

Welcome Leaving school and starting the next phase of your education is a crucial time and choosing the right setting is vital. Abbeygate Sixth Form College will provide its students with an experience like no other. Abbeygate Sixth Form College has mission: to help About David all students achieve the best results they possibly can. I know exactly what it takes to accomplish this mission. After 13 years as a teacher, senior Staff and students alike will work to meet exceedingly high leader and Vice Principal in an expectations, all the time being backed up by a support outstanding sixth form college in framework that is as robust as it is compassionate. London, David moved to in order to oversee the establishment You will be inspired and nurtured by superb subject- of Lowestoft Sixth Form College. specialist teachers. These teachers will deepen your From its very inception, David passion and knowledge, whilst heightening your hopes helped not only to mastermind and expectations. the building of brand new We will support and advise you throughout your academic accommodation but also to design journey with us and will be by your side as you consider the curriculum and recruit the your path to the top universities, or to high-quality very best staff team. After starting apprenticeships or worthy employment. as Deputy Principal, leading on Curriculum and Quality, David We will provide a broad range of enrichment opportunities took over as the college’s Principal. to help you develop the crucial skills, experience and Under David’s leadership, Lowestoft understanding needed to greet the world post-Abbeygate. Sixth Form College established From Duke of Edinburgh Award to Debating, Amnesty a stunning record of academic International to Arts Award and LGBTQ Group to editing excellence, and in 2017 became the College Magazine, you will have the opportunity to the highest performing sixth form develop your skills and interests far beyond the classroom. college in the country for academic Abbeygate staff will work with total commitment, and in attainment and A Level progress. return we will ask you to do the same. Together, we will achieve superb results. What is more, you will be prepared for your life journey after Abbeygate: a Sixth Form College like no other. I look forward to meeting you soon. David Gartland, Principal

03 Over 30 A Levels to choose from 10 purpose built A Level science labs Naturally lit art studios Full suite of music practice rooms

04 A sixth form like no other Choices We offer a choice of more than thirty A Level courses. We know the importance of being able to select a combination of subjects that suits your skills and aspirations. We will work with you to ensure you have the best possible chance of progressing to your chosen destination once you have completed your studies at Abbeygate. Support We know that support is a prerequisite to success.

Student Achievement Mentors (SAMs) Each Abbeygate student will have a dedicated SAM. You will meet regularly to discuss your progress: the areas in which you are excelling, and the areas in which you need further support or guidance. As you know, life can be tricky and it will sometimes throw something unexpected in your path. Your SAM will be available to guide you throughout your time at Abbeygate to ensure you have everything you need to remain happy and successful in your studies and are able to thrive in all aspects of college life.

Pastoral Care From experience we know that there are a number of basics we must get right in order for your A Level journey to be a successful one. One of these basics is attendance: to be successful you must attend college. We will work with you to ensure there are no barriers preventing you from reaching your potential. When rare occurrences of absence do occur we will help you to manage them and to catch-up. Counselling and wellbeing guidance will be available, arranged by your SAM.

Financial Support Sometimes students need help, and often it is when least expected. Abbeygate will seek to offer financial support for these occasions. The college’s 16-19 Bursary Fund Your SAM will be available to guide you will be able to help with the cost of course materials, transport, and trips and visits. Your SAM will be available to help you, if and when you need it. throughout your time at Abbeygate to ensure you have everything you need to remain happy and successful in your studies. www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk 05 You will gain a deep appreciation of your subjects, but also of what it means to be an intellectual – to think and to philosophise about the world around you. Life at Abbeygate Clubs will form an important part of college life. Academic enrichment You will come to Abbeygate to learn and to achieve but, as you already know, there is much more to life and learning than passing Abbeygate’s mission is to help all students achieve the best results they possibly can. Further to exams. We know that the students who really enjoy college life are this we will offer you the chance to deepen and broaden your understanding and knowledge. You those involved in a plethora of enrichment activities. will gain a deep appreciation of your subjects, but also of what it means to be an intellectual – to Having a sense of perspective is key. Enrichment activities can serve think and to philosophise about the world around you. To that end we have developed a range of both your local community and your UCAS application but they also opportunities through which you will be able to enrich your understanding and gain the confidence provide an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and to to ask sensitive, provocative and hard-hitting questions. relax and have fun, all of which can help you improve your results. Extended Project Qualification These are just some of the enrichment activities which will be available The EPQ is a stand-alone qualification that carries with it the UCAS points of half an A Level. It is a at Abbeygate: qualification admired by both universities and employers since it truly helps students to broaden their knowledge base as well as to develop the skills needed to manage a large-scale project. Students Amnesty International Peer Mentoring pursuing the EPQ will be asked to design their own enquiry on a topic of their choice and to follow Art and Performing Arts Politics Society it through to its conclusion. The core skills for the project revolve around being inquisitive, reflective and organised as it is down to the individual student to manage their approach to the EPQ. Arts Award Reading Recovery with Primary and Secondary Book Club Talks children Charity Committee We will host regular academic talks delivered by an external guest. They will most commonly be an Sports Clubs academic or leading figure in their field of work or study. You don’t have to study science to be interested Choir in the process or ethical dimensions of scientific work, nor do you need to study history to wish to know Student Union CISI Business qualification more about classical civilisations. The talks will provide yet another opportunity for Abbeygate students to The College Magazine learn and understand more across a range of topics, regardless of their A Level choices. Debating Society The Duke of Edinburgh’s Directed Independent Learning (DIL) Drama Club Award In addition to the standard teaching hours for each of your A Level subjects, you will have a further LGBTQ Group Wellbeing Group hour (per subject, per week) for DIL. Your DIL sessions will bring opportunities for teachers to provide you with additional tasks to broaden your understanding, interest and knowledge in your A Level Orchestra Young Enterprise courses. DIL work often involves watching a programme on YouTube, listening to a podcast, reading a newspaper or academic article, or even answering a mathematical problem tweeted by your teacher. Your DIL work will not be assessed, and it may not even be on the syllabus, but it will help you engage with your subject in a more thoughtful way.

06 Leadership – you’re in charge

Leadership is something that has to be recognised, The President and Vice-President will run the supported and guided. There will be a range of individual Committees of the Student Union. For opportunities available to give you the chance to the Charity Committee, for example, they will lead Leading is lead a part of Abbeygate life, and to work closely the fundraising amongst students and organise with some of the college’s senior staff members. presentations to demonstrate how the charity money something that has has been collected and used to support members of Student Union President and Vice-President the local, national and/or international communities. to be recognised, Each year the students of Abbeygate will elect a supported and Abbeygate College Magazine President and Vice President to lead the Student Union. They will work to deliver the programme Each year we will interview for the position of Editor guided. they campaigned for during the run-up to the of the Abbeygate College Magazine. The Editor might election. They will represent Abbeygate at public contribute to the magazine, but the role will primarily functions, work for the students of the college, and exist to shape the look and feel of the magazine for, be accountable to the Leadership Team and the and on behalf of, the college’s students. Governing Body. The roles will envelop both an outward-facing element - representing the Abbeygate student body to the general public, and an inward facing element – leading the response to the most pertinent issues and projects identified by students.

07 Watch the flythrough at: https://www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk/about-us/building

08 Next steps We have invested in Employment University and Academic Routes Preparation for life post-Abbeygate is vital. We will offer We will run an annual Higher Education Fair giving you building links with you a business connection - somebody with the relevant the opportunity to speak to representatives from a range employers across knowledge and experience to help guide you and of universities about the courses they offer. You will also answer your questions. Work experience is invaluable be able to attend one of the seminars run by university the Eastern region. in helping you see your future with more clarity and so staff and lecturers on a range of topics relevant to we have already invested in links with employers across progression from Abbeygate to university. the Eastern region. Within Abbeygate’s Student Services Furthermore, we will run an in-college conference each there will be specialist careers material as well as an year to support you as you open your UCAS application, advisor on-hand whenever you wish to start exploring consider your university and course options, and write your options. your Personal Statement. Institute of Directors (IoD) Aspirational routes Students of Business and/or Economics will be Applying to the most competitive courses, both in the offered the opportunity to join the IoD development UK and abroad, requires a different kind of support. At programme. This pathway is designed to complement Abbeygate we will employ our own programme, Reach, academic studies, equipping participants with the key to support aspiring students to apply to Cambridge, skills, knowledge, and understanding to undertake Oxford, and Medicine-based courses. We anticipate that hands-on project management tasks. The programme all students applying to highly-competitive courses will exists to encourage peer support, especially when join the Reach programme. working with local businesses to solve challenging and stimulating real-life scenarios. Participants will receive Reach students will be offered: an IoD membership which opens doors, not least to the A guaranteed place on the Extended Project Head Office in Pall Mall, London. A certificate is issued on Qualification (EPQ) mock interview programme successful completion, which enhances opportunities in the business world post-Abbeygate. UCKAT and BMAT aptitude tests and support

Apprenticeships Preparation talks and tutorials Alumni visits University isn’t right for everybody. If you are looking to start your career and get paid while you train, then an A Personal Statement writing support group apprenticeship may be the most appropriate progression A programme of talks and visits by university route for you. professionals Your SAM, and specialists at our partner organisation, Oxford and Cambridge residential trips , will support you in finding the best apprenticeship opportunity. A tailored reference written by the Abbeygate course leader for your subject

www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk 09 How Abbeygate was formed

Abbeygate Sixth Form College is the result of a collaboration between a number of stakeholders across Suffolk and, in particular, Bury St Edmunds. Before Abbeygate, there was a collective understanding that Bury St Edmunds, and the areas around it, should have access to a world-class A Level college in which students could select from a broad range of A Level courses in a state-of-the-art facility with the highest quality of A Level teaching. Abbeygate is a brand new, £31 million building coming to the heart of Bury St Edmunds. With ten purpose-built science laboratories, naturally-lit art studios, a full suite of music practice rooms, carefully designed classrooms and more than £1million invested in ICT to provide quality wi-fi and high specification computers and equipment, the accommodation and facilities will prove to be as extraordinary as you, the students, will be. As a part of the Suffolk Academies Trust, Abbeygate Sixth Form College will continue to work closely with West Suffolk College and One Sixth Form College, both of which have outstanding reputations for providing quality education. Abbeygate will continue the hugely successful collaborative work with King Edward VI School, , Stour Valley Community School and Sybil Andrews Academy. As the founder schools of the project, they have all played their part in ensuring the success of Abbeygate.

10 Disclaimer: Images/building design subject to change and final approval Student Voice “Abbeygate represents a terrific opportunity. There are so many exciting subjects on offer. I think this is going to be a great opportunity for students in Bury St Edmunds and beyond.” “Future students are going to benefit enormously from Abbeygate Sixth Form College. They will have opportunities to meet new people, study courses not delivered anywhere else, and interact with a large number of like-minded people. I’m jealous!” “I believe that the new sixth form will provide amazing opportunities for students in and around Bury St Edmunds. The new building will provide great, cutting-edge facilities that will enhance the impressive list of A Levels being offered. It’ll definitely be a superb stepping stone with lots of support for those wanting to go into higher education or employment.”

www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk 11 Courses & Entry Requirements Our standard entry criteria is a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 – 9. You will also need to meet any subject specific entry criteria.

Course Entry requirement Subject specific entry criteria

Art Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 Art (or related GCSE), if studied - Bring a portfolio of your work to interview Biology Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 6 Biology or Core and Additional Science - Minimum Grade 6 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5.5 Business Studies Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum of Grade 5 English Language - Minimum of Grade 5 Maths Chemistry Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 6 Biology or Core and Additional Science - Minimum Grade 6 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5.5 Classical Civilisation Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 in a Humanities subject Computer Science Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 Computing or Grade 5 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5.5 Criminology Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 English Language Dance Standard entry requirements, plus: - Audition Drama & Theatre Studies Standard entry requirements, plus: - Audition Economics Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 Maths - Minimum Grade 5 English Language English Language Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 English Language English Literature Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 English Literature Film Studies Standard entry requirements French Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 French Further Maths Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 7 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5.5

12 Course Entry requirement Subject specific entry criteria

Geography Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 Geography - Minimum Grade 4 Maths German Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 German Government & Politics Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 English Language or a Humanities subject History Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 English Language or a Humanities subject Law Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 English Language Maths Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 6 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5.5 Media Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 English Language Music Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 6 Music Music Technology Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 Music PE Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 PE Philosophy & Ethics Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 English Language or a Humanities subject Photography Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 in Art, if studied (or related GCSE) - Bring a portfolio of your work to interview Physics Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 6 Physics or Core and Additional Science - Minimum Grade 6 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5.5 Psychology Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 Maths - Average GCSE Score 5 Sociology Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 English Language or a Humanities subject Spanish Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 5 Spanish Textiles Standard entry requirements, plus: - Minimum Grade 4 Art, if studied (or related GCSE) - Bring a portfolio of your work to interview

If you have not achieved a minimum of a Grade 4 in Maths or English Language, you are required to re-sit the qualification.

www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk 13 How to work out How to apply How to get here your GCSE score Abbeygate Sixth Form College is easy to find and convenient to get to. The College is You can apply online at situated just a short walk from the centre of Bury St Edmunds and local bus and rail stations Each GCSE grade is given a number www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk. and is only minutes from the A14. If you experience any difficulties of points as outlined below: Bus routes can be found at www.suffolkonboard.com. Information about the Endeavour please ring our friendly Card, a season ticket which grants a 25% discount off full price adult bus fares, can be found 9 = 9 points admissions team on at https://endeavour.suffolkonboard.com 8 = 8 points 01284 636501 7 = 7 points Train routes and fares can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk 6 = 6 points Key dates are: Bike racks are provided for students who prefer to cycle to college. 5 = 5 points 4 = 5 points* October 2018 3 = 3 points The application system opens

2 = 2 points > 1 = 1 point BRANDON U = 0 points January 2019 THETFORD *Grade 4 is valued at 5 points Open events take place ELY LAKENHEATH DISS > Write down the GCSE subjects you Eriswell Palgrave Elveden have taken and the results that November 2018 to May 2019 Beck Row Wortham you have achieved or hope to get. Holywell Row Botesdale Prospective student interviews Soham Mildenhall Barnham Rickinghall Wattis eld Then, add the points together and > Red Lodge Culford Hepworth EYE divide by the number of subjects Tuddenham Ingham Stanton Fordham Bardwell you have taken. August 2019 Cavenham Fornhams Ixworth Gt Barton Example: Enrolment begins Risby > Grades achieved: English = 6, BURY ST EDMUNDS Kennett Maths = 5, History = 6, Art and NEWMARKET Debenham September 2019 Dullingham Horringer Design = 7, Geography = 4 (worth 5 Chevington Winston Enrolment continues and induction CAMBRIDGE Depden Thurston Stonham Aspal points), Drama = 3 Forward Green to the start of the new term Clopton Green Whepstead Elmswell Stradishall Stowupland Sicklesmere Total 32 points Gt Wratting Rede STOWMARKET Dates will be published on our Lt Wratting Divided by number of subjects (6) Hartest Needham Market website in due course and via Alpheton = 5.3 average GCSE score our social media platforms: HAVERHILL Boxford Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Glemsford Long Melford Cavendish

SUDBURY Apply online at: IPSWICH BUS TRAIN CLARE www.abbeygatesfc.ac.uk GREAT CORNARD

14 Our partners We are fortunate to be partnered with two other outstanding post 16 education providers, West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds and One Sixth Form College in Ipswich, as part of the Eastern Colleges Group. If you’re not sure whether the A Level route or a vocational route is best for you, why not look at the excellent educational opportunities they offer and, if you like, apply to one or more of their courses too. Both routes offer the equivalent in UCAS points, enrichment opportunities, advice and support to help lead onto University or a Higher Apprenticeships or into a career.

Sixth Form College

West Suffolk College is in the top 5% of Further Education colleges One Sixth Form College is ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted), and in July 2018 was in the UK for 16-18 year-old Level 3 student achievement and one of awarded the accolade of the BTEC College of the Year. the country’s leading Apprenticeship providers, with achievement Students at One, are at the centre of everything we do, we endeavour rates 10% above the national average. to ensure they are happy, fulfilled, stretched and be the very best The college is making history in a place famous for it, from its they can be during their time at college, acquiring the skills that will stunning campus in the heart of historic Bury St Edmunds. The equip them to achieve their future goals and ambitions. college is advancing its ambitious plans but always whilst continuing Our students and staff work exceptionally hard, as a result, student to provide an outstanding service to students, and supporting the outcomes are some of the best in the country, we have been in the top success of businesses and the regional economy. The College’s 10% of schools and colleges nationally for the last 5 years for A Level ethos is “to put our learners’ success at the heart of everything we and BTEC Level 3 achievement: do” meaning college staff will do everything they can to help their students succeed and be the best they can be. Achievement in 2017/18: The College has an impressive range of courses, high quality facilities, • A Level 79% A*–C grades inspiring tutors and incredible opportunities for students to open • A Level 99.1% A*–E grades up a career or succeed in higher education. Staff believe in engaging • BTEC L3 courses 100% D*D*D*–PPP with students as young adults in a supportive and encouraging • Overall all level 2 courses surpassed the national average at D*D*–D environment and aim to give them the best opportunity to develop, • Foundation Learning programmes achieved 86% grow and become passionately involved in their own education. The We work very closely with business to provide the most current College’s mission is to connect everybody with business so they leave experiences for our students and ensure progression routes are clear with a career advantage. and easily accessible, we have links with over 64 universities who The College offers more than 40 foundation and honours degrees visit the college on an annual basis. The destinations of our students at its focused and inclusive University Studies Centre. The College are impressive with over 60% progressing to university including currently has over 10,000 students and 1,500 apprentices studying Oxbridge and Russell Group, other student destinations are as there and works with over 800 employers. A fantastic 97% of equally impressive; Higher Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships and students go on to further education, employment or voluntary work. Further Education. www.westsuffolk.ac.uk www.suffolkone.ac.uk

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The Eastern Colleges Group is a collective of visionary post-16 education providers:

Sixth Form College

The Suffolk Academies Trust (SAT) was formed in September 2015 as a visionary collaboration between One Sixth Form College in Ipswich and West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds. SAT is committed to strengthening access to outstanding post-16 education for young people across Suffolk.

With thanks to members of staff and students at King Edward VI School, and photographer Zoë MacLachlan, for their contributions to the prospectus.