Archbishop McGrath Pencoed Porthcawl Bridgend College Maesteg Brynteg Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen Ysgol Bryn Castell Heronsbridge Cynffig Bryntirion Bridgend Learning Partnership Post 16 Learning Pathways 14 15 Bridgend Learning Partnership Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School Address: Oak Tree Way, Brackla, Bridgend CF31 2DN Phone: :01656 815500 http://www.archbishopmg.co.uk Bridgend College Address: : Cowbridge Rd, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF31 3DF Phone: :01656 302302 http://www.bridgend.ac.uk Brynteg School Address: : Ewenny Rd, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF31 3ER Phone: :01656 641800 http://www.bryntegschool.co.uk Bryntirion Comprehensive School Address: : Merlin Crescent, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF31 4QR Phone: :01656 641100 http://www.bryntirioncomprehensiveschool.co.uk Coleg Cymenedol Y Dderwen Address: Heol-yr-Ysgol, Bridgend CF32 9EL Phone: :01656 815920 http://www.ccyd.org.uk http://moodle.bridgend.gov.uk/ydderwen Cynffig Comprehensive School Address: East Ave, Kenfig Hill, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF33 6NP Phone: :01656 740294 http:// www.cynffigcomprehensive.co.uk Heronsbridge School Address: Ewenny Road, Bridgend CF31 3HT Phone: 01656 653974 http://moodle.bridgend.gov.uk/heronsbridge Maesteg Comprehensive School Address: Ffordd Dysgu, Maesteg,Bridgend,CF34 OLQ Phone: :01656815950 http://www.maestegcs.bridgend.sch.uk Pencoed Comprehensive School Address: Coychurch Rd, Pencoed, Bridgend CF35 5LZ Phone: :01656 867100 http://www.pencoedcs.bridgend.sch.uk Porthcawl Comprehensive School Address: : 52 Park Avenue, Porthcawl, Bridgend, CF36 3ES Phone: : 01656 744100 http://www.porthcawlschool.co.uk Ysgol Bryn Castell Address: Llangewydd Road, Bridgend CF31 4JP Phone :01656 815595 http://moodle.bridgend.gov.uk/ybc Foreword by Mrs Kath Durbin and Mrs Shirley Rogers The Bridgend Learning Partnership has declared a commitment to all learners across the county borough which is governed by the following four principles:- G Every young adult has the right to learn. G Learners should be able to choose from a wide Mrs Kath Durbin, range of courses and qualifications. Group Manager Post 14 Education, G Learners should be given support to reach their Training and Development. full potential. G All learners should be treated equally. To this end all Bridgend Schools, Bridgend College and Work Based Learning Providers are working in collaboration to deliver this commitment and to ensure that all learners are able to choose from a wide range of courses Mrs Shirley Rogers, Regional Director, and qualifications which will meet their needs and help Careers Wales them reach their goals. This prospectus provides information about the courses and qualifications offered across the county borough in 2014 - 15. It is designed to help learners maximise the opportunities available to them and to support them in the development of their learning pathways and future careers. 01 Post 16 Learning Pathways Llwybrau Dysgu ôl 16 Contents The Right To Learn .....................3 The Choice To Learn ...................4 EMA .......................................5 Other Options available to Post-16 Learners in Bridgend ........6 The Opportunity to Learn .............10 Courses offered across the Bridgend Learning Partnership Level 1 and 2 .............................11 Level 3 ........ .............................18 Courses offered within the school cluster ........................... .33 Courses available within the school .?? 02 Post 16 Learning Pathways Llwybrau Dysgu ôl 16 The Right To Learn The Bridgend Learning Partnership believes that every young person has the right to learn. Young people should be treated equally, given the support they need to reach their full potential and be able to choose from a wide range of courses and qualifications which are valued by employers. Such courses and qualifications should develop the interests and ambitions of young people, enabling them to achieve their learning goals and develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to give them the best possible opportunity of finding a successful future. As a young person you have the right to pursue a learning pathway that meets your individual ability and aspirations and in the County Borough of Bridgend the opportunities for you to find the individual pathway that is right for you have never been so varied and accessible. On completion of Year 11 your choices are to: I Learn full-time in a Sixth Form at school; I Learn full-time based in a Sixth Form, with the possibility of undertaking courses offered by other learning providers; I Learn full-time at Bridgend College; I Start training or paid employment with the possibility of pursuing a relevant qualification e.g. Work Based Learning. For those who choose to return to the Sixth Form, all Bridgend schools, Bridgend College and Work Based Learning Providers are working in partnership to offer a wider range of courses to Post 16 Learners. In general there are three levels of qualification available for Post 16 Learners in Bridgend. Level 1 - This is the equivalent of grades D to G at GCSE Level 2 - This is the equivalent of grades A* to C at GCSE Level 3 - This is the equivalent of grades A* to E at A Level The way these levels of qualification are attained will vary according to the type of course that is undertaken. Many Level 3 qualifications are awarded after the successful completion of an A Level course. However, Level 3 can also be gained by achieving a Vocational qualification that may be the equivalent of one, two or three A Levels. When you are choosing subjects from this option booklet, it is important to note the level of each course to ensure you are choosing appropriate qualifications that are right for you. This information can be found near the head of each subject description. The decisions and choices that you make about what you want to do at the end of Year 11 will have a huge impact on your future. To ensure you have all the facts you need in order to make the right decision, it is essential that you discuss your options with your parents/carers, careers adviser, learning coaches and teachers. 03 Post 16 Learning Pathways Llwybrau Dysgu ôl 16 The Choice To Learn When you are choosing courses and qualifications to study in the Sixth Form, there are a number of related factors that can be useful in guiding your choice. 1. Knowing yourself - Being aware of your abilities, likes and dislikes, interests and the way you like to learn will all help to make your choice. 2. Knowing your aims - If you have ideas for the work you would like to do in the future then you may want to look for subjects that will help you work towards your desired career. 3. Knowing your subjects - It is important to know something of the content of the subjects you are considering taking. You may be drawn to a subject because of its title or because you achieved a good grade in it at GCSE. However, a closer look at what the subject involves may reveal that it is not right for you. Being aware of the full range of your subject options can help you to choose a combination of related subjects that might best meet your learning needs. 4. Knowing your options - There are a wide variety of courses to choose from at different levels within school but it is important to be aware that, whilst you return as a student in the school Sixth Form, you also have access to wider range of courses that are offered outside of school. These are held in other schools in Bridgend or in Bridgend College and you will find more detailed information about them as well as those run in your school in the next section which outlines learning opportunities in the Sixth Form. If you choose to study a course taught at another school or at the College, you will enter into an agreement which will clearly state the expectations of you and the learning provider. COMPACT To encourage you to fit into Sixth Form life effectively and give you a solid basis for your future education and employment the Bridgend 14-19 Network has a Compact Agreement with all schools. During Year 12, students work towards a series of goals including such things as a high level of attendance and punctuality that if achieved will result in the awarding of the Compact Certificate enabling the student to become a Compact Graduate. The Compact Award includes seven goals that record something of your social, learning and personal development as a student and if achieved will enhance your chances of progression to higher education or employment. 04 Post 16 Learning Pathways Llwybrau Dysgu ôl 16 EMA Education Maintenance Allowance If you are concerned you might struggle to settle down in the Sixth Form for financial reasons then the availability of EMA may help you. EMA is a fortnightly payment that might help you with the cost of continuing your education in the Sixth Form. You could receive payments of up to £30 a week if you meet the following requirements. I You are aged 16-18 on the 31st August 2014. I Your household income is below a certain level, that is: Less than £20,817 if you are the only child in the household. Less than £23,077 if there are any additional young people who are eligible for child benefit in the household. NOTE: If your household income is £23,078 or more you won't be eligible for EMA. I You meet the residence and nationality rules. I You are studying at a participating school or college on an ‘eligible’ course that is: An academic or vocational course up to and including Level 3; and Full-time at school; or A minimum of 12 guided hours at college. If you meet these requirements you will then have to do two things in order to receive your fortnightly payments. 1. You will first need to fill in and submit an EMA application form.