Cardiff Sixth Form College
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PROSPECTUS Excellence is an art won by training and habituation...We are“ what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. ” THE STORY OF PHILOSOPHY, WILL DURANT PROSPECTUS WELCOME // CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE THE UK’S LEADING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL Among the UK’s best schools, Cardiff Sixth Form College stands out as unique. Specially designed for ambitious, able, and hardworking students, Cardiff offers world- class teaching alongside exceptional facilities to help pupils win places at the best universities in the world. Rated the top private school in the UK, The college provides an excellent bridge the college has been number one in national between school and university, with pupils A-level results over the past 11 years, with encouraged to develop independent learning 99% of students achieving A*-A grades and skills and a mature approach to both study 100% A*-B in 2020. We encourage students and day-to-day living. to reach beyond their academic horizons Throughout this prospectus (and our website, and strive for high achievement: This year www.ccoex.com), you will learn about the 76% won places at QS100 universities remarkable benefits our students enjoy and worldwide and 50% went onto G5 the immense rewards they can expect as a universities – Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial result. If you like what you see, please do get College, London School of Economics, and in touch with us and find out for yourself University College London with 28% going what Cardiff Sixth Form College has to offer. on to study Medicine and Law. With over 40 different nationalities among our student body, we are also a truly international community of learners. Gareth Collier Principal 3 WHY CARDIFF? // CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE WHY CARDIFF? Our academic results are among the best in the world. There are many reasons why Cardiff Sixth Form College pupils go on to achieve great things. Among them are the friendly, multicultural atmosphere of the college and the culture of scholarship supported by our world-class teaching team. This means the pupils can expect: • Individual or small group tuition and mentoring • Almost double the number of teaching hours per subject than other schools • Expert instruction, with many teachers having served as examiners or inspectors • Close monitoring of progress • Dedicated support for university applications CONSISTENTLY WORLD-CLASS Top school in the UK over the past nine years for A Levels (Daily Telegraph, The Times). Year A*- B(%) A*- A(%) A*(%) 2020 100 99 74 2019 99 90 52 2018 96 88 54 2017 99 92 64 2016 99 93 57 For the last 10 years: • The only school in the UK averaging over 90% A*-A for 10 years • The only school with an average A* achievement of over 55% • The only school with an average of 99% A*-B grades For nine out of 10 years, the College has been listed as: • Top Private School in the UK • Top Private Co-Educational Sixth Form • Top Private Sixth Form College for A-levels in the UK (Source: The Education Advisers’ League Tables) 5 ACADEMIC SUBJECTS // CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS Cardiff offers students the perfect academic programme for admission to top universities. Our academic programme is built on a focused approach to A-levels, the internationally respected standard for school-leaving qualifications. A-LEVELS Students at Cardiff get the chance to specialise in four subjects of their choice in the first year (AS) of Sixth Form and continue with three or four subjects in the second (A2) year. Art French History Biology Further Mathematics Mathematics Chemistry Geography Physics Economics German Psychology English Literature Government and Politics KEY FACTS • Age: 16-17 at time of enrolment • Course length: Two years • Course start: August (pre-sessional) or September GCSES • Hours per week in class: 25 • Average student/teacher ratio: 1:7 GCSEs are the prior qualification to A-levels, Our GCSE students study between six and usually taken around the age of 16. Results eight subjects depending on their ability and IELTS PREPARATION are often taken into account in the admissions English language proficiency. The curriculum process for top universities. Cardiff offers also includes tutorials covering citizenship, International English Language Test System (IELTS) exams often feature as part of UK these qualifications through an intensive one- as well as personal, social, health, economic, university entrance requirements. Cardiff Sixth Form College provides exam specialists and year GCSE course, from which many students and physical education. experienced English teachers to ensure that students understand the test and are properly may progress to A-level study in our prepared to maximise their IELTS scores. award-winning Sixth Form. Core Subjects Options Biology Art Chemistry Economics English (as a first or second language) French Physics Geography Mathematics German History KEY FACTS Student’s first language (when it is not English and is available as • Age: 15-16 at time of enrolment an IGCSE) • Course length: One year • Course start: September 7 CURRICULUM // CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE A UNIQUE CURRICULUM Developing career and life skills is central to all education at Cardiff Sixth Form College. As well as aiming for top A-level grades and universities, the college helps students build management and project skills, teamwork, confidence, and a healthy mindset. Our teaching approach also places considerable emphasis on independent learning – to look beyond simple answers and demonstrate a passion for knowledge and discovery. ACADEMIC COURSES • Critical Thinking: In this course, is generally a 5,000-word essay, and students are encouraged to explore the process of planning, researching, questions from multiple perspectives and presenting enables students to talk in order to understand how different with authority about their chosen subject disciplines construct and convey at interview. knowledge. They examine beliefs, • Art Portfolio Course: Students who assumptions, and opinions against facts are interested in studying Architecture and learn to understand logic and logical or Art can undertake a portfolio course. argumentation. This can be subject-specific, or draw on • Extended Project Qualification: a variety of artistic media. The course A research project based on a student’s involves regular assessment and feedback, own interests, the EPQ is an exciting as well as advice on presentation opportunity for students to take charge and content. of their own learning. The end product PRACTICAL COURSES The college also runs a series of practical courses that help students become more mature, resilient, and thoughtful in their interactions with others. • Effective communication:Lessons on • Mindfulness: Workshops and discussions public speaking and debating. on mental health and resilience, as well as yoga and pilates classes. • Leadership: Students have a number of options to develop their leadership • Living Skills: These include cooking skills – such as becoming Prefects, classes, money management, Digital Leaders, Wellbeing Officers, and washing, and ironing – and the school committee members for major school MasterChef Competition. events and activities. • Entrepreneurship: Involvement in business workshops, Young Tycoons Awards, and Young Enterprise Scheme. 8 EXPERIENCE // CARDIFF SIXTH FORM COLLEGE A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE Learning begins in the classroom…but doesn’t end there. Students at Cardiff Sixth Form College are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities that teach core skills and help them plan their way forward through education and careers. WORK OBSERVATION Work observation and volunteering are key advantages when applying to top universities and we allocate two weeks every October and February for students to gain this experience. Our dedicated co-ordinator helps students gain placements at a variety of professional workplaces such as GP surgeries, nursery schools, veterinary clinics, law firms, financial institutions, and engineering companies. INTERNATIONAL CITIZENSHIP EXPERIENCE Cardiff Sixth Form College also runs the International Citizenship Experience (ICE) in international destinations such as India, Malaysia, Tanzania and Europe every July – a unique programme designed to give student work experience and observation, team building, leadership, and cultural awareness. ENRICHMENT TRIPS A variety of trips and outings are organised to enrich students’ understanding of their subjects. Biology trip to a coastal environment Geography trip to Iceland Engineering Bloodhound workshops History trip to Poland English Department theatre trips Physics trip to CERN and Hadron Collider CAREER SOCIETIES Students are invited to join one of our tutor-led societies, depending on which career path they favour. These equip students to demonstrate their aptitude and motivation for their intended careers by facilitating regular discussions about current affairs, career knowledge, and new research in their fields. Examples include: Architecture and Art Society Humanities Society Business, Economics, and Finance Society Law Society Engineering Society Pure and Natural Science Society Healthcare Society COMPETITIONS Students are encouraged to participate in competitions to develop a wider understanding of subjects, gain life skills, and provide further demonstration of commitment for university applications. These include: Model UN Conference Space Settlement Design Competition at NASA National Schools Challenge Welsh Schools