Prospectus | September 2016 Entry Choosing where to continue your education Welcome. at 16 is an important decision and we are Mission Statement delighted that you are considering To be an outstanding The Sixth Form College. As a Centre of Excellence for sixth form studies, we are We hope you feel The Sixth Form College is the right choice experienced in helping students just like you to achieve your for you. Please do come along to one of our Open Events to Sixth Form College full potential in preparation for your future career. find out more about all of the opportunities available from our student alumni and staff. Our courses are led by subject specialists with a wealth of experience of teaching 16-19 year-olds and our results, providing high quality which are higher than both the local and national average, are a testament to our expertise. We offer a mature and aspirational place in which to learn, education for all. and foster a culture of independence, confidence and mutual respect, so students leave with a broad skill set and a real Kathryn Podmore desire to succeed. Many go on to study at top universities, Principal including Oxbridge, whilst others secure apprenticeships or jobs with leading employers. Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: XXXXXXX Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Welcome 03 Find out why “I chose to study at Open The Sixth Form College we are Wirral’s because it’s friendly, supportive staff and No.1 Sixth Form: environment welcomed events me more than anywhere else.” Want more information? Melissa, Weatherhead Come along to one of our open evenings where you can High School & Calday Grange Grammar School take a look around the college for yourself and chat to Welcome ................................................03 current students and subject tutors about courses. Why Choose Us .....................................06 Wednesday 11th November 2015 Courses ..................................................10 Facilities ................................................22 Wednesday 20th January 2016 Advanced Level Courses ......................12 Student Life ...........................................26 Saturday 19th March 2016 COMPETITION Level 2 Courses .....................................14 Application Process .............................28 FOR PLACES IS HIGH Support .................................................16 Travel ......................................................29 So apply early to secure the course of your choice facebook.com/birkenheadsixthformcollege @BSFC Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Open Events 05 Why choose us? FULL PREPARATION £4M FOR HIGHER INVESTMENT EDUCATION IN MODERN SPECIALIST FACILITIES IN SIXTH HIGH WIDEST FORM ACHIEVING CHOICE OF EDUCATION ACADEMIC OUTSTANDING COURSES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE SUPPORT 06 Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: XXXXXXX Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Why choose us? 07 As one of only 93 specialist sixth form What sets a sixth form college colleges in the country and a recognised Specialist Sixth Centre of Academic Excellence, we are the apart from school? experts in sixth form education. It is a bold statement, but one we know we can deliver • More choice of courses, available in any subject combination, Form College. on - whatever your qualifi cations and aspirations. to suit each student’s ambitions and abilities. We have more than 25 years’ experience in providing • Dedicated sixth form teachers and specialist support staff. specialist sixth form education and our team of dedicated and highly experienced and qualifi ed staff is committed • An adult approach to student learning, providing a ‘stepping to the highest standards of teaching and support for stone’ from school to the world of employment or university. our students. • Learning environments designed for sixth form study. We are here to equip you with all the skills you need • Sixth form colleges statistically for Higher Education and employment, with the widest outperform all other providers range of A Level and BTEC course options in the area, of 16-18 education.* and additional activities all designed to add depth and “Coming to breadth to your CV. The Sixth Form It is our personalised approach, combined with the College was the quality of our provision, which has made us the number best decision one choice for school leavers from every school in the I’ve ever made.” area, with many students also joining us from even Breandán, further afi eld. South Wirral High School 08 Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Why choose us? * Sixth Form Colleges Association: ‘Sixth Sense - how Sixth Form Colleges Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Why choose us? 09 help students progress to higher education and beyond’. The widest choice of courses in Wirral Courses. For detailed Whether you are looking to progress on to Higher Education at a and up to date top university or secure a position with one of the country’s leading information on all employers, we offer you all the help and advice you need to choose subjects and the best combination of courses to get you there. courses visit Take a look at the table below to confirm www.bsfc.ac.uk which level is best for you: Predicted/ Course choices actual results ALL THE 5 GCSEs at grades Advanced Level GUIDANCE YOU A*-C (including (A Levels and BTEC NEED TO BUILD Study the courses Maths or English qualifications) THE RIGHT of your choice, with Language) PROGRAMME FOR YOU more combinations GCSEs at grades C-D Level 2 (BTECS and than any other sixth GCSEs) form in Wirral GCSEs at grades E-F Please contact the Admissions Team for 10 Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Courses advice Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Courses 11 Advanced A Levels and A Level Subjects BTEC Level 3 Qualifications BTEC Qualifications (AS and A2 including Applied subjects) Subsidiary Diploma Diploma Level courses. Equivalent to: 1 A level Equivalent to: 2 A levels Below is an example of a standard pathway for Choose from the following: Business Business our Level 3 courses: Law ICT Art & Design - Fine Art English Language and Mathematics - Further University, employment, or further Literature Applied Science Forensic Science PROGRESS education/other higher education course Art & Design - Graphics Media Studies English Literature Medical Science Art & Design - Textiles Music Film Studies Sport Biology Physics Extended Diploma Study three or four A Level subjects French Equivalent to: 3 A levels YEAR 2 or BTEC equivalent qualifications Business Psychology Geography Chemistry Religious Studies Health & Social Care Government & Politics (Full Time Programme) Computer Science Sociology YEAR 1 Study four A Level subjects or BTEC Health & Social Care equivalent qualifications Dance Spanish “The college really helps History Design Technology Sport & Physical Education to unleash the full potential ICT (Applied) Drama & Theatre Studies Statistics Five separate GCSEs, including Maths of all of its students helping ENTRY Law and/or English Language, at grades A*-C Economics you to achieve your Mathematics English Language career plans.” James, St. John Plessington 12 Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Courses * Some subjects may have additional entry criteria Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Courses 13 * BTEC qualifications may be considered if at Merit or above Catholic College Level 2 courses. BTECs and GCSE BTEC Level 2 Qualifications Diploma Choose from the following: Below is an example of the sort of progression you can expect from our Level 2 courses: Art & Design ICT Business Media YEARS 2 AND 3: Study for Level 3 Advanced Level Health & Social Care courses and follow a similar pathway to that outlined on page 13. GCSE/Level 2 “College provides Year 1 Study / BTEC Level 2 Diploma: May include GCSE a superb bridge resits (or equivalent courses) in Maths and/or English Choose from the following: between high school English Maths and university.” Matthew, Entry: GCSEs mostly at grade C or D Wirral Grammar School for Boys Please note that we do reserve the right to place students on an alternative Level 2 qualification in Maths or English. The qualification we offer will be appropriate to an individual’s level of ability and will be confirmed following a short assessment at the start of the term. 14 Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Courses Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Courses 15 One of our key roles as a sixth Support. form college is to provide a strong “The college is a friendly foundation for students. This allows environment in which you to progress from school fully teachers push students to succeed and also prepared for Higher Education, provide support through further training or employment. processes such as applying for University.” Bethany, To make sure you feel fully supported from when Hilbre High School you start, our academic offering is underpinned by “Since joining a friendly and experienced support team who will The Sixth Form College be on hand to offer unrivalled guidance and advice “The Sixth Form College I have become more whenever you need it: offers great support in confident and enjoy my chosen subjects. The studying. Teachers here • Pastoral support teachers are friendly support you and help • Academic support and helpful and the college has a great you achieve your goals • Learning support and ambitions.” atmosphere.” Geena, Birkenhead • Careers support Jack, Birkenhead School High School Academy • Higher Education support • Financial support 16 Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Support Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form: Support 17 If you require additional learning support, our dedicated Pastoral Support Academic Support Additional Learning Support team of Learning