ROBERT SMYTH ACADEMY KEY STAGE FIVE COURSES BOOKLET Part of Tudor Grange Academies Trust September 2017 Dear Student You are making extremely important choices at the moment which will, without doubt, influence your future. You have to choose both the right courses for you and the right place at which to study them. Clearly, I am very proud of the sixth form at Robert Smyth Academy and will be delighted to welcome you into it. We offer an impressive range of courses to suit all aptitudes and there is a wealth of expertise available to help you succeed. Our examination results are consistently high and considerably above the national and local authority averages. The vast majority of students in their first year of study continued into their second year and nearly all of these go on to study at university. I believe there has never been a more exciting time to join us. Becoming a part of Tudor Grange Academies Trust has brought significant investment into our Sixth Form facilities. We not only place an appropriate emphasis on academic achievement, but also on providing challenging opportunities for personal development, be it directing and starring in a musical or a play, mentoring younger students, becoming an academy prefect or planning a World Challenge Expedition to Borneo. Whoever you are and whatever you want out of life, we will help you achieve it. This course handbook is fairly comprehensive and will serve as a good guide. However, we don’t pretend that it can possibly answer all your questions. If, therefore, there is anything you need to know which you cannot find the answer to here, please do not hesitate to ask. I look forward to meeting you. Best wishes Richard Taylor Acting Principal 1 September 2017 Dear Student Welcome to the Robert Smyth Sixth Form! The Sixth Form here at RSA is a thriving and high-achieving community. We offer academic excellence and personal development within a wide variety of subjects and a vast array of extra- curricular opportunities. Our Sixth Form courses are open to both internal and external students who meet the course requirements and have a good school reference. I hope this handbook provides the answers to any questions you may have, however, any further enquiries to help you make the right choice are always welcome. Yours sincerely Mr G Luhrs Head of Sixth Form 2 SIXTH FORM COURSE INDEX Page No. BUSINESS & VOCATIONAL STUDIES Head of Faculty: Mr P Sullivan Business Mr P Sullivan 11 Computer Science Mr J Lehman 15 Economics Mr P Sullivan 18 One Year Sixth Programme Mr P Sullivan 48 DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY Head of Faculty: Miss H Kenworthy Art Miss H Kenworthy 7 Textile Art Miss A Pott 47 Product Design Ms S Toon 41 ENGLISH AND MEDIA Head of Faculty: Mr S Morton English Language Ms L Phipps 20 English Literature Ms L Phipps 21 Media Studies Mrs H Hackett 32 HUMANITIES Head of Faculty: Miss M Cordwent Geography Miss M Cordwent 24 Government & Politics Miss H Sawkins 27 History Mrs T Willis 29 Psychology Mrs R Wilson 42 Sociology Mr R Webb 44 MATHEMATICS Head of Faculty: Mrs A Haynes Further Mathematics Mrs A Haynes 30 Mathematics Mrs A Haynes 30 MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES Head of Faculty: Miss C Mode French Miss C Mode 22 German Miss C Mode 25 Spanish Miss C Mode 45 PERFORMING ARTS Head of Faculty: Mr N Hughes Drama & Theatre Studies Miss A Syngajewski 16 Music Miss L Wass 33 Music Technology Mr N Hughes 36 PHYSICAL EDUCATION Head of Faculty: Mr M Scully Physical Education Mr M Scully 38 Extended Sports Diploma Mr M Scully 39 SCIENCE Heads of Faculty: Mrs J Tansey/Mr P White Biology Ms J Tansey 9 Chemistry Dr J Hanmer 13 Physics Mr M Cripwell 40 OTHER OPPORTUNITIES Extended Project Mr G Luhrs 49 Leadership Academy Mr G Luhrs 50 Personal Development Opportunities Mr G Luhrs 51 YEAR 11-12 PROGRESS & TRANSITION CALENDAR 2017-2018 56 3 In order to gain entry into RSA Sixth Form you will need a minimum of 40 points, including a grade 4 in English and maths. Students who achieve 38-39 points or who want to study 4 A levels should apply and the Head of Sixth Form will assess suitability. Your current achievement grades will give you a good indication of where you are and what you will need to improve on to reach your post-16 goal. Reformed GCSEs will be worth their number in points score, so a ‘4’ will be worth 4 points. For old letter grades, the points scores will be as follows: Grade Points A* 8 A 7 B 6 C 5 D 4 E 3 F 2 G 1 My best 8 grades: Subjects English Maths Grades Points English and maths grade 4 or above? Yes / No Points Score Likely Pathway Minimum entry point for 3 A levels. 40 and above Equivalent to a 4 in English and maths, 4 further C and 2 B grades. 38 to 39 points Apply and the Head of Sixth Form will assess suitability. If you are thinking about taking A levels this is a danger zone. If your grades drop and you do not achieve 38 points you cannot pursue A levels. You might consider the One Year Sixth programme or an alternative back-up. 34 to 37 points College applications should be completed through UCAS Progress (if in Leicestershire) or directly if in another county e.g. Moulton in Northamptonshire. You will probably be applying for a place at college or be looking for an 33 and below apprenticeship. You should be completing a UCAS Progress college application form or registering with www.apprenticeship.org.uk . 4 You also need to meet subject specific requirements as detailed below. It is advisable that you read the additional entry requirement information with course outlines later in this booklet. A Level Subject Entry Recommendations Art Grade 6 or above in GCSE Art. Biology A grade 6 in GCSE combined science (triology) or in GCSE biology if taking separate sciences. Chemistry A grade 6 in GCSE combined science (triology) or in GCSE chemistry if taking separate sciences. Computer Science Grade 6 or above in GCSE maths, grade B or above in science or computing. Experience of a high level programming language is beneficial. Drama & Theatre Studies Advisable that you have a grade 6 or above in GCSE English and experience of drama. English Language Grade 5 or above in both GCSE English Language and English Literature. English Literature As above. Extended Sports Diploma Previous experience on a GCSE PE or BTEC sport course is desirable. (Level 3) Ideally you will have 5 A* - C GCSE passes. French Grade 6 or above in GCSE French (Higher Tier level). Further Maths Grade 7 or above in GCSE maths German Grade 6 or above in GCSE German (Higher Tier level). Government & Politics English at a grade 6 or above is recommended because of the emphasis on essay writing skills. Mathematics Grade 6 or above in GCSE maths. Music Grade 6 or above in GCSE music plus the ability to play a musical instrument or sing to at least Grade 5 standard. Music Technology It is useful, but not essential, to have GCSE music or a theory music qualification. You will be required to take a short music theory test and questionnaire before entry to the course. Physical Education Recommended to have grade 6 or above in GCSE PE. Physics A grade 6 in GCSE combined science (triology) or in GCSE physics if taking separate sciences. Product Design Grade 6 or above in GCSE product design. Psychology Grade 6 or above in English is recommended because of the emphasis on essay writing. Spanish Grade 6 or above in GCSE Spanish (Higher Tier level). Textile Art At least one GCSE at grade 5/C or above in an art or design subject. 5 All A level courses are linear, so external assessment of your knowledge and understanding of the whole course takes place at the end of two years. However, there will be internal assessment at the end of Year 12 to ensure you are achieving at the appropriate level. 1. Entry to sixth form courses is dependent upon a satisfactory interview or reference from your school. Particular emphasis is placed on your records for attendance, punctuality and motivation. It is also important that you are able to demonstrate that you will benefit educationally from the courses on offer. 2. The sixth form courses we intend to offer from September 2018 are detailed in this booklet. You will study 3 or 4 courses depending on your overall performance at GCSE – see entry requirements on page 4. 3. Most students will continue with 3 subjects into Year 13. 4. Admission to the one year sixth course is open to all students regardless of GCSE qualifications, but will depend upon selection after interview. Students will follow a package of vocational courses which will be based on business and travel and tourism. This creates a balanced and interesting practical curriculum which will enhance the students’ portfolio of qualifications as well as allowing the students to improve their skills for the progression route they choose. There will be the opportunity to resit English language and/or maths to try to reach a grade 4 or above, if not achieved. Success on this course and appropriate grades for GCSE English and mathematics would then enable participating students to embark on an appropriate Level 3 course the following year. 5. Any course in each year may not run if the group size is too small.