The Cherwell School Opportunity, Responsibility, Excellence SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS For Entry September 2019 Cherwell School Sixth Form 1 Headteacher: Mr Chris Price WELCOME We are delighted to introduce you to The sixth form at The Cherwell School, a vibrant and successful learning environment with 600 students who join us from within the school and across the county and abroad. Our students enjoy exceptional teaching across a broad curriculum of subject areas. Academic achievement of our sixth formers is ‘Outstanding’ (Ofsted), with A Level results that place us consistently in England’s Top State School sixth forms. We offer a variety of extra-curricular opportunities which provides excellent personal development and make the sixth form experience vibrant, inclusive, and positive. From the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Extended Project and Young Enterprise to school productions; from team sports and sport leadership to peer mentoring; from year book and ball committee to social events, life in the sixth form at The Cherwell School is always fulfilling. We have high expectations of our students and our central aim is to enable each of them to achieve success in whatever they undertake, by making the most of the opportunities available to them. We want them to be happy, to aim high, to be lifelong learners and to be responsible citizens; the School Aims, which can be found in this prospectus, provide further detail on our vision for our school community. Our aims are further supported by our status as a National Teaching School; we take a lead role in the initial training and professional development of teachers and support staff and work with other schools to contribute to the raising of standards. We also have a specialism in science and mathematics and hold the Artsmark Gold Award and the Inclusion Quality Mark. These awards continue to help us to raise standards even further across the whole curriculum and to develop our facilities for the benefit of our school and of the local community. We pride ourselves on the quality of our teaching, our strong pastoral system and that we offer a variety of opportunities for enrichment. It is the combination of these three areas that make The Cherwell School sixth form so special and ‘outstanding’ (Ofsted). Chris Price Clark Lawfull Headteacher Head of Sixth Form What I love about The Cherwell School sixth form is that it is a great school It has exceptional teaching and offers the highest academic standards whilst still caring for their individual student. It is a unique school which “ gives students the widest range of opportunities both in the subjects they can study at A-level and for extra-curricular activities. My son has loved his time at the school and will be sorry to leave. (Parent) 2 Cherwell School Sixth Form GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT A key feature of our sixth form is the strong Whilst encouraging our students to be system of pastoral support and guidance. This independent, we recognise the huge support begins right now as students consider the given by parents and carers. Our aim therefore courses and opportunities available to them. is to work closely with parents and carers, All prospective students are invited to attend informing and including them in all decisions an open evening where they can talk directly made about a student’s progress. Regular to teaching staff about their courses. Once Progress Reviews and Parents and Carers’ students have been offered a place they are Evenings provide information about each invited to attend an induction programme in student’s progress and if we are concerned June of Year 11. about an individual, parents and carers are contacted so that we can work together to During this, students experience what life in provide the necessary support. the sixth form is like, by attending lessons, meeting other students and their Form Tutor. All parents and carers of Year 12 students are As a member of the sixth form, each student invited to attend a ‘meet the tutor’ evening has the support of a Form Tutor, a Year Leader, where they can meet the form tutor and attend a Deputy Year Leader and the Head of sixth a talk about the nature of the sixth form and form. We encourage all students to be aware how it runs. In addition, a regular newsletter of our expectations and to be responsible for is distributed to parents and carers, and their own learning. To this end, all students invitations to school events and email/letters are required to sign the sixth form agreement about particular issues are sent throughout the which focuses on committing to their studies, school year. They are also displayed on our making the most of their opportunities, being website which is updated regularly. courteous and considerate, and contributing positively to the school community. We aim to motivate and enable students: our - to work hard and achieve their best commitment - to value learning as a lifetime activity - to behave responsibly, courteously and with The Cherwell School welcomes consideration for the needs and rights of others and values all members of - to be involved in the life of the school and of the wider community and by so doing to become responsible and the school community in an successful citizens atmosphere of learning which - to mature in self-confidence, self-discipline, and is friendly, supportive, and understanding of other people challenging. - to take pride in what they do and to gain satisfaction and enjoyment from their achievements Cherwell School Sixth Form 3 EFFECTIVEOUR SIXTH & FORM SUCCESSFUL LEARNING The Cherwell School sixth form has a long provides them with the best opportunities and distinguished record of success in for success, whether moving to university or post 16 education. Exam results, both in entering the workplace. Our sixth form centre, terms of grades achieved and value added has excellent facilities dedicated for sixth form performance are very high. The quality use. These include a large common room, of teaching in the sixth form is judged to staffed sixth form study library, computer be outstanding and provides numerous suite, and cafe. Students have access to opportunities for students to succeed. specialist science, art and technology facilities, impressive drama and music studios, and Being a large school, we are able to offer a extensive well-equipped ICT network rooms. very broad range of subjects with several classes in most subject areas. We aim to The sixth form is situated on the North Site ensure that all students can take their first which is attractively landscaped and has choice of subjects. Within the sixth form we access to playing fields and sports facilities, offer students a package which we believe including a multi-gym. UNIVERSITY AND CAREERS ADVICE We are committed to supporting all students students have the opportunity to attend a with decisions about their future. Throughout higher education conference and at least one sixth form, students will receive a programme open day organised by the school. Parents of sessions covering all aspects of choosing and carers will be invited to an information higher education. This includes advice evening to help them discuss and support and information on selecting a course and students with their choices. institution, writing personal statements, applying to competitive courses at university We have a higher education coordinator to and student finance. Students are also given provide individual support for students in support with interviews. school as well as a careers advisor. We have a very good track record for helping students Recently, degree apprenticeships have secure places at a number of the best become available and the programme has universities in the country. been extended to include advice for students that may wish to pursue this route. All of the 4 Cherwell School Sixth Form CONTACTS School Address The Cherwell School – North Site Marston Ferry Road Oxford OX2 7EE Telephone Number 01865 558719 Fax Number 01865 514517 School Email Address [email protected] Mr Price – Headteacher [email protected] Mr Lawfull – Head of Sixth Form [email protected] Ms Alexander - Strategic Lead for Post 16 Education [email protected] Mrs Surrage – Sixth Form Administrator [email protected] Cherwell School Sixth Form 5 OUR SIXTH FORM The Cherwell School’s sixth form is highly regarded and successful. We are committed to helping all our students to achieve success. We provide a friendly and stimulating environment in which students achieve the highest standards in their work and benefit from a variety of other activities and opportunities. Students enjoy an excellent curriculum which offers a wide choice of subjects. The school aims, which can be found in the prospectus, underpin our commitment to provide opportunities for all our students to succeed and be well prepared for the future. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with a range of experiences and skills, in addition to qualifications, to allow progression to higher education, training or employment. It is important that students, parents and carers understand the structure of the qualifications in order to make the right choices. In the sixth form we would expect most students to follow a programme which includes: • Three full A level courses* • An Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) • Social Wellbeing Programme • Tutor time, including a weekly assembly • The Community Support Programme • Opportunities to take part in a range of other extracurricular activities and programmes, including Duke of Edinburgh Award, Sports Leadership, Arts Award, Peer Support/Mentoring, Faculty Support Assistant, Young Enterprise and other volunteering opportunities At Cherwell we offer a package that we believe maximises the students’ opportunities, choices and success. * Some students may study more than three courses.