Sixth Form Pastoral Information

Introduction

In joining the Sixth Form at Queen Elizabeth’s School, boys embark on a new stage in their education. The aim is to develop each individual as a person so that our students attain the results that allow them to move on to the optimum university place after two years of study. To fulfil their potential in the Sixth Form, we expect boys to take greater ownership of their education; a successful Sixth-Former will be an independent learner who manages his time effectively, is prepared to do significantly more than the bare minimum, and involves himself fully in Sixth Form life, the life of the School as a whole and indeed the broader community.

All students are encouraged to develop a pathway through the Sixth Form, university and employment. To this end the School supports relevant work experience placements and voluntary service: indeed we expect all of our Sixth-Formers to do at least 40 hours’ worthwhile activity during a year; this is logged and monitored.

As a Common Room, the Sixth Form also provides the space to develop intellectually and socially. Year 12 and Year 13 Committees meet regularly to discuss provisions in the Sixth Form. The Elizabethan Union Debating Society, universities information facility, Science Society, Chess League, History Society, Economics and Business Society and Peer Mentoring comprise some of the activities that the students manage. Sixth-Formers are involved in activities, meetings and outings virtually every day of every week. Since September 2005, we have offered the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at Gold Award Level as well as opportunities under the ‘V’ (Millennium Volunteer) scheme.

Many new opportunities are open to students, and those prepared to contribute to the life of the School will gain immeasurably. Students are encouraged to develop their intellectual and cultural interests, and to broaden their knowledge and horizons. As senior members of the School, their example will be observed and followed by younger boys. Boys will have the opportunity to develop leadership in many areas of School life. There are clubs and societies, plays and concerts, teams and expeditions, which will benefit from their enthusiasm and involvement.

An assembly is held each week to promote the corporate nature of the student body. Outside speakers regularly address the Sixth Form on subjects appropriate to their intellectual enrichment.

As students demonstrate an ability to perform duties effectively and reliably, they will be expected to take on organisational and managerial roles with a view to broadening responsibilities and to foster leadership and management qualities. They lead the pupil body in their positions as Reserve Prefects, Prefects, House Captains, Lieutenants and School Captain. Duty and loyalty are known and seen to be rewarded, and are seen as essential parts of the way in which the School works and exists. For their contribution to the running of the School they command considerable respect among pupils and are highly regarded by staff. Students who hold such responsibilities work under the guidance of the Headmaster, Second Master and Head of Sixth Form. Senior students bear considerable responsibility at the head of the pupil body.

Bespoke tutorial meeting

The Sixth Form tutor is a key figure in the life of senior boys but it is essential that students know that communication is a two-way thing, and that they can raise concerns with their tutor, teachers or Head of Year. They, in turn, will do all that they can to support you and will give you advice on how to progress effectively. Any student can find a difficult period in their studies, but a way out can always be found by discussion with those responsible for student well-being.

The Sixth Form Tutorial programme includes guidance and support with UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) applications. Each half-term, boys will meet with their tutor to reflect upon academic performance and extra-curricular activities. Meetings confirm future academic and non-academic targets and achievements. Interviews link to Review and Profile targets but boys are expected to reflect on performance as recorded on their academic tracker sheets and set their own targets in consultation with their teachers.

In advance of the tutor meeting, boys complete an “Interview Preparation” sheet and tutors keep a record of the meeting to assist with Profile / UCAS reference.

Target-setting.

This is based around the SMART acronym.

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-bound

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Preparing for university

At the end of two years’ study in the Sixth Form, almost all students progress to a leading university. The procedure for this starts in earnest towards the end of Year 12, with all information collected, refined and sent to UCAS by October of Year 13.

It is important that all students in Year 12 consider their options with regard to study in higher education, look at the tasks that they will have to undertake, the interviews and tests that are necessary and the experience that they will need to have.

The following dates give an indication of the timetable that will be used.

D. Ryan (Head of Year 12)

L. Hargadon (Head of Year 13)

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PSHE / LIFE SKILLS STRUCTURE

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Careers

The majority of our work in the Sixth Form is driven by careers, work-related learning and approaching university. All students have access to careers interviews, either individually or in a group in Year 12 and in Year 13 if they choose to. A number of specialist speakers are invited into the School who may also assist Sixth Form students in their career choices.

The key tenets of the university application process and www.ucas.com are introduced in Year 11 and this is built upon in Year 12. All students are taught how to use the website so that they can make appropriate decisions for themselves in terms of the courses they choose and the universities that they apply to. A great deal of assistance is given by personal tutors throughout Year 12 and 13 in terms of creating a personal statement, refining it and then sending it off to those universities that a student has chosen.

All students are expected to carry out the equivalent of one hour’s voluntary service per week (or 40 hours per academic year) and many have committed themselves to a wide range of community involvements, such as assisting in local schools, youth groups, hospices, care homes and libraries, which may well assist them in their career path. The School advertises a number of summer placements (recent examples being with Deloitte, PwC and The Windsor Fellowship) and the Heads of Year in the Sixth Form are happy to provide references should a student require one in support of an application for career-related learning.

Our overall aim is simple; that students are guided well, that they are taught to be both ambitious yet also realistic in assessing their future prospects, and that they aim as high as they possibly can in securing the best future employment opportunities by achieving their optimum university placement.

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Year 12

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Year 13

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The framework for monitoring and assesing students’ progress

There is an established framework for assessing and monitoring students’ progress as they pass through the Sixth Form, in which parents are informed and involved through regular contact. This involves the following steps over the two-year period:

• Year 12 Pastoral check (20th October 2008)
• Year 12 Review results posted to parents (28th November 2008) and Review Evening for those parents invited to attend (9th December 2008)
• AS Modules in January – Results (5th March 2009)
• Year 12 Profile to parents (1st April 2009)
• Year 12 Parents’ Consultation Evening (23rd April 2009)
• Year 12 Departmental Workcheck (17th November 2008 and 27th April 2009)
• Year 12 AS examinations in June and results to parents in August.
• Year 12 Academic & Personal Profiles for UCAS in July-October.
• Year 13 Departmental Workcheck (17th November 2008)
• Year 13 Profile to parents (21st November 2008)
• Year 13 Parents’ Consultation Evening (2nd December 2008)
• Year 13 AS/A2 Module examinations in January – Results (5th March 2009)
• Year 13 Review posted to parents (20th March 2009)
• Year 13 Final examinations May and June, results in August.

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Other important dates (2008-9) include

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What parents can do to help

• Ensure homework is undertaken on a regular basis. Homework diaries are not used in the Sixth Form so this requires parents to take a pro-active interest in homework matters.
• Check subject files and ensure that they well ordered /organised. Ask boys for evidence of their independent work.
• Help your son to obtain extra materials for homework and coursework – access to quality newspapers, subscriptions to learned publications, recommended additional textbooks.
• Encourage your son to take a broader interest in their areas of study.
• Support the School’s actions to improve attendance and punctuality records.

Support for the School and teachers is vital – success is built on this fundamental partnership.

Read Home - School Agreement

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