The sixth
form has an excellent reputation and a high percentage
of pupils decide to stay on and continue their education
with us.
Our
results are impressive, well above national average.
Guidance and advice is available at every stage of your
school career, from Year 10 to Year 13.
We are large enough to offer first class facilities and
a wide range of courses, yet remain small enough to
remain an intimate community where everyone is fully
involved in the sixth form life & events.
Staff are well -qualified and experienced. Classes and
tutor groups are kept small to allow individual
attention.
We know you and you know us. If you are new we will
quickly get to know you and make every effort to ensure
you settle in smoothly.
Our sixth form life offers a lot more freedom, but
support from the pastoral team and school community is
always available.
High Expectations
Our
intention is to create an adult and responsible
atmosphere in the sixth form. Our discipline system is
informal and regulations are kept to a minimum. Students
are expected to take responsibility for their behaviour
and to be considerate to others. There is no sixth form
uniform but students are required to be neat and tidy.
Regular attendance and punctuality are demanded.
Teaching and learning in the sixth form is very
different to years 10 & 11. Students are expected to
become much more independent in organising their own
learning and study time in preparation for Higher
education or the world of work.
Students joining the sixth form enter into a contract
signed by them and their personal tutor. This clearly
sets out what we require of them and what they should
expect from us
Settling
In
We
endeavour to make the transition into the Sixth Form as
smooth as possible. We have formal events where
potential students can meet the staff and discuss the
course options. You are always welcome to talk
informally to both teachers and Sixth Form tutors. On
GCSE results day the Head of Sixth Form is available to
discuss with students their individual results and to
offer advice as to which courses would best suit them.
In
September we have two half days of induction before we
start Sixth Form life for real. Some departments also
have their own programmes to help ease students into
post 16 study.
Teaching
Staff at
All Saints are highly qualified specialists with
experience of teaching at Post 16 level. Teaching groups
are smaller than those at GCSE creating a more informal
learning environment and allowing more emphasis to be
placed on individual attention.
Pastoral
Support
Students
are organized into small tutor groups each with a
personal tutor. Establishing a close relationship
between tutors and students is very important to us.
Tutors have a key role they closely follow the progress
of their students throughout the Sixth Form and help
with any academic or personal concerns. The Head and
assistant heads of Sixth Form are always available to
give you advice and guidance or to listen if you want an
informal chat.
Monitoring and
Action Planning
Students
progress is closely monitored throughout their time in
the Sixth Form. Regular evaluations of achievement are
made by both students and tutors. Individual target
setting and action planning are encouraged. Formal
reporting occurs once a year, together with a
consultation evening when students and parents/guardians
are invited to discuss progress with individual subject
teachers. We are always happy to talk with students and
parents/guardians at any other time.
A Broad
Range of Courses
At All
Saints we offer a broad and balanced curriculum. Every
effort is made to create programmes of study that match
the individual needs and abilities of each student.
Recent government measures aimed at broadening post-16
education have resulted in changes to A levels. Full A
levels are now in two parts - an AS taken in Year 12 and
an A2 taken in Year 13. The AS is a qualification in its
own right recognized by Higher Education establishments
and employers.
In Year 12 the majority of our A level students begin
with four AS courses. In Year 13, students can opt to
take the A2 part of a number of subjects in order to
gain the full A level qualification. Most students opt
to continue with three of their courses to full A level.
Some continue with four.
Vocational courses at advanced and intermediate levels
have also been modified to make them easier to run, more
rigorous and more compatible with traditional A levels.
When choosing courses you should think about what you
enjoy the most and what are you good at. You should take
account of any requirements for careers you may be
interested in. The suitability of combinations of
subjects should also be considered
- do they go together? Don’t try to do too many new
things.
We offer
a wide range of courses including
-
GNVQ
Intermediate in Health & Social Care or in Business.
Entry requirements: 1 GCSE at grade D or higher.
-
AVCE
in Health & Social Care or Business. Entry
requirements: 4 GCSEs at ‘C’ or above.
-
A
Levels. Entry requirements: Average GCSE grade score
of 4.75 with specific requirements is some subjects.
Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry,
Design & Technology, English Language, English
Literature, French, General Studies, Geography,
German, Government and Politics, History, Law,
Mathematics with Mechanics, Mathematics with
Statistics, Media Studies, Music, Physics,
Psychology, Textiles, Theology, Spanish, Sports
Studies, Theatre Studies are currently offered.
Further
courses may be added if there is sufficient interest. We
reserve the right not to run courses if there are
insufficient numbers. Resit Maths and English Language
lessons are also available for students attaining lower
than grade C at GCSE in Year 11.
International Links
There is
a very definite international flavour at All Saints
Sixth Form. Each year we welcome students from all over
the world - recent visitors have come from the USA,
Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Finland, France, Spain and
Germany. Everyone benefits from experiencing each others
cultures and point of view and our international
students add an extra dimension to our Sixth Form.
Performing Arts
Sixth
Form students are actively involved in music at the
school. They perform in masses and concerts, and the
York Minster Carol Service. Students often take lead
roles in school drama productions such as Teachers,
South Pacific, The Crucible, Romeo and Juliet, and A
midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Christmas Panto, written, choreographed, directed
and produced by the students, is one of the high points
of the year. Profits are donated to a designated
charity.
Sport and
Leisure
All
Saints strong sporting tradition is continued in the
Sixth Form. We have regular fixtures against other Sixth
Forms and colleges. Students are encouraged to
participate in a wide variety of activities, with the
emphasis on enjoyment. The programme varies from term to
term and is determined by students choice. Recent
options include golf, rowing, dry skiing and chess.
Duke
of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke
of Edinburghs' Award is very popular in the Sixth Form,
with many students achieving gold, silver or bronze
awards. There are regular expeditions and training trips
run and supervised by experienced staff.
Community
The Sixth
Form is very much a part of the school community. All
students are encouraged to help younger students in
lessons. Sixth Formers help coach and run lower school
sports teams and help to run whole school events such as
open evenings, sports days and the Summer School. All
Saints Sixth Form has a proud record of charity work, we
have an Amnesty International group which meets
regularly and students raise funds for good causes in
the local and wider communities. Through work experience
students are able to give back to the local community by
helping in primary schools, hospices and charity shops.
This also fosters skills that are highly prized by
employers and Higher Education establishments.
Trips and Visits
There is
a varied programme of trips and visits available to the
Sixth Form. Any language students benefit from exchange
programmes with France and Germany and from work
experience within the EC. There are also regular ski
trips to the Alps. We have an annual pilgrimage to
Lourdes, visits to Spain, Germany and France. Through
the music department we have links with schools in
Italy, Germany and Eire. There are residential field
trips in this country, and the chance to experience
retreats in Years 12 and 13. Students are also
encouraged to attend conferences and courses to support
their studies.
Social
Life
We have a
very sociable Sixth Form at All Saints. As well as their
tutor bases, students have a common room where they can
meet, make coffee and snacks, socialize and work
informally. The summer Going Down Ball is viewed as an
exciting culmination of Sixth Form life; evening wear is
not compulsory but is becoming increasingly popular and
flamboyant. Regular social events are organized with the
help of the Sixth Form committee.
Preparation for the Future
Students
at All Saints Sixth Form follow enrichment courses that
include Leisure Studies, General Studies and General RE.
Key skills will also be available through the individual
courses studied. These are designed to help students
develop into more rounded individuals with a good grasp
of what is happening in the world around them, and to
strengthen their CVs when applying for Higher Education
courses or jobs.
Many of our students benefit from work experience and
are able to sample the world of work, often in fields
related to their career aspirations or to Higher
Education courses they are planning to take. Work
experience is an integral aspect of the GNVQ and AVCE
courses.
In General Studies we regularly have outside speakers on
a great variety of subjects who share their valuable
knowledge and experience with the school.
We have a specialist careers department, available to
all students, which works in partnership with the York
Connexions Service. Up-to-date information and advice is
available on careers and courses of all types. A wealth
of information is also available via the computer
network and the Internet, to which all students have
access. Students may use the careers department on a
drop in basis or book a formal appointment.
