Welcome to THE KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL SIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING

1. Welcome to THE KING EDWARD VI SCHOOLSIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING

2. Year 12 AS Results 2009 47.5% of students achieved grade A or B at AS Level. Over 92% of students achieved a pass grade at AS Level.

3. A2 Results 2009 54% of students achieved grade A or B at A Level 99% of students achieved a pass grade at A Level Average points score per student is the best in Northumberland 92% of students gaining places in Higher Education.

4. Views of Parents • ‘My daughter receives high quality teaching and support from staff’ • ‘KEVI Sixth Form provides an excellent range of opportunities for my child’ • ‘KEVI Sixth Form is an inspiring environment for my son’

5. Views of Students • ‘KEVI Sixth Form treats students like the young adults they are, yet still provides the support that we all need, ranging from educational to personal issues. • Sixth Form has shaped my life in brilliant ways and has really made school a fun and interesting place to be’

6. Views of Students • After Year 11, school transforms into an inspiring, fun and amazing place to be; it’s better than you expect’

7. Art & Design Art Graphics Biology Business Chemistry Classical Civilisation Design Technology Systems Design Technology Product Design Economics English Language English Literature Food Technology French Geography German Government & Politics Health & Social Care History (15/16th Century) History (19/20th Century Information Technology (BTEC level 3) Latin Mathematics / Further Mathematics Media Studies Music Performance Studies Philosophy of Religion Photography Physical Education Physics Psychology Science in Society Sociology Spanish Subjects available:

8. For 2010 - 11 There will be no level 2 offer. Students wishing to return to Sixth Form will need to meet the entrance requirements for level 3 (Advanced Level) courses. Students at risk of not meeting entrance requirements should be talking to the Connexions Service, and considering college and training options.

9. Advanced Levels • Students should have a grade C or above in five separate subjects at GCSE, or its equivalent • It is important that students are realistic • Some students may want to study A levels but will have to consider alternatives

10. Advanced Levels • Applied Health and Social Care, and Express Business at Grade C or above can count as two subjects • Level 2 CiDA will count as one subject, requiring four other separate GCSE passes at Grade C or above • Level 2 Key Skills will count as one subject, requiring four other separate GCSE passes at Grade C or above • Alternative curriculum will count as one subject, requiring four other separate GCSE passes at Grade C or above.

11. Advanced Levels • Students achieving 7 or more GCSE passes at grade C or above will take four AS level subjects • Students achieving between 5 and 6 GCSE passes at grade C or above may be advised to do three AS level subjects • Some very able students may wish to take five AS subjects

12. Advanced Levels • A minimum of Grade C is required for all Advanced subjects where they are a continuation from GCSE • In Business, Geography and History students picking the subject for the first time will be expected to have grade C in English Language. • In some subjects students will be advised that a higher grade than C is needed. [ Check the prospectus carefully]

13. Students Studying 3 AS Levels • This will be a relatively small number of students studying 3 AS levels. • % non timetabled lessons will be used for directed study.

14. Higher Level Entry Requirements Mathematics: minimum Grade B at GCSE Higher Level. Biology, Chemistry, Physics: it is usually expected that GCSE grade B is required in the subject chosen, with grade C in the other GCSE sciences.

15. Advanced Levels • Do not underestimate the step-up from GCSE to AS Level • On average, between 30 to 40 students who begin AS Levels in Year 12 will not proceed to Year 13 the following September

16. STRUCTURE • Each A Level subject is composed of two AS (Advanced Subsidiary) units completed in Year 12 (in a few subjects, 3 units) and two A2 units completed in Year 13 (in a few subjects, 3 units)

17. Examinations • Units can be retaken • Examination sessions will be held twice a year, in January and May/June. • Some subjects have a coursework component Not all subjects have January exams

18. Moving forward from Year 12 to Year 13 • Three subjects will be continued at A2 level • Some very able students may wish to add a fourth • A pass level (A to E) must be achieved in a subject at AS level to proceed at A2 • Students achieving only two passes may not be able to proceed to Year 13 • The Year 13 course begins in June

19. A-Level pass grades • AS Level: A, B, C, D, E • A2: A*, A, B , C, D, E At A2 level there is an extra challenge factor

20. AS Level Results • AS level results are issued in August • Results are given as grades made up from unit marks • The unit marks from AS level go towards the full A level (A2) mark/grade in Year 13. • Students leaving at the end of Year 12 will keep the AS level result as a stand alone qualification.

21. From AS Level (Year 12) to A2 Level (Year 13) • Students moving into Year 13 carry forward AS marks to A2, to achieve a full A level • Success in Year 12 at AS level is vital to final achievement in Year 13

22. What Else? • General Studies – studied by all Year 12 students over 2 periods per fortnight. • Critical Thinking – studied by a small number of most able students, one lesson per fortnight, to enhance their thinking skills in other subjects • CSLA – Community Sports Leadership Award available through the main school or community programme.

23. Guidance • January 7th Subject information assemblies • Jan 25th January Individual Interviews (over two weeks) • Feb 10th Choices submitted • March 1st Deadline for external students • March 8th Follow up concerns • May 17th Exams • June 29th/30th Bridging • August 24th Exam results • September enrolment

24. Can Subject Changes Be Made? • It depends on availability • Important to list subjects in order of preference. • Some subject combinations may not fit on the timetable. • Some subjects fill up quickly. • Courses can only run with viable student numbers.

25. Why Sixth Form? • High Attainment • Support and monitoring • Enrichment opportunities

26. Support • Specialist Tutors • Opportunities to discuss progress with tutors • Termly assessment – directed study as necessary • Subject interviews twice per year • Subject support evenings • Home contact • Grade updates • Fiona Long – Sixth Form Mentor.

27. What next? • Read the prospectus • Research choices – talk to staff and Sixth Form students • Attend Post 16 interview • Seek advice from Connexions • Complete Intentions Form by 10th February

28. Important decisions • Consider future possible career or higher education intentions • Think of subject combinations • What are you good at? • What do you enjoy? • Do not base decisions on teachers or friends.

29. Parents Encourage your son/daughter to consider: • Current Achievement • Subject likes and dislikes • Courses available in Sixth Form • Methods of assessment • Career subject requirements • Possible Higher Education intentions