Welcome to the Sixth Form College PARENTS ’ BRIEFING SUMMER 2011

1. Welcome to the Sixth Form College PARENTS’ BRIEFING SUMMER 2011

2. Welcome to the Sixth Form College PARENTS’ BRIEFING SUMMER 2011

3. CHARACTERISTIC QUALITIES OF THE COLLEGE • Care and concern for the individual student • High expectations of students • High quality of academic teaching for students of all abilities • High levels of student achievement, success in examinations and retention levels • Breadth of education

4. CHARACTERISTIC QUALITIES OF THE COLLEGE • A lively and stimulating community • An environment specifically designed for sixth form study • A positive and happy place enabling students to achieve their academic potential, develop and to prepare for adult life and their future • Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ assessment/status (see College website for November 2007, OFSTED Report) • Ofsted Subject Visits and Inclusions in national Good Practice Reports – Sciences, History, English, Economics and Business • ‘Beacon’ status awarded and maintained since its introduction in 2001

5. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES Students choose an individual programme from: • Academic Choices: • INTERNATIONAL BACCAULAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA Or • AS/A LEVELSfrom over 50 subject options in Year 1 and with further specialist AS subject options in Year 2 (e.g. AS Sculpture, AS World Development, AS Science in Society) Also: • A RANGE OF GCSE COURSES Including choices from key ‘re-take’ subjects and/or a range of ‘new’ subject choices e.g. GCSE Spanish or Italian ab initio for good linguists

6. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES • Options/Choices from a range of other qualification based courses including: Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – ‘worth half an A level’ – Wide range of opportunities to complete an individual EPQ Financial Literacy Geographical Information Systems Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Work Skills (including ICT) Sports Coaching Awards .........................

7. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES Over 70 Additional Studies options on offer to choose from including: • Vocational link courses e.g., Pre-Teaching, Pre-Clinical • Creative and performing arts activities – very wide range of choices • Sports - over 20 individual sports at recreational or competitive level (including high level opportunities) • Other Skills courses – wide range of choices e.g. Creative Writing Active Citizenship, Radio-Journalism ………………………. Many Additional Studies courses are valid as CAS activities for IB students Additional Studies Booklet issued to students to look at over the summer period

8. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES • Second half of Summer Term Activities including - more Creative and Performing Arts opportunities and a Summer Sports Programme. • Extra-Curricular Activities – regular and ‘one-off’s’ including: Clubs, Societies, Field trips, Expeditions, College Council Committee activities, Unplugged on the Concourse Programme, Theme Days and Weeks, other Charity activities......... • Pastoral and Tutorial Programme – all students

9. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES • Virtually any subject combinations of AS/A/Additional Studies courses possible within the timetable framework • Most subject/Additional Studies combinations possible for IB students – but not all • Opportunities to make changes to the AS/A subject programme of studies at the end of the first year of study • Support, guidance and advice available throughout • It is important to check subject entry requirements and finalise selection of the ‘right’ programme and courses for Year 1 by the end of enrolment (in early September)

10. EXPECTATION OF STUDENTS • Motivation and commitment to study and development • Co-operation • Maturity Being part of a young adult environment, thinking of the impact on others as well as ‘self’ Aim for students to develop, to achieve, and to lay the ground for happy and successful futures • Each student making the most of their academic potential

11. ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS • Attend all timetabled lessons regularly and punctually • Complete all set work to meet deadlines set by subject tutors • Participate in lessons and involvement in the learning process • Engage regularly in ‘private study’, background work, reading, etc. • Complete assessed coursework, project work etc. by deadlines • Prepare properly for tests and external examinations

12. STUDENT ‘TERM TIME’ COMMITMENT • FIRST YEAR AS LEVEL PROGRAMME STUDENT • Timetabled ‘Contact Time’ with Teachers: Hours/week/term time 5 AS Levels * (e.g. 4 AS subjects plus* AS Critical Thinking or Citizenship) 19.5 hrs • Additional Studies 1.5 hrs • Tutorial Programme/Support 1.5 hrs • TOTAL timetabled ‘Contact Time’ in CollegeApprox 22.5 hrs • + independent study time (about 4 hrs per subject) 17 hrs • TOTAL WEEKLY TERM TIME COMMITMENT Approx 40 hours • * Instead of a ‘5th AS Level’ some students will take an alternative qualification • based option e.g. Work Skills or financial Literacy…….

13. STUDENT ‘TERM TIME’ COMMITMENT FIRST YEAR IB PROGRAMME STUDENT Timetabled ‘Contact Time’ with Teachers: Hours/week/term time 6 Subjects (3 Higher, 3 Standard Level) 18 hrs Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay 2 hrs Additional Studies/Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) 2.5 hrs Tutorial Programme 1.5 hrs TOTAL timetabled ‘Contact Time’ in College Approx 24 hours + independent study time 16 hrs TOTAL WEEKLY TERM TIME COMMITMENT Approx 40 hours

14. STUDENT WORKLOAD • Each student’s programme is individual and the weekly level of timetabled ‘contact time’ will vary in a range from a minimum of 21 hours up to a maximum recommended level of 26 hours. • Students will also need to be involved in study time beyond term time. There will be academic work required to be completed in most non term time periods. Further guidance will be given in September as to when and how much.

15. A COLLEGE TIMETABLED DAY Monday - for illustration

16. AS/A2 PROGRAMMES • Effectively:

17. AS/A2 PROGRAMMES PROGRESSION FROM YEAR 1 AS LEVEL TO YEAR 2 A LEVEL • In each AS Level subject area, minimum requirement will be to achieve a pass at Grade E, along with satisfactory levels of attendance and commitment and an aptitude shown for the more demanding A2 Level and • An overall achievement level of 3 AS Level passes and • At least a satisfactory level of ongoing commitment demonstrated in the first year including full attendance in the period from mid June to the end of Summer term in mid July when A Level work will commence and satisfactory completion of work set over the summer period (around 4 hours in each A2 Level subject)

18. INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) DIPLOMA PROGRAMME • Broader education than AS/A Level – ‘a baccalaureate’ - with 9 elements Includes a requirement to cover a wide range of curriculum areas within defined ‘families’ • Good organisational skills and ‘get up and go’ needed • The course has an International focus • A 2 year ‘linear’ programme – Assessment is largely based on exams and most of the assessments are at the end of Year 2 (exams in May, results issued in early July)

19. THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM • PROGRAMME AND COURSE CHANGES Some changes will still be possible after GCSE results are received. However: - Some courses are or will become over-subscribed/‘closed’ - Changes in student’s AS subject choices after enrolment is completed in early September becomes very difficult - largely because of the very short time available for AS Level courses - There are excellent opportunities for changes and adjustments to AS/A course choices at the end of Year 1 - IB students study the same subjects for both of their academic years

20. Welcome to the Sixth Form College PARENTS’ BRIEFING SUMMER 2011

21. INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – IB Session 1 Summary of day’s activities With Personal Tutor and Tutor Group Session 2 Briefings re: English Literature Maths Sciences Languages BREAK Session 3 Briefings re: Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Creative Action Service (CAS) Extended Essay (EE) Lunchtime Additional Studies and Session 4 Wider Activities Fair

22. INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – IBcontinued Session 5 Briefing re: Humanities Electives (Arts) Session 6 With Personal Tutor and Tutor Group Session 7 Further subject and guidance information available End of the Day Other advice available including transport, financial support

23. INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – AS LEVEL Session 1 Summary of the day’s activities With Personal Tutor and Tutor Group Sessions 2/3/4 In subject briefings - finding out about potential subject choices/options Lunch time Additional Studies and Wider Activities Fair

24. INDUCTION DAY PROGRAMME – AS LEVEL continued Sessions 6/7 In subject briefings - finding out about subjects Session 8 With Personal Tutor and Tutor Group End of the Day Further subject and guidance information available Other advice available including transport, financial support

25. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Thursday 25 August GCSE Results Released. Check results against relevant subject entry criteria Thursday 25 August – Friday 26 August College - Post GCSE Results’ advice and guidance service for those with significant issues. (Email or Telephone service and, if necessary, appointments at the College)

26. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Tuesday 30 August or Wednesday 31 August Individual Enrolment Interviews – (a specific individual time is given to students at Induction). This will focus on ‘coursing’ and other varied enrolment activities (e.g., lockers, transport, library and ICT registration) - approx 2 hours at the College Thursday 1 September – 1.30pm - 4.05pm Includes Pastoral / Administration, confirm subject choices, meetings N.B. Students who wish to study AS Level Maths and have achieved a grade B at GCSE will need to attend at 12:00 to undertake an Algebra/Trigonometry based diagnostic assessment. Tuesday 6 September - 9.00am–4.05pm Detailed timetables given All teaching classes start The first full day of teaching and learning

27. ITEMS FOR ENROLMENT TUESDAY 30 August or WEDNESDAY 31 August • GCSE Results Slips • £5 (includes £2 refundable deposit) if Locker required • Additional Studies Booklet • Pen

28. ITEMS FOR ENROLMENT THURSDAY 01 SEPTEMBER (1.30am - 4.05pm) • GCSE Results Slips (again) • 1 Passport Photograph • Bite Card or National Insurance Card or Passport • Address/Telephone Number of Parent or Guardian Places of Work or daytime emergency contact information • Parental contact email address/addresses • Name/Address/Telephone Number of Doctor • Pen

29. FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION • BOOKS AND LEARNING RESOURCE DEPOSIT/ CONTRIBUTION TO ILT RESOURCES/PERSONALACCIDENT INSURANCE COVER £50 (includes £25 refundable ‘book’ and learning resource deposit) • COLLEGE FUND £15 (or £10 for 1 year Advanced Foundation programme) • COLLEGE ASSOCIATION £10 for membership • LOCKER KEY £5 (includes a £2 refundable element)

30. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE College will have a limited amount of Government monies to help support students from low income households Details available on the Concourse

31. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - TRANSPORT Summary of details given to students including contact details: • ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL (ECC) ‘FREE TRANSPORT PASS’ SCHEME Available to some students who are resident in Essex and who meet both the EMA and other criteria • ECC CONCESSIONARY TRANSPORT PASS Approx £485 for a year – conditions also apply and only some Essex residents will be eligible/meet the criteria • SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL Concessionary post-16 transport scheme available to all students resident in Suffolk for travel to a College or School up to 75 minutes journey from home. £150 per term. • CONCESSIONS FROM LOCAL TRANSPORT SERVICE OPERATORS Series of transport concessions offered to our students by a variety of local operators – details in Induction packs and on College website

32. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COLLEGE STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND Some further support possible based on financial ‘need’ or educational ‘need’. Support can include funding for ‘compulsory’ fieldwork CHILD CARE SUPPORT Centrally administered by Young People’s Learning Agency COLLEGE ASSOCIATION SUPPORT FOR INTERVIEWS Provides assistance with transport costs for some students attending university/employment interviews.

33. PASTORAL CARE • PERSONAL TUTOR • SENIOR TUTOR • ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL (Other support: Counsellors, College Nurse, Study Plus & Learning Support Provision)

34. STUDENT PARTICIPATION ACADEMIC • Learning Agreement • Progress Reviews/Reports (November/March/June)

35. PARENTS AND THE COLLEGE FORMAL CONTACT • Parents’ Handbook (Enrolment) • Email – Please provide a personal email address to support on-going contact. • Progress Review : November, March (Full Report) and June • Consultation Evenings (December/July) • Higher Education Briefings (March, July) • Principal’s Newsletter each Term (Oct/Feb/April) • Parent Governor opportunities • College Association Membership and Committee • College Website: www.colchsfc.ac.uk

36. PARENTS AND THE COLLEGE INFORMAL CONTACT • College Events • College Association Activities PERSONAL CONTACT • With Personal Tutor • Senior Tutor • Assistant Principal • Vice Principal

37. COLLEGE ASSOCIATION • Group of parents and staff which organises social and other events to raise resources for the enhancement of student facilities • Up to £7,000 per annum is raised and in recent years has been used to: - assist students to attend interviews for Higher Education or employment where resources are limited; - enhance facilities available to all students: e.g. ILT facilities, Radio Station, Refectory, Library, Social Facilities, Minibus In Summer 2012 the College expects to open a new building on the lower site and the College would like to provide general students facilities in the vicinity of this building (external seating, bike racks etc)

38. COLLEGE ASSOCIATION Events held in 2010/11 • Quiz Evenings • Colchester Walking Tour • Carol Service with ‘Mulled Wine and Mince Pies’ • Prize Draws

39. COLLEGE ASSOCIATION • Joining the Association - £10 per student • Membership gives entry to Christmas Prize Draw • Also the chance to attend a range of social events • Open Meeting with Cheese and Wine - September Why not join the Committee?