THE PALMER CATHOLIC ACADEMY

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THE PALMER
CATHOLIC ACADEMY
A Specialist Science, Mathematics & Computing College
Sixth Form Prospectus 2015
Ad
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THE PALMER CATHOLIC ACADEMY
SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS 2015
Headteacher (September 2015)
Mrs A Moise-Dixon
BA (Hons) PGCE
Headmaster
Mr F Maguire
Deputy Headteacher
Standards & Achievement
Mr P Downey
BA (Hons) MA
Head of Sixth Form – Pastoral
Mrs C Aye
BA (Hons)
Head of Sixth Form – Academic
Mr E McHugh
BA (Hons) PGCE
Assistant Head of Year 12
Mrs L Hughes
BA (Hons) H.Dip.Ed
Contents
Headteacher’s Letter ............................................................................. 2
Admission to the Sixth Form ................................................................ 3
Studying in the Sixth Form ................................................................... 5
Life in the Sixth Form ............................................................................ 6
Dress Code .......................................................................................... 8
Higher Education and Careers Guidance .............................................. 9
Courses Guide ....................................................................................10
-1-
WELCOME
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-2-
ADMISSION TO THE SIXTH FORM
Criteria for Entry
The Palmer Catholic Academy is first and foremost
a Catholic academy, and whilst students of other
religions are welcomed, all students are required to
support the Christian ethos of the Academy. (Please
see the full Admissions Policy in the back of this
Prospectus).
Students wishing to enter the Sixth Form at The
Palmer Catholic Academy are expected to adhere
fully to the school’s attendance policy.
We expect a total commitment to work from Sixth
Form students, evidencing hard work and
motivation.
Students who apply to the Sixth Form are expected
to have a good behaviour record that reflects the
Christian ethos of the Academy.
School records, portfolios of achievement and
references will be looked at before making a final
decision to offer students a place at The Palmer
Catholic Academy Sixth Form. The final decision to
offer a place will be based on interview.
All students will sign a Sixth Form Agreement.
Entry Requirements
Most students will be expected to choose four AS
level subjects in Year 12 if they intend to continue
into Year 13 to A2 courses. A number of students
might drop a single AS subject before registration
into Year 13.
Students who achieve mainly A*/A and B grade at
GSCE will study four AS level subjects in Year 12.
Students with mostly C grades will study three AS
levels. All students must study at least three Alevels in Year 13.
Students wishing to study an A-level programme at
The Palmer Catholic Academy require the following:
• a minimum of seven GCSE passes at grades
A*-C, and in addition meet the subject entry
requirements as list in the course booklet
It must be noted that some subjects may require
high entry level GCSE grades. Students applying for
the Sixth Form must consult the individual subject
requirements at the back of the Prospectus for
further details.
-3-
ADMISSION PROCESS
The vast majority of our Sixth Form students
completed their secondary education at The Palmer
Catholic Academy. However, we welcome
applications from external and/or non-Catholic
applicants. Information about courses will be
presented at our Sixth Form Open Evening on
Thursday 29 January 2015 at 7pm.
Students new to the school
Students from other schools should complete an
application form as soon as possible to avoid
disappointment. Although there is no closing date for
applications, some popular courses may be full by
the time late applications are made. Roman Catholic
applicants must also ask their parish priest to
complete the priest reference form at the back of the
prospectus. As soon as the application form is
received it will be considered and an interview may be
offered with the Associate Head, Head of Sixth Form
– Academic or Pastoral or Assistant Head of Year 12.
References at the current place of education will be
taken up. Applicants will be informed by letter of the
outcome. New students are welcome to look around
the school at any time, provided they telephone first.
The Palmer Catholic Academy Students
All Year 11 students are invited to apply for a place
and will have an individual interview with the
Associate Head, Head of Sixth Form – Academic,
Head of Sixth Form – Pastoral or Assistant Head of
Year 12, whether they are staying on at the
Academy or going elsewhere. This will be an
opportunity for advice on all options available.
Parents are welcome to accompany students if they
wish to do so. Students will be informed by letter if
they have been accepted.
Autumn Term Entry
External students who apply late to join the Sixth
Form will be given places if there is still availability
on the courses of their choice and provided they
meet the criteria.
-4-
STUDYING IN THE SIXTH FORM
Private and Additional Study
One of the most obvious changes in going from
Year 11 to Sixth Form is that you will not have
lessons all day, every day. Therefore, your timetable
will be made up of both lessons and private study.
For example, most students follow four AS level
courses. Mastering this is one of the secrets of
being a successful Sixth Form student. Obviously
there will be homework tasks and lesson
preparation but you will find that often assignments
will be set over longer periods of time. You will
need to organise yourself effectively so that all work
is completed to the highest standard possible. You
will need to avoid last minute rushes so that your
workload does not become unmanageable. This is
a highly valued skill and you will need to learn to
plan your private study very carefully.
Library
In all subjects you will be required to develop
research and library skills to supplement notes
taken in your lessons. At the start of your Sixth
Form course you will be introduced to the facilities
available in our library.
Monitoring and Target Setting
Every student’s progress is monitored through
classwork amd homework on a regular basis. In
addition, students are formally assessed each term.
This is done in a variety of ways including: test or
examination results, assessed pieces of work and
teacher assessments. These results are compared
with targets set at the start of courses and discussed
with students and their parents at parents’ evenings,
which are usually held in the Autumn and Spring
Terms. This process ensures students are motivated
and remain focused on their studies.
To help you develop good study patterns the school
provides a Supervised Study facility, including
computers with internet access, for all Sixth Form
students. All study periods are compulsory and
there is a register of attendance.
Year 13
Transfer to Year 13 from Year 12 depends entirely
on performance, excellent attendance and
behaviour as well as evidence of commitment and
motivation. Progress of Year 12 students is
evaluated regularly.
Withdrawal of places from the Sixth Form
Places can be withdrawn for the following reasons:
•
•
•
•
•
poor work record
poor attendance
extended holidays
poor, disruptive or anti-social behaviour
bringing the good name of the school into
disrepute
• breaking of contract.
In such cases, students and parents will be given
the opportunity to discuss formally the reasons why
the student is having his/her place withdrawn.
-5-
LIFE IN THE SIXTH FORM
Sixth Form Facilities
Our Sixth Form Centre provides two common rooms
with patio and garden solely for Sixth Form use, as
well as a canteen and dining facilities. Students are
provided with the privacy needed to talk together and
work with each other.
Religious Life in the Sixth Form
Many of you will enter the Sixth Form with
strengthened faith and a determination to live your
lives accordingly. Some of you will be non-Christian
and we welcome this diversity as an opportunity for
a lively exchange of views and for a greater
understanding of each other. We aim to create a
forum for debate, but also a firm structure in which
faith can grow and flourish.
Privileges and Responsibilities
As a Sixth Former you have a unique place in the
school. You will find that over the first few months
of the Sixth Form your relationship with your
teachers will change. Teachers will recognise that
you are now young adults and treat you
accordingly. In the same way, younger students will
expect you to behave in a more adult way and to
set an example. You will also be able to leave the
school site for lunch and at other times during your
free periods. This is done through our signing in
and out procedures.
Sixth Form Council
This is a body in which Sixth Form representatives
from each tutorial group meet to organise social
events, administer the Sixth Form fund and discuss
and put forward ideas to senior leaders on ways in
which the Sixth Form and the school can develop.
Additional Curricular Activities
The National Citizenship Service (NCS) offers a
programme called The Challenge. Students
develop a range of life skills to prepare them for a
community project. This is highly successful and
students find this very rewarding.
Tutorial Advice
Each of you will have a personal tutor whom you
may meet at any time should you wish to discuss
progress, difficulties, preparing for university or
employment, ideas for enriching Sixth Form life, or
indeed any matter which you consider important.
We are currently running the Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award programme which is overseen by London
Borough of Redbridge and led by a member of our
staff in school. Students are supervised through
each part of the process.
Mentoring Support
In addition to the support of tutors and the Sixth
Form Team, we are pleased that our mentoring
provisions continues into the Sixth Form. Students
can arrange individual support from the mentoring
team but will also be involved in workshops
throughout the year reflecting on positive life
choices, in preparation for life beyond the Sixth
Form.
This year we are launching World Challenge with a
view to taking part in the 2016 programme.
-6-
There are opportunities for Sixth Form students to
have fixtures with other schools in netball, football
and basketball.
Community Service
At The Palmer Catholic Academy, we believe it is
essential that students leave the Sixth Form not
only with excellent academic grades but also as
active participants in society. Community Service is
designed to encourage this in our students so that
they will always continue to give back to the
communities in which they will live. To this end,
Community Service is compulsory for all Year 12
students.
Child Protection
Along with all caring schools we have a
Safeguarding Children policy and have appointed a
senior member of staff as our Safeguarding
Children Advisor to deal with child protection
concerns. The school also works closely with the
Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society.
Students are given the choice of a number of
services including: Form Buddy, Departmental Help,
Guardian Angel, assisting in the ICT club, along with
many others. As a Catholic school we foster
charitable behaviour in our young people, as not
only does it encourage responsibility and
independence among the students, but it also
serves as an enormous help to the school
community as a whole. Universities and employers
are increasingly demanding evidence of reliability
and sustained commitment to a voluntary cause of
some kind.
Sport
Sport in the Sixth Form is not compulsory but there
are opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities throughout the week. Clubs
available to Sixth Formers are badminton, netball,
fitness and table tennis. During Year 12 Community
Service, many students offer their services to the
PE Department by helping younger students
improve their skill level in lessons and in extracurricular activities. Students in the Sixth Form have
a good relationship with younger students to
encourage them to do their best and improve their
performance.
-7-
DRESS CODE
One of the most important aspects of the Sixth Form students’ image is the way that students dress. In line
with developing maturity, Sixth Form students are allowed a simpler dress code. This is set out below and
Sixth Form students are expected to adhere to it and maintain the high standards of dress established within
the Sixth Form.
Girls
Boys
Black cardigan or jacket –
no zip-up tops or ‘blouson’ type jackets.
Dark suit / blazer – with plain dark tailored trousers
- outdoor or informal jackets must not be worn.
Zip-up tops are not allowed
Black skirt – no shorter than knee length and must
not be split leg or of a stretchy material that would
rise up.
Black V-neck pullover or cardigan.
Plain white or black shirt.
Dresses are not to be worn.
Sixth Form tie (to be purchased form
the school at enrolment).
Black trousers – may be worn instead of a skirt,
but must be tailored. No denims, skinny
type jeans or combat trousers are to
be worn.
Dark sensible school type
leather shoes,
No boots, trainers or canvas shoes
are allowed.
White or black plain school
type blouse (with collar) – no
markings or designer labels.
Dark outdoor coat – Plain,
no coloured lining, with no
markings or lettering and no
denim or leather jackets or
zip- tops.
Tights – these may be
patterned (but not fishnet)
tights, or socks. No leggings
permitted.
Jewellery – boys may wear
ear studs but no earrings.
All jewellery is worn at the
owner’s risk.
Dark leather sensible school
type shoes.
No boots, trainers or canvas
shoes are allowed.
Scarves/hats – plain black or
white only, may be worn in
the winter months.
Dark outdoor coat – Plain, no
coloured lining, with no
markings or lettering and no
denim or leather jackets or zipup tops.
Jewellery – This must be discreet.
Long dangling earrings are not
permitted. All jewellery is worn at
the owner’s risk. No piercings other
than small, discreet earrings and no
more that two piercings in each ear.
-8-
HIGHER EDUCATION
AND CAREERS GUIDANCE
Careers and Work Experience
We have a well structured careers programme for
both Year 12 and Year 13 students. This includes
open days with research, specialist group sessions,
assistance with application forms and interview
techniques and guidance with personal statements
and CVs. Work experience takes place for Year 12
at the end of the summer term; this is often
advantageous when applying for Higher Education
courses, in particular medicine and teaching.
Careers interviews with a Connexions adviser are
also available.
Higher Education
In the Summer of Year 12 we begin preparing
students for university entrance. Students are given
one-to one help and guidance in choosing courses,
writing personal statements, completing the
application form and learning about university life. In
the Autumn Term of Year 13 students make their
applications for a wide variety of degree courses.
You can see the destinations of last year’s students
in the information section at the back of this
booklet. For the small number of students who
chose not to go on to higher education, they are
prioritised for independent advice and guidance in a
careers interview. This allows students to
investigate apprenticeships and employment
opportunities in a supported manner.
We want you to enjoy your time in the Sixth Form at
The Palmer Catholic Academy. Friendships made
during these years very often last for life. As you
are expected to work hard and achieve highly, the
support of good friends, who are in a similar
situation to you, is invaluable.
-9-
COURSES GUIDE
A/AS LEVELS
APPLIED SCIENCE
ART
BIOLOGY
CHEMISTRY
ECONOMICS
ENGLISH LITERATURE
FRENCH
GEOGRAPHY
HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE
HISTORY
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
MATHEMATICS
FURTHER MATHEMATICS
MEDIA STUDIES
PHYSICS
PSYCHOLOGY
RELIGIOUS STUDIES: PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS
SOCIOLOGY
National Changes To A-Level Qualifications
Advanced level courses are undergoing
considerable change. At the moment, a ‘mixed
economy’ exists. Some subjects will start the new
A-levels for first teaching in September 2015 whilst
others have been delayed to 2016 and beyond.
The main features of the new qualifications are:
1. Assessment will be mainly by exam, with other
types of assessment used only where they are
needed to test essential skills.
2. AS and A-levels will be assessed at the end of
the course. AS assessments will typically take
place after one year’s study and A levels after
two. The courses will no longer be divided into
modules and there will be no exams in January.
3. AS and A-levels will be decoupled – this means
that AS results will no longer count towards an
A-level, in the way they do now.
BTEC LEVEL 3
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
4. AS levels have been designed by exam boards
to be taught alongside the first year of A-levels.
GCSE
ENGLISH (one year resit)
MATHEMATICS (one year resit)
5. The content for the new A-levels has been
reviewed and updated. Universities played a
greater role in this for the new qualifications than
they did previously.
Please be aware that slight changes to courses
may apply.
In September 2015, the new A-levels will apply in
the following subjects: Art, Biology, Chemistry,
Economics, English Literature, History, Physics,
Psychology and Sociology.
Full A-level grades A-E will be awarded after
successful completion of the course in year 13.
Please carefully check the entry requirements of particular subjects and overall entry requirements
to types of course ie AS and GCSE resits. Occasionally, for some subjects, students who have not
done the GCSE might be allowed to follow the A/AS level course.
- 10 -
NOTES
- 11 -
Ad
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SPORTSMARK
- 12 -
MISSION STATEMENT
We, as a Catholic School, believe all have a divine origin and an eternal destiny.
We promote the development and care of each individual, both pupil and staff,
serving Christ in each one of them. We follow the example of our founder,
Canon Patrick Palmer, to do all things to the glory of God and
the Service of All.
Ad
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THE PALMER CATHOLIC ACADEMY
Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex IG3 8EU
Tel: 020 8590 3808 Fax: 020 8597 5119
E-mail: office@thepalmercatholicacademy.org
www.thepalmercatholicacademy.org