Our Sixth Form - Parmiter`s School

PARMITER’S SCHOOL
Founded 1681
SIXTH FORM PROSPECTUS
Nemo Sibi Nascitur
I feel very privileged to have been part of the Parmiter’s family and believe that
the amazing ‘community’ created there is one of the main reasons for helping me
achieve what I have, along with the encouragement of the staff and the fantastic
feeling that exists throughout the school’ Former student
Our Sixth Form – why?
Our Sixth Form at Parmiter’s School is a large, friendly and vibrant community. Our students
take advantage of a wide range of academic, social and cultural opportunities, successfully
completing their formal education before moving on.
The culture of the Sixth Form is one of high expectations
and challenge in which independence and responsibility
are fostered and the potential of each individual student is
developed further.
Parmiter’s has an excellent record of success in public
examinations and academic standards are exceptionally high;
our A level results regularly place us amongst the top state
schools in the country with the majority of our students
continuing their studies at top universities.
The school is also aware that, increasingly, students are
considering alternatives to university. Whether they face
the challenge of entry into Higher Education, employment,
apprenticeships, training or gap years, they can be assured of
expert help and guidance.
Sixth Form students play a unique and valuable role,
contributing actively to the wider life of the school
community. They arrange and run events with younger
students, demonstrating tremendous leadership and drive,
particularly through the Prefect and House Systems.
We encourage all Sixth Form students to participate in
enrichment activities that develop personal and social
skills and there is a very robust Careers Education and
Guidance programme which helps them prepare for Higher
Education, apprenticeships, and the workplace. There are
numerous trips and visits related to the curriculum, at home
and abroad, and many students participate in the Duke of
Edinburgh award scheme or foreign expeditions.
Students who continue their studies in the Sixth Form or
join us from other schools settle in very quickly. We believe
that this is because of the excellent pastoral care and, where
appropriate, mentoring provided by the Sixth Form team,
as well as the friendly and welcoming nature of our students.
In this stimulating and rewarding environment, our students
become confident and well-rounded young people prepared
for adult life.
A detailed version of the Sixth Form prospectus
is available on the school website.
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
01
The Courses
At Parmiter’s, the majority of students follow four subjects in Year 12.
There are four option blocks and each student chooses one subject from each of the
blocks, which includes subjects from the AS programmes listed in this booklet.
The only exception is for those students studying
Further Mathematics. These students study the
full Mathematics A level in the Lower Sixth and the
Further Mathematics A level in the Upper Sixth. Since
this means two A levels from one option block, such
students only need choose two more subjects, although
some do choose three. The Liberal Studies programme
and a choice of Community Service, Sustain or
Learning Support completes a student’s timetable,
which also includes Private Study periods.
In Year 13, many students reduce their study to
three of their subjects. In addition, members of the
Upper Sixth participate in a Pastoral Programme
and have the option to continue with Community
Service, Learning Support or Sustain. Each student
also has Private Study periods.
02
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
The typical offer of subjects is as follows:
• Art & Design
• Economics
• History
• Photography
• Biology
• English Literature
• Human Biology
• Physical Education
• French
• ICT
• Physics
• Further Mathematics
• Mathematics
• Psychology
• Geography
• Music
• Sociology
• German
• Music Technology
• Spanish
• Government & Politics
• Philosophy & Ethics
• Theatre Studies
• Business Studies
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Design and Technology:
– 3D Product Design
– Systems & Control
– Textiles
Getting In
• Students need to achieve the
minimum qualification stipulated
for each of four AS level subjects.
• Students need to achieve a minimum
of 36 points in their six best fullcourse GCSE results. This is on the
scale where A* = 8, A = 7, B = 6,
C = 5, D = 4, etc.
• Students would normally be expected
to have achieved at least a GCSE
grade C in English and Mathematics.
There is a separate procedure for
making offers to external students.
Applications are made directly to the
school by early December.
There is a Sixth Form Open Evening
towards the end of October; please
refer to the website for further details.
When external students are holding
an offer, it is subject to the school’s
basic entry requirements, as listed
above.
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
03
Day to Day
The Sixth Form enjoy excellent facilities, including their own purpose built centre,
Conference Centre, Common Room, Sixth Form Learning Resources Centre, study areas,
Careers Information Centre. We also have a new dedicated Sixth Form Café, which is open
all day for the Sixth Form students to access.
There is a team of sixteen experienced pastoral tutors, who
work closely with the Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Head
of Sixth Form, the Head of Careers and the Sixth Form
Administrator. The Headmaster plays an active part in the
progression to Higher Education.
I moved as an external student to Parmiter’s for
the Sixth Form; at first I found the prospect of
joining a year group which had been together for
five years daunting but I need not have worried;
everyone was extremely welcoming and I soon
found a big group of new friends. I thoroughly
enjoyed my time at Parmiter’s; the teachers
dedication and enthusiasm inspired me to strive
to achieve the best. The vast array of extracurricular opportunities available to the Sixth
Form is particularly impressive and gives everyone
the chance to become a well rounded student. To
anyone who is considering a move to Parmiter’s
Sixth Form I would thoroughly recommend it!
Former student
04
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
Beyond the Classroom
We encourage all Sixth Form students to participate in activities that develop personal and social
skills, and offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities in music, drama, art and sport.
There is a thriving Community Service programme, opportunities to support the learning of
younger students and the chance to lead on the school’s recycling initiative, ‘Sustain’.
There are also opportunities, for instance, to take part
in debating, public speaking and the Dragons’ Apprentice
competition. The introduction of the Engineering
Education Scheme has been a great success.
There are numerous trips and visits related to the
curriculum, at home and abroad, and many students also
participate in activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh
Award Scheme, foreign expeditions, school exchanges
(with Eton and Sherborne) and study weeks at Villiers Park.
The Prefect and House Systems offer opportunities
for students to test and enhance their leadership,
communication and organisational skills, while at the
same time helping us to run events at the school.
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
05
Moving On
The Sixth Form Study Centre contains a well-stocked careers library, with a wide variety
of information on universities, jobs, training and gap year opportunities. When you need
individual professional advice the Head of Careers is available to meet with you.
Students are encouraged to gain experience to help with
their future choices by applying for taster courses, work
placements and attending the school careers events in
November and January each year. They are given plenty
of opportunities to meet employers and make contacts with
professionals from all areas of work. This allows them to
develop abilities and skills which go beyond the classroom
and which employers look for as they move into the
commercial world in the future.
The VLE Sixth Form portal area houses a
comprehensive range of careers information for
students looking at where their subjects will lead,
advice on degree courses and alternatives to university,
as well as useful weblinks to support the decision
making process.
The majority of our students progress on to
university. We will help you with your application
and encourage you to visit universities on their
open days. We have considerable experience of
encouraging and supporting successful applications
to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, as well
as the other competitive institutions. With the
changes taking place in Higher Education we are
aware that some students will choose alternatives
to university and they will be given
information, advice and guidance on these.
Please refer to the school website for further
information on the careers advice available.
06
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
Firstly, I want to thank you for everything
you have done for me over the last two
years. If it wasn’t for the continuous
support and encouragement you provided,
I wouldn’t be where I am today and I will
be forever grateful’ Former student
The Next Steps ...
What do we offer?
Widen your horizons:
• Opportunities presented
to students on a weekly basis
often via external speakers
• Careers Forums and Conventions:
Alternatives to university
Hone your skills:
Advice:
• Morrisby testing
• Dedicated Careers Officer
• Interview preparation
• Careers Library and resources
• Mock interviews
• Connexions Meetings
• Head of Sixth Form
• Deputy Head of Sixth Form
• Evening presentations: UCAS/Student
Finance/Oxbridge Applications
• Mentoring
• Virtual Learning Experience
• Enterprise opportunities
• Student-led societies
Opportunities to explore
• Work experience
• Taster courses
• Open Days
• Workplace visits
• Study visits
Which path will you take?
• Higher Education
• Apprenticeships
• Employment
• Gap Years
• Volunteering
• School Leavers’ Programmes
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
07
Odds & Ends
Dress Code
The Sixth Form dress code is ‘smart office wear’ and should
be in the school colours of blue, burgundy, black, white or
grey. We believe that this not only prepares you for your
studies but also for life beyond school.
Books etc
It is school policy that students in the Sixth Form are asked
to pay for books and other equipment. Requests for financial
assistance with this can be made to the Headmaster.
Car parking
A permit may be obtained to allow parking on the school site
(subject to review and dependent on space). Limited parking
facilities are available for motorcycles. Sixth formers wishing
to make use of these facilities are warned that - for obvious
reasons of safety - motorcycles and cars are to be driven slowly
on the school premises.
Please refer to the website for further detailed information
on the above topics and other relevant information.
08
Parmiter’s Sixth Form Prospectus
I have had a really good time in the Parmiter’s
Sixth Form; teachers are friendly and supportive,
and it has been a great transition to my higher
education’ Former student
PARMITER’S SCHOOL
Founded 1681
High Elms Lane
Garston, Nr. Watford
Hertfordshire
WD25 0UU
Email admin@parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Telephone 01923 671424
www.parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Mr A Biggs
Head of Sixth Form
a.biggs@parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Mrs W Rowland
Deputy Head of Sixth Form
w.rowland@parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Mrs M Wheeler
Admissions Officer
m.wheeler@parmiters.herts.sch.uk
Mrs J Zanetti
Sixth Form Administrator
j.zanetti@parmiters.herts.sch.uk