Place in the Box PA/Sixth Form Coordinator

How to Apply

Please complete the Application Form in the pack with as much detail as you can. Return or Forward to: Mrs H Stubbs

Place in the box PA/Sixth Form Coordinator

outside Mrs Stubbs OfficeORRoyal Wootton Bassett Academy

Top Floor ofLime KilnSixth Form Block Royal Wootton Bassett Wiltshire SN4 7HG

Or email to

All applicants to the sixth form will have an interview and an experienced member of staff will be on hand to guide students with their proposed programmes of study. There is also our independent careers advisor who can be contacted for advice.

What happens next?

• We will accept Applications for the Sixth Form up until September 2017, but recommend you send in your application by 9 December 2016in order to guarantee an interview in the New Year.
• For external applicants, once we have received your application, you will be invited in for a short interview with the Head of Sixth Form, and we will arrange a tour of the school if required.
• Following the interview, where we will discuss your choices and check that you have or

will have the entry requirements, we will make you a conditional offer in writing.

• Applications for Mad Dog Rugby Academy – please indicate interest on the Sixth Form Application Form. More details about the Academy will be released once a conditional place has been achieved.
• You will also be invited to attend our 2 day induction programmein the Summer Term to meet your tutors and fellow students, attend subject lessons and learn more about Sixth Form life and expectations.
• If you require further information or have any questions, please email via our on-line enquiry proforma or telephone Mrs Stubbs on 01793 841905.

NB: It should be noted that subject courses will only run if there is sufficient demand. A decision on this will be taken after 9 December 2016

A Levels

The A level system in England has been undergoing government reform since 2015. This reform has centred around the move to a linear approach which means that students study for two years before sitting their external exams.

Linear A Levels will not include any AS qualification and so the AS is now a stand alone qualification. This means that marks gained in an AS level no longer contribute to A level grades in subjects where the full A Level is studied.

BTEC Courses

We have increased our suite of BTEC courses to offer more choice and to enable students to do a combination of A Level and BTECs. Students need to have a minimum of 5 GCSE’s A*-C grade to take BTEC courses. BTECs offer a combination of controlled assessment, coursework and exams.

The BTEC qualification is subject to ongoing change and now offers a real alternative to AS/A Level subjects at post 16. Fully recognised at University, as well as future employers, BTEC’s offer the opportunity of studying a vocational subject so preparing students for a whole range of potential career paths.

Courses on Offer:

We will be offering the following courses at BTEC from September 2017 all of which are equivalent to A Level:

Assessment:

BTECs are assessed as Distinction *, Distinction, Merit and Pass. These equate to A Levels as follows: Distinction * = A* at A Level Distinction = A at A Level Merit = C at A Level

Pass = E at A Level All carry UCAS points for University entry.

Career Paths:

Past BTEC students of the Sixth Form have gone on to study subjects ranging from Law to Business to Sports Science and Paramedic Science. Many students have used BTEC qualifications as a means to enter direct employment such as the Police Force and the Armed Services.

Oxbridge

Students who have a GCSE profile with a majority of A and A* should be looking to apply to top universities – if you are predicted AAA* at A level then you are potentially an Oxbridge candidate.

The Oxbridge group is formed just prior to Christmas in Year 12 and meets regularly from that point on. Royal Wootton Bassett Academy are assigned a liaison officer from Oxford and Cambridge and they will visit the Academy at an appropriate time in the year so that they can talk to students about their applications.

Students have the opportunity to visit Oxford and Cambridge and participate in a variety of schemes ranging from study days to summer schools.

• Cambridge University Shadowing Scheme
• Eton Summer School
• Oxford UNIQ Summer School

We have a link with St Mary’s School, Calne which provides subject specific interview preparation via a team of experts at Oxfizz. The Oxford entrance exams are held within school in early November each year and subject areas provide support to students in their preparation for these exams.

The Mathematics Department teaches the AEA Mathematics course and provides support for STEP papers which are requirements for some Oxbridge courses. Royal Wootton Bassett Academy are proud of their Oxbridge successes and will continue to support students in their quest to attend the best possible universities.

Enrichment

Enrichment is an exciting area of the curriculum at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Sixth Form. As well as the core programme of study, each student has the opportunity to choose some additional life skills options which can include:

• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Community Links – eg: Primary Mentors or Business Projects with local Community
• Mentoring Year 7/8 students at RWBA
• Volunteering Projects
• Sports – eg: Mixed Sports
• Debating (after school)
• Music(after school)

Primary Mentors:

Students act as mentors to primary school children from two local schools providing one to one literacy support. They receive an initial training session ahead of working with the young students to help them employ key strategies for listening, reinforcing learning and developing comprehension.

Duke of Edinburgh Award (Gold):

This award is available to students who have completed Bronze or Silver Awards previously. The award is divided into five sections which need to be completed over 12-18 months. Volunteering, Physical Skills, a four day Expedition which will take place in the Brecon Beacons and a Residential Section involving shared activities, fundraising, team building and leadership. It is a fun, challenging but rewarding opportunity to enrich your life, develop life skills and get involved with volunteering.

Sports Programme:

Students are encouraged to maintain a healthy active lifestyle andincorporate some exercise within their fortnightly timetable. To enable this, we runa sports enrichmentsession that runs on Wednesday afternoons ahead of all 6th formsports clubs. This gives pupils a break from the stresses of their academic studies and also develops opportunities to represent the school against other colleges in a variety of sports. The PE Department aim to rotate sports on offer to provide an opportunity to try something new andsupport a healthy lifestyle. The programmes are suitable for all levels of ability and we encourage all to have a go!

Debating:

Take this opportunity to practice presenting your arguments in an influential way. Develop techniques to hold your audience and discuss important issues of the day. A great skill to master and will be used as part of your EPQ and presentations to your peers.

Music:

An opportunity to join the extra-curricular music groups. Many of our students are musicians who are part of local groups/bands and also enjoy the opportunity to perform for the school. Music groups are held after school.

6th Form Work Experience

At the beginning of Year 13 all students will participate in one week’s Work Experience. These placements should be as relevant as possible to the future plans and aspirations of the student.

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy firmly believes in maximising the employability of our Students from the moment they join the school. This is achieved through excellent relationships with local and national employers who visit the school and offer work placements. It could be argued that work experience in 6th form consolidates the student’s learning and should provide them with the opportunity and confidence to explore areas relevant to their career aspirations.

This Year our Students secured Placements at:

• International Design Group, Bristol
• Tsurumi Pump, Germany
• Bevirs Solicitors, Royal Wootton Bassett
• Silver Agency, Cheltenham
• Simply Gym, Swindon
• Youth Offending Team, Swindon
• St James’ Place, Cirencester

• Trauma Ward, Great Western Hospital,
• Laboratory Work, Bath University
• Physiotherapy Unit, Chippenham Hospital
• WH Smith
• Joint Services, Lyneham

Tel: 01793 841952