Millbrook Academy Sixth Form

Our Vision is to be the comprehensive academy of choice for pupils and parents within our area.

Sixth Form Prospectus Millbrook Academy Mill Lane Brockworth Gloucester GL3 4QF www.millbrookacademy.org 01452 863372

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world

Welcome Dear Student and Parent/Carer I am delighted to introduce the prospectus for Millbrook Academy Sixth Form and to introduce myself as Head of Sixth Form. I am very excited about the way that our Sixth Form is developing and proud of the students we have. All of our staff are committed to raising standards and our students all work hard to achieve their full potential. Our aim is to give all of our students the skills and qualifications necessary for the increasingly competitive university market and the workplace. We are developing a curriculum at Millbrook Academy that gives students a choice of a variety of courses and methods of learning and assessment to meet their academic needs. Alongside their curriculum, we will offer all of the students a broad enrichment programme and independent careers information, advice and guidance, whether they are leaving us to enter higher education, an apprenticeship or employment. We care about the whole student at Millbrook Academy making sure that we

give everyone the opportunity to develop as individuals, providing support and guidance and a wide range of activities along the way. The students themselves are friendly, welcoming and focused on learning. They are flourishing in the positive environment where every adult in the school takes an interest in their performance and wellbeing, encouraging and supporting them to achieve their best. Being a small Sixth Form we know all of the students very well and understand how best to support them as individuals. The Academy has excellent facilities. Our Sixth Form Centre provides students with up-to-date ICT facilities and plenty of quiet work space. We also have a comfortable and well-resourced common room area. Millbrook Academy has fantastic sports facilities, which are shared with the Brockworth Community, to which all Sixth Formers will have access through their designated PE time. Millbrook Academy is big enough to offer

excellent facilities and support; but small enough to give every student the chance to be recognised and stand out. I hope you will be able to come and see what we do and I would be happy to arrange an appointment to show you around personally. I look forward to meeting you soon. Yours sincerely

Mr D Smith Head of Sixth Form

Teaching and Learning

Academic progress is carefully monitored and from the beginning of Year 12 progress will be tracked, through regular reviews and departmental trackers, enabling everyone involved in our student’s education to follow their progress closely, ensuring that any issues are identified and supported early. Targets are set at the beginning of Year 12. These targets are both realistic and ambitious, ensuring that students aspire to reach the highest possible standards.

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Small classes are a significant advantage of our Sixth Form

Teaching is geared to the student’s needs so each student can reach their full potential. We offer a range of subjects, at both GCE AS/A2 and Level 3 BTEC. Students will be able to take a combination of GCE and BTEC subjects, depending on their interests, strengths and plans for the future. Subject staff are well qualified and experienced in teaching Key Stage 5 students and we pride ourselves on the positive relationships staff form with students in the Sixth Form. Our Sixth Form students are encouraged to take greater control of their learning and our students are encouraged to work independently. We strongly believe in our Sixth Formers’ abilities to exercise a bit more responsibility and to recognise that they are can achieve their full potential.

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Millbrook Academy Sixth Form We have a hard working culture in the Sixth Form at Millbrook Academy and we provide a variety of pathways to suit individual needs. If you are joining Millbrook Academy for your Post 16 education you will be welcomed into a supportive, friendly and successful community. We can help you to nurture the skills needed both at university and in the workplace. If you are serious about your future, you should consider the options available at Millbrook Academy.

We aim to encourage our students to become fully rounded, confident individuals and we challenge them to develop leadership, teamwork and other personal qualities through opportunities on offer.

Whether you are an existing student or a newcomer to Millbrook Academy Sixth Form, we are confident that we can provide an enjoyable and fulfilling education experience. Millbrook Academy Sixth Form is a small and supportive learning environment which prides itself on its personal approach to Key Stage 5 education.

In addition to seeking academic success we give our students the opportunity to develop the skills required to compete in this changing world and to have the confidence and resilience to succeed at the highest level whether they choose to continue into Higher Education at university or the world of employment.

We work hard to offer our students a wide range of academic, vocational and enrichment activities.

Our goal is that all of our students should not only achieve to the best of their ability, but also enjoy their time at Millbrook Academy Sixth Form ensuring they leave with good academic results and happy memories.

Programme of Study As part of the Raising Participation Age reforms all students must be time tabled with an average of 600 hours of activity each year. This requirement means that Year 12 students should study a minimum four A-Level equivalent courses. Students are then expected to reduce this to three courses in Year 13. The courses they follow make up their ‘core academic aim’ and this is then supported by other ‘non-qualification activity’.

Non-qualification activity can be made up of: Active Citizenship/Volunteering · Tutorials · Informal certificates · Enrichment activities (eg DofE) · Work experience The level of non-curriculum activity that is required will depend on the individual programme of study.

By choosing the Sixth Form at Millbrook Academy you are opting for small classes, individual attention and warm relationships with your teachers.

English and Maths Resits The core aim: Academic qualifications or a substantial vocational qualification

Nonqualification activity and work experience

Pastoral Care

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The Pastoral team is excellent and as a student I feel very well supported.

Sixth Form is a critical period of transition between school and university. Students face a number of challenges at this time: managing the academic adjustment from GCSE to A Level, taking more responsibility for themselves academically and, of course, applying for university courses. These issues may coincide with social pressures, personal problems and the emotional stresses. We take pastoral care very seriously to ensure that students can make the most of their abilities and be happy in their studies. We have a tutorial system in the Sixth Form where students are divided into Year 12 and Year 13 groups. This enables us to target our support specifically. Tutor groups are friendly and supportive, and tutors enjoy being involved with the daily running of the Sixth Form. The Sixth Form tutor team are supported by our Pastoral team who know all of the students really well and provide an invaluable support to them. We offer a range of high quality advice and guidance to help students choose the most suitable learning options. If students aspire to go to university we will help them achieve their very best. We also recognise the importance of regular feedback and communication with parents. This is achieved in a number of ways: we have Consultation Evenings, regular grades and academic reporting, telephone calls and personal meetings where necessary. Our pastoral provision aims to ensure that their transition from school to further education or workplace is a happy and successful one.

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Successes In 2015, 98% of students passed their Level 3 qualifications and 100% of students passes at AS/A Level. Indicator

Result

% of A* to B grades

55

% A* to E grades

98

% of students achieving at lease 3 Level 3 passes (A*-E equivalent)

83

% of students achieving at lease 2 Level 3 passes (A*-E equivalent)

88

Admissions

Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 11 November 2015

6:00 - 8:00pm

For entry in September 2016. Access to our Sixth Form will be available to students who have a minimum of 5 grades A*-C at GCSE. In most cases we will only count a double award course as one pass, with exception of Science. Most Level 3 courses will require you to have a C grade or above in English and/or mathematics but please refer to the entry requirements for individual courses on the information sheets. If a student does not achieve a C grade or above in English or mathematics it is now a requirement for any student in Post 16 education to continue to study these subjects in Sixth Form. Students choosing AS courses should be guided by the requirements of potential University courses, in order to ensure that they meet the Entry Profiles of courses for which they intend to apply. Advice can be found on the UCAS website. To apply for a place at Millbrook Academy Sixth Form, please complete an application form and return it to Millbrook Academy Sixth Form.

Course Information We believe that the student’s curriculum should be flexible and able to be moulded to best suit their needs. We have a wide variety of courses and enrichment activities that we encourage our students to participate in. Courses available: BTEC Level 3 Art and Design AS/A2 Applied Business AS/A2 English Literature BTEC Health and Social Care AS/A2 Media Studies BTEC Performing Arts AS/A2 Philosophy AS/A2 Politics BTEC Science BTEC Sport and Exercise Science BTEC Travel and Tourism

Students will also be able to choose a mix of activities from: ● BTEC Extended Project ● Employability Skills Award ● Duke of Edinburgh Award ● Active Citizenship ● Work Experience We are always looking for new opportunities to offer the students and there will likely be more options available in September.

The best way to predict the future is to create it.

Millbrook Academy Mill Lane Brockworth Gloucester GL3 4QF 01452 863372