Sixth Form
Overview
Welcome to Uplands Sixth Form.
We always look forward to welcoming back current Uplands students, as well as new entrants hoping to join the Sixth Form.
Sixth Form 2012 Brochure (pdf version)
Sixth Form Application Form (pdf version)
For further information contact Mr Smith - Head of Sixth Form at s.smith@uplandscc.com
Why Uplands Sixth Form?
- 99.6% A Level pass rate
- Wide choice of courses
- Well equipped resources
- Flexible College day
- Enriching experiences for all Sixth Form students
- Full support for life during and after Sixth Form
If you are considering the Sixth Form this may be because you need to obtain certain grades to enable you to move onto the particular path you wish to follow, be that academic or vocational. It may be that you simply want to continue with some of the subjects you enjoy at the moment, or perhaps you just feel that further study will help you to become a more mature person and get to know yourself better before moving on. Whatever your reasons, it is likely that you will be able to come into the Sixth Form at Uplands and that we will be able to offer you a suitable range of courses to meet your needs.
Continuity
For those considering entering the Sixth Form from our own Year 11, we can offer a real continuity of learning. Each year up to 85% of our Year 11 students enter Uplands Sixth Form, meaning we have one of the highest retention rates in the County. In addition, the staff at Uplands will already be aware of the needs of each of our present Year 11 students and will therefore be in a position to offer fully informed advice about each course selection and give all the learning support necessary, from the very start of the course.
If you are new to Uplands
For those entering Uplands Sixth Form from other schools there is the reassurance of knowing that they will not be alone and will be small enough in number to enable us to provide the special attention required for students starting at a new school.
Pastoral Care
Whilst we are large enough to offer a wide range of courses, we are small enough to be able to treat students as individuals. Regular contact with a personal tutor underpins this and the availability of subject staff when additional support and advice are necessary further secures this.
A Wide Range of Courses
The courses on offer to students in Uplands Sixth Form are updated each year to provide the most appropriate experience for their future lives. Within the National Qualifications Framework, 5 A* to C grades at GCSE is completion of Level 2 and thus allows progression to Level 3 courses, the most well known Level 3 courses being AS and A2.
In addition, there are opportunities to re-take GCSE Mathematics and English for students who have failed to achieve a grade C or higher. Any student who enters the Sixth Form without these is strongly advised to re-sit them as they are the fundamental basis of most Higher Education courses and employment routes.
Application
Application forms should be completed and returned to Uplands, marked ‘Attention Head of Sixth Form’ by 16 December 2011. Choices expressed on these forms will then be entered into a computer programme to accommodate as many students’ wishes as possible. If there is a clash we will let students know by the start of Term 5. If, due to insufficient numbers, a course is at risk of not running, students who have expressed an interest in this will also be informed at an early stage to allow alternative options to be considered.
Exclusive Facilities
Students have the use of the Sixth Form Study Centre (SSC), fully equipped with PCs with internet access and traditional desking. In addition there are facilities for private study in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC).
A Wide Range of Extra-Curricular Opportunities
To younger students, the absence of a formal uniform is perhaps the biggest difference of being in the Sixth Form but this really is the tip of the iceberg. Through their own committee the students run the social events, have a representative at Governors meetings and provide a huge range of services for both the wider school and local community. They arrange regular sporting fixtures with other Colleges and staff, and take part in a large number of visits and trips.
Uplands Support
Upland Support is a scheme operated to encourage all sixth form students to assist in the learning of others, particularly learners in the lower school. Sixth Form Students are expected to give one hour a week from their timetable for this community service. Often the service takes the form of students acting in a teacher support role in Key Stage 3 or Key Stage 4 lessons. In this capacity students may find themselves working with a whole class of students or on a one to one basis in or outside the classroom. In addition to building confidence, self-esteem and communication skills sixth formers often find their own subject knowledge is reinforced. There is a considerable body of educational research that concludes that students receiving this type of peer learning support make significant progress as a consequence. The Uplands Support programme aims to exploit this phenomenon both for the benefit of recipients and Sixth Formers.
Regular Contact with Home
For parents there is the reassuring knowledge that frequent communication between themselves and the College will keep them informed of progress throughout the duration of the Sixth Form, in the form of assessments and profiles. In addition, staff are encouraged to contact parents if they have concerns and we would similarly hope that parents would feel able to get in touch with staff to discuss any worries they may have.
Moving On
When it is time to consider the next move we are able to offer our students the benefits of Higher Education advice from experienced College staff. This includes our ‘Life after Uplands’ conference for Year 12 students; we work extensively with them to help start to plan for their life after Sixth Form. This will take the form of talks from external speakers, workshops on UCAS applications and CV writing as well as visits from University representatives. There is also ongoing help throughout the duration of Year 13.
