STUDENT HANDBOOK 2011-12 - Bishop Thomas Grant School

BISHOP THOMAS
GRANT
SIXTH FORM
Procedures and
Guidance
2011/201
Student Handbook

WELCOME
Dear Sixth Former,
Firstly may I welcome you to the Bishop Thomas Grant Sixth
Form and wish you luck with your Sixth Form studies.
The contents of this handbook is intended to provide you with a
guide to the ‘day to day’ matters involved in being a Bishop
Thomas Grant Sixth Form student. At Bishop Thomas Grant,
we expect the very highest of standards from our students. We
have these expectations because we want you to fulfil your
hopes and ambitions in the time that you spend in the Sixth
Form.
As you progress through the Sixth Form, please remember that
if you are facing any difficulties or have any anxieties, you
should talk to your teachers. The staff members are here to
help you and that is what they will do. There is never a problem
that cannot be overcome.
It is important that you work hard over the next one / two years.
You should, however, make time to participate in some of the
extra curricular events that form part of Sixth Form life.
Finally, let me remind you that you are now the most senior
students at Bishop Thomas Grant School. You must always
remember that you have the privilege and responsibility of
being a role model for the students in the lower school.
Mr W Stapelberg
Assistant Headteacher in charge of The Sixth Form
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CONTENTS
Staff list 4
History of Bishop Thomas Grant 4
Mission Statement 5
Code of Conduct & Expectations of students 6
Rewards & Consequences 8
Academic Monitoring 8
3-2-1 Process 11
Dress Code 12
Student Cards 13
Use of the Sixth Form Common Room & LRC 14
Timing of the School Day & Key Dates and Holiday Dates 15
Catholic Community & Community Code of Conduct 16
Role Models & Your Timetable 16
School Site Plan 17
How hard do you need to work 18
Grades, Targets, Reports and Parents’ Evenings 18
Religious Studies & PSHCE/Careers 19
Enrichment 20
Service to School 20
Prefects 21
SL6 Collaboration 23
Study time, exams & exam leave, part-time work 25
Changing courses & Counselling 25
Financial support, NUS & Oyster Cards 26
Fire drill 27
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STAFF LIST
HEADTEACHER
Mr L Desa
KEY MEMBERS OF STAFF
Mr W Stapelberg – Director of Sixth Form
Ms L Burnard – Joint Deputy Director of Sixth Form
Mrs K Adam – Joint Deputy Director of Sixth Form
Mrs Y Connolly – Deputy Head: Curriculum
Ms M Murrey – Deputy Head: Pastoral
Mr D O’Brien – Careers Co-ordinator, Head of Yr 11
Mrs E Alleyne – Connexions Advisor
Mr S Whitehead – RM Technician
Ms M Campbell – Exams Officer
Ms K Turvey – G&T Co-ordinator
Ms J Buss – KS5 Academic Mentor
SIXTH FORM TUTORS
Year 12:
Year 13:
To be confirmed
Mr B Nisbet
Mr A Ajose
Mr T Myton
Ms R Wells
BISHOP THOMAS GRANT 1816 – 1870
Thomas Grant was born in France of Irish parents on 25 November, 1816.
Bernard, had fought at the Battle of Waterloo.
His father,
On leaving the army, Bernard Grant moved his family to Lancashire where Thomas received
his elementary education. He later attended Ushaw College in County Durham and finally
The English College in Rome, to complete his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a
priest in November 1841, aged 25 years.
Over the next ten years, he earned great praise for his tactful and skilful handling of delicate
matters regarding the restoration of the Roman Catholic Church in England. He was
consecrated Bishop of Southwark in 1851. Bishop Thomas Grant was a well respected man,
whose diplomacy gained him many friends. He worked to improve the living conditions of
soldiers, prisoners and orphans.
In 1870, Pope Pius IX called Bishop Thomas Grant to Rome to attend the First Vatican
Council where shortly afterwards he became ill. He died in Rome on 1 st June, 1870. On
hearing of his death the pope declared “another Saint in Paradise!”.
Bishop Thomas Grant is buried in the grounds of Virgo Fidelis Convent, Upper Norwood.
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MISSION STATEMENT
“INSTAURARE OMNI IN CHRISTO” (To unite all things in Christ. Ephesians 1, 10.)
In putting into practice its motto, the school is participating in the Mission of the Church,
conscious of the important part it has to play in supporting parents in handing on to the next
generation, the great gift of faith.
In implementing the Mission of the Church, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” Matthew 28,
19, the School aims to play a key role in the formation of our young people so that they become
responsible Christian adults. As such, they will be inspired by the message of Jesus Christ and
will contribute effectively to the wider society by promoting justice, honesty and integrity in all
aspects of their lives.
The school will seek to achieve its mission in a number of ways.
Every school day will begin with prayer: There will be regular worship through assemblies and
weekly Masses. There will be opportunities to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and to
participate in retreats and Days of Recollection.
The School curriculum will give primacy of place to Religious Education, so that pupils develop
a religious understanding of life. The Religious Education programme will support and
encourage each pupil in his or her individual journey of faith. It will provide each pupil with a
sound understanding of the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church and relate what is
taught to their lives in the multi faith, multi cultural society in which we live.
The School acknowledges each individual pupil as a unique creation of God. The curriculum,
which is founded on the values of the Gospel will, therefore, give pupils a broad and balanced
experience, enabling each pupil to fulfil his or her potential in all areas of study.
Gospel values will also underpin relationships with the school community so that all members;
pupils, parents and staff, will feel valued and respected and experience equality of opportunity
within the context of the Catholic School. The school recognizes and values the role of parents
as the first educators of their children, the teaching vocation and the contribution of the support
staff and the chaplaincy team.
The school will work collaboratively with parish clergy and parents to achieve effective homeschool-parish
links and will provide a framework of discipline and a system of pastoral care and
support for pupils and their families The variety of cultural backgrounds of our pupils and their
families will be acknowledged and promoted. Through its structures, curriculum and
interpersonal relationships, the school will enable its pupils to experience a worshipping, caring
and educating community firmly founded on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.
‘I am the way, the truth and the life': John 14,6
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CODE OF CONDUCT
At Bishop Thomas Grant School we value:
- faith
- seeing God in others
- truthfulness and courage
- keeping promises
- respecting the rights and property of others
- acting considerately, courteously and respectfully towards others
- helping those less fortunate, weaker and less-able than ourselves
- taking personal responsibility for one’s actions
- self discipline
- sincerity
- working to the best of one’s ability
- recognising and respecting any cultural differences
- the right to learn
- equality
- being punctual to school and lessons
- acceptable language at all times
- a calm and quiet atmosphere in the school
- our environment
We reject:
- prejudice - illegal actions - violence - racism
- bullying or activities - irresponsibility - deceit
- cheating - dishonesty - abuse of chemicals - cruelty
- graffiti - bad language - litter
EXPECTATIONS OF EACH STUDENT
1.Students are expected to treat all staff and their peers with respect and good manners at all
times. Teachers’ instructions should be followed in full in relation to class, playground and all
school related activities.
2. All misunderstandings between students and staff need to be resolved with the staff
member involved, at a mutually convenient time.
3. There is a Sixth Form Dress Code that students need to adhere to. The purpose of this is to
instil a sense of pride in our Sixth Form as well as to adequately prepare students for adultlife,
the world of work and business.
4.An excellent attendance and punctuality record is expected, in order to achieve each
individual’s potential. School starts promptly at 8.45am. Students should travel quickly around
the school to arrive promptly at lessons. Every absence must be explained by a phone call on
the first day of absence by the parent/carer and by a note on the student’s return to school.
Lateness should also be explained by a note.
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5.Bishop Thomas Grant accepts no responsibility for the security of valuable items and
equipment. If a student brings such items into school, it is their responsibility to keep them
secure; we can take no responsibility for such items lost.
6.Computers are not to be used for illegal activities, games or entertainment purposes. Music
is not to be downloaded as it causes storage problems. Food and drink are strictly forbidden in
the ICT rooms, as well as in the LRC.
7.Any item found must be handed in to the school office without delay. Students may enquire
there for lost property.
8.Students may eat and drink non-alcoholic beverages in the Sixth Form Common Room. All
litter is to be placed in bins. Purchased food may not be taken out of the Common Room.
9.Students are not allowed to eat or drink in the classrooms or corridors, with the exception of
drinking water. Chewing gum is forbidden in school, as it is unsightly and results in damage
that is expensive to remove.
10. All students must act in an appropriate manner. Any unacceptable physical contact,
even as a joke, will be regarded as a breach of school health and safety rules. The school
community must be a safe and calm place for all in which to learn.
11.Students must move briskly to their lessons at all times. There is a one-way system in
place to ensure fast and efficient movement in between lessons.
12.If a student feels ill, or has an accident, he/she must tell a teacher immediately. The
student will be sent to the school office with a note. There are First Aid staff that will take care
of students. Parents or carers will be contacted to collect their child if they are judged too ill to
stay in school or who need non-urgent hospital treatment. In the case of a serious emergency
an ambulance will be called and the parents or carers will be contacted immediately to tend to
their child. Please ensure that contact numbers are accurate and up-to-date to save
unnecessary delays; we must be able to contact a parent / guardian at ALL times.
13.Medicines must not be brought into the school. If a student is required to take medication,
a medical form must be completed by the parent or a doctor and given to the Director of Sixth
Form, who will phone home to endorse this (the form is available from reception). As a result,
all medication should be handed in to the School office, with the exception of inhalers, which
may be kept by students during the day. The school will take no responsibility for the
administration of any medications. There are strict rules relating to student medication – these
are available on request.
14.Alcohol, illegal substances or weapons are forbidden. The school operates a zero tolerance
policy and students involved in related incidents will be subject to very serious sanctions. The
Headteacher reserves the right to permanently exclude any student who is caught buying,
selling, associating with, or using, illegal substances or weapons on the journey to school, in
school, or on the way home from school.
15.The graffiti of books, furniture and school property is forbidden and sanctions will be
imposed and/or invoices will be issued to relevant students for repair or replacement.
16.No ‘lasers’ are to be brought into school.
17.Sixth Form students are allowed to leave the school during break time and lunchtime. It is
up to the student to ensure that he/she is back in time for the start of lessons after break and
lunch.
18.Smoking is not allowed anywhere within the school premises. If students wish to smoke,
they can do so during break and lunch, as long as they are not on site and are away from the
school entrance.
19.Each student must sign out officially at Main Reception if they are leaving school early. The
Director of Sixth Form must endorse this personally. This is a Health & Safety requirement, as
every person must be accounted for on the school site in case of fire or other safety risks.
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REWARDS
At Bishop Thomas Grant you will be rewarded for various accomplishments. These include
certificates for:
- Best effort in subject
- Best attainment in subject
- Community and helpfulness
At the end of each term, there will be a prize giving assembly where the following will be
celebrated and rewarded with a certificate and a shopping voucher:
- Best effort in subject
- Best attainment in subject
- Community & Helpfulness
SANCTIONS/INTERVENTION
You are expected to meet high expectations of dress, work and behaviour. You must attend all
notified meetings. If you do not attend a meeting without a valid reason, staff will impose
further sanctions.
The 6 th form system of sanctions and intervention is divided into two sections:
- Subject: Departments intervene where lack of progress or effort is identified
- Pastoral: The 3-2-1 system after adequate intervention and sanctions were imposed
without success.
SIXTH FORM ACADEMIC MONITORING SYSTEM
You are expected to complete your class work, homework and coursework to a standard that
reflects your ability and by the required deadline. Subject sanctions and intervention are the
responsibility of each department, who will deal with the problem first by scheduling catch-up
sessions, detentions, contacting home and referring them to the Head of Department.
Only after this has not worked, students will be referred to their form tutor who will then start
with the Pastoral 3-2-1 process.
You are also expected to come to lessons fully prepared. Each subject area will stipulate what
equipment you will need and what needs to be done prior to your next class, in order to be fully
prepared for lessons, which might include going through the next chapter, completing a
research tasks, completing essays or activities or even preparing presentations. If students
come to lessons unprepared, it is then expected that the teacher involved will ask for the
student to come to see that teacher in one of the student’s non-contact lessons to catch up
with the work. No student should be sent out of lessons to catch up with work, as more work
will be missed in the interim period. This lesson does not have to be a teacher’s non-contact
lesson and can happen during a lower school lesson in that particular teacher’s class.
You will be asked to enter all known commitments for the week ahead into your planners, in
order to avoid clashes between other detentions, meetings, school activities and especially
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out-of-school appointments. This is your responsibility. This applies to all meetings and
detentions, including pastoral ones.
If a student fails to turn up for this session without giving a valid reason prior to the session, the
teacher can then organise a departmental detention. Departmental detentions are scheduled
using a detention timetable. Each subject will have one day a week scheduled for detentions.
The teacher who sanctioned the detention needs to ensure that the work missed, or
inadequately completed, is available for the detention. It is down to the discretion of the Head
of Department how long the student should stay. This can be decided in consultation with the
teacher that sanctioned the student.
If a student continuously fails to turn up for detentions, they will be referred to their form tutor,
who will then start with the Pastoral 3-2-1 process.
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SIXTH FORM PASTORAL MONITORING SYSTEM
You are expected to meet high expectations of dress, work and behaviour. At sixth form level,
you are viewed as a young adult and your behaviour should portray this. If any student
behaves in a way that conflicts with the expectations set out in the sixth form handbook, they
will be requested to attend a meeting with their form tutor, who will start the 3-2-1 process.
In the sixth form, you are not only expected to dress and behave appropriately, but to also be
punctual and attend all of your lessons, every school day. At Bishop Thomas Grant, we have a
policy of zero tolerance when it comes to attendance and punctuality. The procedures to deal
with poor attendance and punctuality will also be dealt with through the 3-2-1 process.
When students continue to breach the rules, a panel may request an appointment with the
student and their parents/carers. In cases of serious or continued misbehaviour, an interview
with the Headteacher will take place. Students may then be placed on a Pastoral Support
Programme (PSP). This is in collaboration with the Local Authority.
REGISTRATION All students are electronically registered at the start of each lesson. This is a
legal requirement and ensures that all individuals are accounted for accurately on the school
system.
PUNCTUALITY This is an important part of self-discipline and is essential to good time
management;
• You should arrive at your form rooms by 8.40am at the latest. Registration begins at
8.45am. If you are late, you must go to the foyer to sign in with the Attendance Officer.
Regular lateness to school will result in students starting the 3-2-1 process.
• You are expected to arrive punctually for all lessons. If you have been kept behind by a
member of staff, an explanatory note from the teacher must be requested. Catch-up
sessions can be organised by subject tutors for lateness to lessons.
Target = 100% punctuality. This will be recognised and rewarded.
ATTENDANCE Good attendance is associated with high achievement. Absence from school
must be supported with a justifiable reason. Parents/guardians are expected to phone the
School Attendance Officer (24 hour voicemail) on 0208 835 9213 before 8:40am on the first
day of your absence and on subsequent days. On return to school, you should take a dated
note to your Form Tutor, in order to authorise the absence. Dental or medical appointments
should be made out of school hours or at weekends. If this is not possible or the
appointment is urgent, you must bring a note from your parent/guardian with details of the
appointment and a telephone number on which school staff can confirm your absence.
Recreational holidays during term time are not an authorised reason for absence.
Requests for such leave must be made in writing to the Head teacher in advance of the event.
Target = 100% attendance. This will be recognised and rewarded.
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DRESS CODE
Through our dress code we, at Bishop Thomas Grant School, would like to instil a sense of
pride in our Sixth Form, as well as giving our students the adequate preparation for adult life,
the world of work and the corporate business environment.
You should meet the requirements of our dress code, as detailed in this document. As a young
adult it is important that, through your presentation, you can show that you are serious about
your future and therefore serious about how you portray yourself in and around school, as a
role model. If you arrive at school and are in breach of the dress code you will be sent home
to change into the appropriate attire. Unfortunately this will mean that you will miss out on
important lessons and activities. If you are continuously in breach of the dress code, a
meeting will be arranged with the Director of Sixth Form and your parents and appropriate
measures will be taken to resolve the matter.
Colour Option: Black, Dark Grey or Navy Blue for all attire.
Ladies
General attire • Smart tailored jackets.
• Smart tailored trousers.
• Smart tailored skirt of
Or a
appropriate length
• Matching tailored suit (either
Gentlemen
• Smart tailored jacket
• Smart tailored trousers
skirt or trousers)
Tie Optional Compulsory. Any choice of colour or school tie
Or a
• Matching tailored suit e.g. pinstripe
for sixth form
Jumper Plain v-neck, worn under jacket. Plain v-neck, worn under jacket.
Shirt / Blouse
Shoes
Jewellery
Any colour shirt or blouse. (No t-shirts, Any colour shirt. (No t-shirts, emblems or baggy
emblems or baggy types). Tucked in.
Smart shoes. (No canvas, trainers or
casual type). Knee length boots in
winter. (No ‘Ugg’ styles)
•Minimal jewellery.
• Subtle necklace / watch / ring.
• No facial piercings, tattoos on
show.
Hats & scarvesOnly to be worn outside school.
Coat
Own style, worn outside the school.
Must be taken off in assemblies and
lessons.
Hair • Simple styles.
• No extreme or elaborate styles
i.e. colour streaks/spikes
• Subtle hair accessories.
types). Tucked in.
Smart shoes. (No canvas, trainers or casual
type)
No walking style boots.
• No earrings.
• Subtle jewellery i.e. watch and 1 ring
• No facial piercings, tattoos on show.
Only to be worn outside school.
Own style worn outside the school.
Must be taken off in assemblies and lessons.
• Simple styles.
• No extreme or elaborate styles.
• No plaits, dye, gelled spikes or no 1 or 2
cut.
• Hair length 2” maximum
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Make-up
Subtle and simple.
No make-up.
No bright colours i.e. black or red nails
or long extensions.
Prefects Badges or ties to be worn. Ties to be worn. Badges optional
Accessories
No sunglasses in the building.
No mobile phones and/or earphones
are allowed around the school.
Mobile phones are only allowed in the
common room.
This code does not allow:
• Jeans of any description
• Skinny trousers of any description
• Revealing tops (i.e. bare midriff)
• Tight fitting skirts
• Leather trousers or skirts
• Extremely short skirts
• Peddle pushers
• Extreme belts or accessories
• Cardigans / jumpers
• Hoodies
• Explicit and unacceptable emblems / slogans
Consequences of not following the dress code:
No sunglasses in the building.
No mobile phones and/or earphones are allowed
around the school.
Mobile phones are only allowed in the common
room.
• Form teachers will send students who are not properly dressed to the Deputy Directors
or the Director of Sixth Form, who will log it on the school system and will send students
home to change their clothes. Students sent home will have to make it back to school
before break time at 10.45am and report to either the Deputy Directors or Director of
Sixth Form. Parents will be informed by telephone.
• Any jewellery / accessories mentioned will be confiscated and will only be returned at the
Director of Sixth Form’s discretion.
STUDENT CARDS
You are expected to wear your student ID cards at all time. This entitles you to access the
school site. As it is the main way in which we can protect you from intruders, you may be
challenged to prove your identity, if your ID card is not visible and you will be expected to be
able to produce your card for any member of staff who requests it. You will be given a warning
on the first occasion you fail to wear the card and will be sent home on the second occasion.
Your ID card will contain a microchip which will allow you access to corridors and walkways
which are not used by the rest of the school. It is your responsibility to keep this safe and to
use it wisely. If you lose yours, you will be requested to purchase a new one from the school
bursar. If you are seen to misuse the privilege, the chip will be deactivated and you will lose
the right to the easier access around the school. Replacement ID cards and lanyards will cost
you £7.
USE OF THE SIXTH FORM COMMON ROOM
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The Common Room is an area where you can relax outside of normal lessons. This includes
free periods, break time and lunchtime. Only sixth formers are allowed in the common
room; all other year groups are not.
A selection of hot and cold food and drinks is available in the common room. It is up to each
sixth former to dispose of all packaging and other litter in the bins provided. If anyone is seen
to misuse the common room, or deliberately vandalise or litter, they will lose the right to use
the common room. In the Common Room, you can pay by cash or you can set up a pre-pay
cashless account, which uses biometric finger scanning to pay for items.
It is important to note that visitors are not permitted in the common room, unless authorised by,
and under the constant supervision of, a member of staff. This includes friends, relatives and
former Bishop Thomas Grant pupils. This is in order to maintain our safe and secure learning
environment.
USE OF THE LEARNING RESOURCES CENTRE
The LRC is a space to be used for private study and research. There are numerous PC’s in
the LRC, along with adequate space for you to use and charge your own laptops. The LRC is
a study area, so no talking is allowed. The LRC opening times are 8am - 5pm Monday to
Friday. A Librarian will be present and will be available to assist you during the school day.
The Director of Sixth Form’s office is located in the LRC and you will be able to meet with him
there during his non-teaching lessons. The Sixth Form Administration Office is also situated in
the LRC.
Food and drink are not allowed in the LRC. If you are found eating or drinking in the LRC, you
will be asked to leave. If you are a repeat offender, you will loose the right to use the LRC.
The use of mobile phones or any other digital devices are against school rules and will be
confiscated on sight.
SCHOOL ROUTES
All students must follow the one-way system in operation in the school building, with the
exception of prefects and register monitors.
Years 7, 8 and 9 leave school via the Main Gate
Years 10 and 11 leave school via Hill Path
Sixth Form via the Main Gate and Hill Path
8:40 am Bell – Students make way to registration
8.45 am Gates close
8:45 – 9:05 am Morning Registration/Assemblies
9:05 – 9:55 am Lesson 1
9:55 – 10:45 am Lesson 2
10:45 – 11:05 am Break
11:05 – 11:55 am Lesson 3
11:55 am – 12:45 pm Lesson 4
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TIMING OF THE SCHOOL DAY
KEY DATES
Induction day - Year 12 Wednesday 7 September 2011
Team Building Day – Year 12 Thursday 8 September 2011
Study Skills conference – Year 12: Friday 9 September 2011
Induction day – Year 13: Friday 9 September 2011
Start of Years 12 & 13 lessons:
Monday 12 September 2011, 8.40am
Welcome Mass – Year 13: Friday 9 September 2011
HOLIDAY DATES 2011 – 2012
Autumn Term 2011 Tue 6 September – Fri 16 December 2011
Half Term: Mon 24 – Fri 28 October 2011
SL6 Inset Day: Fri 11 November 2011
Spring Term 2012 Wed 4 January – Friday 30 March 2012
Half Term: Mon 13 – Fri 17 February 2012
Inset Days: Tue 3 January 2012 & Mon 20 February 2012
Summer Term 2012 Mon 16 April – Fri 20 July 2012
Half Term: Mon 4 – Fri 8 June 2012
May Bank Holiday: Monday 7 May 2012
Queen’s Jubilee Bank Holiday: Tuesday 5th June 2012
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Bishop Thomas Grant has an established and esteemed tradition, spanning fifty years, of
service to the Catholic population of South London. Students are given many opportunities for
moral and spiritual reflection.
• Every Wednesday morning priests from local parishes say Mass at 8.10am. All
students have access to our on site chapel.
• Staff and students share their Christian faith during assemblies as well as during
registration periods every day.
• Students have regular opportunities to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and
Communion.
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The school supports local, national and international charities. Students serve their local
community on numerous occasions throughout the school year.
COMMUNITY CODE OF CONDUCT
On your journey to and from school, please be reminded of the following:
• Whilst in Sixth Form dress, students represent Bishop Thomas Grant School. Wear it
with pride, in a tidy and appropriate manner. Wear appropriate full school uniform at all
times
• Always walk in a safe and orderly fashion. Do not form large and rowdy groups that can
cause intimidation
• Form calm, orderly queues at bus stops. Do not jostle or push when boarding a bus.
Allow members of the public onto buses first
• Do not shout, scream or use offensive language
• Always act in a courteous manner, especially with members of the public
• Do not loiter on pavements or outside shops and make your way quietly and directly
• Avoid designated “problem areas” at all times (Streatham Ice Rink and Crown Point)
• Absolutely no physical contact, even as a joke
• Always be vigilant when crossing the roads; use the highway safety code at all times
• It is your duty to report any misbehaviour of other students to the school as soon as you
can safely
• Students who bring the good name of the school into disrepute by fighting or being in
attendance at any scene outside the school will be sanctioned with a fixed term or
permanent exclusion
ROLE MODELS
Sixth Form students are the most senior students of Bishop Thomas Grant. You are therefore
role models for the students lower down in the school. This is why it is so important for you to
set a good example when you move around the school. Sixth Formers do have privileges but
this does not make it appropriate to abuse those privileges.
YOUR TIMETABLE
• 6 periods per week per subject
• 3 periods per week Block E (+ 2 periods during Enrichment time for some subjects)
•1
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period per week General Religious Education
• 1 period per week PSHE/Careers
• 2 periods per week Enrichment
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Common Room

HOW HARD DO YOU NEED TO WORK
You should expect, on average, to spend about five hours per week, per subject, on self-study
at home or in the LRC. Remember, being in a Sixth Form is a full-time job and it must take
priority in your life. There is a big difference between Sixth Form courses and GCSE level
work. You really need to keep on top of your studies from the very start and always take the
advice of your teachers. There is a tendency for some students to ‘take their foot off the
accelerator’ after GCSE’s. Do not let that happen to you during Year 12.
GRADES, TARGETS, REPORTS AND PARENTS’ EVENINGS
GRADES
Grades at A Level are different from those at GCSE
A Level pass grades range from A* to E
BTEC grades are Pass, Merit and Distinction
TARGETS
When you begin your Sixth Form courses, you will be given a target in each of your Sixth Form
subjects. The target is worked out by using a system called ALIS (A Level Information System).
This system uses GCSE results to project what a student gaining certain GCSE grades is
statistically likely to achieve in any A Level / BTEC course. If you are not happy with the target,
it unfortunately cannot be changed; this is because it is based on your past performance.
However, you can beat your target.
It is also worth remembering that your predicted grade for your university application is based
on your performance up to the end of Year 12, not on your target grade.
REPORTS
A report will be sent home to your parents/carers at the end of every half-term. This will
comment on your attitude and progress towards your individual subject targets and your
achievements in your assessments. Your attendance and punctuality for each half term will
also be recorded. Your Form Tutor will discuss your report with you and you will identify
strategies for improvement.
PARENTS’ EVENINGS
Parents’ Evenings are considered to be one of the most important parts of every student’s
development. We expect Sixth Formers to come with their parents. Even though you are
Sixth Formers, you are still dependent on the support of your parents. It is very important that
they understand how you are progressing, so that they can help you as effectively as possible
Year 12 Parents’ Evening: Tuesday 13 December 2011
Year 13 Parents’ Evening: Thursday 15 March 2012
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Essentially, Core Religious Education (one compulsory period per week) is an opportunity for
you to reflect upon a variety of issues and questions linked to religion, morality and spirituality.
The blend of topics and activities allows you to engage with subjects that you may not
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ordinarily come across in the course of your formal AS / A-Level / BTEC studies, whilst in the
Sixth Form.
Core Religious Education allows you to explore your own beliefs across a wide range of
issues. It encourages you to develop skills of confidence and communication in a relaxed,
friendly and supportive environment.
Your group will meet once a week and you will take part in discussions and debates. You will
explore issues of concern to all major world religions, whilst being firmly rooted in Catholic
tradition. This time is not for indoctrination but rather for the opening up of listening, discussion
and reflection.
PSHCE/CAREERS
You will have one period a week of PSHE/Careers. This is a full programme of activities and
events comprising outside speakers who will address key, contemporary and pertinent issues,
such as university preparation, interview skills, careers, substance and alcohol abuse,
personal financial management, health issues, personal safety, charity work and gap year
activities.
Careers guidance throughout Years 12 & 13 is prioritised and aims to help you to make
informed career choices. Application to Higher Education and degree courses is actively
encouraged and fully supported. You will have the opportunity to attend a Higher Education
Conference at the end of Year 12, where you can get detailed information on courses and
universities, as well as attend master classes on various degree courses.
The timetable for the PSHE/Careers programme at BTG will be generally as follows:
YEAR 12:
1 st half of Autumn Term: Study Skills
2 nd half of Autumn Term: Stress Management & Exam skills
Spring Term:
Speakers from businesses and HE establishments
Summer Term:
UCAS preparation and application
YEAR 13:
1 st half of Autumn Term: UCAS application & student finance
2 nd half of Autumn Term: What happens after school?
1 st half of Spring Term: Citizenship
2 nd half of Spring Term: Life skills
ACADEMIC MENTORING
The Academic Mentoring programme will provide an opportunity for you to gain help, support
and guidance during your career in the Sixth Form. The programme is designed to provide
help with a range of different aspects of life in the Sixth Form, including individual target
setting, coursework planning and management, time management and career/university
applications, as well as the crucial area of deciding upon, and following, the learning strategies
which best suit you as an individual. In this way, it is hoped that you will use it as an
opportunity to help you to improve the standard of your work.
The programme is designed to follow a similar format to that in Higher Education. Students are
referred to the Academic Mentor through the pastoral system or you can self- refer.
In the meeting, your mentor and yourself will raise and discuss issues concerning your
progress, your learning and study, the standard of work, celebrating your successes and finding
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ways of helping you with problems. It also provides an opportunity to talk about your views,
concerns and aspirations, your interests inside and outside school including any issues or
concerns that may be impacting on your involvement in the Sixth Form
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment courses are key factors in UCAS applications. Every Wednesday afternoon the
timetable will be collapsed in order to allow you to take part in the Enrichment Programme.
This programme offers you the opportunity to develop skills and interest which compliment
your main programme of study. You will follow an enrichment course every year, chosen from
a wide variety of options.
During the first Enrichment session of the year, you will attend a presentation in the main hall
on the various activities available at BTG and will then make your choice of activity for the year
ahead.
YEAR 12 SERVICE TO SCHOOL
As a Year 12 student in a Catholic School you will have the automatic responsibility of being
involved in the school community. This will also enable you to build a presence in the school
amongst staff and students, as role models for the rest of the school to look up to.
Every half term you will be allocated to one of the six areas explained below. This is compulsory
and should be done diligently and without fail. Teachers will also be allocated in these areas and
it is your responsibility to ensure that the duties are executed effectively. Each Year 12 student
will receive a service to school logbook in where the teacher allocated to that area will sign so
that your form tutor can monitor your attendance and involvement. Form tutors will monitor
these logbooks every week and the Deputy Directors of Sixth Form will do spot checks of form
groups throughout the week to see how the service to school is being executed and recorded.
If you fail to turn up to your allocated area, you will have to carry out these duties at
another time during the week, as allocated by your form tutor. If you continuously miss
your duty, you will go on 3 – 2 – 1.
At the end of each half term, you will be allocated to a new activity for the next half term. This
will be a rolling process throughout the year. During exam leave you will not be required to do
the duties, but it will resume on your return to school and will continue up to the end of Year 12.
1) Late Duty: 8.45am – 9.05am
Two students will assist a teacher once a week at the gate to prevent students avoiding
signing in late by entering the building elsewhere. Their main duty will be to ensure that
students make their way to the foyer. (10 students)
Two students will assist a teacher once a week in the foyer to sign students in as late.
These lists should then be handed in to the Attendance Officer. (10 students)
2) Canteen Support (Mentor and Support Year 11 Prefects):
Break 10.45am – 11.05am: Two students will assist a teacher once a week in each
canteen to ensure that students line-up and exit properly and clear up when they leave.
(20 students)
Lunch 12.45 – 1.05 pm: One student will assist teachers once a week in each canteen to
ensure that students enter canteen properly and clear up when they leave. (10 students)
Lunch 1.05 – 1.35pm: One student will assist a teacher once a week in each canteen to
ensure that students enter canteen properly and clear up when they leave. (10 students)
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3) LRC Supervision:
Lunch 12.45 – 1.05pm: One student will assist the librarian and the Library prefects to
ensure that students remain silent in the library and behave appropriately. (10 students)
Lunch 1.05 – 1.35pm: One student will assist the librarian and the Library prefects to
ensure that students remain silent in the library and behave appropriately. (10 students)
4) Common Room Management:
Break 10.45 – 11.05am: Two students will assist a teacher once a week to ensure sixth
formers leave the common promptly for lessons and leave area tidy. (10 students)
Lunch 1.20 – 1.35pm: Two students will assist a teacher once a week to ensure sixth
formers leave the common promptly for lessons and leave area tidy. (10 students)
5) Heads of Years 7 - 11 Support:
Four students will be assigned to each Head of Year and will be allocated specific
support tasks to be carried out throughout the week such as lining up for assemblies and
silent exit of the hall. This will be decided by the Heads of Year. (20 students)
6) Heads of Houses Support:
Two students will be assigned to each Head of House and will be allocated specific
support tasks to be carried out throughout the week and will support PE House activities.
This will be decided by the Heads of House and Miss Murray. (8 students)
At the end of the year at the final whole school assembly each Year 12 student will receive a
certificate for their commitment to aid and serve the school community. This will be a valuable
award to use in UCAS applications.
PREFECTS
During the first few weeks of doing Service to School, the Sixth Form Pastoral Team will meet
and decide on students to become Senior Prefects of the school. This will be announced at an
Upper School Assembly before the October half-term.
Some students will also be nominated as Head Boy and Girl and these students will have to
complete an application letter and do an interview with the Sixth Form Pastoral Team. The new
Head Boy and Girl will be announced at an Upper School Assembly after the October half-term.
Senior Prefects will continue with their duties until the October half-term of the following year
when they will hand over to the newly selected Senior Prefects. Similarly, the Head Boy and Girl
will continue their duties until the new Head Boy and Girl is selected after the October half term
of the following year.
1. HEAD BOY & GIRL (Year 12) – JOB DESCRIPTION
The ideal Head Prefect will have good organisational and oral skills and will have demonstrated
their ability to motivate a team. They will be passionate about their work and demonstrate the
ability to manage their time effectively as well as show clear leadership skills.
1. To represent BTG at open sessions and special events, in and out of school, including at
primary schools.
2. To speak publicly about the school and on a number of issues.
3. To be an ambassador for the school and a role model for younger students.
4. To take responsibility for the whole Prefect Team (Years 11 & 12) in an executive role.
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5. To line manage the Senior Prefects and Deputy Head Boy & Girl to ensure consistency in
duty system.
6. To monitor a code of conduct for prefects
7. To meet with the Pastoral Deputy Headteacher once a week.
2. SENIOR PREFECTS – JOB DESCRIPTION
The ideal senior prefect will have good oral skills and will have demonstrated their ability to
motivate a team. They will be passionate about their work and demonstrate the ability to
manage their time effectively. They would have executed their service to school very well and
set a positive example to all sixth formers through their conduct and demeanour.
1. To line manage and support the Year 12 service to school to ensure consistency.
2. To support the Year 11 prefect system.
3. To monitor the code of conduct of Year 12 students
4. To work closely with Heads of Year and assist in assemblies and other activities around the
school
5. To work closely with Heads of Houses to assist activities during Fundraising week
6. To help during open evenings and special events
7. To complete tasks as expected by the Senior Management Team of the school
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SL6 COLLABORATION
The SL6 (South London Sixth) collaboration is a partnership between Dunraven, La Retraite,
St Martin-in-the-Field School and Bishop Thomas Grant School, whose motto is “Sharing
Excellence”. The collaboration works at many levels. For students, the main advantages are:
• A wider choice of subjects available
• Increased flexibility in setting up an appropriate timetable
• The chance to meet new people and experience the ethos of another school
• A wider choice of Enrichment and extra-curricular activities
Studying in a different environment can be a very positive experience, which would offer you
the chance to develop your interpersonal skills, so we would suggest that you try to not be too
shy about talking to people in your host school, if you want to make the most of the
experience. You would be given an induction at the other school and you would be matched
up with a ‘buddy’ who would help you around for the first two weeks.
In order to have a successful collaboration which provides benefits for all involved, we ask all
students studying subjects at the other colleges within the SL6 to take note of the following:
1. WELCOME
You will have a short induction session at your host school, during your first lesson at the
host school. Use this time to make sure you know your way around the school in general
and the Sixth Form area in particular. Ask about how to use the Common Room, the
computers, the library, the Cafeteria/Canteen etc. Find out the names of your teachers and
who to phone if you are going to be absent.
2. PROBLEMS
If you have a problem at your host school, please tell your tutor or a teacher or the Director
of Sixth Form in either of your SL6 schools. If you fail to attend classes or fall behind with
your work, this will be followed up in the same way as it would be in your home school. If
you behave in a way which contravenes the SL6 code of conduct, you will be given a
warning. Repeated breaches of the code of conduct can lead to you losing your place in
SL6.
3. REGISTERING AND SIGNING IN
You will need to sign in and out at the Reception of your host school for health and safety
purposes. You will then be registered in your lesson and your attendance data will be
shared with BTG, to be incorporated on your home school attendance record.
GETTING TO THE SL6 HOST SCHOOL
For lessons starting Period 1, you make your own way to the host school. When a lesson
ends at Period 6, you make your own way home. For all lessons beginning after break or
lunch, the SL6 minibus service will take you free of charge between the four Sixth Form
Centres. The departure times are published at Reception and the bus will not wait for
latecomers. If you miss the bus, you are responsible for making your own way there and
back. Please note that there are no parking facilities for students with cars or motorcycles
at any of the SL6 schools.
4. VISITS AND ACTIVITIES
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If your host school subject teachers are organising a visit or educational activity, they will
include you in the group. Please make sure that your Form Tutor and Director of Sixth
Form at your home school are informed well in advance of the visit.
5. STAFF ABSENCE AND COVER WORK
If a member of staff knows that they are going to be absent and can give you cover work in
advance, you may ask your Director of Sixth Form for permission to stay in your home
school to complete the work. If the absence is not known beforehand, you will be expected
to stay at the host school and complete the cover work there; make sure you are
registered.
6. PROGRESS GRADES, UCAS REPORTS AND EXAM ENTRIES
Progress grades for your host school subject will appear on your normal home school
report. You will take your examination in the host school for the subject that you study
there and your teachers will remind you of the dates and times. The examination entry
confirmation slip will be given to you by the Examinations Officer in your home school.
7. PARENTS’ CONSULTATION EVENINGS
Your parents will be invited to attend the Parents’ Consultation Evenings at both your
schools.
8. EMERGENCIES
Please make sure that you inform both schools of any change of address or contact details.
If you need to carry medication, please ensure that both schools know about this.
The contact details for the Directors of Sixth Form are:
Mr Willem Stapelberg
Director of Sixth Form
Bishop Thomas Grant School
Belltrees Grove London SW16 2HY
0208 835 9246
Mrs Emma Hannon
Director of Sixth Form
La Retraite School
Atkins Road London SW12 0AB
0208 673 5644
Mr Mark Dewey
Director of Sixth Form
St Martin’s in the Fields School
Tulse Hill London SW2 3UP
0208 683 9465
Mr Safras Cuffy
Director of Sixth Form
Dunraven School
94-98 Leigham Court Road London SW16 2QB
0208 677 2431
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STUDY TIME
You will have allocated study periods per week. The LRC has lots of space for private study
and some computers and each student may have their own laptops to use around the school.
You are not allowed to leave the school during your study periods. At Bishop Thomas Grant
School we care, first and foremost, about your education and that is why you will have these
excellent study facilities at your disposal.
The more work you complete at school, the less work you will need to take home.
EXAMINATIONS AND STUDY LEAVE
Public examinations are held in January and June.
In most AS Level subjects you will be entered for exams in January. If you do not pass the
January modules successfully, you may be re-entered for the exam in June, when you also
take the remaining modular AS exams. The A2 exams are taken at the same time in the
following year. You will be notified nearer to the time when Study Leave is to take place.
PART-TIME WORK
Some of you will already have part-time jobs whilst others will be looking for a part-time work in
due course. Please be sensible about this. The main point of being in the Sixth Form is to
gain a good education. Studying A Level and BTEC courses is a full-time job in itself.
Part-time work, while a good experience, can be tiring and inhibits your free time. You need to
have time to study at home and you need time to relax as well. Too much time spent on parttime
work can upset your equilibrium.
It is recommended that the absolute maximum time you spend on part-time work is eight hours
per week.
CHANGING COURSES
When you enrol for the Sixth Form, everything is done to ensure that each student is on
courses that are suitable for their ability and meet their interests and aspirations. However, it
does occasionally happen that after one or two weeks a student feels that they have made a
mistake.
If this happens to you, this is what you must do:
• Ask your subject teacher to discuss your concerns
• Talk to the Head of Subject of the course you wish to change to.
• Discuss the matter with your Form Tutor if you still wish to change course.
• Complete the form “Changing courses” that can be found in the LRC and submit it to the
Director of Sixth Form and a decision will be made.
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COUNSELLING
From time to time students can feel weighed down by something happening in their life that
they feel unable to cope with. If this sounds familiar, please either talk to your Form Tutor,
Head of Year or a teacher that you feel you can trust.
If a teacher thinks that you may benefit from seeing a counsellor, the Director of Sixth Form
can make special arrangements, in complete confidence. You would not be the first person
with a difficulty to sort out and you would not be the last. Whatever the problem, talk to
someone that you can trust.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
EMA (EDUCATIONAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE)
Summary of changes
In October 2010 the Government took the decision to close the Education Maintenance
Allowance (EMA) scheme at the end of this current Academic Year.
Since then the Government has announced a new Bursary Fund to help the most vulnerable
16-19 year-olds continue in full-time education, together with transitional arrangements to help
some of those who are currently in receipt of EMA.
The additional transitional arrangements are to help those students currently receiving EMA.
They consist of two parts:
• Students who first successfully applied for EMA in 2009/10 will continue to receive
payments at the same level until the end of the 2011/12 academic year provided they
have entitlement running into that year under the EMA Guarantee (and if their age allows
this entitlement)
• Students who first successfully applied for EMA in 2010/11 and who were awarded the
maximum weekly EMA payment of £30 will be eligible for £20 each week they are in
education or training until the end of the 2011/12 academic year (and if their age allows
this entitlement).
Students who first successfully applied for an EMA payment of £20 or £10 in 2010/11 will not be
eligible for transitional support in the 2011/12 academic year, but may benefit from the new
16-19 Bursary Fund. More information about this will be sent to students in due course.
NUS CARDS
Application forms will be handed to you by your Form Teacher for a National Union of Students
card, or an NUS Extra card. Owning such a card entitles you to student discounts for a variety
of things, including cinema tickets and air travel. Application forms will also be available in the
LRC.
OYSTER CARDS
Application forms for Oyster cards can be obtained from The Post Office. The application must
be completed by the student and signed by the 6 th Form Administration Assistant. Do not ask
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another member of staff to sign your application, as your address needs to be verified by our
Sixth Form Administrator and London Transport will not recognise all other staff members as
authorised signatories and your application could be discarded.
OTHER GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
There are other means of obtaining financial support, such as the Wandsworth Transport
Allowance and the Lambeth Foundation Grants. All such schemes are advertised in the LRC
as soon as the information becomes available.
FIRE DRILL
The main priority of the fire drill is to evacuate the building and register all students to see if
any are missing, as quickly as possible. Pupils assemble in the relevant playground in their
year groups at form group muster points, shown by white lettering on green signs in the upper
and lower playgrounds. The Sixth Form register at the end of the Lower Playground, with Mr
Stapelberg, Mrs Burnard and Mrs Adam. It is for this reason that it is absolutely crucial that
students sign in and out when entering and leaving the school site. There will be sanctions
given for students that do not adhere to the fire regulations and it can of course lead to more
serious consequences.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THROUGH YOUR
HANDBOOK. PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES AS AVISED AND USE
THE FACILITIES AT BTG TO YOUR BEST ADVANTAGE AND KEEP YOUR
HANDBOOK HANDY FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. WE SINCERELY HOPE
THAT YOU ENJOY AND FLOUISH AT YOUR TIME IN BTG SIXTH FORM.
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Bishop Thomas
Student Hand Book
BISHOP THOMAS GRANT SCHOOL
BELLTREES GROVE, LONDON SW16 2HY
Tel: 020-8769 3294 Fax: 020-8769 4917
Web: www.btg.ac
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