sixth form prospectus 2013/14 - Skinners' Academy

01/02 Skinners’ Academy Sixth Form Prospectus2013/ 2014Message from thePrincipalJenny WilkinsWelcome to Skinners’Academy, a school forboys and girls aged 11-19,providing a dynamic worldclass education.The Academy is a centre of excellencespecialising in Business, Enterpriseand ICT. There is a culture of highexpectation for every student.Academic, vocational and enrichmentopportunities are designed to raiseaspirations and develop confidentand responsible citizens who make apositive contribution to society.The journey into post-16 educationis an exciting one which requirescommitment and dedication. At theSkinners’ Academy Sixth Form Centre,the opportunities are designed toeffectively provide you with excellentkey stage 5 education and prepareyou for your next steps, beyond furthereducation.Our Academy is at the heart of thecommunity and an exciting andinspirational place to be as youprogress towards university or theworld of work... and we are here toencourage, cultivate and support youraspirations.Message from theVice Principal &Head of Sixth FormAnge LevesqueSkinners’ Sixth FormCentre is at the heart of ourAcademy – with challengeand support in equalmeasure.It is our expectation that your time inthe Sixth Form will firmly establish inyou a readiness for lifelong learning, asense of responsibility and the highestof expectations and aspirations foryou in both your professional andpersonal life.Learning and your wellbeing isour core purpose. Within the backdrop of excellent facilities we areinnovative in our approach tobuilding your resourcefulness andresilience. Intertwining your learningwith outstanding careers education,information, advice and guidance is atthe centre of our ethos - look out for uson twitter!We measure our success againstthe successes of our students duringtheir time at the Academy and astheir careers and lives unfold. As areflective and dynamic learner wewould like to invite you to join usand contribute to our vibrant andsuccessful Sixth Form family.Message from theChairman ofSkinners’ AcademyRt Hon The Earl ofMalmesburyCommitted to the provisionof quality education,we believe in traditionaleducation values delivered ina modern context.The Skinners’ Company, one of theGreat Twelve Livery Companies ofthe City of London, is proud to be thesponsor of the Skinners’ Academy.The Skinners’ Company has a longtradition of supporting education, itseducational involvement in Hackneydating back to 1890. In 2010, the newSkinners’ Academy joined the familyof four other schools supported by theCompany. We believe in traditionaleducational values delivered ina modern context. The Skinners’Company is excited about the impactthe Academy is making to the HackneyCommunity.A vibrant, friendly andstimulating environmentThe Sixth Form Centre at Skinners’Academy provides innovative and excitingcourses in a state of the art environment.We offer a broad, comprehensive and flexible curriculum,including both A-Level and BTEC qualifications at level 2and 3.We are a specialist Business & Enterprise and ICT specialist,we are able to offer extensive links to the City and localcommunity.Why choose the Skinners’Academy Sixth Form Centre?Our Sixth Form Centre provides:• Excellent choice of academic and vocational courses• Exciting enrichment activities• Class sizes which allow personalised learning• Bespoke Future Pathways Programme• Unwavering commitment to quality Careers Education,Information, Advice & Guidance including an annualCareers Awareness Fair• Outstanding support services tailored to yourindividual needs• High standards of performance and achievement• Links to industry – enabling fantastic opportunities withorganisations from the Ideas Foundation to BP• Dedicated staff working with you to ensure your learningis successful• An opportunity to have a prefect role of responsibility –with many roles involving being mentors to thelower school• An international dimension• State-of-the-art facilities including world class ICTresources and new sports hall and dance studioOur Core Values•2Excellence•2Friendship•2Courage•2Determination•2Inspiration•2Equality•2RespectI appreciate the extra revision classesoffered by teachers. In my first year at a[different] local college I was on an ‘E’ andI am now on an ‘B’ grade here. I stronglyagree that if I could make my choice ofSixth form again, I would still chooseSkinners’ Academy.Jenny WilkinsPrincipalSkinners’ AcademyAnge LevesqueVice Principal &Head of 6th FormSkinners’ AcademyJames MalmesburyChairman of theSkinners’ AcademyGoverning BodyFazila Dadabhoy, 6th Form

03/04 Skinners’ Academy Sixth Form Prospectus2013/ 2014Curriculum OfferAdvanced Level Qualifications (Level 3)Advanced level qualifications or equivalent typically require two years full-time study after GCSE. Good results in thesequalifications provide an effective way of entering higher education or a profession. We usually expect students to haveobtained A*-C in at least 5 different subjects including English and Maths at GCSE with a B grade in the subject they wishto study or a related subject before taking an A-Level course. There are several types of Advanced Level qualifications:• GCE (AS & A2). These cover the traditional A-Level subjects: humanities, sciences, social sciences, business, arts, mathsand further maths etc• Applied GCE (Single or double award) – such as Art & Design• BTEC National Certificates & Diplomas in areas such as Health & Social Care and BusinessOur SpecialismThe academy specialisesin business, enterprise andICT. Enterprise educationis about innovation andcreativity and develops theability to:• Handle uncertainty and respondpositively to change• Create and implement new ways ofdoing things• Make reasonable risk and rewardassessmentsOur business and enterprise cultureinfluences all we do, includingthe international dimension of ourAcademy. We have achieved theNational Standard for EnterpriseEducation (assessed in 2012) and theInternational School Award 2010-2013and are building strong links withschools in Turkey, South Africa, NewYork, Georgia, India, Bangladeshand Malaysia.The Academy works closely withlocal employers, other educationalestablishments and internationalorganisations, which ensures studentsbenefit from professional industryexpertise. These include:• Allen & Overy •Bank of England •BBC • British Council • The BrokerageCitylink • City of London corporation •East London Business Alliance (ELBA) •Fairtrade Foundation •Hackney Council• HSBC • Ideas Foundation • Inspire• London City Airport • Rabo Bank …and more…We provide a state-of-the-art virtuallearning environment (VLE): a one-stoponline portal where learning can besupported and accessed by studentsand parents, 24 hours a day.Skinners’ was the bestplace to do my BusinessBTEC as the expertise inBusiness, Enterprise andICT really helped me toachieve my goals. Fromhaving no knowledge ofbusiness before the course,I managed to achieveDistinctions (D*D*D,equivalent to 400 UCASpoints) and am going on tostudy International Business& Chinese (Mandarin) atuniversity. I love Skinners’because the teachers werealways there to listen andhelp us at any time withanything.Daniela Gomez Vera, 6th FormIntermediate Level Qualifications (Level 2)Intermediate level qualifications at Skinners’ Academy involve full time study. These courses will take a year to completeand equip students to progress to Advanced level study or employment. Students who gained largely grade D or E atGCSE will be considered for these courses.My teachers at Skinners’always told me to exertmyself, and visit the veryfrontiers of my ability.Hence I have achievedin my academic subjectsand have been awarded aplace at university to studyEnglish Literature withCreative Writing. As aresult I have the confidenceto do well!Akpaljit Kaur, 6th Form

07/08 Skinners’ Academy Sixth Form Prospectus 2013/ 2014Student Voice & LeadershipThe Sixth Form Council works closely with the Young Chamber group, working oninitiatives relating to community safety and improved transport links. Developingstudent voice increases confidence, improves presentation skills, contributes to a range ofemployability skills and is an important aspect of the Skinners’ Sixth Form journey.Students at the Skinners’ Academy Skinners Sixth Form Centre have the opportunity to use their student voice to trulydevelop their skills and create and participate in opportunities that will make them more attractive candidates touniversities and employers.• Head students meet with the Principal on a regular basis• Students are able to participate in the active Sixth Form Council• Opportunities for roles of responsibility in the Academy (including some employment opportunities), which clearlyhighlight the leadership abilities of the participant• Previous students have delivered presentations at Hackney Town Hall, participated in Leadership conferences anddelivered course related presentations to younger students in the AcademyAcademic Learning & SupportHighly skilled, outstandingteachers facilitatepersonalised learning• Excellent wide ranging learning andteaching techniques - and facilitiesto engage students• All learning is linked to the widerworld of work• Student feedback questionnaires giveyou a voice in the learning you receive• Teachers offer extra revision classesat half term and Easter• Exam technique and revisionworkshops run by professionalexternal and internal educatorsYou will benefit from apersonal advisor who willmeet with you regularly tosupport your learning• Daily advisory sessions focusedon study skills, developing globalawareness, student voice andcelebrating achievements• You will be told about the UCASprocess from the first term in Year 12and the application process startsin the summer term after your ASexaminations• We work closely with ‘Into University’an organisation of graduates whorun workshops designed to makethe prospect of going to university atangible aspirationA dedicated Sixth FormLeadership Team witha holistic focus on thewellbeing of each student• Weekly student and family drop inclinics• Close achievement, attainment,behaviour and attendancemonitoring• For some students, half termlyAcademic Board meetings with theVP Head of Sixth Form and Principalto refocus learningEnrichment & Extra CurricularActivitiesAs firm believers in learning beyond theclassroom, we encourage students toparticipate in enrichment andextra-curricular activities• While successful academic study is the priority, the 6thform will also provide the opportunity to develop skills andinterests• Activities vary, but normally include music, dance, drama,debating, active citizenship, media/journalism, sport, firstaid, and moreSkinners’ Academy Sixth Form has been apositive experience for me. It allowed me toparticipate in many wonderful activities suchas the EU Comenius project trip to Turkeyand the Tall Ships Youth Trust.Melat Haileselasse, 6th Form

09/10 Skinners’ Academy Sixth Form Prospectus 2013/ 2014Sixth Form ExpectationsAt all times students are required to meet all basic expectations of the Academyand act as role models.• The Sixth Form Centre is open to students most evenings for study• During break and lunch times students may go off site but must return on timefor their class / study period• Consistent hard work and commitment is required to achieve successOur Dress CodeThe dress code is formal, reflecting our business and enterprise culture. OurSixth Form students have the opportunity to truly prepare for the workplaceand by doing so, have the opportunity to participate as prefects to the youngerstudents in the Academy. The dress code is applied across the Academy and allstudents are expected to adhere to it.Application ProcedureComplete the enclosed application form or download copies from our website –www.skinnersacademy.org.ukAll applicants will be interviewed for course suitability.Application deadline: Friday 30 November 2012Skinners’ is like mysecond home. I come toschool everyday feelingsafe because of the warm,caring environmentcreated by the staff andstudents. I am very glad tohave stayed here for sixthform because I would nothave gained opportunitiessuch as attending theQueen’s Diamond JubileeLunch elsewhere. Startingoff without knowing whatI wanted to do to in thefuture, I have realised mygreat potential in Maths!Samroz Tandel, 6th Formsixth form centre