All <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students are required to choose an Elective,which will usually occupy about 1 hour a week. Many ofthese result in a formal qualification or award. Students arealso invited to create their own Elective activity. A bookletwith details of all the options is produced in March.In addition to the above, there are a number of initiatives,activities and trips in which <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students areregularly involved. These include: Debating Society, Sport,Student Support (counselling and mentoring of youngerstudents), Christmas Party for Pensioners, Teddy Bears’Picnic for First <strong>School</strong>s, Charity fundraising, New York Trip,Ski Trip, Zambia Exchange etc.Independent StudyStudying at A Level is challenging on two fronts: firstly theknowledge and understanding moves on rapidly from GCSELevel and secondly the way in which the courses aredelivered is different - less ‘spoon-feeding’ and moreemphasis on the student ‘taking responsibility for their ownlearning.’ Universities are increasingly looking to theirstudents to embark on undergraduate courses with welldevelopedindependent study skills. All subjects offered at<strong>Pershore</strong> <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> deliver part of their course specificallyas structured and supported self-study tasks.All <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students are in full-time education and thattheir programme of study should occupy the working week(and often weekend.). One big difference between the GCSEcurriculum and the <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> curriculum is non-contacttime (often misleadingly called ‘free periods’). Lessons willoccupy about 75% of a timetable in Year 12. As a guide,every hour spent in a lesson should be matched by an houron independent study. To help the structure of non-contacttime, all students will have timetabled study periods in astudy area.Academic Monitoring and ReportingAt the start of Year 12, students will be set challengingtarget grades based on a combination of GCSE grades andthe professional judgement of teachers. Progress withreference to these targets is reviewed regularly and swiftaction taken to tackle underperformance. There are threeProgress Checks that are given to students and emailed toparents at strategic points during the year. There are two<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> (Joint Y12/Y13) Parents’ Evenings, one in lateOctober and one in mid-January, each following a ProgressCheck providing opportunities for parents, teachers andstudents to meet to discuss progress. The second ProgressCheck, for both Year 12 and 13, follows formal Mock Examsand Coursework Assessments in early December. Studentsmust achieve a minimum standard in order to continue.The emphasis is on the student being proactive in seekinghelp when required and to highlight difficulties before theydevelop into significant problems.16-19 Learner Support BursaryEach year the school is given a sum of money to be used toreduce financial barriers to participation and achievement inPost-16 education. Students in defined vulnerable groups(e.g. LAC) can receive £1200 over the course of each year.Priority for the remaining funds will be given to thosestudents eligible for Free <strong>School</strong> Meals (application forms areavailable from http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/schoolinformation/school-free-meals.aspx).Other students ingenuine hardship can apply for assistance using an internalApplication <strong>Form</strong>, available from the <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong>. Awards willbe, where possible, for benefits-in-kind e.g. transport costs,educational equipment, school trips etc. All awards areconditional on very high levels of attendance and aconsistently good attitude to learning.TextbooksA number of A Level subjects require you to purchase atextbook. Many will offer these at a discounted rate. At theend of the course, there will be a facility for you to sell themon to new <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students at a fair second hand value.A list of the books with an approximate cost will bepublished when formal offers of <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> places are made.Positions of ResponsibilityAll <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students are expected to work together withthe staff in creating a safe and supportive environment. The<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students and staff elect a team of four HeadStudents during the latter part of Year 12. They are assistedby about 20 House Prefects in carrying out a wide range ofresponsibilities both in and out of school. Through theVertical Tutoring system, <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students play a key rolein both their House and Tutor Group, acting as AssociateTutors, leading activities, mentoring younger students andassisting Tutors’ administration. The positions of HouseCaptains, Vice-Captains and Prefects provide further scopefor leadership experience. A team of <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students isemployed as Break and Lunchtime Supervisors. Each year<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students are invited to apply for these well-paidbut highly responsible positions.<strong>High</strong>er Education Applications and Careers<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> students receive close guidance and advicethroughout their time at <strong>Pershore</strong>. About 80% of studentsleave Year 13 to go on to university, some to Oxbridge or toread Medicine or Veterinary Science. <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> studentsbenefit from the services of our full-time Careers Officer whocarries out regular group work and one-to-one consultations.From the Head GirlInitially undecided as to where to go, the choice wasactually obvious; with brilliant teaching, a greatatmosphere, good transport links (on a number of busroutes, near to the train station and within walking distanceof <strong>Pershore</strong> town centre) and with no false pretences, I feltcomfortable here. The <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> Centre is an excellentresource with a relaxing Common Room and of course theall-important study facilities; by the time you read this wewill be using our own devices on the <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> WiFi, veryuseful during supervised study periods if the computerroom is a bit busy. If you are aiming to go to university,you’re in luck! By this time in Year 13 you will havesubmitted your application having perfected your personalstatement; you will know it inside out and be able to reciteit even in your sleep! The overall guidance and theone-to-one help is something to take advantage of. Regular<strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> social events make <strong>Pershore</strong> really stand out.From the first party in September via the Halloween Partyand Christmas Ball to the Leavers’ Ball, with many others inbetween, the calendar is full, giving you plenty of chancesto relax through the year and opportunities to get to knowyour peers better. The <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> looks highly upon thoseaspiring to do well and actively encourages every studentto push themselves to achieve their potential. We areconstantly pushed to achieve and exceed our target grades– hard work but worth it in the end! You should takeadvantage of the many opportunities offered by the <strong>Sixth</strong><strong>Form</strong>, such as the New York Trip. Last year, I grasped thechance to be a part of International Women’s Day and, as aresult, I was able to meet David Cameron at No. 10 and askhim some awkward questions. Through the Electiveprogramme I worked with a team of students setting up aYoung Enterprise company – a really valuable experiencethat taught us a number of new skills and some harshrealities about the commercial world. The opportunities arethere so you just have to make sure that you seize them!The academic courses available are wide in variety from themore coursework based to exam based subjects; chose theones that are right for you. There is a good range of subjectswith something to interest everybody in the coursesavailable; deciding which to drop at the end of Year 12 canbe very difficult. I have felt very comfortable here and theconstant encouragement and academic support has helpedme stay on track throughout the course. It is important tospeak to the students and staff so that you make theinformed decision that is right for you!From the Head Boy<strong>Pershore</strong> <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong>'s academic reputation really speaks foritself, but I want to mention an aspect which is a little lesspublicised and yet for me is what really sets this placeabove all its nearest rivals - the variety of extracurricularopportunities available. We understand that life beyond theclassroom, be that at university or in a future career,requires a wide range of fundamental skills beyond thosetaught in A level subjects. Personal confidence,communication, blue-sky thinking, team work andleadership form just some of the skills which <strong>Pershore</strong> <strong>Sixth</strong><strong>Form</strong> facilitates all of its students to develop. Certainlywhen I joined the <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> I didn't have anywhere nearthe personal confidence I have today, but immediately fromthe start of Year 12 I was presented with myriad ofopportunities to help develop this. Partly this happenedthrough my Classroom Support elective, but also through aplethora of other activities, such as a region-wideeconomics competition run by CIPFA. Staff are incrediblysupportive in helping you to start new ventures. Thepossibilities of what you can do at <strong>Pershore</strong> <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> arevery exciting. Last year I directed my own full scale dramaproduction; this had never been done before by a studentteam, but we were fully supported and exceptionally proudof the outcome! The production we put on was also helpingout another team of <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong>ers: The Zambia Exchange.This is a life changing experience for all involved, where astrong relationship is built between two schools in twocontinents with everyone getting involved to help raisefunds for community projects in the Zambian town ofLubuto. It said that travel broadens the mind and thisphilosophy is certainly followed by <strong>Pershore</strong> <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong>.Open to Year 12 is the insanely popular New York Trip - asojourn to see all of the best sights in the city – is fantasticvalue for money. Having been on the trip myself last year, Ican wholeheartedly recommend it as an awesomeadventure with your best mates in one if the world's mostvibrant cities. Other outstanding cultural trips include theArt trip to Barcelona and the Geography trips across the UKand far beyond. All subjects are keen to support widerknowledge gained from experiences outside the classroom,be that theatre excursions for Drama and English or lecturesby leading figures in History or Philosophy and Ethics. Ourphenomenal pastoral care is also well worth a mentionhere; it's not necessarily high on a student’s list whenchoosing a sixth form, but from experience I can tell youthat it's really beneficial to everyone. No matter whatanyone tells you, A Levels are tough and stressful (althoughvery rewarding when you work hard), so while you'rebattling your way through textbooks and past papers it'sreally easy to feel a little overwhelmed. At <strong>Pershore</strong> <strong>Sixth</strong><strong>Form</strong>, the staff know how to deal with this - you're never faraway from support. They will make sure that you're alwayson top of your game and motivated to enjoy and succeedin your <strong>Sixth</strong> <strong>Form</strong> studies.34