Maida Vale School Sixth Form Booklet

Sixth Form Prospectus

Welcome to Maida Vale School
Sixth Form
Maida Vale School Sixth Form is a two-year programme which
will motivate, inspire and equip our students for life beyond the
classroom. Rigorous academic challenge, supportive and proactive
pastoral care, and varied co-curricular endeavours continue to be
central to our approach but in the Sixth Form, this is extended and
developed by leadership opportunities, in-depth career guidance,
local community volunteering placements, and university and/or
vocational application processes.
Students, having narrowed down their subject options, will become specialists in subjects
which they find exhilarating and have a particular passion for.
First class facilities, combined with exceptional teaching, enable our Sixth Form students to
study and grow in the most inspiring of teaching spaces; the dedicated Sixth Form Independent
Learning Centre is where both students and staff plan, prepare, and collaborate.
A highly supportive, inclusive and vibrant environment, Maida Vale School Sixth Form is
where students develop their sense of self, carving out their young-adult identities against the
backdrop of exciting new subjects, challenges, relationships, opportunities and achievements.
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Sixth Form Curriculum
Maida Vale School is committed to delivering a wide-ranging curriculum which will allow
the academic development of all our students, while taking into account varying abilities
and interests.
While the emphasis in the curriculum is placed on A Level study to support the progression to degree-level study, we also
support more vocational, creative options through the availability of BTECs and other Level 3 courses.
Subjects at Sixth Form are likely to include:
• Art and Design
• Biology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Computer Science
• Design and Technology
• Drama and Theatre Studies
• Economics
• English Literature
• EPQ
• Food Science & Nutrition
• French
• Further Maths
• Geography
• Government and Politics
• History
• Latin
• Maths
• Music
• Performing Arts BTEC
• Photography
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Psychology
• Spanish
• Sports BTEC
Options are offered subject to demand
We will ask students to select three courses
for study plus a reserve option. We operate
an option block system which aims to facilitate
a wide range of option choices, although,
should a subject combination not be available
we will discuss the reserve option and subject
choices generally at interview in the context
of supporting onward progression to degree
level study or future employment.
In line with current guidance from university
admissions departments we would strongly
advise students to start three A Level courses
although we are happy to discuss the
possibility of a fourth A Level option for
the most academically able students.
As AS and A Level courses are no longer coteachable
we would expect students starting
four courses to do so with the intention of
following all of them to completion at
the end of Year 13.
Open-door policy
Maida Vale School operates an open-door
policy, meaning parents are welcome in the
Parent Café at any time and can arrange to
meet staff at short notice. Throughout the
Sixth Form admissions process, all the way
up until the start of Year 12, we are very
happy to support option choice discussions
with parents and students and, within the
constraints of the timetable, will endeavour to
change option choices where necessary. Even
once Year 12 has begun, should a student
wish to change their options, we will try our
best to facilitate this.
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Sixth Form Curriculum
Modern, innovative, passionate teaching and learning.
• We operate a longer teaching day than
most other schools. Lessons start at
8.30am and finish at 4.00pm, providing
students with six hours of academic
sessions per week in each of their three
Sixth Form subjects.
• Lessons are blocked in sessions of either
3 hours or 1.5 hours allowing quality
contact time to have a noticeable effect on
progression and allowing greater flexibility
and innovation in teaching approaches.
We expect that students will be able to
learn by doing rather than more traditional
teaching approaches. This is the case in all
subjects and most noticeably in the more
creative and practical subjects such as Art,
Design and the Sciences.
• We do not timetable ‘free periods’ but,
rather, we expect students to develop their
independent learning strategies through
up to six hours of timetabled, subjectspecific
study sessions which take place in
the supervised ILC.
• 1.5 hours per week is timetabled for
IS – Individuals in Society. This subject is
Maida Vale School’s exciting combination
of personal, social and health education;
sex and relationships education; religious
studies; careers; current affairs In Sixth
Form, even further emphasis is placed on
careers planning and research as well as
on applications for UCAS, European or
American universities, or apprenticeships.
The IS programme is supported by a
multitude of external speakers.
• 1.5 hours per week is timetabled during
Year 12 to support the Extended Project
Qualification (EPQ). All students are
encouraged to complete this course
(equivalent to half an A Level) to develop
their independent learning skills amidst
a topic that they have chosen themselves
and are, therefore, particularly passionate
about it. EPQ projects – artefacts or theses
– are continuing to garner huge credence
at interview for both universities and
apprenticeships.
• Sixth Form students have one afternoon
per week of Games, allowing them to
break from study and enjoy the energy
and happiness derived from physical
activity. Team sports and fixtures continue
to take place against other schools, while
alternative activities are offered such
as: Dance, Pilates, Yoga, Rock Climbing,
Boxing, Spinning, Gym training with a
Personal Trainer.
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Further information about curriculum areas:
Independent Learning in the ILC
Student will have up to six hours of
timetabled, subject-specific study sessions
which take place in the supervised
Independent Learning Centre (ILC). All
students undergo an induction to the ILC
which familiarises them with the resources
available. Students’ subject teachers will set
them relevant work to undertake in their
structured study sessions, with appropriate
deadlines for completion. This simultaneous
independent and structured study time is
an opportunity for students to improve their
knowledge and skills while being supported
and encouraged in their very own Sixth Form
learning space. Indeed, the supervision of
the ILC is split between all subject teachers
and Personal Tutors, meaning at any
given time students have knowledgeable,
experienced help on hand.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
In Year 12, all students are encouraged to
complete an Extended Project Qualification
(EPQ), which is equivalent to half an A Level
(28 UCAS points). An EPQ is highly valued
by universities and within industry and
enables admissions and HR departments to
discriminate between candidates with similar
academic profiles. Designed to extend and
develop students’ abilities beyond their
chosen Sixth Form subjects, completion of an
EPQ allows students the opportunity to apply
independent learning skills to any topic of
their choice.
UCAS and the Careers Programme
The careers provision within the Sixth Form at
Maida Vale has been developed to facilitate
successful applications to competitive
universities, including the Russell Group
and Oxbridge. Our careers programme
is designed to make sure students and
parents are fully informed and supported in
making these important choices surrounding
courses and institutions for post 18 study.
We also build upon the successful careers
programme which runs throughout the lower
school with the aim of making sure that
students are able to demonstrate a broad
range of skills, aptitudes and experiences
in their applications in addition to high
academic grades.
Student and parents alike are supported
in post-18 pathway decisions through a
plethora of planned activities such as: the
IS curriculum, workshops and seminars,
Personal Tutor sessions, Careers talks,
university visits, university talks and fairs, the
use of Unifrog (a user-friendly platform which
encapsulates all possible post-18 pathways).
Aspects of the Careers programme in
the Sixth Form include:
• Regular careers interviews between
students and members of the Sixth Form
team. Additional support and guidance
available from the Personal Tutor and
subject staff.
• Briefings for parents regarding the
Careers programme and university
application processes. Our open door
policy allows for close communication
between parents and school throughout
the process.
• Careers guidance lessons during IS
sessions.
• A range of speakers in school to inform
students on the breadth of opportunities
available post-18 and possible routes into
these destinations.
• Full support for international applications,
including the US, Canada and Europe.
• Full support for early entry applications
to Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry and
veterinary science including advice and
additional support with work experience
placements, admissions tests and
interviews.
• Visits to universities and UCAS fairs
supported throughout the year.
• Support and guidance for work
experience.
• A UCAS (or non-UK university) mentor who
works through the application process with
students on an individual basis, assisting in
the development of personal statements
and application essays.
The course is designed to develop skills
in research (including critical analysis
of documents and source evaluation),
analysis, presentation, ethical enquiry and
philosophical argument.
Students can approach the qualification
in one of four ways and can produce
a dissertation, an artefact, a scientific
investigation or a performance. The range
of possible projects is, therefore, almost
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unlimited and provides a rare opportunity
for students to completely direct their own
learning. Students are taught the relevant
skills required for successful completion of
the course in a weekly timetabled lesson
and are assigned a subject-specialist mentor
who guides and advises them as their work
on their project progresses. Students end
the course by giving a presentation on their
project to an invited audience with a Q&A
session. Assessment takes place internally
and takes into account the work produced,
the presentation element and the evidence
collected which details the evolution of the
project from beginning to end.
Advice and guidance facilitated through
close contact between Sixth Form advisors
and students to assist in accepting offers
and on/after results day.
Co-curricular and Enrichment
• The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
• Model United Nations
• Student Investor Challenge
• Young Enterprise
• Each subject has a society which, with the
help of Sixth Form students, organises
external speakers to visit school
Sixth Form students are
also encouraged to create
and lead enrichment clubs
for the Lower School
Trips
Each subject runs a range of national
and international trips. National trips
utilise London as much as possible, but
Geographers may visit the Isle of Wight
and English Literature students may travel
to Stratford-upon-Avon. International trips
have can include: Art students visiting
Florence; Government & Politics students
visiting Washington DC; English Literature
and Drama students visiting New York City;
Geography students visiting Iceland; Latin
and Classics students visiting Pompei and
Sorento.
Leadership Opportunities
Sixth Form signals the time for more
independence and responsibility. Students
will be encouraged to involve themselves
in wider school life, particularly in areas
which they have a passion for. Opportunities
include: creating and running enrichment
clubs; directing KS3 musical and theatrical
productions; representing their PT Group in
the Sixth Form School Council.
Towards the end of Year 12, the application
and recruitment process for Heads of House,
School Prefects, and Heads of School will
begin. These highly coveted leadership roles
involve election from both students and
members of staff, and offer the successful
students invaluable experience in managing
and leading teams.
Charity & Volunteering
While the school continues to support its
local and international charities, in Sixth
Form all Year 12 students must undertake
a volunteering placement in our local
community. Whether this be time spent in
a nursery or primary school, a care home,
a library, a doctor’s surgery, or a foodbank,
we are committed to ensuring that our
Sixth Form students are visible, present and
helpful young adults in our community.
Pastoral Care
Maida Vale School’s warm, compassionate
and inclusive pastoral care aims to make the
transition between Year 11 and Sixth Form as
comfortable and positive as possible.
As the curriculum and expectations in Sixth
Form will feel noticeably different from
those in Year 11, we make sure our students
immediately feel the focused, personalised
and thoughtful support that they can expect
throughout their time at school.
Sixth Form-specific Personal Tutor Groups
ensure our Sixth Form students are cared
for, guided and advised by specially-trained
Sixth Form Personal Tutors. These PTs are
up-to-date with the latest UCAS, European
and North American university and college
application processes, as well as the many
vocational and apprenticeship options that
are possible.
Sixth Form PTs are also expert in managing
the common challenges that arise during
Years 12 & 13 and take a proactive approach
in helping students navigate difficult
conversations, situations and decisions.
Students will form close, respectable bonds
with their PTs, seeing them every day for at
least twenty minutes. A student’s PT monitors
their academic progress, emotional and
social wellbeing, and is in regular contact
with home.
Each Personal Tutor Group is part of one
of the school’s four Houses, and there
is a wealth of opportunity for students
to represent their House in inter-House
competitions. The community feel of our
House system also results in students
broadening their friendship circles and
extra-curricular experiences.
Students will form close,
respectable bonds with
their PTs, seeing them
every day
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Admissions to the Sixth Form
Below is the admissions process for external Sixth Form applicants
to Maida Vale School.
VISIT
US
FILL OUT THE
REGISTRATION FORM
& APPLICATION FORM
INTERVIEW &
CONFIRMATION OF
SUBJECT CHOICES
CONDITIONAL
OFFER MADE
CONFIRMED PLACE
IF ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS MET
Entry criteria for external
applicants:
The admissions criteria for external
candidates is as follows:
In addition to a registration and application
form, we will seek predicted grade
information and a confidential reference
from the applicant’s current school.
Applicants will also be requested to submit
a copy of their latest school report to inform
academic progress, commitment to study,
work ethic and engagement with extracurricular
activities.
To register, go to
maidavaleschool.com/
registersixthform
• Achieving at least 5 grade 6s at GCSE
including English and Maths.
• Obtaining at least a grade 6 in those
subjects students wish to study at
A Level (or equivalent).
• Meeting further subject specific entry
criteria where they exist for certain courses
(e.g. obtaining grade 6 in Maths to study
A Level Physics or Computer Science).
Further information is available on the
admissions pages of the school website.
Applicants are advised that any offer of a
place is ultimately at the discretion of the
Head. Maida Vale School fees are the same
for each year group (Year 7 – Year 13).
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Maida Vale School
18 Saltram Crescent
London
W9 3HR
www.maidavaleschool.com
E: admissions@maidavaleschool.com T: 020 4511 6000
@MaidaValeSchool