Sixth Form Prospectus 2008

Welcome

As you read this guide to the Sixth Form at Carshalton High School for Girls, you are engaged in making a decision which may well influence the future course of your life.  It is therefore most important that you have the necessary information to find the right package to meet your requirements.

In our rapidly and sometimes dramatically changing world, personal qualities such as flexibility, adaptability, openness of mind and generosity of spirit are as vital as the hard currency of good academic qualifications.

We will have high expectations of you:  we look for commitment to and responsibility for your own learning and we will foster these through very good teaching, advice and support.  We will help you to learn to manage your time efficiently and to develop sufficient self-discipline to pursue your studies and to lead a happy, healthy and full life in and out of school.  Our expectation is that you set yourself the highest of standards and do not settle for second best.

The Sixth Form is a happy blend of students studying a variety of courses, continuing with the Carshalton High School for Girl’s experience.  Each student contributes to a very diverse, stimulating and interesting school community.

The school enjoys a proud reputation within Sutton not only for excellence but also for being a place of genuine opportunity.  We have looked at our offer and are now confident there are opportunities here for students of all abilities. We hope that you will be a part of building our continuing reputation.  Our Sixth Form is genuinely open to all who can benefit from what we have to offer.

I wish you success and fulfillment in your studies and good fortune in the future.

Mrs Vivien, Jones Head Teacher

Study after GCSEs is all about choices and I’m delighted that you have chosen to consider continuing your education. With the help of our friendly, professional staff and separate facilities we can offer you a chance to succeed.

The prospectus, our students, the Sixth Form Evening and your tutors will provide you with the information you need to make positive and informed choices which will have the potential to shape the rest of your life.

Whether in school or in the wider community, students have the opportunity to work and relax together. Friendships may well last a lifetime.

Being a member of the Sixth Form requires commitment and dedication and we expect our students to work hard to achieve their goals. As a member of the whole school community, students are also expected to act as role models and leaders for the lower school and to participate fully in school life.

Remember: The sky is the limit.

We look forward to working with you.

Ms Lucy Woodley, Head of Sixth Form

What is the Sixth Form all about?

Sixth Form life is about grabbing opportunities, relishing challenges and developing skills. Students who choose to continue their education at Carshalton High School for Girls do so in an environment which embraces the personal strengths of both its students and staff.

Our Sixth Form focuses on broadening horizons, to access chosen career paths, to expand personal interests and friendship groups and to enable all students to make informed decisions about the way in which they will choose to live their life within the community.

We know that your GCSE years can be very busy, and making the right decisions about Sixth Form can be confusing. We hold an Open Evening so you can talk to teachers to find out more and can ask about the different possibilities open to you. We take your interests seriously and will do everything we can to give you the information you need. We can help you choose which courses are right for you and work with you to develop a programme that suits your individual ambitions and goals.

Whichever course you choose, you’re guaranteed excellent academic and tutorial support. We also offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities and careers advice for the future.

Our environment and structure has been designed to bring out the very best in you. With our specialised teaching, positive encouragement and healthy working environment, you’ll be encouraged to meet your goals – and you’ll have a lot of fun in the process.

Our teachers and support staff are dedicated and committed to helping you progress and achieve. They work incredibly hard to ensure that all our students have the right experiences, resources and opportunities they need for success.

Sixth Form life is very different. You have more independence and responsibility for organising your work load and private and home study.

Students have their own facilities which include:

• Two common rooms Facilities for making drinks and snacks
• A vocational suite

Support for Students

You will be carefully monitored and supported throughout your studies.

You’ll want the move from Year 11 to Year 12 to go smoothly, and we’ll do everything to make sure it does. In the Sixth Form you’ll be allocated to a tutor group and your tutor will be there to help you achieve your personal goals – through regular one-to-one conversations and by monitoring your progress in your studies. You’ll also have a timetabled PSHCE programme covering study skills, citizenship and careers advice and guidance; including entry to Higher Education.

A Head of Sixth Form and Deputy Head of Sixth Form will also oversee your academic progress and pastoral welfare.

Academic Monitoring

Academic progress is continually monitored. Students negotiate academic targets with their subject tutors and are assessed against those targets 3 times a year. A progress and effort report is issued to inform students and their parents how close those targets are to being met. Regular interviews with form tutors enable all students to keep their targets in focus. Carshalton Girls Sixth Form expects students to be committed to achieving to the best of their ability.

Moving on

When it comes to thinking about the future, our careers department can help you make those all important decisions: do you go on to university or into the world of work? Staff will provide help and specialist advice, and if you’re applying to university, you’ll be supported through special HE workshops, talks by past students, HE fairs and individual guidance from tutors.

If you’re having any problems, or would like to talk through any issues – whether they are related to home or your time here at Sixth Form, we are always available to provide support.

The timetable

All students complete a minimum of 24 hours of taught study a fortnight and are supported in their studies by specialist teachers.

Life outside the classroom

Life in the Sixth Form is about developing skills and getting results, but there should be more to life than just study. And we like to offer more: at Carshalton High School for Girls there are always opportunities to develop your interests, learn new things and offer support and help in the wider community.

Enrichment

Enrichment opportunities form an important part of Sixth Form life. All students are offered excellent chances to develop their own interests, extend their existing skills and try new pursuits. Throughout the year they are encouraged to enjoy a range of leisure, recreational and intellectual activities.

You can take advantage of a wide range of clubs and societies, so if you’ve always wanted to try your hand at something new, now’s your chance. You’ll also have opportunities to broaden and enhance your studies through visits, community service and work experience.

Many of our clubs or activities can lead to nationally recognised awards such as the Sport Leaders’ Award, Young Enterprise or World Challenge or Dance Leaders’ Award.

Sixth Formers end their time at Carshalton High School for Girls with a Leavers’ Prom, which last year was held at Epsom Downs Racecourse. This is an event which sees staff join students to enjoy a relaxed summer evening free from the demands of exams and proves a fitting finale to what many of our students describe as the best years of their lives.

Your Choices

You can study for AS/A Levels as well as BTECs.

With many students choosing to join us in the Sixth Form each year, there has never been a better time to join us.

Now with more than 35 courses to choose from, the only tough decision is choosing which ones are right for you.

Additional qualifications will make you more attractive to future employers and are essential if you wish to go on to study at university you are likely to have a more fulfilled life and make a greater contribution to your family and society (and that’s not just financially!)

We give you the chance to take responsibility for your future, offering a wide range of opportunities to lead and run projects, and give you the chance to have a broad range of skills displayed on your CV.

Carshalton High School for Girls has had an excellent pass rate in past years and the majority of our girls secure university places as well as a number of full-time careers. Many of our girls completing BTEC courses will progress to Advanced level courses within our Sixth Form.

There are separate facilities, including a vocational suite, work room and (newly-decorated!) common room with kitchen facilities. The LRC also has a separate area reserved for Sixth Form students only.

Think carefully about the subjects and types of course you want to take in the Sixth Form. Talk to other people and listen to their advice, and try to make confident decisions about what you want to do before you apply.

Carshalton High School for Girls has a wide range of courses to suit everybody. From traditional academic options to one-year vocational courses, we can offer you courses to match your interests, talents and plans for the future. Our courses will offer you variety, challenge and a chance to shine as an individual.

AS (Advanced Subsidiary) is one year course. An A Level is studied over two years and is made up of an AS and an A2 (This is a second year of the same subject).

To study for an A Level programme you will normally need 5 GCSEs at grades A* - C, which include English and Maths. We will consider each application individually however, and all factors affecting your GCSE results will be taken into account. So don’t be put off from applying if your results differ slightly from those above.

When you apply we’ll gather together lots of information to ensure you’re embarking on a course that’s right for you. We’ll take into account your GCSE grades, value-added scores and your teachers’ assessment of your likely success in your chosen subjects. We’ll also seek your Year 11 tutor’s view of your overall study skills.

Applying for a place from outside Carshalton High School for Girls.
If you’re applying from a different school, we’ll also liaise with them to make sure we advise you of the course that is suitable for you.

Subjects available

Click here for a complete list of available courses

The Application Process

Click here for details of the application process

Contact Information

Click here for details of relevant contacts