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Virgo Fidelis
Convent Senior School |
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Year 12 & 13 Curriculum Outline
INTRODUCTION
We are very aware of the
efforts that all parents make in ensuring that their children realise their
potential in all facets of school life. The aim of this booklet is to help
both parents and students ensure that they achieve all they can in the Sixth
Form, primarily on the academic front but also through participation in the wide
range of extra-curricular provision available.
As students pursue the second
year of the new A-level qualification, we have endeavoured to provide an outline
of the courses they are following.
For each subject the
information is presented in the following sequence:
1
Course content
2
Assessment procedures
3
Support material including textbooks, websites etc
4
Equipment
5
Specialist information
Open School Privilege
At Virgo Fidelis we offer
the highest levels of support and care during students' Sixth Form years.
However, this is complemented by the freedom associated with college. Of course
we expect students to attend all timetabled lessons; students won't be
sufficiently prepared in their studies if they don't. In addition, attendance
is required at Sixth Form assemblies on Monday mornings However, if students
have a free period they are able to 'sign out' and leave the premises if they
wish. In addition, we ask that students 'sign in' on arrival. The Open School
Privilege will be withdrawn if lessons are missed or students fall behind with
their work.
Key Skills
Students will be following a
programme of study in Information Technology. It will require them to compile a
portfolio of evidence, very often from work carried out in core subjects. In
addition, there will be an end of course exam, taken after Easter of year 13.
There are three wider Key
Skills which are not assessed but for which students may wish to log evidence of
completion and achievement: Working with Others, Problem Solving and Improving
Own Performance.
Work expectations
It goes without saying that
all lessons must be attended. However, there is also a considerable amount of
private study which complements an effective Sixth Form study programme. This
involves reading around the subject to broaden the depth of knowledge in
addition to the structured tasks set by teachers. Students should expect to
spend approximately 4 hours per subject per week on their studies. Key Skills
staff will be setting approximately 2 hours work per week.
A level performance is closely
linked to the amount of work put in. Doing more work is invariably rewarded.
Paid employment
Research conclusively shows
that over 15 hours of paid employment severely hampers educational performance.
With the increased demands of the new A level courses we would recommend a
maximum of ten hours paid work (e.g. no more than one weekend day and one
midweek evening).
Assessment
Progress will be regularly
monitored to ensure that students stand the best possible chance of achieving a
high grade. Where possible, tasks will be marked with reference to A level
national standards. Please refer to the student's individual subjects for
details of assessment dates.
Monitoring and reporting
Lesson absence is reported to
tutors by teachers. Students' attendance and work profile (lessons
attended/assignments completed/effort grade/current performance grade) is
monitored by tutors every half term. This information is also included in the
written reports which go home in January.
Role of the Tutor
In addition to the monitoring
of absence and the routine transfer of information, the tutor plays a vital role
in supporting students through their Sixth Form studies. Following each written
report, students will have a joint review with their tutor to discuss and
monitor progress. If necessary, targets can be agreed to raise their
achievement. If the need arises, tutors may instigate a joint review in
response to the half-term work profile.
Tutors are also responsible
for helping and guiding students through the university application procedure (UCAS
forms). They will advise on personal statements, proof read and help perfect
them. They will write references on behalf of the school.
Parents' Consultation Evening
We hope that every parent will be able to take this opportunity to discuss progress with staff. If any urgent matter arises, parents are very welcome to contact the tutor or the Head of Sixth Form (Mrs Kalia).
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Copyright © 2007 - Virgo Fidelis Convent School
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