Prospectus BLACKFEN SIXTH FORM
Welcome As Head of Sixth Form at Blackfen I welcome you. You are making very important decisions about your next steps in life and it is crucial that you make the right choices. Whether you are staying on from year 11 or joining Blackfen from elsewhere we can ensure that you will be supported throughout your academic journey in the Sixth Form. When you finally leave us we aim to ensure that you are ready to face the challenges of the wider world whether that might be continuing studies onto degree level, taking up a higher level apprenticeship or embarking on a career. The skills and qualifications we aim to provide you with will set you up for a successful and fulfilling future. The Sixth Form at Blackfen is highly successful and has moved from strength to strength as it has grown over the years. Students have an excellent choice of subjects (both academic and vocational) in a setting where they are supported and challenged to succeed through developing a growth mind-set. Our students are highly successful in securing places at a wide range of universities, including Russell Group as well as some outstanding higher level apprenticeship placements. Although gaining an academic education is our core purpose we fully believe that our students should develop their personal skills. We aim to build confident and resilient young people who will be successful in the competitive world. Students take part in an enrichment programme where they can learn new skills, participate in sport, support lower school students or contribute to local charities or within the wider community. Many students also complete on-line courses in wide and varied areas in order to compliment and enhance their programme of study. I look forward to welcoming you into our Sixth Form. Please do contact us if you have any questions. Kim Brewer Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form The Blackfen school vision is raising aspirations - releasing potential. We aim to do this in our consistently high achieving sixth form by focusing on the academic and pastoral needs of every individual who continues their educational journey with us. Our vision is founded on two principles underpinned by our school's growth mind-set philosophy. These are: 1 For every student to continue their academic journey and to achieve at the highest possible level irrespective of their starting point. 2 For every student to develop and grow personally taking on ambassadorial and leadership roles in the school and wider community. Our sixth form students have a positive and a "can do" attitude to all that they do and we all firmly believe that there is no ceiling to what can be achieved. I look forward to meeting with you as you make the choice to continue your education here at Blackfen. Carrie Senior Headteacher
Programme of Study Students in year 12 will be placed on a programme of study dependent on their GCSE results on entering the Sixth Form. Our aim is to place students on courses where they will be most successful. There are two main routes: A Level courses Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above including English Language (additional subject specific grade requirements). Plus a minimum of grade 4 in Maths. BTEC courses Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language (additional subject specific grade requirements) Most students will study a total of 3 A Level/BTEC courses A few students who have very high GCSE grades can select to study 4 A levels Most Level 3 qualifications also have subject specific entry requirements. Level 3 courses are 2 years in duration. A Level examinations are taken at the end of Year 13 (Linear) BTEC examinations take place throughout the course. Year 13 Students can opt for the Extended Project qualification (EPQ) starting in the summer term of year 12 in addition to their programme of study. The programme of study for Sixth Form students also contains the following compulsory components: à Daily Tutor time à Timetabled Supervised Study periods à Enrichment programme à One week Work Experience (Summer Term year 12) For more information on our current courses please look under individual subject headings on our website.
Courses on offer Students will generally select three Level 3 subjects. Students can select either an A Level or BTEC route. Some students complete a combination of A level and BTEC courses. Students with very high GCSE grades can select four A Level subjects. This will be discussed with individuals where applicable. A Levels BTEC Extended Certificate (2 year Linear) (2 year course) Biology Business Business Creative Media and Production Chemistry Health & Social Care Dance ICT Drama Law English Literature Science Film Studies Sport Fine Art French WJEC Applied Diploma in Food Science Geography and Nutrition History Law Maths Core Maths AS Level Media EPQ Extended Project Qualification Photography Politics Psychology RS Sociology Textiles
Welfare and Student Support Pastoral care is a key component in supporting our students to achieve academically. Students are supported in a number of ways throughout their time in the Sixth Form. All students are placed in a tutor group, this group meets daily with their form tutor. In these sessions students follow a programme of activities and topics relating to academic progress and social/moral development. Examples of topics are: Study Skills, growth mindset development, driver safety education, dangers of alcohol and drugs, politics, healthy lifestyles, mental health and crime & justice. With the support of their tutor students are mentored through target setting and academic monitoring. Students also enjoy a range of interform competitions and events including: MasterChef, Carol competition, weekly quiz and sports. Year 12 students also attend a weekly PSHE session. There is a Student Support Manager available at all times as well as an external careers advisor. The Sixth Form is managed by an Assistant Headteacher (Head of Sixth Form) and a deputy Head of Sixth Form. Parents are fully encouraged to play a part in their child’s academic journey and are expected to attend parent information evening and student review evenings. There is regular communication with parents through email and text messaging, Students and Parents should also access Edulink for communication purposes. Students use ’Teams’ for daily messages and teaching resources.
Universities: Birmingham City University: Law with Criminal Justice Bournemouth University: Marketing Communications with Advertising Bristol, University of the West of England: Sociology City, University of London: Economics; Psychology Coventry University: Banking and Finance; History De Montfort University: Psychology Goldsmiths, University of London: Journalism Keele University: Neuroscience and Psychology King's College London, University of London: Business Management, English and Modern Languages with a Year aboard; Geography Kingston University: Biomedical Science; Computer science, Fine Art Manchester Metropolitan University: Business Management Oxford Brookes University: Marketing Management Queen Mary University of London: English Literature and Linguistics with a Year Abroad 4FT + Abroad BA (Hons); History and English Ravensbourne University London: Character Design and Concept Art Royal Holloway, University of London: Accounting and Finance; Film Television and Digital Production Solent University (Southampton): Fashion Management with Marketing St Mary's University, Twickenham: Sports Coaching Science UCFB: Football Business and Finance University of Chichester: Psychology University of Greenwich: Biomedical Science, Business Management; Psychology; Criminology; Finance and Investment Banking; Forensic Science; Human Resource Management; Law 3FT/4PT LLB (Hons); Midwifery; Primary Education; Psychology; Sociology University of Kent: Accounting and Finance; Architecture; Business and Marketing; Business Management; Ecology and Conservation; Finance and Investment with a Year in Industry 4FT SW BSc (Hons); Law; Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation University of Leeds: Criminology; Social Policy, Sociology and Crime; Sociology University of Manchester: International Business, Finance and Economics University of Nottingham: History and Philosophy; Sociology University of Plymouth: Optometry with Integrated Foundation Year University of Portsmouth; Pharmacy University of Reading; Accounting and Management with a placement year; Psychology with a placement University of Sheffield: History University of Sussex: Marketing University of Westminster, London: Fashion Business Management; Law University of York: Economics and Finance Apprenticeships: TFL; Erskine Barristers Chambers; MET Police; JP Morgan; 5 Stone Building; Loughman Building and Civil Engineering; Exquitech; NHS; Engie Impact UK; Re-Instate Erith; CIS Security; Lloyds Of London; Lockton Insurance; BMS Group; Murphy Construction; Hair Salon; Christie's; Lidl; Arlington Insurance; Capgemini Destinations 2024 Careers and Progression We are proud of the diverse range of destinations our students pursue. Whatever this may be university or higher level apprenticeship. Whatever route our students wish to pursue there is support available at all stages. In Year 12 students take part in a ‘next steps’ programme where they are introduced to the University application process and applying for apprenticeships. This is followed in the Spring Team with a ‘next steps’ information evening for parents/ carers. During National Apprenticeship week we run a series of talks from outside speakers and set up virtual workshops for students to find out more about apprenticeships. Year 12 students are fully supported to apply for taster courses, insight days and virtual work experience as well as preparing for attending university open days. In the Summer Term we run a series of UCAS workshops to start preparing University personal statements. Students are registered with Unifrog to support them with the application process for university or apprenticeships and for careers support. In early September of Year 13 further workshops are held to support students in completing their UCAS application form. Students wishing to pursue an apprenticeship route are assisted with searching and applying for these posts and will be given a one to one mock interview. Students can request a careers interview with our independent careers advisor at anytime during the year. All students will complete a number of online courses during their time in the Sixth Form. These courses are offered by some of the top universities in the country and are really helpful in preparing students for university courses or for specific careers. All year 12 students complete a one week work experience placement. Students are encouraged to seek a placement that will not only challenge them but will help them gain experience in a field related to their future career. The EPQ (extended Project Qualification) is taken by a number of students as an additional qualification in Year 13. This is excellent preparation for degree type research projects and highly regarded by University admissions tutors. .
· Mentoring · In-lesson support · Link Students · Lessons from Auschwitz project · Volunteering / Charity work · Blackfen Library volunteering · Reading mentors · Wider Reading · On-line courses · U18 Football Team · First Aid · Deaf Awareness course · Drama / School production · UCAS Convention · Mental health ambassadors · Free & Equal ambassadors · Sixth Form Leadership · Charity events · Sutton Trust Summer Schools · London Taster Course programme · Work Experience programme · CPR training · UCAS Workshops · Day Trips · Residential Trips Super Curricular Programme All students in year 12 are required to complete an enrichment programme. They have to plan their programme of activities and keep a record on Unifrog of completed activities:
Address Blackfen Sixth Form Blackfen Road Sidcup, DA15 9NU Contact Tel 020 8303 1887 Email sixthform@blackfen.bexley.sch.uk Website www.blackfenschoolforgirls.co.uk
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