We provide information, advice and guidance to our students. This includes advice about choosing the correct courses in the Sixth Form, selecting higher education routes Post-18, and helping young people understand the different careers available to them.

Resources

The Sixth Form Pastoral Manager offers information, advice and guidance to students who need it.

We are also working closely with Bicester Vision, a group of companies supporting young people, and Viridor, a business based in Ardley, Bicester, who focus on sustainable energy and recycling.

Choosing courses in Year 11

All students applying to the Sixth Form will be given advice and guidance about the different courses available to them.

Year 11 Future plans evening

Students and their parents are given advice on making decisions about the future. This includes advice on applying for apprenticeships, making decisions about courses, and the benefits of A-Levels and BTECs.

Each subject produces a document explaining course content, entry requirements and how this can help students in the future. Students are given the opportunity to discuss this in detail with subject teachers. Alps targets are shared to show students what they might reasonably expect to achieve at the end of Year 13 based on their current GCSE predictions.

Sixth Form applications

Sixth Form recruitment begins with the Y11 Future plans evening. Students are guided in making subject choices by their subject teachers and form tutors. Applications are submitted and offers are made. The Head of Sixth Form and the Sixth Form Manager assess the applications to ensure students are applying for appropriate courses. This is then followed by meetings with students and their parents to discuss their application and provide advice.

Results Day

On Results Day, students will receive a letter:

  • accepting them unconditionally into the Sixth Form if they have met the entry requirements
  • inviting them to meet with the Head of Sixth Form or their Head of Year to discuss options for the future.

This will take into account the usefulness of courses offered for the individual student.

Year 12

Individual Study Programmes (ISPs)

It is important that each student’s programme of study is useful and that it meets their own skills and ability. Each ISP is reviewed regularly and students are given support and guidance on how to achieve.

Continuous focus on future plans

Students are encouraged to ask questions and begin planning for their futures. This is discussed through the tutorial programme, as well as through assemblies and targeted intervention. Students are encouraged to speak to their Head of Year or to Mrs Rosier, the Sixth Form Manager.

Future Plans Meetings

During term 6 of Year 12, every student will have a 1-to-1 meeting with either the Head of Sixth Form or their Head of Year to discuss their future plans, in particular what they would like to do Post-18 (apprenticeships, university, college or workplace) and their longer term career plans. As a result of this, further support can be put in place for Year 13.

Future Plans Day

In Term 6, students will spend a day off timetable experiencing careers by attending workshops set up by: apprenticeship providers, universities, Young enterprise and people from different industries such as fashion, law, education and medicine. This will then be evaluated by students to show what they feel they gained from this process and the insights they were given into different industries.

Future Plans Events

All students will be given the opportunity to attend the Apprenticeship Show and the UCAS Convention where they can explore different opportunities for Post-18 education. These trips are both fully funded by the Sixth Form to make them accessible to all students.

Year 13

All students in Year 13 are given intensive support regarding plans after Sixth Form, building on the work done in Term 6 of Year 12.

UCAS and apprenticeships

The Head of Year 13 leads the UCAS process in the Sixth Form, beginning work with students in Term 6 of Year 12 and working with any students who do not plan on going to university. All Year 13s have a fortnightly small-group tutorial with the Head of Year 13 to ensure they are prepared for life after Sixth Form.

Individual support is offered to students on their applications for university and apprenticeships and in deciding what they wish to do when they leave school. This advice and support is provided by the Sixth Form team.

References are written by subject teachers and by the Head of Year 13, who has many years of experience in this area. As a result, it is very important that Year 13 students stick to the deadlines set by the Head of Year 13. Students interested in apprenticeships should discuss these with the Head of Year 13 and the Sixth Form Manager, who will provide advice and write any references that are required.

In addition to this, we will also provide advice on gap years and for those seeking to enter employment after Year 13.

Open Days

Students are encouraged to attend Open Days at universities and colleges and to go on interviews where possible. These should then be discussed with their Head of Year.

Future Plans Meetings

In Term 5 every Year 13 meets with the Head of Sixth Form or the Deputy Head of Sixth Form to discuss their future plans, including any offers they have accepted for September and any concerns they have about their future. Actions are agreed as a result of these meetings and followed up accordingly.

Results Day

UCAS Tracker is used to identify students who need support on Results Day due to missing entry requirements for their courses, as well as in-school data on the entry-requirements they need. Phones are made available so that they can call admissions offices and the Sixth Form team are available to provide support and IAG.