Stretford Grammar Sixth Form Prospectus

Stretford Grammar SchoolInspiring ambition and aspiration

Support • Challenge • Succeed

We place a very strong emphasis on equality of opportunity for all our students and are committed to helping each individual to fulfil his or her academic potential. It is expressed in the ethos of the Sixth Form, the day to day activities and lessons, as well as the external recognition received through our success in Advanced Level examinations. We therefore aim to provide students with the opportunity to live and work in an atmosphere that is both adult and caring, and to contribute to the Sixth Form community “where students respond with excitement and enthusiasm to the variety of learning opportunities provided” (Ofsted 2012).

We provide a broad, challenging and successful experience, which prepares students for their next vital step, be it Higher Education, training or employment, but is also thoroughly enjoyable in its own right. We have high expectations of our students and this is confirmed through the exam results achieved. Students benefit greatly from the high level of expertise, commitment and enthusiasm which staff bring to their work. However, staff cannot do it all on their own: success at Advanced Level requires students to be self-motivated, and independent; in return we will encourage very high standards.

If you can make that commitment, and if Stretford Grammar School’s Sixth Form appeals to you, we look forward to receiving your application and to making you welcome next September.

Mr. Michael Mullins. Headteacher.

Thank you for taking time to learn more about our high performing Sixth Form Centre.

This Prospectus has been prepared to help you make two key decisions. Is Stretford Grammar School’s Sixth Form the right place for you to

study? If so, which courses will suit your needs, talents and ambitions? Please remember that the Prospectus is only part of the process: staff will be pleased to help you make your choices, whether through visits to our Sixth Form, individual interviews, or special events arranged for prospective students.

The Sixth Form at Stretford Grammar School has a long-standing reputation for educational excellence. In March 2012 these standards were highlighted in our most recent Ofsted report which acknowledged the good and often excellent progress made by our students. In addition, visitors to the Sixth Form frequently comment on the supportive, harmonious atmosphere. Ofsted stated that a crucial factor in the results achieved was the positive relationships between staff and students and the promotion of high aspirations and ambition. The fact that we are a small Sixth Form serves to develop these relationships and, as a result, students very quickly feel part of a harmonious and aspirational school community.


Welcome to Stretford Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre

Inspiring ambition and aspiration

“I have benefitted from some amazing teaching and wonderful activities and opportunities at Stretford Grammar School.”

Zen Rizvi

Given the demanding nature of our Advanced Level Courses, confirmation of acceptance is dependent on GCSE results (or appropriate

equivalents).

Students are admitted to Year 12 to study programmes of four Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level subjects. In addition, students will take General Studies and an enrichment unit. In Year 13 students continue in at least three of their four subjects, from AS to the full A Level qualification standard (A2).

For Sixth Form entry, there is no catchment area and no entrance examination. All students who apply to us will be considered carefully on their suitability for Advanced Courses and given advice on which subjects would best meet their needs and abilities. In consultation with applicants, and guided by their school reports and references, the Sixth Form will help students decide upon the appropriate qualifications. Indeed our success over the years has been the result of placing students on the right courses. More detailed information on entry requirements will be discussed with students when senior staff from the Sixth Form visit schools in the Autumn and Spring Term of their Year 11.

Admissions

“Students are reflective, aspirational and empathetic” (Ofsted 2012)

We would usually expect students to achieve at least a Grade B in each of the subjects they wish to study at A Level, or in a related subject. As a general guide, students should obtain at least four GCSEs at grade B and one grade C at GCSE. However, in popular subject areas, competition for places on our courses means that preference will be given to students with the highest grades.

For more detailed information regarding our admissions to the Sixth Form, please consult our Admissions Policy which is available from the school, or via the school website.


“I have really enjoyed the style of learning and know that I can get ahead in my studies thanks to the motivational teachers I have and the friendly environment in which I can work.”

Rami Harb

The curriculum of the Sixth Form is characterised by choice and diversity. There is a wide range of AS level and A2 level courses, which ensures

continuity and progression as well as providing opportunities for students to take up subjects for the first time. Students study 4 subjects to AS level in Year 12 and continue with 3 of these the following year. Most courses consist of 4 modules, the first two leading to AS and the second two to A2. AS examinations will be taken in all subjects in the summer at the end of Year 12. General Studies is taken by all students to A Level. There are also opportunities to study Critical Thinking or complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

You will find, in the supplementary pages of the prospectus, full details of all of the examination courses. Please take some time to consider carefully every area which might be of interest to you, so that you can make the very most of your time at Open Evening, when you will have the opportunity to discuss possible choices with both subject teachers and students.

All students taking Advanced Level courses, whatever their subject specialisms, will also follow a General Studies course, leading to AS and A Level qualifications. Full details of the General Studies programme are given in the courses section. Students will also receive appropriate support in ICT.

Gifted and Talented Students

The Sixth Form is committed to ensuring that able, gifted and talented students are recognised, supported, inspired and challenged to ensure that they maximise their potential and that, as with all our students, their achievements are celebrated. Opportunities for extension and enrichment are built into all our schemes of work. We also offer a range of enrichment activities: partnerships with primary schools; opportunities for trips, visits and performances; master classes; national schemes, competitions and olympiads; visiting experts and specialists.

Oxbridge

Stretford Grammar School has a long-standing relationship with Oxford and Cambridge Universities, both of whom welcome applications from our students and recognise the quality of their applications. Our Oxbridge process aims to support suitable applicants and offers thorough preparation and guidance at both the application and interview stages.


Curriculum

Success through challenge and engagement

“There is a good community feel to the Sixth Form and I feel like the school genuinely cares about how I perform.”

Khaled Kawafi

We recognise that students will need to get to know teachers and fellow students as quickly as possible. All students are

assigned to a Tutor in a Tutor Group with around twenty other students. Students meet with Tutors each day who will work with them to remedy any issues or barriers to learning and progress. Tutors act as advisers in the Sixth Form College, monitoring students’ attendance and progress, and discussing methods of working and career ambitions as well as any difficulties. Students also follow a comprehensive Tutorial Programme to prepare for experiences both here and beyond Sixth Form.

Tutors will review academic progress, finalise any references and advise and guide students on any difficulties. Tutors are the first point of contact for parents/carers. Sixth Form studies demand a high level of commitment from students. If students are having difficulties, extra advice and help is available from the Head and Assistant Head of the Sixth Form as well as subject teachers. Sixth Form students are monitored closely to ensure that full progress is made against minimum expected grades with target groups established at the start of Year 12 and progress grades completed each half term which inform a review of these target groups. Regular assessment leads to final AS and A2 examinations in May/June. Entry into the second year to take full A Levels will depend upon AS results. The reporting format provides a full coverage of all aspects of students’ progress. Parents are advised if students are not making sufficient progress for future examination entry and there are Parents’ Evenings in both Year 12 and Year 13.

Sixth Form Council

Students are encouraged to help with the organisation of the Sixth Form; we believe that students ought to have a say in the running of the Sixth Form. Therefore, the Student Council is elected by students who represent their peers. Students may help to show new students around the Sixth Form, to run the appointments system on Consultation Evenings and to host visitors to the Sixth Form. In addition, students may wish to serve as mentors or be involved in peer projects.

Higher Education and Careers Guidance

Tutors will also help and support students with the many difficult choices that face them concerning Higher Education or employment. Around 95% of our students go to universities and colleges, and the rest are successful in gaining employment or places on vocational courses. To help students fulfil their ambition, the Sixth Form sets aside a great deal of staff time and resources to provide a comprehensive information, advice and guidance programme which is also supported by a week of activities towards the end of Year 12.


Student Welfare

A tailored experience in a friendly and supportive environment

“I have developed good relationships with the teachers at Stretford Grammar School and have found that the environment has suited my style of learning.”

Kimberley Androliakos

Sixth Form students are required to be in school for morning registration (8.40 a.m.) and afternoon registration (1.55 p.m.). School

finishes at 3.10 p.m.; there are five, 60 minute lessons each day. Year 13 students without a taught lesson or study period may sign out from school at the end of period 4.

As a Sixth Form student you have greater freedom and the privilege of private study time. The nature of Sixth Form study requires you to learn to work independently. Learning to work effectively without supervision is an important part of your life and you will be responsible for planning the use of your private study time, whether at school or off-site. We have a duty not only to help our students get to university, but to equip them to stay the course there. From our experience of preparing students for Advanced examinations and entry to Higher Education, we know that successful students spend at least four hours studying outside the classroom for each subject they are taking.

For all subjects you will have assignments to complete, notes to read over and clarify, background reading and revision for tests and modules. If you want to succeed, you will need to spend most of your unscheduled lessons in the Sixth Form area and two to three hours each evening studying. This means that taking on paid employment for several hours in the evening and a large portion of the weekend, or having a social life of late nights on week days, is not an option for a serious student. You need to consider very carefully whether

you are prepared to make the sort of commitment that successful study at Advanced Level demands. Of course, you may wish to take on some limited form of paid employment but you will have to give priority to the studies on which your future plans may depend and this calls for careful time management.

Child Protection

All students under the age of 18 are classed in law as children. The Sixth Form takes child protection very seriously. All new recruits to the staff of the Sixth Form are subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks, and all staff who have substantial contact with students undergo training in Child Protection issues. Our Safeguarding Policies can be viewed on application to the Sixth Form.

Study Areas

We aim to provide you with supervised study areas which will suit a range of student needs, including silent and quiet study areas and access to areas which are suitable for group study and ICT provision. Our study areas were recently completely refurbished to include the provision of a computer work room to accommodate at least 30 students, as well as a quiet study room.


Independent Study

“The Sixth Form offers a broad range of high quality GCE AS and A-level courses” (Ofsted 2012)

“I feel Stretford Grammar School has the perfect learning atmosphere. The staff are really helpful and I enjoy their style of teaching.”

Karranveer Singh

Academic success is obviously very important but the Sixth Form is far more than just that. We see this as a time for the whole person to

develop, to extend and broaden interests as well as an opportunity for students to put something back into the community.

Students are encouraged to join theatre parties, attend lectures and university Open Days. There are field trips for Geographers and Biologists every year, as well as a range of visits and enhancement activities offered by all departments. Sixth Formers also have the opportunity to take part in trips abroad. In addition to their academic studies, all students participate in enrichment activities, which include physical education, work placement or community service, as well as contributing to school organised charity events. Students have the opportunity to participate in Young Enterprise, the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, classroom assistant programmes and peer mentoring. Many students are also assisted in taking up external voluntary activities aimed at preparing them for courses in Law, Pharmacy, Medicine, and teaching.

We ask a great deal of our Sixth Formers; they give and gain a great deal in return.

Comments from Sixth Form Students

“Joining Stretford Grammar School in Year 12, I was expecting the transition from a college to a grammar school to be quite overwhelming. It was the complete opposite! The friendly student tutor relationships and encouragement to participate in activities is so welcoming. We are given freedom as well as maximum academic support giving us the best of both worlds! I am lucky to have got a place here and have already fully prepared myself for further education. The lessons are bite size and effective.”

“There is nowhere better than Stretford Grammar School. I chose to study here because SGS has a unique, friendly environment. The teachers are so helpful and kind and always make sure that I understand.”

Yasmin Samir

“I prefer the idea of smaller classes as I receive more support from my teachers. I am also with like minded people who work hard and want to achieve good results.”

Maryam Jameelah Lambat

“I feel that Stretford Grammar School is the place for me. The teachers work hard on our behalf and the small classes for each subject means that I get more support than I would have compared to other colleges.”

Henry Lu


Sixth Form Life

“Students make an outstanding contribution to a highly aspirational learning and harmonious school community” (Ofsted 2012)

“I have found at Stretford Grammar School that this is a Sixth Form that focuses on the students and what they need to be successful.”

Sam Gledhill

“I have benefitted from some amazing teaching and wonderful activities and opportunities at Stretford Grammar School.”

Zen Rizvi

“I went to the open days of other colleges but this one’s atmosphere was unbeatable. I felt at home very quickly.”

Zara Bobat

“I wanted a small academic Sixth Form where I knew I would get the appropriate level of support and guidance to help me fulfil my potential.”

Leah Robertson

“My subject teachers have got to know me very well, so they know how I learn and adapt their teaching accordingly so that help is given quickly.”

Zain Ahmed

“I wanted a broad curriculum and the opportunity to study ICT. The facilities and teachers in ICT are excellent and have justified my decision to choose Stretford Grammar School.”

“My brother and sister have already studied at Stretford Grammar School and so I knew it was a good school with high standards. I also know that a more formal environment will challenge me to fulfil my potential.”

Bilal Hameed

“The support I have received at Stretford Grammar School is amazing. The teachers have provided me with excellent educational and personal support.“

Zaynab Nazir

“I heard from friends who are now all doctors that this was an outstanding school, close to the metrolink station making it easy to commute from Blakely.”

Nickie Yip

“Stretford Grammar School was recommended to me for its friendly environment and excellent pass rates.“

Hafsa Saleem

“The friendly atmosphere, excellent teaching and support convinced me that I could achieve my potential at Stretford Grammar School.“

Arooj Ahmed

“I didn’t want the stress of moving as I love the atmosphere of the school. The small class sizes, the way everybody gets along and the way we are treated with respect convinced me Stretford Grammar School was the right choice - I don’t regret it!.

Emman Al-Jarah

“I have excelled in an environment where teachers quickly understand your strengths and weaknesses.”

Sara Heddi


Student Comments

A tailored experience in a friendly and supportive environment

“The Sixth Form has a very high standard of teaching. I enjoy being taught here and the teachers are very supportive and motivational.”

David Scannali

Stretford Grammar School

Granby Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8JB Telephone: 0161 865 2293 Facsimile: 0161 866 9938 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stretfordgrammar.com

Stretford Grammar Sixth Form Prospectus

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Transcript of Stretford Grammar Sixth Form Prospectus