Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Sixth Form Prospectus 2010

B I S H O P V E S E Y ’ S

G R A M M A R S C H O O L

S I X T H F O R M

P R O S P E C T U S

inspire

enrichenable

2 B I S H O P V E S E Y ’ S G R A M M A R S C H O O L

O u r M i s s i o n

Enrich, enable, inspire…these three tenets form the seam running through the core of the Bishop Vesey’s approach to creating rounded young people armed with far more than just top level educational grades.

Choosing the Sixth Form which is right for you is one of the most

important decisions you will make as it will affect both your career

path and your future.

At Bishop Vesey’s we seek to develop the young men and women

on the threshold of an adventure whilst enhancing their individual

strengths and abilities in a caring and safe environment.

Forward-looking with a vision stretching to our 500th anniversary

in 2027, we strive for excellence, encouraging individuals to

flourish – in mind, body and spirit.

To help our sixth formers thrive in a demanding world we promote

the need to be caring, with an emphasis on doing good rather

than just feeling good.

We seek to constantly challenge their views, develop their self

esteem and grow their confidence whilst acknowledging the

mutual respect and understanding of other people and their

cultures.

That emotional and spiritual growth is learned by experience not

just in the classroom but also on the playing field and through the

wealth of extra curricular opportunities on offer.

B I S H O P V E S E Y ’ S G R A M M A R S C H O O L 3

W e l c o m e t o B i s h o p V e s e y ’ s G r a m m a r S c h o o l

At Bishop Vesey’s our young people gain the qualifications and self assurance to make an impact in the world, whatever path they choose to follow.

The staff team strives to create the perfect environment where they

can flourish and we are justifiably proud of our Sixth Form which is

intellectual and focussed as well as being friendly and supportive.

As an academic school Vesey’s can only justify its place in the

educational landscape of Birmingham if it has academic credibility.

We stand as a school which delivers the opportunities for social

mobility through education.

Soaring educational achievements are just part of a story of

academic and sporting success which we build on year after year.

Beyond the classroom we continue to offer an outstanding range

of activities and model our practice on some of the country’s

top schools. Students enjoy a wealth of opportunities, many

departmental based, which are continually expanded.

At the same time we foster spiritual and emotional growth as

well as encouraging students to be conscious of others and of

the environment to emphasise the importance of contributing to

society.

But this prospectus can only give a brief glimpse of life in our Sixth

Form – the best way to find out about what our school can offer is

to come in and meet students and staff.

Please feel free to join us on one of our Open Days or to arrange an

individual family visit to view the school in action.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

David Iddon B.A , M.Ed., NPQH. Headteacher


motivated responsible


“BVGS Sixth Form continues to grow from strength to strength. Academic results are rising at a significantly sharper rate than national averages and the quality and volume of extra-curricular provision is outstanding. My team and I are passionate about what we have achieved and ambitious for the future. We look forward to working with you.”Dominic Robson, Deputy Head i/c 14-19 Learning

S i x t h F o r m l i f e

The Sixth Form is an integral part of Bishop Vesey’s and has its own area within the school.

Its facilities include a common room with

café, an extensive IT suite, two quiet study

areas with a full time learning mentor and a

careers resource area. This helps to give sixth

formers a sense of freedom, whilst still being

an integral part of the main school.

Sixth formers play an important role within

Bishop Vesey’s, presenting a first-rate role

model to younger pupils and generally being

involved in day to day school life.

This instils a sense of responsibility and the

importance of team building for the overall

welfare of their school.

The welfare and care of our young people is at

the heart of what we do. Every student plays

a vital role in our school, and this individual

attention and care enables them to flourish.

Furthermore students are expected to take

responsibility for themselves, to become

independent learners of all subjects and be

ambitious to improve on their results and

personal successes.

Excellent attendance, punctuality and

organisation are also required if young people

are to gain the maximum from Bishop Vesey’s.

motivated responsible


A C a r i n g E n v i r o n m e n t

At Bishop Vesey’s we have a dedicated and experienced pastoral team to help our students achieve a new vision of their potential.

For several years we have run a very successful

one-to-one mentoring programme for Sixth

Form students to monitor the academic and

social progress of students under his or her

charge.

Having a mentor means there is always

someone to turn to for help and guidance,

someone who will encourage and support our

students, helping them to stay motivated and

make good decisions during their final years

at school.

The mentor offers impartial

help and advice with school

and personal issues, in addition

advising on revision and

organisation difficulties. We also

actively encourage parents to keep in touch

with the school so we can work hand in hand

to give further effective support and direction.

E m p o w e r m e n t

We believe in empowering our students to equip them for life beyond the Sixth Form.

Students are given the opportunity to

develop team building and study skills that

will be invaluable in helping them deal with

challenges throughout their lives.

Students will feel supported and successful as

they apply their learned skills to projects which will

challenge and teach them how to develop critical

thought processes and set their own goals.

Environmental issues are another area our

young people are expected to look at to give

them a feeling of greater responsibility for the

world around them. Recycling projects include

finding ways we can support the environment

within the school itself.

The 6th form mentoring has helped me sort out my time management, so I can socialise and work. It helps me get the best out of my time. This will be key for university.Rachel Wheeldon, student

realistic supportive


realistic supportive


committed focussed

O u r c u r r i c u l u m

Our curriculum is designed to encourage every student to fulfil a new vision of their potential. Bishop Vesey’s success is built on the firm foundations of highly motivated staff, first class facilities and modern teaching methods.

Nearly all students stay on into the Sixth Form after GCSE exams and we welcome both boys

and girls who join the school to benefit from a wide range of AS and A Level subject choices and

of course, enjoy the wider curriculum which adds to the ‘Vesey Experience’.

“The contribution students make to the school and its community is outstanding. Their responsibilities as mentors, fund raisers and coaches provide excellent role models for the rest of the school community.” (OFSTED, 2006)

L o w e r S i x t h F o r m

Students choose any 4 of the subjects below

to study at AS.

As a Language College we offer five

languages: French, German, Spanish, Italian

and Latin.

Traditional ‘A’ levels offered are: Art,

Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design

Technology, English Language & Literature,

English Literature, Geography, History, ICT,

Law, Maths, Music, Physical Education, Physics,

Religious Studies.

Bishop Vesey’s also has an outstanding

reputation for the quality of teaching and

learning in Geology, Psychology and Further

Maths.

Being a committed member of the Sutton

Coldfield Collegiate enables our Sixth Form

students to access other A level courses

(timetable permitting), such as Drama and

Photography in partnership with other Sutton

Coldfield schools.

Every student also follows a compulsory

General Studies, Games and PSHE/Careers and

tutorial programme,

Other exciting opportunities include:

• Studying an Open University degree

module. Popular courses in recent years

have been “The Planets”, “Human Genetics”

and “Blue Planet”

• Young leaders in sport awards

• Leadership challenge

• Teaching languages in primary schools

• Acquiring a mentor qualification

• Reading support for KS3 students

• AS Critical Thinking


committed focussed

U p p e r S i x t h F o r m

The students will select which subjects to take

through to A2 level.

Most will choose three subjects, plus General

Studies. Exceptional candidates have the

opportunity to take five subjects.

Extra tutorial support is provided for students

applying to medical or dental schools and

those seeking entrance to Oxbridge, in which

we have high levels of success.

1 0 B I S H O P V E S E Y ’ S G R A M M A R S C H O O L

teamworkcompetition

A healthy, competitive body creates a healthy, competitive mind and that adage is reflected in Bishop Vesey’s attitude to sport.

Opportunity and an emphasis on healthy

living are also at the forefront of the Sixth

Form’s approach to sport from a highly

competitive level to the purely recreational.

Staff are dedicated to drawing the best out of

all students with the support of exceptional

facilities and even more to come. Bishop

Vesey’s boasts a state of the arts sports hall

and an all-weather multi-purpose out-door

pitch.

All 300 pupils in the Upper and Lower Sixth

have access to a wide range of traditional and

modern facilities and equipment, most of it

within a goal kick of the lecture rooms.

An array of well presented cricket pitches are

also on site, with a definite nod to tradition in

the shape of an historic pavilion from which to

hear the sound of leather on willow.

Recent years have set a new gold standard

in sporting achievement with students being

honoured at the very top in rugby, hockey,

netball and in achieving

national rowing awards.

Our stars of the future have

also toured Europe, South

Africa and the Antipodes,

pitting their sporting prowess

against rivals in netball,

hockey and rugby.

So from the next international captain in the

making to a student looking to get the heart

racing, the possibilities and potential are endless.

S p o r t i n g s u c c e s s

B I S H O P V E S E Y ’ S G R A M M A R S C H O O L 1 1

“Once the school realised that I was serious about making a career out of rugby it backed me 100 per cent. The sports masters encouraged me to trial for Leicester Tigers. I have a lot to thank them for.” Dan Hemingway, former student and member of the Leicester Tigers Academy.

teamworkcompetition


E x t r a c u r r i c u l a r a n d s o c i a l a c t i v i t i e s

Attending school as a Sixth Form student means much more than study alone. Our wide and varied range of extra curricular activities is a vital feature in life at Bishop Vesey’s.

Students are encouraged to become involved

in a range of non-academic activities, to

broaden their horizons, develop interests and

make new friends.

Our comprehensive programme of activities,

extends beyond the classroom, includes

charity work, community service and our

innovative Enrichment programme offering

anything from cooking to Mandarin.

In addition, music and drama thrive at BVGS.

Musically, we stage a fantastic joint bi-annual

Gilbert and Sullivan production with another

local grammar school. This is renowned as

being of semi professional quality.

There are also established orchestras, chamber

choirs and bands. We also stage an annual

senior and junior production.

Throughout the year there are exciting events

to look forward to including the £10 charity

challenge, the V-factor and of course the

annual leavers ball at the Botanical Gardens in

Edgbaston.

“I took part in a leadership skills course “Achiever ship” as well as helping out with the lower school’s new indoor rowing club both of which have improved my ability to communicate with, and encourage others. The practice I gained representing the school in public speaking was a great boost to my confidence too.”Eddie Jacobs, student and School Captain (2007-8)


talent confidence


O u r l o c a l c o m m u n i t y

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, founded in 1527, is at the heart of

historic Sutton Coldfield.

The town is well known for its 2,400 acres of natural parkland with seven

lakes, originally the property of Bishop John Vesey as a gift from Henry

VIII. Old Moor Hall, the fifteenth century home of the

Bishop, who founded the school, still stands.

The town and borough were ceremonially part of

Warwickshire until 1974 when Sutton Coldfield

became a part of Birmingham.

Today it is a thriving town which remains one of

the most prestigious parts of the West Midlands with a wide range of

facilities and excellent transport links.

F u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n

To find out more about Bishop Vesey’s or to arrange a visit, call us on

0121 250 5400 or email [email protected]

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School

Lichfield Road

Sutton Coldfield

West Midlands

B74 2NH

Headteacher David Iddon

Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Sixth Form Prospectus 2010

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Transcript of Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Sixth Form Prospectus 2010