St Robert of Newminster 6th Form Prospectus 2011

8/8/2019 St Robert of Newminster 6th Form Prospectus 2011

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St Robert of NewminsterSixth Form College Prospectus

A Specialist Humanities School


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Welcome to St Robert ofNewminster Catholic School andSixth Form College. We are avoluntary aided 11-18 mixed Catholic

comprehensive school with over1,700 students on roll including 550in the Sixth Form. The school servesthe Catholic parishes in Washington,Birtley, Penshaw, Houghton andHetton. It is situated in the Dioceseof Hexham and Newcastle.

St. Roberts School & Sixth FormCollege is a Catholic and Christiancommunity, in which we aim tofollow the example of Christ in ourdaily work and relationships. Werecognise that all members of our

community are learners and areunique and eternal.

The school aims, through a broadand balanced curriculum and aneffective programme of personaldevelopment, to help all studentsto develop their full potentialspiritually, socially and intellectually,within a secure, happy and Christianenvironment.

Our VisionAll individuals are children of God,created equally in his image to sharean eternal future. We promise to playour full part in their education andformation.

Our MissionWe strive to meet the academic,moral, physical, social and spiritualneeds of all students so that they

may take their place as caring,committed, self aware and selfconfident adult members of society.

Our AimsIn striving to create the schoolclimate, which will nurture thismission, the school aims:

To offer all students a broad,balanced, appropriate, relevantand flexible curriculum.

To develop as an integral part

of the local community and inparticular the local Catholiccommunity; to develop andmaintain the partnershipbetween school and parents,parishes, primary schools andthe wider community.

To develop as a worshippingcommunity, in which prayer andliturgy are encouraged as part offaith development.

To encourage all members ofour school community, students,staff and governors to followthe example of Christ in their

daily work and relationships; totreat one another with justice,tolerance and respect and tobe aware of and respond to

each others needs, hopes andaspirations.

To provide and maintain anattractive, secure, safe andhealthy school environment forthe students and staff.

Our MottoOur school motto is Sic Luceat LuxVestra which means So Let YourLight Shine. We firmly believe inthe potential of our students andalways aim to nurture and guide

them in their personal and academicdevelopment.

St. Roberts School& Sixth Form College




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St. Robert of Newminster SixthForm College offers opportunitiesto students who have ambition,motivation and a desire to live lifeto the full. This prospectus aims togive students and their parents anunderstanding of the philosophyand organisation of the Sixth Form,the range of courses on offer andthe entrance requirements for them;extra-curricular opportunities, and anindication of the career and HigherEducation possibilities following fromthose courses.

In this large Sixth Form we expectvery high standards of work andbehaviour to be established. SixthForm students are in a rather special

category in the school populationin that they have elected to returnvoluntarily, and we ask that they aresupportive of the Christian ethos ofthe school and the aims of the SixthForm.We expect Sixth Formers to beleaders in the school communityand to enjoy greater privileges, butthis also implies a greater measureof responsibility with its attendantemphasis on appearance, punctuality,diligent attitude to work, and fullparticipation in school activities.

A successful Sixth Form careeris a question of attitude and it isimportant for students to take greaterresponsibility for their studies andtheir conduct. In order to supportstudents establish good habits, weprovide private study areas wherethey can work outside of theirlessons.The time spent in the Sixth Formcan be the happiest and mostmemorable in anyones school careerwhen opportunities for personaldevelopments in terms of leadershipand responsibility abound, and wheresatisfaction can be obtained fromworking to ones full capacity. Wewish all prospective students a happyand successful time during their

Sixth Form days at St Roberts andlook forward to extending a specialwelcome to those students whocome to us from other schools.

In short, St. Robert of NewminsterSixth Form College offers allyoung people the opportunity to:

Achieve excellent examinationresults

Develop and fully use theirtalents

Stretch their intellectual

capacities and see education as alifelong learning process

Understand the world in whichthey live

Learn to respect the dignity andvalues of others

Take responsibility for themselvesas developing adults

Prepare themselves for life afterfurther education

At St. Robert of Newminster, weare proud of our reputation forhigh quality sixth form provision.This reputation is built on a strongpastoral system, high standards inteaching and learning and carefulmonitoring of each individual student.We provide our students withsupport and advice which prepares

them for their future education andemployment.

Sixth Form Management Team

Director of Sixth FormMiss J Moreland

Head of YearMrs C Green

Head of YearMr L Craggs

Senior Sixth Form Tutor

Mr K HodgsonLead Progress TutorMrs H Garcia



St. Roberts School& Sixth Form College


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The following pages containinformation on a range of topics,arranged in alphabetical order foreasy reference.

Accommodation

The Sixth Form block provides themain focus for all post 16 students.It includes a large study room anda library. In addition to this, thereare specialist sixth form classroomsin this building and elsewhere in the

main school building.

Application Process

Prospective students may applyto join St. Robert of NewminsterSixth Form at any point from theSeptember in the academic yearbefore they wish to commencetheir studies with us. However, wetend to receive most applicationsfrom January onwards, followingthe Open Evening. Please contactthe Sixth Form Office at any time in

order to request an application pack.On receipt of your form, you willbe sent an acknowledgement andinformation on the next stage in theprocess.

Attendance

A good record of attendanceis essential for the successfulcompletion of all courses andpupils should not be absent unless

there is a genuine reason. Whenabsence does occur a note givingthe reason should be sent to thepersonal tutor and there should be astrong commitment on behalf of thestudent to make up for any missingwork as quickly as possible. Sixthformers must not arrange holidays,appointments or part time workduring school time. The Departmentfor Education recommends that parttime employment for Sixth Formstudents should be for a maximumof ten hours per week and Durham

University have carried out a studywhich clearly shows a relationshipbetween paid work and levels ofunderachievement.

Careers advice and Universityapplications

In addition to the informationavailable through Connexions andthe Career Library in school, sixthform students are fully supported interms of advice in their choices ofwhat to do when their studies hereare completed. This is covered partlythrough the tutorial programme butalso in discussions with members ofstaff and in the help you will be givenin attending courses, taster sessionsand placements.

Students applying to universityare assigned a referee who willassist with all aspects of the UCASapplication procedure. The Collegehas links with many institutionsdeveloped over many years as wellas local and national initiatives suchas the Partners and other schemeswith local universities. We will doour best to help you make decisionsand get the place that is right foryou, and which enables you to fulfilyour ambitions.

Students will also have access toguidance and careers advice, theopportunity for work experience,and links with employers and highereducation institutions and initiatives.

College Information


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St. Roberts has an open policy for allstudents wishing to study post-16.

We offer breadth and clearprogression in our academic andvocational courses.

It is most important to stress that thegreatest care must be taken whenSixth Form courses are chosen asstudents should be aware that thismay limit career opportunities lateron. For instance, it is essential that astudent thinking about Medicine as acareer should study Chemistry at Alevel and it is almost obligatory foranyone wishing to study any branchof Engineering at degree level tohave passes in Mathematics and/orPhysics.

AS and A2 Subjects

Students initially choose tostudy 4 AS level subjects on theunderstanding that they have alreadyachieved a minimum of 5 G.C.S.Epasses grade C or above, includingMaths and English. Individualsubjects have their own entryrequirements, and this information isavailable for students. Each subject isallocated 5 hours per week in Year 12

and Year 13.

AS Courses available;

Art & DesignBusiness StudiesChemistryCritical Thinking

Design & Technology(Product Design)DramaEnglish Lang & LitEnglish LanguageEnglish LiteratureFrenchFurther MathematicsGeneral StudiesGeographyGermanGovernment & PoliticsHistoryICTLawMathematicsMedia StudiesMusicPhilosophy*Physical EducationPhysicsPoliticsPsychologyReligious StudiesSociologySpanishTextiles*

*availability is determined by numbers

The list opposite sets out the choiceof subjects available in Year 12 inSeptember. Subjects will be groupedto allow as wide a choice as possible.Students may wish to change theirinitial choice of subjects in thelight of GCSE examination results,and we can usually accommodatethis. Please see information on theinduction process.

Entry to examinations will depend ona students attendance, attainment,application and performancethroughout the duration of thecourse. Students who fail to matchany of the criteria for automatic entrymay be allowed to pay to enter asexternal candidates.

Vocational CoursesCurrently, we also offer

Engineering BTEC Health and Social Care

(Advanced) ICT (Intermediate & Advanced) Business Studies BTEC

Courses Available


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E-Learning & Library Resource CentreSixth Form students have open access to the Sixth FormLibrary Resource Centre at any time during the schoolday, in addition to the facilities available in the LRC in themain school building.

The quiet private study areaThis is heavily used by Sixth Formers during studyperiods.

Reference and Sixth Form sectionsThe resources in these sections are ideal for conductingresearch. The Sixth Form section also includes a range ofbooks for reading for pleasure. A selection of newspapersand periodicals are also available.

Information Technology (IT) sectionThis offers word-processing, CD-ROM facilities andInternet access. We have an extensive range of high

quality software and positive links with the City LearningCentre.

Careers sectionThis section holds information on :-a) University Coursesb) Careers post 16 and 18

WHICH UNIVERSITY gives information about theuniversity town / campus, cost of living, student life, etc.

Mrs Grant, the librarian, and Mrs Anderson, the Sixth formlibrarian, will be happy to help Sixth Form students withqueries. They have worked to provide an atmosphere

in both LRCs which is conducive to learning. As well asbeing open during each school day, the LRC will be openat certain times during school holidays.

Extra-Curricular OpportunitiesAs well as sporting clubs and activities, there are manyopportunities available to students of St. Roberts SixthForm College to get involved with the wider community.

Some of these include:-APAUSEtrainingBusinessplacementsCommunitySportsLeaderAwardConferencesandVisitsinthiscountryandabroadDebatingSocietyDramaproductionsExhibitionsFieldtripsFundRaising

MasterClassesatuniversitiesMentoringyoungerpupilsMusicconcertsRetreatsSeasonalcelebrationsSixthFormCouncilSummerschoolsTeambuildingandleadershipweekendsatDerwentHillUniversityopendaysandlectureprogrammesYoungEnterprise

There will also be opportunities to become involved inactivities in relation to St. Roberts status as a SpecialistHumanities College.


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Financial SupportThe school administers funds so thatstudents are not prevented frommaking the best of the opportunitiesoffered to them because of financialrestraints. Details of this fundingis available from the sixth formadministration office.

GCSE Examination Re-sitsRe-sit GCSE classes will be availablein English, Mathematics and Scienceand students who have not alreadyachieved at least a grade C in thesesubjects will be required to remedythis in the Sixth Form.

Please note: we strongly advise

students who do not have a C grade

in English, Mathematics and, in somecases, Science, to re-sit in order to

provide a foundation for further study

and employment.

Homework/Extended StudyThis is essential if students are tobe successful in their courses. Therecommended amount of time forhomework is at least one hour persubject per night. However, highachieving students are likely to doextra reading and investigationsaround their subjects, in addition to

work set by teachers.

Humanities College StatusSt. Roberts gained HumanitiesCollege status in September 2005.As a leading Humanities Collegein the North East of England, St.Roberts is involved in a range ofprojects with a focus upon raisingachievement at all levels across thecurriculum.

Humanities Colleges have a very cleargoal: Humanities Colleges will fosteran understanding of human valuesand attitudes, past and present andhow society is organised, developsand changes.

Specialist status at St. Roberts isled by the English, History and RE

departments. However, its effectsspill across the Sixth Form withimproved teaching and learningfacilities and new opportunities forstudents.

Sixth form students have accessto a wider range of theatre andlive performance experiences.

An annual residential debatehosted by the RE, Philosophy andScience departments.

Active History project with thelocal community

Lunchtime reading group Opportunities for involvement

in classroom activities and peersupport


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InductionBefore starting the Sixth Form, students will beinterviewed, preferably with parents, in order to establishthat the right choices are being made, and to givestudents an opportunity to clarify their options. It maybe that the subject choices of some students may needrevising in the light of their GCSE results and thesechanges can be discussed once the results are published.Staff will be available in order to advise on this. Year 12students should have their timetables established andlessons started during the first week of term.

Further details of the induction process and final optionchoices will be posted to all successful applicants.

Parent/College LiaisonWe should like parents to continue to show an interestin the school in general and their sons or daughtersprogress in particular, and feel that they can contact us

at any time should they wish to discuss any problemaffecting academic progress, career choice or any issuesin which we may be able to help. We have ParentsInformation Evenings at the beginning of each academicyear in order to establish contact with parents and toanswer any initial questions they may have, as well as toinform them of important dates in the calendar.

Religious StudiesThis is a compulsory element of the Sixth Form curriculumat St Roberts. The curriculum allocation of time is 10%,at the end of which the students have the opportunity togain an Advanced Subsidiary qualification. This coursewill take place in Year 12. The course consists of Ethical

theory and Practical Ethics modules. The students areintroduced to philosophical thought and are able todevelop critical and analytical approaches to study. Theseskills are highly valued and viewed as good preparationfor university courses.

The AS is a stand alone qualification and at the endof Year 12 students will have fulfilled the requirement forReligious Studies. The opportunity is available for themto proceed into Year 13 to follow the A2 modules of thecourse which combined with the AS modules form the fullA level.

School Day

School begins at 8.50 and teaching ends at 3.20.Students should be on the premises no later than 8.45.Excluding assemblies, registration time and breaks, eachday consists of five teaching periods of sixty minutesduration. Extra-curricular activities take place during lunchhour, after school and some take place at weekends.

Sixth Form CouncilThe student voice is highly valued within St. Roberts. Thesixth form council is elected according to the sixth formconstitution. The Council is comprised of 5 executivemembers, together with representatives from eachtutor group. It exists to represent the sixth form, and isparticularly responsible for the following: the care of sixthform facilities, i.e. the common room and study rooms;promoting and organising the social life of the sixth form;liaising with the Director of Sixth Form, Heads of Year andtutors for the well-being of all sixth form students.

Sixth Form Tutor TeamsWe currently have a team of 25 sixth form tutors, led by aHead of Year 12 and a Head of Year 13.

We work to provide an environment conducive topastoral and academic development. We are committedto the pastoral welfare of our students and welcome

opportunities to offer them guidance, advice and support.A tutorial programme is in place to support this, with a 60minute lesson each week.

For their part, students are encouraged to build strongand positive relations with their tutors and to takeadvantage of any support or counselling they may need.

Social Work and Counselling ServiceThe school/college social worker is Elizabeth Hughes. Sheis a qualified social worker employed in partnership withSt. Cuthberts Care and works with us full time. Studentswho wish to seek support and counselling may do sodirectly or through their tutor.


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Tutorial ProgrammeThe tutorial programme is tailored to the needs of

post 16 students. It aims to address some of the issuesrelevant to young adults, and is regularly reviewedand developed. In addition to outside speakers fromorganizations such as Project Trust, Smart Justiceand local universities, our tutors play a vital role inthe delivery of the programme. Tutors volunteer theirexpertise and knowledge in areas such as study skills,which are delivered on a carousel system, and specifictopics such as the political and social situation in Burma.Recently, St. Roberts students have shown particularconcern for the issues of Fair Trade and the SamaritansPurse Shoebox Appeal. They are also involved in variouslocal, national and international charity fund raisingactivities.

UniformIt is a condition of joining the Sixth Form that officialschool uniform will be worn at all times.We hope parents will recognise their responsibility andnot allow their sons or daughters to come to schoolwithout full uniform. Denim Jeans/Jackets and whitetrainers are not allowed. Official items of uniform are onsale ONLY at school.

GirlsSixthFormpoloshirt/rugbyshirtBlackskirtortrousersSensibleshoes

BoysSixthFormpoloshirt/rugbyshirtPlainsmartblacktrousersSensibleshoes

(One pair of earrings may be worn. Other piercingsare not acceptable, primarily for reasons of health andsafety)

Warning! The information in this brochure was correctwhen published. It must not be assumed however,

that there will be no changes affecting the relevantarrangements or certain matters before the start of, orduring, the academic year or in respect of subsequent

years arising, for example, from variations in Educationpolicy and/or government legislation.

Safeguarding

Parents should be aware that the school would takeany reasonable action to ensure the safety of itsstudents.In cases where the school has reason to be

concerned that a child may be subject to significantharm, ill-treatment, neglect or other forms ofabuse, staff have no alternative but to follow SSCB(Sunderland Safeguarding Board Procedures)and inform Children Services Social Care of theirconcern.


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St Robert of NewminsterSixth Form College

Mr S G White HeadteacherMr J Waugh Chair of GovernorsMiss J Moreland Director of Sixth Form

Biddick LaneWashingtonSunderland

Tyne and WearNE38 8AF

T: 0191 5613813W: www.strobertofnewminster.co.uk

Ph t h b M Cli S ith H d f Fil d M di St di

St Robert of Newminster 6th Form Prospectus 2011

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Transcript of St Robert of Newminster 6th Form Prospectus 2011