October 2020

NEWS FROM BRISTOL FREE SCHOOL SIXTH FORM

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Welcome!Welcome to the first Sixth Form newsletter of the 2020-2021 academic year, and what a year it has been so far! There has been so much change and I would like to personally thank all our Sixth Formers for their mature approach to dealing with these changes. Our goal is to keep our students learning in the classroom and we therefore made the decision to separate our Year 12 and Year 13 bubbles. This has led to some changes in the timings of the day, particularly for Year 12, but it is working very well. Students must continue to do all they can to minimise the risk and manage the spread of Covid by wearing face coverings, maintaining high standards of cleanliness, hand washing and keeping distanced from students in other year groups.

Whilst managing the risks of Covid has certainly posed some challenges, I am proud to say that we are maintaining a sense of normality for our young people. Last week, Year 13 students who are applying for the UCAS early entry deadline (Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry) sent off their applications. This is an exciting time and we wish them the best of luck. Those applying for the 15 January deadline and those intending to apply for apprenticeships have also been working hard on their personal statements. Mr Parry will provide additional support for those applying for apprenticeships after the half term break. Year 13 students are also preparing well for their upcoming Mock Examinations (week beginning 2 November) which will give them valuable examination practice. You will find the timetable on the next page.

Our Sixth Form Council has also been selected and weekly meetings have begun. The standard of applications was really high and it is encouraging to see so many students wanting to be active members in their school community. Furthermore, applications to the Access to Bristol (University) programme closed last Friday and we are eagerly awaiting to hear which of our students have been successful. In a time where extra- and super-curricular activities are limited, it is so pleasing to see our young people engaging in the opportunities that are available.

Ms S Norton Acting Head of Sixth Form

BFS SIXTH FORM VIRTUAL OPEN EVENING12 November from 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Join us for our Sixth Form Virtual Open Evening on Thursday 12 November from 6:30pm.

Join us at www.bfs6thform.org.uk and hear from the Headteacher, Mrs King, the Head of Sixth Form, subject teachers and students to find out what makes BFS the best Sixth Form in Bristol. If you have any questions prior to our virtual event, please get in touch.

KEY DATES2 November Day 1 of Term 2

2 November Year 13 Mock 1 Exams begin

12 November Virtual Sixth Form Open Evening

4 December Inset Day - School closed to students

18 December End of Term 2

We will update you on further dates when we can confirm them

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Day DATE AM/ PMExam start time SUBJECT Qualification UNIT/PAPER DURATION CODE EXAM BOARD

Tuesday 06-Oct PM 1:30pm Chemistry A Level Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry 2h 15m H432/01 OCR

Biology A Level Biological Processes 2h 15m H420/01 OCRBiology AS Level Biology A: Breadth in Biology Wrtn 1h 30m H020/01 OCR

Tuesday 13-Oct AM 9:00am Chemistry A Level Synthesis and analytical techniques 2h 15m H432/02 OCRBiology AS Level Biology A: Depth in Biology 1h 30m H020/02 OCRBiology A Level Biological Diversity 2h 15m H420/02 OCR

Monday 19-Oct AM 9:00am Chemistry A Level Unified Chemistry 1h 30m H432/03 OCRTuesday 20-Oct PM 1:30pm Biology A Level Unified Biology 1h 30m H420/03 OCR

BTEC Business 2h English Literature 2h 15mGeography 1h 40mPE 2hPhysics 2h 15mPsychology 2hMaths 2h

Y13 MOCKS A Level Biology 2h 15mMathematics GCSE Paper 1 Non-Calculator 1h 30m 1MA1/1F/H Edexcel

Spanish 2hBTEC Science 1h 30mRP 3hEconomics 1h 30mSociology 2hProduct Design 1h 45mPolitics 2hChemistry 2h 15mComputer Science 2h 30mFurther Maths 1h 30mFrench 2hHistory 1h 45mListening and understanding F: 35m/ H: 45m 1AA0/1F/H EdexcelReading and Understanding F: 50m/ H:1h 05m 1AA0/3F/H Edexcel

OXBRIDGE University Entrance exams-NSAA TBC Cambridge assessmentMathematics GCSE Paper 2 Calculator 1h 30m 1MA1/2F/H Edexcel

Monday 09-Nov AM 9:00am Mathematics GCSE Paper 3 Calculator 1h 30m 1MA1/3F/H EdexcelTuesday 10-Nov PM 1:30pm Arabic GCSE Writing in Arabic F: 1h 15m/H: 1h 25m 1AA0/4F/H Edexcel

A Level

A Level

AM 9:00am Y13 MOCKS A Level

9:00am Y13 MOCKS

PM 1:30pmY13 MOCKS

Monday 02-Nov

Tuesday 03-Nov

AM

AM

Autumn 2020 GCSE/A Level Timetable

Week 1

Wednesday 04-Nov

Half termWeek 4

Week 3

Arabic GCSE

Friday 16-Oct

Week 2

AM 9:00am

Monday 12-Oct AM 9:00am

Week 5

AM 9:00amThursday 05-Nov

A Level

PM 1:30pm Y13 MOCKS A Level

9:00am

PM 1:30pm Y13 MOCKS

Year 13 Mock Exam Timetable

Covid Secure Sixth Form To ensure that Year 12 and Year 13 remain as two separate bubbles please remind yourself of the following routines:

Students should only attend tutor time once a week on their allocated day (Monday or Tuesday). On this day students should arrive at the car park entrance for 8.35am. On all other days students should aim to arrive at school no earlier than 5 minutes before their first timetabled lesson. It is essential that students tap in and out individually on every occasion that they enter or leave the school site to ensure our attendance is accurate for them in the event of a fire/emergency. Students must take personal responsibility for this. Please also continue to wear face masks in communal areas and wipe tables and computers before and after use.

Year 12: Break – 10:10am - 10:20am Lunch – 12:15pm – 12:30pm Year 13: Break – 10:40am – 10:50am Lunch – 12:55pm – 1:25pm

This week, Year 13 A-level Biology and BTEC Applied Science students went on a field course to Folly Farm Centre, run by the Avon Wildlife Trust. This two day course allowed students to apply their theoretical knowledge of sampling and conservation to a practical real life environment. Students learned about the work of the Trust, the importance of conservation and practised

FOLLY FARM

calculating the population of the local flora and fauna species using a variety of biological techniques. They were able to analyse critically their results to calculate the abundance of species and the biodiversity present in the area. Although the weather proved variable, the students persevered and gained valuable skills. Overall the trip was a resounding success and we certainly have some budding conservationists amongst us.

The Influence of InfluencersBy Katie Gallagher, Deputy Head Student for Wellbeing

As you may already know, eating disorders and poor mental health amongst teenagers are extremely important issues, but are not necessarily recognised enough in today’s society. Jameela Jamil, most well-known for her starring role in ‘The Good Place’ on Netflix, has become better known for standing up against celebrity endorsements of dieting pills and has recently met Congress to fight against weight stigma, preventing disordered eating, as well as improving mental health in schools.

One in five young people aged 16-24 are likely to experience a common mental health issue such as anxiety or depression at any one time. Anxiety and depression can have a damaging impact on students’ learning, as it can affect the working memory, which makes it challenging to retain new information and recall previously learned information. Eating disorders are most common in individuals between the ages of 16 to 17 and affects around 10% of this age group. There are people out there, like Jamil, who have the power to make a difference and are choosing to do so. On 9 September, Jamil spoke before Congresswoman Alma Adams and Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, as an activist and founder of her podcast and Instagram account ‘I Weigh’. The virtual Congressional Briefing went well, and any updates made can be followed via her Twitter account @jameelajamil or through her Instagram @jameelajamilofficial.

Her account is worth following to further your understanding of mental health and eating disorders in today’s society, such as how to help yourself and others struggling with these issues. Many social media platforms, such as Jamil’s, are used to spread

positivity and wellbeing, but there are of course many celebrities on apps such as Instagram who will use their influential platform to promote dieting pills in the form of shakes and sweets. Their aim is to convince their followers that these products will instantly give them their ‘body goals’ and ‘dream body’ - the body that society currently promotes. The Kardashian family, as entertaining as they may be on TV, are renowned for promoting dangerous dieting shakes and lollies for which Jameela Jamil publicly shames them.

While Jamil is the most current activist being recognised for her work, there are many others who work hard to highlight the dangers of poor mental health and eating disorders in today’s society. With a dramatic increase this year as a result of lockdown, hopefully as we head into 2021 there will be great changes made for those struggling with disordered eating and their mental health.

If you are struggling with your mental health, please talk to somebody. This may start with your family or friends. Here at BFS Sixth Form we have lots of pastoral support available including a school counsellor. Please talk to one of your teachers, your tutor or Ms Norton/Miss Barnes. There is help available. No problem is too small.

Student Corner

October is Black History Month which is a time to reflect on and learn about the contribution that black people have made in society. This month, Mya (Head Student) and Faith (Deputy Head Student), have planned some tutor sessions for Sixth Form students to learn about the often ignored positive contribution of BAME people. Below, Katie has looked at some of the more recent contributions of BAME people in Britain. You may know of great historical figures such as Mary Seacole and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, but are you aware of the more modern influential individuals? Whilst researching influential black figures in history, I noticed a lady called Diane Abbott. She is a woman who made history by becoming the first black woman ever to be elected to Parliament. In 1982 her career in politics began when she was elected to Westminster City Council and she went on to be voted into the House of Commons five years later. Abbott made significant progress, not only for BAME individuals but for women too. Her political advancements made her part of the first group of black and Asian people to sit in Parliament for over a century, and she still serves in Parliament to this day as one of the senior politicians in the Labour Party.

As you may already know, Malorie Blackman is the best-selling author of the “Noughts & Crosses” series, one that I highly recommend you read. When she was chosen to become the eighth Children’s Laureate in 2013, she became the first black person to take on the role. She wanted to make reading ‘irresistible’ for children, and I personally think she’s succeeded. You may already know Zadie Smith as she is an extremely successful author, having published her first book at the age of just 24. Inspired by her experience of issues around race and what society is like, she has received many prizes for her novels. She now teaches at New York University and is an inspiration to all aspiring young authors.

Making History

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by Emma Ashworth

Earlier this month I was excited to find out that I‘d been awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship. This is a national scheme to encourage students with an interest in engineering during their age 16 – 18 studies, and last year was the first time that BFS entered students for it. Applicants have to be in Year 11, planning to take Maths at A level and considering a career in engineering.

The first step is to fill in an application form, which gets marked. This was good experience and made me think about what I might want to do in the future. An important part of the application is having a design/engineering project to talk about, so it really helped that I was doing DT for GCSE and could use my coursework for this.

Then in February there was a two hour aptitude exam. The paper sets out different problem situations for which you have to come up with possible solutions. Rather than a lot of writing, the idea is to use labelled diagrams to set out your design/engineering solutions.

Once the application form and exam had been marked, I was really pleased to hear that I had got through to the next stage – a day at Bristol University in the Easter holidays with other applicants, seeing its Engineering Department, carrying out team engineering challenges and a 20 minute interview to talk about my project and career plans. However this was unfortunately cancelled this year due to Coronavirus.

As part of an Arkwright Scholarship you get a mentor, opportunities for work experience and money to help with your engineering-related studies as well as money for the school to spend on STEM. I am not quite sure what will happen this year due to Coronavirus but hopefully there will still be some online events and opportunities until “in person” ones can start again.

I am grateful that BFS gave me the chance to apply for this and I would definitely encourage any Year 11 students who might be interested to give it a go.

Since the start of term our students have accessed and begun using their ClassCharts accounts. This is now the single point of communication for homework, announcements, reward points, behaviour and detentions. All parents/carers have been sent a personal access code to log in to their account. There are still a few parents who have not yet accessed these. Please do so as soon as possible:

Should you have any difficulties accessing the system, please contact school via admin@bristolfreeschool.org.uk and we will arrange the necessary support.

The BFS alumni continues to grow and we are so proud of everything that our students go on to do after their time with us at Sixth Form. Many of last year’s leavers have now begun their undergraduate studies at some of the top universities in the country, including Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol. This is a very difficult year to be an undergraduate student, but we know that our students have the resilience and drive to thrive during these challenging times. We are thinking of you all and ask that you keep in touch to let us know how you are getting on!

BFS ALUMNI Scholarship Success

https://www.classcharts.com/homework/calendar/Bristol_Free_School