Key Considerations for Sixth Form Curriculum Choices

Hina Kapadia Sixth Form Curriculum Changes September 2015

Everyone Matters Differentiation is simply attending to the learning needs of a particular student or small group of students, rather than the more typical pattern of teaching the class as though all individuals in it were basically alike. Carol Tomlinson Do we follow the same vigorous recruitment rubric for Sixth Form option choices as we do for Key Stage 4?

Scenario 1: Sara Mummy wants me to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Daddy wants me to study History, Geography and Economics. I want to study English Literature, Mathematics and Art. option choices? Results Interest Ability Career Options What does Sara need to consider before making her Previous School

Scenario 2: Isa Isa has 3 A* - B GCSE passes (Maths, Physics and Statistics) and wants to study only those three at A Level. Would you allow him into your Sixth Form? questions? Having not passed English does he have the ability to access the language skills needed to answer the run? Will agreeing to his request prove detrimental in the long

Scenario 3: Isla In her GCSE s Isla achieved A* s in Biology and Chemistry; B s in History, Geography, English Language and Literature; C s in Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. She wants to pursue a career in Medicine. Would you encourage this decision? Why? Does she have the grades to compete with fellow applicants? What could you offer as alternative options?

Pathways University Self-employment Employment with further training Higher Apprenticeship A minimum of 5 A*-B grades, including Maths and English Language Are your students aware of this information? A LEVELS University Self-employment Employment with further training Higher Apprenticeship A minimum of 4 A*-B grades, including Maths and English Language COMBINATION OF A LEVELS & BTEC NATIONALS University Self-employment Employment with further training Higher Apprenticeship A minimum of 5 A*-C grades, including Maths and English Language BTEC NATIONALS (or equivalent)

Currently all A level subjects comprise of an AS qualification in year one and an A2 qualification in year two with the AS grade contributing to the overall A2 grade. Principal changes: AS qualifications and A Levels are to be decoupled . This means that the AS qualification will no longer contribute to the overall A Levels will become a two year linear course, with exams at the end Most A Level subjects will be assessed through exams only, except for subjects where required skills should be demonstrated. A Level grade. of the second year.

New format from September 2015: English Biology, Chemistry, Physics Sociology History Psychology Business Studies Economics Computer Science Art and Design Literature, Language and combined

New format from September 2016: Dance Drama Music Geography Modern Foreign Languages Classical Languages Physical Education Religious Studies

New format from September 2017: Mathematics Further Mathematics ; Religious studies. Geography; Maths and Further Modern maths; (now 2017 - updated December 2014) foreign languages; languages; Classical Physical education; and

Some specific examples of the changes: 12 practical experiments in Chemistry, Biology and Physics. More mathematical knowledge expected in Physics. Science: Covering at least 200 years rather than 100 years at present. Studying two different countries including Britain. History: English Literature: UnseenText to promote wider and more critical reading. Economics: More mathematics Role of central banks and financial regulation. Computer Science: More focus on programming, algorithms and problem solving.

Courses It is imperative that Sixth Form schools and colleges offer courses that are suitable for the cohort of students they are catering for.

Right Choice In line with current national priorities, inspectors are paying close attention to Post-16 students who are still WORKING towards C grades in their English and Mathematics GCSE s. The days of after-school retake classes with no one checking attendance or the quality of teaching are long gone. If you are not monitoring progress in these classes with the same rigour as you apply to Year 11, you need to start now. Ofsted 2014: Require students to work towards GCSE grades A* to C in English and Mathematics if they do not have this or other interim/stepping stone qualifications on the way towards achieving these GCSE qualifications. Think carefully about allowing students who do not have GCSEs in English and Mathematics to start A Level courses.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A Levels: At least 5 GCSE s at grade B, including English and Mathematics. BTECs and applied qualifications: At least 5 GCSEs at grade C, including English and Mathematics. Apprenticeships: At least 3 GCSES at grade C, including English and Mathematics. Three Year Sixth Form: At least 5 GCSEs at grade D, including English and Mathematics. Level 2 Programmes (vocational courses, Traineeships): Mainly grades E-F. Students without at least grade C in GCSE English and/or GCSE Mathematics should be required to continue studying these subjects in the Sixth Form.

Entry Requirements: At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade B in History Grade C in Mathematics. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature, Grade B in Mathematics, Grade B in Biology or Grade B in Science and Additional Science and preferably Grade B in Chemistry. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature, Grade B in Mathematics and Grade B in Chemistry or Science & Additional Science. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature, Grade B in Mathematics and Grade B in Physics or Science & Additional Science. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade B in Mathematics. Grade B in Computer Studies is desirable but not essential. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C, including:Grade C in English Language andGrade C in Mathematics At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade C in Maths. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: AS and A Level Mathematics: Grade B in Maths (although an A or A* is preferable) and Grade B in English Language or Literature. A Level Further Mathematics: Grade A or A* in Maths (although an A* is preferable) and Grade B in English Language or Literature. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade C in Mathematics. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language, Grade B in English Literature (if offered at GCSE) and Grade C in Maths. History Biology Chemistry Physics Computing ICT Geography Mathematics Business Studies English Literature Psychology Level 3 Business Studies BTEC Level 2 Science BTEC level 3 Sport At least 5 GCSE grades A*-B, including: Grade B in English Language or Literature and Grade C in Mathematics. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C including: Grade C in English Language and Grade C in Mathematics. At least 3 GCSE grades A*-C, including: Grade C in English Language, Grade C in Mathematics, and Grade C in Core Science or Additional Science or at least Merit in Level 2 BTEC Science. At least 5 GCSE grades A*-C including: Grade C in English Language and Grade C in Mathematics.

July 2013, chief regulator of Ofqual, Glenys Stacey, explained that from September 2013: ... Students will no longer be able to sit exams in January, in either their first or second year of A-level studies, because of evidence that this has created a resit culture .

James Kewin, deputy chief executive of the SFCA, said: Our manifesto shows that Sixth Form colleges are the most effective and efficient providers of education. sixth form

Apply the Same Standards All your school s systems training, monitoring, literacy guidelines, marking policies, student voice, performance MANAGEMENT must explicitly apply to the Sixth Form, too. CPD sessions are often followed up with monitoring visits to lessons for Years 7-11 but why not beyond? Likewise, school conduct rigorous checks of marking in Year 11 books but not Year 12 and 13. However, if you exclude the Sixth Form, the message to staff is clear: expectations are not the same.

Learning Styles Unfortunately, there is a world of difference between the approaches to GCSE and A Level study but learning styles don t change. A mixture of VAK activities are essential if students are to succeed. AS Level classes are smaller than those in lower down the school, and this places a much greater emphasis on students being actively involved in lessons. Ideally there should have two teachers for each A Level subject. A Level subjects needs 6 hours of directed study in the classroom. Students must arrive to each lesson prepared to be lively, interested and involved; reading ahead is of course a precondition of active and informed contribution to classroom discussion. Through differentiation, teachers must guide reading. Teachers should not spoon-feed, but rather direct, advise, stimulate and encourage. Lessons should not be confined to teachertalk ; discussion and exchanging views should be promoted. Students must quickly get into the habit of making their own notes in class, as new information and ideas emerge in the course of discussion. Personal and intellectual motivation is needed throughout courses. Students should become independent learners; this is the main feature of A Level

Right Choice Close attention is being paid to Post-16 students who are still WORKING towards C grades in their English and Mathematics GCSE s. The days of after-school retake classes with no one checking attendance or the quality of teaching are long gone. If you are not monitoring progress in these classes with the same rigour as you apply to Year 11, you need to start now. Ofsted 2014: Require students to work towards GCSE grades A* to C in English and Mathematics if they do not have this or other interim/stepping stone qualifications on the way towards achieving these GCSE qualifications. Think carefully about allowing students who do not have GCSEs in English and Mathematics to start A Level courses.

Balanced Curriculum Sixth Form should not be all work and no play. Through enrichment programme schools should help students become well-rounded individuals and develop the experiences and key skills looked for by the best employers and universities. an extensive

An Outstanding Sixth Form Students make excellent progress and most achieve their A-Level qualifications and progress to university. Teaching is energetic and inspirational. Students confidence is built so they achieve their potential. Lessons start promptly (attendance and punctuality are excellent) with good pace that promotes a vibrant learning environment and strong work ethic. Students individual progress is monitored very closely; prompt and effective action is taken to improve the performance of individual students who are not achieving their high target grades. Assessment is outstanding; teachers provide very detailed written feedback on marked work and give clear advice on how to improve.

An Outstanding Sixth Form Particular attention is given to improving the quality of students written work and their understanding of subject specialist terminology. Teachers routinely correct students spelling and punctuation errors. Initial assessment is used individualised and focused support. Work outside lessons develops students independent learning skills. Students receive information, advice and guidance from personal tutors to help them progress to higher education or an apprenticeship. Teachers use a wide range of interactive activities and skilful questioning to engage and challenge students. effectively; provides highly