Year 12 parent’s information evening

What can you expect from us over the next 2 years? Miss K Griffin. Director of Studies Post 16 High quality teaching Good pastoral support – a dedicated team with expertise in post 16 studies Advice on their future pathways Enrichment to develop the young people into rounded citizens

Your first good choice….. To come to grove college OFSTED judgement - 16 to 19 study programmes - Good. .. . But based upon the results from 2017 we will be arguing for our outcomes and progress to be judged as outstanding. “The 16 to 19 study programmes are good because courses are well designed to help students achieve their aims. Teaching in the sixth form is consistently good” “Almost all students progress to their preferred destinations in higher education, apprenticeship or employment. “

Our results in 2017 The A level results were the best ever with 13% of students achieving 3 A* - B at A level, and our average grade is above the county average Our CT results moved up from “above average” to “well above average” The vast majority of students got into their first choice of university, including Cambridge and many other Russel group universities. (including Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Lancaster) All of our students from year 13 last year are now attending university or further college course, are on an apprenticeship or are now employed.

Changes to the qualifications All A levels are now over 2 years. AS levels do not exist as they did. Students are recommended to take 3 subjects not 4. Those students who want to attend university need 3 A levels and an EPQ. Cambridge Technicals – level 2 last for 1 year. Level 3 last for 2 years. The CT qualifications now include an examination element as well as coursework. They must pass both parts to succeed.

Good pastoral support Each student has a tutor who will work as their mentor – please be aware of who this is and feel free to email them. The tutor will meet with them twice per week as a group, and also make individual appointments with them to mentor them. The tutor will be the person that eventually writes their reference, so the more we know about them the better. 12 CRA: claire.radforssmith@groveschool.net 12 CPO: chris.pollard@groveschool.net 12SHA: stewart.Harrison@groveschool.net

Good pastoral support Jen Dart Claire Nurse Jen works permanently in college reception 8.30 – 3.30 Jen will be able to answer any queries you have Claire Nurse Claire is our Learning Mentor for Post 16 studies. Claire is permanently available for students to help with study, applications etc.

Advice on future pathways Careers advice: Karen Jones Karen works Mon – Wed and has an office in college. Any student can make an appointment to see her. Careers week & work experience Careers week starting 11th June where students opt to follow the university pathway or apprenticeship/ employment pathway Work experience Monday 18th June for all Year 12 students – this should be tailored to their further career

Enrichment activities 6th form committee NCS (National Citizen’s Service) & Duke of Edinburgh award Young Enterprise Supporting younger students

What is an EPQ? An EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) can be on any topic that is not covered in your current subjects. It is done independently, but with guidance from a mentor. Universities want you to have it as they values the skills that you develop.

What do we expect from you and the students? Commitment to their studies and their success. Full attendance and punctuality Engagement – talk to us and ask questions Support with our high standards

Commitment to their studies Please have a copy of their timetable so you know when they should be in college and when they have a free period

The A level mindset: the growth mindset According to educational research we know that there are many other factors that are more influential in student success, than their cognitive ability. As teachers we all know of students who have been high achievers at GCSE then flunked at A levels, or students that have scraped through GCSEs but been exceptionally successful two years later. This is because the skills needed to be successful are not fixed. We need to encourage all of our students to believe in the growth mindset, and to understand that their intelligence is malleable and if they work hard they can improve their level of ability

The A level mindset: VESPA Please encourage the students to realise they are able to be successful if they are mindful of the following…. Vision: they know what they want to achieve Effort: they put in the hours of proactive study – students in year12 should be doing between 10 20 hours outside of lessons per week. Are they working at home? Systems: they organise their learning resources and their time Practice: they practise and develop their skills Attitude: they respond constructively to set backs Research shows that these characteristics beat cognition hands down.

practice Assessments throughout their courses, however the Year 12 exams start on 25th June: please do not book a holiday then

Support during exam time Ask about the revision timetable Know when they need to be here for exams Make sure they eat well / sleep/ relax/ revise so they are in tip top form.

engagement Thank you for supporting us this evening. Please call or email us if you have a concern or a question Also, have conversations with your son/ daughter about what they have learnt that day – it will help them as well as you.

Support us with our high standards Dress Quality of work Get them out of bed in a morning

We all want the same thing: the students to be as successful as possible That is a 3 way partnership