1. Sixth Form at Portland Academy
MCSG February 25th 2016

2. Introduction, Vision & Ethos
Portland Sixth Form is vibrant, busy department consisting of 52 students.
Sixth form aims to provide high quality, bespoke study programmes that prepare all learners for the next stage of their career;
The core principals of the Sixth Form focus on employability, vocational skills, citizenship, independence, self-advocacy, digital literacy, functional skills, living skills, leisure and preparing for life beyond the academy.

3. Broad and Balanced Curriculum with Individual Study Programmes that build on progress
In line with the government’s interim KS5 measures 16-19, all students have an individual study programme, agreed with parents in year 11 and beyond;
Our curriculum offer is broad and balanced. It can broken down into 12 key, adult-focused areas;
Numeracy, literacy, Digital literacy, PSD, *Employability, domestic independence, community access, enterprise, creativity, *enrichment, *sport & transition.
* Student Voice

4. Broad and Balanced Curriculum with Individual Study Programmes that build on progress
Student voice is essential to shape curriculum offer;
Accredited outcomes are key. 100% students leave with an entry one qualifciaton.
“The curriculum is broad and Relevant.” OFSTED 2014.

5. A Broad and Balanced Curriculum.
Students on Pathway 1 focus at independence skills, communication, making choices, and other important skills. These are generally personal progress units.
Students at Pathway 2 focus on supported living, social opportunities/citizenship, employability/vocational and enrichment offers. These are accessed by personal progress units and, where appropriate, functional skills sessions.
Students at Pathway 3 focus on careers education and opportunities, independent living skills, functional skills, vocational and enrichment opportunities. These are accessed through functional skills and foundation learning units.

6. Broad and Balanced Study Programme.
Numeracy
Function Skills Level 3
Function Skills Level 2
Function Skills Level 1
Personal Progress
Literacy
PSD
Getting on with other people
ICT
Personal Progress Developing ICT Skills
Personal Progress Engage with Technology
FL Developing creative media skills
Enterprise
Participating in a mini enterprise
FL Shopping for Daily Living
Personal Progress Planning and Preparing food for an event
Horticulture
FL Participating in an Enterprise Activity
Independent Living
FL Cleaning, Washing, Drying and Storing Laundry
Personal Progress Looking after your own home
Lunchtime program
Preparing Drinks and Snacks
Work
Work Experience Placements
25 Skills of Work Experience
Caring for the Environment
Personal Progress Looking after and caring for animals
Personal Progress Developing Skills for the Workplace
Community
FL Planning for and taking part in a visit
Personal Progress Personal Enrichment
Personal Progress Getting Out and About
Personal Progress Using a community facility
SMSC
Choir
Challenge Days
Creativity
No Limits Arts Award
Creative Arts
Personal Progress Engaging in creative activities
Enrichment
Duke of Edinburgh (Silver)
Sport
Sport Leaders
Enrichment (Thursday – see options)
Transition
Personal Progress Learning to Learn
FL Planning and taking part in a visit

7. Progress Data and Accreditation
Benchmarked with Beaumont Hill & Durham trinity sixth forms. Expected 40% of a level M1-M7 and ELc2-Elc3. 20% for those at M8 & ELc1.
All Maths
Number
Measures
Shape
Data
Above 59
29.5% 4 8% 14
28% 22
44%
Expected
129
64.5% 43
86% 36
72% 27
54% 28
56%
Below 12 6% 3 9
18%
All English
Speaking and Listening
Reading
Writing
Above 45
30% 3 6% 26
52% 16
32%
Expected 96
64%
90% 21
42% 30
60%
Below 9 2 4% 4 8%

8. Accreditation
Last year, almost 400 externally accredited units were achieved;
Award
Number
Functional Skills 39
OCR 85
Foundation Learning 12
Personal Progress
219
D of E 9
Arts Award 14
RSPB 8

9. Work Experience and Careers

10. Work Experience & careers
Extremely proud of Employability package;
We have links with 16 external companies;
80% students accessed at least one six week block of External Work Experience;
100% went on at least one work taster visit;
98 external work placements in ;
60% of students have been to at least one placement this year (47 placements so far).

11. Work Experience & careers
Our approach is through
increased student voice;
increased targeted support;
embedding of careers education across sixth form;
small steps recording;
Increased, on going feedback with employers to identify and address next steps;
application and interview process;
New careers education strategy being piloted;
Strong links with SMSC.

12. Student Voice & Sixth Form Ambassadors

13. Student Voice & Sixth Form Ambassadors
Student voice in study programme analysis and tutorial sessions;
Student voice to choose options throughout the year;
Sixth Form Ambassador Programme launched this year.

14. External provision
We have partnerships with sixteen employers, which is growing all the time;
We have projects with HE providers as part of transition and animal care units;
No Limits SEN theatre group.

15. Meeting the interim Minimum Standards for 16-18 year olds
Broad curriculum;
Bespoke study programmes that build on progress;
High focus on maths and English with specialist teachers;
Similarly high focus on independence and employability skills;
Very strong work experience focus;
Quality careers advice;
Non-qualification & enrichment activities;
Physical and emotional wellbeing;
Retention is at 100%.

16. British Values
A real work ethic in Sixth form – students WANT to contribute;
Tolerance for others is expected;
High focus on democracy and positive role models;
Safety (including E-Safety), healthy relationships, rule of law, financial and the British political process are all delivered where appropriate.
Students contribute positively to society through fund raising, voluntary work, performing in the sixth form choir and various environmental endeavours.
Challenge days also promote and teach a range of appropriate topics.

17. Transition in… Comprehensive transition process;
Sixth form manager attends Yr 11 EHCP to discuss aspirations, outcomes and provision.
Number of curriculum opportunities to facilitate post 16 transition in summer (both in KS4 and Sixth Form (trans, coffee, WDW.)
Transition meetings in Summer term;
Parent evening with manager and tutor followed by coffee afternoon’s are held.
Milestones assessment carried out before entry to department.

18. Transition out…
Weekly transition lessons in Year 14 focusing on EHCP and visiting a range of HE/other provision;
Students are fully supported on transition visits to their next destination;
100% of students moved on to further education/employment in the last three years;
On rare occasions of placement break down, we have helped with reallocation of students.

19. Leadership and Management Sixth Form Strategy Board