1. Year 12 Parents’ Information Evening 2017 Miss Lucy Butler - Director of Sixth at St Gregory’s Mr Ben Ackland – Head of Year 12

2. Working together to maximise your child’s success
The good news is they have all chosen to come here!
They have all already tasted success and we want them to have plenty more success in the next 2 years with us.
We want them to enjoy their sixth form experience and have fun along the way.
They will be presented with numerous opportunities; help us to make sure they take as many of them as they possibly can.
When they leave us, they will go into work, take up an apprenticeship or go to University. Our role is to make them as prepared as possible for those environments.

3. Organisational Ability
The Challenge- the Step up It is well documented that the jump from GCSE to A level is the most challenging. We want to make sure our students are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed.
Academic Enquiry
Increased depth of knowledge and understanding.
More abstract concepts.
Sophisticated analysis and evaluation.
Longer answers!
Organisational Ability
Research and reading.
Extended tasks, longer deadlines.
Paper overload.
Study periods.

4. Attendance and Punctuality
Central to everything that goes on in the College.
Monitored by all of their teachers and by Mrs Nokes in the LRC.
If the students are not in school, they cannot learn anything.
Students must telephone the sick line or bring in a note for every absence.
Punctuality is equally as important.
Students are only allowed to leave the site at lunchtime and they must sign in and out.

5. Subjects
The students have taken subjects they are good at and that they enjoy.
Lessons are not optional! This includes General RE.
Homework will be a regular feature in all of their subjects. Show My Homework will help them to manage their organisation.
If your child has any issues, no matter how small they might appear, please encourage them to talk to their subject teachers, their tutor or to a member of the New Sixth pastoral team.
Communication is extremely important and will allow us to address problems early.

6. Teaching and Learning…
Transition to independent learning
Importance of Homework (at least 2 hours per night and 4-6 hours at weekends)
Self motivation in class / no spoon-feeding
Being proactive (student focus, not teacher)
Assessment for Learning

7. Student Referrals
Subject staff will keep the New Sixth team aware of any concerns impeding a students progress.
If there are causes for concern that cannot be quickly and easily resolved, students may be asked to sign a Student Action Plan or for serious concerns a Behaviour contract.
Parents will be kept informed.

8. Examinations
Teachers will be assessing in October and this allows us to identify early if any students are struggling to make the jump up to A level study.
Exams in May/June are internal exams only but should be viewed with the importance of external exams. These dates are not moveable or negotiable in any way.
Results will be used to guide predictions for University applications. It is vitally important that students do their best and take the exams seriously.

9. Target setting using ALPS To generate targets at A level we use a system called ALPS. This process looks at a students GCSE results and then projects an aspirational target for them. If students are disappointed with their ALPS they must remember that they are not a ceiling – we encourage all students to exceed their ALPS and we will work with them to support them in this.

10. Target setting using ALPS

11. General Points
This year is very intense and there will be trials and traumas along the way.
Please support your son or daughter by encouraging them to communicate with us as much as possible.
There will be plenty of distractions for the students! Please support us by reinforcing our expectations about responsible approaches to study.
If they have a part time job, please could you ensure that they keep their hours to a minimum.
If you have any concerns, please ring Mrs Nokes, your child’s tutor or teacher. We will ring you if we are concerned .
Our doors are always open and issues that are dealt with early can avoid a lot more problems in the future.

12. How can you help? Show an interest
Ask them to explain what and how they are doing
Try to provide the right environment at home for study
Discuss future career / university goals
Revision guides can be useful
Stay in touch
Be sympathetic
Encourage them to aim high!

13. Important dates…
Thursday 12 October – Parents evening
Monday 15 January – Level Up Work experience begins
Thursday 12 April – UCAS conference
Monday 4 June – Exams week
Monday 16 July – Work Experience week