Sixth Form Admissions

Thank you for your interest in the Sixth Form of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. The Sixth Form Open Evening for prospective students will take place on Tuesday 26th January 2010 beginning at 7.30pm.

This page is intended to give you a flavour of the Borlase Sixth Form; it includes all of the information from the current school prospectus, the homework diary and other relevant resources. There are additional subjects on offer this year now that the school has Performing Arts status. The prospectus is available from the school office and also can be found online here.

The Sixth Form is a large part of this 11-18 co-educational grammar school. The school's "standard number" for sixth form entry is 160 per year and our current total number is 358. We are very pleased to receive applications from both boys and girls, either from schools within Buckinghamshire or from elsewhere provided they can meet our entry criteria. Sixth formers take a prominent part in school drama productions, in sport, in music and in the day-to-day running of the school. If you join us as a sixth former we shall expect enthusiasm, commitment and, of course, a dedication to your chosen course of study, which will lead to the highest results at A-level and at University entry.

Admissions Procedure

If you wish to apply for a place in the Sixth Form for September 2010 you should complete the initial registration form which is available from the school's reception. Applicants should also enclose a letter of application of no more than 300 words outlining their reasons for their choice of subjects and explaining why they wish to study in the Sixth Form of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School.

After the publication of GCSE results all students should complete a new Admissions Form. This form will show the student's original preference of A-level subjects. This choice should either be confirmed or amended. Senior staff will be available to offer advice to students if they feel that they need to change their A-level options in the light of their results.

Borlase students should collect their Admissions Forms from the school when they collect their results. These should be completed and returned immediately.

Students who are applying from other schools should collect an Admissions Form from the school office. They must also include a copy of their examination results slips with their application. The form should preferably be completed and returned immediately.

The completion of this form will signify a student's definite decision to join Year 12 in September 2010. If a student fails to complete this form the school will assume that he/she no longer wishes to be considered for a place here.

The minimum entry requirement is normally 374 points* from the best eight subjects with an A or B grade in any GCSE subject that is being taken at A-level, together with grade C in maths and English language. Some A-level subjects also have other minimum requirements which are outlined in the relevant sections in this brochure. If a student narrowly misses this entry requirement an application may still be submitted. All such students will be interviewed by a senior member of staff in order to discuss options and provide guidance before a final decision is reached.

*GCSE points are calculated as follows: A* = 58, A = 52, B = 46, C = 40 etc.

Subjects for Study All Year 12 students will be expected to opt for four of the new AS levels. Students should list complementary AS levels as their fourth and fifth choices on the Initial Registration Form, ie. Students studying sciences as their AS/A2 options should choose arts based subjects as their additional subject and vice versa. We cannot guarantee to offer the student's first choice of a complementary AS level subject, but usually manage to accommodate all the first three subject choices. All students intending to start Year 12 in September 2010 will also be expected to study Critical Thinking as a fifth AS level. Students will also have additional lessons in CSLA and Games. Further maths can only be studied with maths and cannot be counted as one of the four main subjects. Candidates studying mathematics must have at least a B grade at higher level GCSE.

Entry Requirements

1. The Sixth Form caters only for young people who wish to study AS and A-level subjects. The workload is significant. In Year 12 all pupils study five AS levels, including AS level Critical Thinking, which forms the core of our Enrichment Programme. In Year 13 all pupils study three A-levels plus General Studies, which leads either to a further AS or A-level. There are no facilities for repeating GCSEs. It is worth noting, therefore, that Department for Education statistics, and the school's own experience, suggest that candidates will normally need to achieve at least 374 points at GCSE in order to cope successfully with such a programme. This total is calculated using the best 8 GCSE subjects, including Maths and English, on the following scale: A*= 58, A=52, B=46, etc. Candidates must have at least grade B in their chosen subjects of study, although grade A is preferable. If a subject is oversubscribed we reserve the right to ask for a higher grade as a condition of entry. All candidates must achieve at least grade B in English language and Maths. However, if an applicant falls short of the entry standard we will gladly consider individual circumstances. Anyone who has any concerns about this matter is invited to contact the school for a preliminary discussion.

2. The school will also seek a reference from your present school to ask whether or not you are a strong candidate for your proposed sixth form courses. A separate question will be asked about your skills in the appropriate science subject if this forms part of your chosen course. Candidates with strong creative talents are particularly welcomed for suitable courses at A-level and hence normal entry requirements may be varied to take account of evidence of creative ability.

3. In addition, the school expects all pupils entering the Sixth Form to have completed an appropriate work experience placement. Anyone whose circumstances make this impossible should discuss the matter with the Assistant Head, Mr Antony Shannon, at an early stage.

You do not need to have studied the following subjects at GCSE in order to be considered to read them at A-level: art, art history, business studies, computing, economics, geography, history, ICT, politics, religious studies and psychology. We are able to offer combinations of nearly all subjects but if the combination you choose becomes impossible, or if individual subjects are seriously undersubscribed, we will let you know immediately. We may be able to offer new subjects if there is sufficient demand and you should indicate such a choice on your application form.

If you decide to apply for a place in our Sixth Form you will be invited to interview. Please complete the Initial Registration Form and return it to the school office as soon as possible, and we will make contact with your present school when you consider it appropriate.

Curriculum Issues

We expect all our sixth form students to behave in a mature and responsible manner at all times and to set a good example to the junior members of the school. These notes are designed to ensure the smooth running of the school and the maintenance of a disciplined academic environment so that all students can fulfil their potential. Students and parents will be asked to sign a Sixth Form Contract agreeing to abide by these guidelines.

Homework

A-level students will be given a variety of assignments each with specific deadlines. Students will be expected to organise their own study time and should be prepared to spend at least three hours a day, in addition to any study time in school, on A-level work. Eighteen hours per week of home study is the bare minimum needed to cope successfully with A-level courses. If students hope to achieve good grades they should spend considerably more time than this as all AS/A2 levels are open-ended and there is no limit to the amount of work that a student can do. Students should not have to give up other activities; university admissions tutors expect students to be able to combine sporting, cultural and other activities alongside their academic work.

Assessment

Twice termly an assessment is completed at school and sent home for a parent's signature and comments. This records the student's attainment and progress and also indicates the opinions of the teachers on the student's attitude, effort and attendance. In addition subject teachers and form tutors report regularly to the Heads of Year so that students who are having difficulties or problems can be identified rapidly and support provided. Parents' evenings are held each year but parents are free to contact the school at any time if they are concerned about their son's or daughter's welfare or progress. Requests for consultation with individual teachers should be made through the appropriate Head of Year. More detailed written reports are provided at the end of the Summer term for Year 12.

Study Periods Sixth form students have a number of study periods each week when they are not being formally taught. Year 12 students are expected to spend at least four independent study periods per week in the school library. Attendance will be monitored on a weekly basis. Year 13 students are normally free to choose where they spend their study periods in school. If the library is chosen students must remain there for the complete session. Absolute silence is required at all times in the school library. Induction and Training All Year 12 students will take part in an induction programme at the start of the autumn term. This will focus on team building, study skills and target setting. The system of tutor interviews will enable these themes to be developed throughout the year and students will be reviewing their progress every half term. A leadership training weekend will take place in the summer term for newly appointed prefects.

Administrative Matters

School Times

School hours are from 8.35 am until 3.30 p.m. Students are expected to be in school before the start of morning and afternoon registration. Punctuality is also required for lessons and lateness will not be tolerated. If a student is late he/she should sign the late book in Matron's room immediately on arrival in school and provide a valid explanation. If a student has to leave school for any reason during the day (lunchtime excepted) he/she must sign out in Matron's room, provided permission has been given by a member of the senior management team. Students must also sign in on their return.

Illness and Absences

If a student is absent from school for illness or any other reason a note of explanation should be given to the form tutor on the day that the student returns to school. If a student is absent, parents/guardians should telephone the school with an explanation on the morning of the first absence. A letter will be required on the student's return if a parent has been unable to contact the school.

Every effort should be made to ensure that students do not miss school unnecessarily. In exceptional circumstances only requests for permission for absence for family holidays, medical or dental appointments, driving tests or any other reasons (if they can only be arranged in school time) should be made to Dr Holding or Mr Shannon, as early as possible. Requests for absence must be made before the event; explanations after the event will be recorded as unauthorised absences.

If a student is feeling unwell he/she should report to Matron. Under NO circumstances should students go home without permission.

Uniform

Students should wear the school uniform at all times when travelling between home and school and whenever travelling as a member of a school team or party. The uniform regulations are enclosed. Outdoor coats should not be worn within school. Smoking is not permitted. Boys must be clean shaven. Appearance should always be consistent with the wearing of uniform and Sixth Formers are expected to set a good example to junior members of the school. Inappropriate items of clothing will be confiscated. Walkmans are not allowed on site, unless they are needed for language lessons. Mobile phones may be brought into school provided that they are turned off and are only used in an emergency; the school accepts no responsibility for their loss or damage. Students who use their phones during the school day, within the school premises, will have them confiscated. The phones will only be returned to a parent who will have to collect them from the school office.

Lunch Time

As a privilege sixth form students are allowed into town each lunch break without having to request permission. If students purchase food it must not be eaten while walking along the street. School lunch is available; there is a cafeteria system at break and lunch time where students pay on the spot for whatever they choose. Students may not go into town during morning break, nor during study periods.

Assemblies

The week is divided into year, house and form assemblies. ALL students are expected to attend the appropriate assembly each day. Assemblies play an important part in school life and are often a means of disseminating urgent information.

School Fund

All parents are asked to contribute £25 annually towards the school general fund. This money is used to pay some of the heavy expenses of the large number of out-of-school activities including sport. It is also used to pay for the school magazine and to provide assistance with costs for anyone in hardship.

Physical Activities

It is expected that every sixth former will be able to find a physical activity which he or she will enjoy. The department can offer a wide range of options to the sixth former. Many activities take place on site and others take advantage of the local facilities at Handy Cross, Bisham Abbey and Court Garden. The school's facilities include a ¾ size astroturf, netball/tennis courts, rugby/football pitches, gymnasium and weights room. Students with parental/guardian consent are also offered the opportunity to organise their own individual physical activity off-site if not required to represent the school in any on-site activities.

The options are located at the following sites:

• Bisham Abbey: Weight-training, Hockey, Golf.
• Marlow Rowing Club: Rowing.
• Court Garden: Squash, Badminton, Table Tennis, Tennis, Fitness Room.
• Magnet: Swimming, Fitness Room.

Options on site include: Athletics, Netball, Table Tennis, Badminton, Rowing, Tennis, Basketball, Rugby, Volleyball, Cricket, Soccer, Weight Training, Hockey, Swimming. The school has representative teams in many sports including rugby, netball, hockey, rowing, soccer, tennis, cricket and athletics. The introduction of girls' rugby has been very successful over the last two years and is now a thriving club. Opportunities are available to perform to a very high standard.

University Applications

The majority of Borlase Sixth Form students progress to higher education. Most of last year's Year 13 cohort are currently at university or art college, and we expect the remainder to be successful with their applications for 2010 entry.

In order to help students with their higher education choices we encourage everyone to participate in the 'Centigrade' scheme run by UCAS (The University and Colleges Admissions Service) and Cambridge Occupational Analysts. Students complete a form containing 140 questions and receive back a personalised folder which matches them to courses according to their interest and suitability, and provides them with advice and action plans for entry to higher education. Currently the scheme costs £11.50 and is very good value for money. Students enter the Centigrade scheme at the start of the spring term of Year 12.

The school also holds a meeting for parents in the spring/early summer to explain the entry procedure for higher education. We feel that if parents are informed they can play a very useful role in helping their children through the complex applications process.

During Year 12 interviews are arranged with the school's attached careers consultant for students who would like independent advice. Mr Shannon, Year 12 and 13 Year Heads and Sixth Form tutors also interview all students to provide initial advice and to ensure that students have drawn up an appropriate action plan. In addition all students are taken to the appropriate higher education fairs and are encouraged to visit university open days. All students also go through a written self-assessment process to help them clarify their ideas and to prepare them for the personal statement that they must make on their application form.

This process of careful monitoring and the provision of advice continues into Year 13. All students have further interviews with their form tutors and with either Mr Shannon or the Year 12 and 13 Year Heads to ensure that they have made suitable choices and filled in their application form correctly. Advice is also given to students on how to conduct themselves at interview and practice interviews are provided.