Support for your Learning

As young adults, students are encouraged to take responsibility for organising themselves and their work. At the same time this transition has to be negotiated and supported on the basis of partnership.

As part of a tutor group led by a specialist Sixth Form Tutor, students will receive the academic guidance and pastoral support they need to succeed. Regular feedback from staff on how they can improve their work will enable them to achieve their full potential.

The Sixth Form tutor provides both academic and pastoral support. As well as the tutorial programme of outside speakers and general, personal and social education, there is group work providing an opportunity for discussion and mutual support.

On a regular basis, both the form tutor and ATL will review the academic progress of all students to involve each student in action planning, target setting and to discuss any problems.

Individual interviews are arranged by tutors on a regular basis to involve each student in action planning, targeting and reviewing progress on courses, and to discuss any problems. The tutor will refer to subject teachers, the Achievement Team Leader or other agencies as necessary. There is a confidential professional counselling service available for students who wish to make use of it. Subject teachers start the year with induction units and introduce students to the study skills and other teaching and learning approaches appropriate to the particular subject. At the later stages of the course, both tutors and subject teachers will spend time on examination preparation, revision skills and examination technique.

At the beginning of Year 12, students are invited with their parents to meet their Form Tutor and receive reports each term, with a chance to discuss progress with subject teachers and Form Tutor at parents’ evenings in both Year 12 and Year 13.

Library and study areas are available in each school with access to IT and internet facilities and specialist A level collections. Students may use the libraries and study areas in each school where they are taking a course. The Sixth Form Library is open till 4.30 for students to study outside of lessons. Each room is supervised by a dedicated member of staff who is available to support with students’ learning.

Further guides in support of learning are shown as links on the right. Additionally we have a reading list as we believe that reading is a major key to learning.