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Introduction for Parents A Level (6th Form) #StudyThriveSucceed Foreword In September students will embark upon their AS and A2 specifications. Students and parents alike have to make important choices for the future. This handbook is intended to help you – parents, agents and students - by outlining the Sixth Form experience at Ruthin School. This document gives an introduction to Sixth Form at Ruthin School and a brief synopsis of the AS and A2 subjects on offer and the specific demands of these subjects in terms of literacy, numeracy and practical skills. Study, Assessment and Reporting • Sixth Form students are assessed regularly by teachers throughout the course. Test scores are reported at the end of each half term alongside termly attainment and an aspirational target grade. • Sixth Form students sit internal school examinations at the end of the Michaelmas term and Mocks in the middle of the Lent term. In Lower Sixth, these examinations are used to identify students who have the potential to apply for Oxbridge and other top universities worldwide. The end of year AS examinations also form the basis of the predicted A2 grades upon which Lower Sixth students make their university and course choices. The predicted grades for A2 must match the entry requirements of the chosen university course. • All test and examination marks are available to view by parents and agents through a School Gateway app. which enables them to track their children’s progress throughout the year. • Academically, Sixth Formers are encouraged to become students capable of independent thought and initiative; essential skills for the next stage of academic development. However, the development from passive to active learner cannot be achieved overnight and the skills and self-discipline intrinsic to independent study have to be practiced consistently if they are to become a habitual way of working. Both Lower and Upper Sixth Form boarders attend Prep sessions supervised by teaching staff every evening (Monday – Friday) from 5.45p.m to 7.15pm. This is an expected minimum amount of study time. Further study, test preparation and practice should be undertaken by all Sixth Form students after their evening meal. Day students must commit an equal amount of time to their studies as boarders do. • Life in Ruthin School Sixth Form is busy, challenging and exciting. However, with the support of highly qualified and experienced members of staff who are fully committed to ensuring all students get the support and encouragement needed to fulfil their potential, it can be a very fulfilling two years. Academic support is available to all Sixth Form students. Students can request a tutorial, or a teacher may ask a student to attend a tutorial when an issue has been identified. Enrichment Activities • At Ruthin School, the Sixth Form students are offered the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of sports and activities on weekday afternoons from 4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on Wednesday afternoons from 1.25 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. We also have a very active volunteering group who are placed in a wide variety of businesses in the local community. The social and personal skills acquired through participating in activities and schemes such as the ‘Millennium Volunteers’ and the ‘Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme’ at school can enhance a student’s profile and provide substance for their ‘Personal Statement’ which is an integral part of the University application. Pre-Sixth Form • Ruthin offers a range of traditional A level subjects and obviously deciding on a sensible choice and combination of subjects is essential. Students normally study four AS level subjects in the Lower Sixth (Y12). • Sometimes students may be recommended to embark on three AS levels. • To undertake AS levels the student requires a grade7 or above at GCSE in the subject they wish to study. If they have not studied the subject at GCSE, they should have gained grade 7 or above in a comparable subject. Students should have achieved a minimum grade 7 in 6 or more GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. • Students in Form 5 (Y11) should think carefully about their choice of subjects. Individual consultations to discuss subject and careers advice are. Parents are welcome to make appointments to discuss any questions they may have regarding AS/A Level subject choices. Final subject decisions should then be formally submitted to Ruthin School as part of the Sixth Form entry paperwork. • The students who have English as a 2 nd language are given entrance tests and/or on entry to Ruthin School Sixth Form to establish their level of English. They are then placed in the appropriate teaching group for EAL and advised further on the suitability of their choice of A Level subjects. • A uniform is not required for Ruthin School Sixth Form but we do require students to wear a suit. The Sixth Form • Ruthin School places great value on the individual guidance given to each Sixth Form student. Students are placed in a Tutor Group with a personal tutor. Lower 6th students will be placed in a tutor group along with students from Forms 4 & 5. • Emphasis in the first term is very much focused settling into the 6th form and ensuring appropriate subjects have been chosen for AS. It is also critical that L6th students settle down to work quickly and the tutor’s role is to help bridge the F5-L6th gap as efficiently as possible. The tutor also monitors academic progress following analysis of test and internal examination results, helping students set goals and achievable objectives. Later in the year students will begin the process of researching possible careers and UK university degree courses in preparation for UCAS. • The Upper Sixth are similarly placed in tutor groups who should be the student’s first point of contact for both academic and pastoral concerns. • Our Deputy Head Pastoral is also our designated safeguarding person. They are supported by a team of Pastoral and Safeguarding Leaders for each Keystage. For all enquiries and concerns parents should contact help@ruthinschool.co.uk • Monitoring is achieved both informally and through the formal system of testing. The school also uses a system of Merits (positive House points) and De-Merits (negative House points). Academic monitoring takes place through the tracking of test results and end of term examinations. • In the event of a Sixth Form student being given a high number of De-Merits and (or) Detention by a subject teacher, the tutor would investigate further, and where necessary the Academic Assistant Head and/or the Pastoral Leaders would become involved and the Ruthin School Disciplinary Process would be activated. • The tutor, Heads of Faculty and the Pastoral Leaders maintain an overview of all students’ progress. • University focus begins in the second term of the Lower Sixth with university and careers talks. The process of applying to universities begins in the final term of the Lower Sixth with ‘UCAS Week’. During this time, speakers from different universities give presentations on all aspects of applying to universities, from choosing the right course to preparing for interviews. Students are registered on the UCAS website and begin to complete the application form. They are introduced to the various methods of researching university courses. Each student is allocated a mentor who will help and support them from the very start of the UCAS application, right up until the end of the Upper Sixth. • All students are expected to draft their Personal Statement during the summer holidays. The Personal Statement is a very important part of the UCAS system in which students demonstrate their interest in their chosen course or subject. • The progress of the UCAS applications is then monitored carefully from September right up to the deadline at the end of November. Individual appointments are available throughout the term with the Assistant Deputy Head: Universities, Careers & Alumni to discuss, guide and advise on individual applications. • If a student is applying to Oxbridge or for Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Medicine, then they will be given the extra support required for these more specialised applications. The deadline for applicants is mid-October so a great deal of preparation and planning must be done over the summer break. Particular attention must be given to preparation for specific entry examinations such as BMAT, UCAT (for medicine etc.) and TSA, PAT etc. (for certain courses at Oxford, Cambridge and other selected universities). Students will also be prepared for the rigorous interviews which form a key part of the selection for these universities. • Members of the Sixth Form are also encouraged to adopt responsibilities and are invited to apply for the role of School Prefects during the Lent Term of the Lower Sixth. It is from the selected group of Prefects that the Head of School and Deputy Heads of School are chosen. Leadership opportunities are also available through the House system. • On A Level results day, the Examinations Officer will email results to students. Members of the Senior Leadership Team will be available at School. This is to provide clearing decisions and generally support in whatever capacity is needed. A Level Subject Guide • The information available in this brochure will give you an idea of the range of subjects offered by Ruthin School at AS and A2 level, and a brief outline of the course content and assessment structure. • Each student wishing to study at AS level should choose up to 4 subjects. The aim is to choose a fourth which adds breadth to your programme: for example, a student undertaking 3 sciences may decide to add mathematics, music or art as their fourth. Grade 7 or above at GCSE is required if a subject is to be studied at A Level. • For students who have English as a Second Language, their subject choices will be carefully monitored and discussed in consultation with the Academic Assistant Head and the EAL department. • Entrance to higher education is becoming more and more competitive and it is clear that the chances of securing a place will be enhanced if you make careful and appropriate subject choices. • It will help if you know which subject or subjects you might wish to study at university degree level. The official prospectuses, individual university websites and other websites such as www.ucas.com and www.whatuni.com will tell you which universities and institutions offer these degrees and which A level subjects and grades are required or preferred as entrance qualifications. • On the other hand, you may not know whether or not you are going to apply to a university, or which subject you want to study. After a year of study at AS level you may find the decision easier; by then you will have already committed yourself to a more focused group of subjects. These subject choices will generally dictate the university courses you will be able to apply for. • The key for the first year of Sixth Form is to work consistently and aim for good grades in all tests and internal examinations. It should be emphasised that most UK universities require only 3 subjects at A Level, so dropping a weaker fourth subject at the end of Lower Sixth is not unusual. Life After Sixth Form Choices for higher education are extensive and at Ruthin School we encourage students to apply to Universities which best match the subject they wish to study, their academic abilities and personal preferences whether in the UK, Hong Kong, USA, Canada or Australia. Upper Sixth students receive all the help they require to submit the very best UCAS and other international applications as possible. University Destination 2021 UK Universities Bangor Biomedical Science with Foundation Birmingham Archaeology & Ancient History Bristol Law Bristol Mechanical Engineering Buckingham Medicine Cambridge (Corpus Christi College) Engineering Cambridge (Downing College) Engineering Cambridge (Fitzwilliam College) Economics Cambridge (Robinson College) Mathematics Cambridge (Trinity College) Engineering Cambridge (Trinity College) Mathematics Cambridge (Queens' College) Mathematics (2022 entry) Cardiff Architectural Engineering Cardiff Engineering with Foundation Year Cardiff Marine Geography City, University of London Accounting and Finance Durham Combined Honours in Social Sciences Durham Geology Durham Law Edinburgh Electronics & Computer Science Edinburgh Philosophy Exeter Law with Business Glasgow Economics Glasgow Neuroscience Hartpury Integrated Masters in Equine Science (2022 entry) Imperial Electrical & Electronic Engineering Imperial Electrical & Electronic Engineering with Management KCL Law KCL Mathematics KCL Mathematics with Management & Finance Lancaster Mathematics with Study Abroad Leeds Chemical Engineering Leeds Economics & History Liverpool Biological & Medical Sciences Liverpool Law Liverpool John Moores Mental Health Nursing Manchester Aerospace Engineering with Management Manchester Economics & Finance Manchester Education Manchester Medicine Manchester Metropolitan Biomedical Science Newcastle Chemical Engineering Newcastle Medicine Nottingham Economics Nottingham Medicine (programme partnership with Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand) Oxford (Lincoln College) Medicine Queen Mary, University of London Computer Systems Engineering Queen Mary, University of London Economics Queen Mary, University of London Mathematics with Finance & Accounting Queen Mary, University of London Mathematics with Finance & Accounting Queen Mary, University of London Mathematics with Management Queen Mary, University of London Medicine Queen Mary, University of London Software Engineering for Business Queen's University, Belfast Maths & Computer Science Reading Law Sheffield Electrical & Electronic Engineering Sheffield Psychology Southampton Electrical & Electronic Engineering Swansea Aerospace Engineering UCL Biological Sciences UCL Biomedical Sciences UCL Biomedical Sciences UCL Economics UCL Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) UCL Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) UCL Engineering (Electrical & Electronic) UCL Geology UCL Global Humanitarian Studies Next >