Why
Small Heath School
Sixth Form?
Many students already at Small Heath School
decide to continue into the sixth form because
they are aware of its excellent reputation
for teaching A levels, AVCE's and GNVQ's.
In addition, however, many students from
neighboring schools apply to our sixth
form because they are keen to be part of
a sixth form where they know they will feel
valued as an individual and where they will
do well provided they are prepared to work
to the best of their abilities. Indeed,
some of our most successful students come
from elsewhere, attracted by what we have
to offer them. Where ever you come from,
you will receive the same friendly welcome.
We are justly very proud of our results
and very nearly all of our final year A
level students go on to University, both
locally and further afield.
Guidance
We aim to ensure that everyone
achieves his or her full potential. Progress
is constantly monitored. You will work closely with both
your subject teachers and you will be assigned
a tutor in order to provide you with the
best possible support. Together they will
advise you how to work to the best of your
abilities and should you encounter any difficulties,
there will always be someone around to support
you.
Guidance about future career choices is
at the heart of the tutorial programme and
additional support is provided by Connexions
and the local Universities to ensure the
advice you are given is right for you.
You will also be given plenty of opportunities
to develop your study skills and, in addition,
you will be given extra help with the key
skills of communication, application of
number and ICT. You will learn to work both
with others and independently so that you
will achieve personal success both academically
and socially.
Other
Attractions
Because we believe as sixth formers you
deserve the freedom and responsibilities
you might expect at a large sixth form college,
you won’t be required to wear school
uniform and you will be expected to take
greater responsibility in organising your
free time. As a result the sixth form has
an atmosphere that is distinct from the
rest of the school. You will have access
to a range of facilities, including the
various ICT areas, the library, a modern
multi-media room, specialist teaching accommodation,
a common room and use of the community leisure
centre attached to the school. In addition,
you will have access to the Internet to
support your studies and the use of wireless
laptops which mean that you can access the
Internet anywhere in the school.
Entry
Requirements
Individual
subject requirements, both at for GNVQ and
A level, can be found elsewhere in this folder. As a general
rule we require 4 grade Cs or better to study AS or AVCE courses and
4 grade E's or better to study GNVQ (Intermediate) courses. However,
with demand for places being so high, some subjects expect a grade
B at AS level. We do try and tailor our courses to suit your needs
and the initial interview allows you the opportunity to discuss your post-16
options well before enrolment.
Fees
All
students studying courses in the Sixth Form
are exempt from both tuition and examination
fees. In addition, all materials, books
and resources that are standard to the course
are also exempt.
The only costs that might be incurred by
you are if you need to take a second resit;
the cost of the first being met by the school
other than in exceptional circumstances.
Missed exams, or late withdrawal, in line
with criteria issued by the examination
boards, would also incur a fee.
Enrichment
It
is what goes on outside the classroom as
much as what goes on inside that makes our
Sixth Form so different. Whilst here you
will have so many opportunities to involve
yourself in additional activities, both
academic and social. Mentors are available
to support you both in your own subject
area and in terms of your own personal development.
Links with local universities are excellent and they provide
student support through student shadowing,
mentoring, UCAS applications and master classes.
We are even looking at the possibility of
video conferencing lectures and seminars.
We also have a strong partnership with
Solihull School, one of the top independent
schools in the Midlands. Not only has this
involved sharing facilities and INSET training
for staff, it has also meant that students
from both schools have worked closely together
sharing experiences and knowledge of each
others’ different cultures. Through
Aim Higher we have access to additional funding
to support both the Gifted and Talented
and Widening Access initiatives. It has
enabled us to send our students on residential
courses, master classes, field trips, revision
days, and funded additional resources including
ICT equipment and books - all of which help
to increase your overall chance of higher
grades, whatever the courses you are on.
We see our Sixth Formers as role models
for the rest of the school. You will be
encouraged to take an active role in the life of the
school and there will be opportunities to
help behind reception, in the library, with duties and
within the classroom. In addition, we have
use of the local leisure centre and you
will be able to use Pulsepoint free twice
a week between 9.00 and 5.00 during the
school week. Cricket and Badminton are also
popular.
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