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Thamesview School Sixth Form Prospectus 2019 to 2020

Welcome from the Headteacher

As Headteacher, I warmly welcome you to Thamesview School Sixth Form.

You are welcomed into a thriving school community where mutual respect, hard work and achievement are the core values of staff and students.

At Thamesview School Sixth Form, students can expect high quality education that is centred on the ten attributes of the IB Learner Profile.

We believe passionately that every child, regardless of social background or previous experiences, deserves the chance to succeed in education and that is why we expect high standards of effort and behaviour from all our students.

Being happy at school and having opportunities to develop varied aspirations is also important to us.

We believe that your child should enjoy their schooling and benefit from a curriculum offer of academic and vocational instruction as well as being able to take advantage of opportunities to develop creative and independent skills.

The 21st Century offers many opportunities and challenges to our young people and it is our mission to foster confidence, curiosity, responsibility and independence in our young people so that they can succeed in the face of a rapidly changing social and economic climate.

Thamesview School Sixth Form has dedicated teachers and support staff, along with our state of the art building and learning environment, matched with a modern and forward-looking curriculum ensures that your child will have the best start possible to their adult life.

I hope that you are able to get a full picture of the school if you visit us and I would encourage you to ask questions of staff and students in order to gain as much information as possible.

I look forward to meeting you.

George Rorke

Headteacher

Welcome from the Head of Sixth Form

Welcome to Thamesview School Sixth Form.

At Thamesview School Sixth Form, you will find a thriving, energetic and friendly community where teachers and students work hard in ensuring that everyone strives to do their best.

We provide a caring and supportive environment where every individual matters and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

At Thamesview School Sixth Form, we offer two post-16 programmes of study; the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) and a Foundation Programme. The IBCP is an internationally recognised qualification that allows students to enter the world of employment and training, or to attend university.

Through the completion of an enriched curriculum, students are able to discover the merits of independent learning, collaborative learning and reflective practice.

We also offer a tailored and bespoke Foundation Programme that is designed as preparation for the IBCP, often for students who do not have the necessary pre-requisites.

The following pages provide information about the Sixth Form, and detailed literature surrounding the IBCP qualification and the Foundation Programme.

Should you wish to apply, information surrounding the application process is enclosed.

We look forward to welcoming you to Thamesview School Sixth Form!

Elizabeth Terry

Head of Sixth Form

“[The] Sixth Form has got off to a flying start with keen leadership.”- Ofsted, 2018

IBCP Curriculum

The IBCP is a unique programme addressing the needs of students engaged in career-related education. IBCP students study two IB Diploma Programme (DP) courses, a core consisting of four components and a BTEC Diploma subject. Detailed subject briefs and pathways of what we offer are available under the ‘Sixth Form’ - ‘Options’ tab on the school website.

The IBCP allows students to:

  • Tailor their education to meet the requirements of their careers pathways in life
  • Positively contribute to their community through life-long learning
  • Build on their communication skills
  • Work independently and collaboratively
  • Demonstrate high levels of self-confidence and awareness that allows them to become internationally minded and globally aware
  • Consider the perspectives of others
  • Be a critical, creative and reflective learner

As an IB World school, we have the IB Learner Profile at the heart of all teaching and learning; we aim to embed the following key attributes:

  • Inquirers
  • Knowledgeable
  • Thinkers
  • Communicators
  • Principled
  • Open-minded
  • Caring
  • Risk-takers
  • Balanced
  • Reflective
“Students are taught well, learn enthusiastically and make good progress.”- Ofsted, 2018

Foundation Programme

The Foundation Programme is specifically designed for students who feel that they are not quite ready to commence the IBCP. The Foundation Programme has been carefully tailored to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills and tools needed to progress onto the IBCP.

The Programme will consist of:

  • GCSE English
  • GCSE Maths
  • Level 2 Certificate in Financial Education (The London Institute of Banking and Finance)
  • Level 2 Certificate in Travel and Tourism
  • Work Experience

The Foundation Programme is run for one year and once students have passed this at the end of Year 12, they can start their IBCP qualification in Year 13.

“[Students] experience high-quality, specialist teaching.”- Ofsted, 2018

Careers/ Higher Education Guidance

Higher/ Further Education – Sixth Form students will be fully supported during Year 12 and 13 to complete applications for higher or further education, apprenticeships or employment; this will include visiting careers shows, universities and employment fairs. Students will also be exposed to meaningful contact with employers and business people offering a wide range of opportunities, these could include conferences, assessments centres and panel interview practice sessions as well as support to produce a professional CV.

Work Placements – Both programme routes encourage and support students to find work placements providing an opportunity to test student’s learning in a work based environment. These could be a one week placement, or one day per week for an extended period (depending on which study programme the student follows).

Apprenticeships – Guest speakers will be invited into school to explain and promote apprenticeship opportunities available both locally and also nationally. Students will be able to find out more about these at careers events and on career based websites.

Careers Guidance - All Thamesview School Sixth Form students will receive at least one 1:1 career guidance interview. Some of these interviews will be conducted by My Careers (an external and impartial career guidance organisation) and some will be conducted by the Careers Coordinator.

“[Students] are keen to go to university and, with good careers advice, have begun to think carefully about their futures.”- Ofsted, 2018

Attendance

Thamesview School takes attendance in the Sixth Form very seriously and we acknowledge that good school attendance plays an essential part in academic development for post-16 students.

The structure of the IBCP and the Foundation Programme is intensive and students cannot afford to miss valuable teaching and study time. Sixth Form students should strive to achieve consistently good attendance as poor attendance will affect academic attainment. Students should therefore aim for at least 95% attendance for the year. An exemplary record of attendance says a huge amount about you as a person; that you are dedicated, well-motivated, organised and someone who takes their responsibilities seriously. Good attendance also plays an important part when applying to higher education establishments or employment.

Sixth Form students will follow the same school structure for lessons (as outlined below). However, Sixth Form students will be given the opportunity to study off site during their free periods at the discretion of the school.

  • 8.00am Students allowed in school (Breakfast Club)
  • 8.35 – 8.55am Registration
  • 8.55 – 9.55am Lesson 1
  • 9.55 – 10.55am Lesson 2
  • 10.55 – 11.15am Break
  • 11.15 – 12.15pm Lesson 3
  • 12.15 – 1.15pm Lesson 4
  • 1.15 – 1.55pm Lunch
  • 1.55 – 2.55pm Lesson 5
  • 2.55pm Finish

Equipment

Sixth Form students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. This includes being fully equipped and ready to learn. We ask that students bring the following equipment to school every day:

  • A pencil
  • A black or blue pen
  • A rule
  • An eraser
  • Maths equipment (if studying Maths)
  • A4 ring binger folder
  • A4 lined paper

Dress Code

As students of the Sixth Form, we ask that pride is taken in appearance. Students will not be required to wear school uniform, however they will be expected to come to school smartly and professionally dressed.

  • Boys: Smart plain tailored trousers with a shirt which should be buttoned up at the front and tucked in (tie optional). In addition to the shirt students are permitted to wear smart jackets, jumpers and cardigans. No polo shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, ‘lumberjack’ style shirts or jeans/jean-style trousers. Shoes and socks should be worn – no trainers or casual footwear allowed.
  • Girls: Smart tailored skirt/trousers or a tailored dress (no leather or denim skirts). Blouses or smart tops to be worn with trousers/skirts. Dresses and tops must cover underwear straps, must not be low cut and must not show any midriff or cleavage. No vests allowed. Skirts should be of an appropriate length, smart jackets, jumpers and cardigans are allowed.
  • Coats: No denim jackets or hoodies are allowed.
  • Trousers: All trousers should be of a smart style, no jeans, leggings or lycra. Shorts are not allowed.
  • Footwear: All footwear should be smart. Girls are not permitted to wear high heels for health and safety reasons.
  • Hairstyles: Hairstyles should be appropriate for the school environment. Extremes of style, length and colour will not be allowed.
  • Make-up: Excessive use of make-up will not be tolerated and should be appropriate for the school environment.
  • Nails: False nails are permitted, but must be of an appropriate length.

When students are representing the school at public events, students are expected to wear business dress.

As a member of the Sixth Form, you will be positive role models to the rest of the school. It is imperative that you come appropriately dressed to lessons and that you attend and are punctual.

“Students are mature in how they work and behave.”- Ofsted, 2018

Sixth Form Life

At Thamesview School Sixth Form, we offer a wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities that are available. We also offer students the opportunity to start up an extra-curricular activity that is currently not available.

Sixth Form students are also encouraged to participate in more senior prospects such as Head Boy/ Girl, volunteering within the local community and participating in school trips that are offered through the IBCP and Foundation Programmes.

Pastoral care is at the heart of our Sixth Form. All students are allocated a form tutor, whom they will register with on a daily basis and follow a detailed tutor programme. Sixth Form students also have pastoral support from their Welfare Manager and the Careers Coordinator. At post-16 we will continue to offer PSHE sessions and focus weeks; providing particular focus to ‘life after the Sixth Form’ and experiences associated with being a young adult.

Application Process

If you would like to become a member of the Sixth Form at Thamesview School, please complete an application through KentChoices.

An interview date will be sent to you within receipt of your application. Once you have completed your interview, offers will be made subject to availability of places on the course.

CONTACT DETAILS

Thong Lane, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 4LF

Telephone: 01474 566 552

Fax: 01474 537 405