Sixth Form. Playing to your strengths

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1 Sixth Form Playing to your strengths

2 A close family of schools The Pocklington School Foundation comprises Pocklington Prep School (From Reception to age 11) and Pocklington School (from ages 11 to 18). Our Headmaster leads the Foundation and is responsible to the Board of Governors. Together they oversee the financial and day-to-day management of both schools and support the activities of the Old Pocklingtonians, our thriving society for former pupils. Providing outstanding day and boarding education from 4 to 18 years

3 A warm welcome from the Headmaster and the Head of Sixth Form Your choice of Sixth Form is one of the most important decisions you will make. Competition for places at further education and for on-going employment means we all need to be able to offer more than good examination grades to thrive: this is a time to focus on the academic subjects you love, and to prepare for life beyond school. Consequently, we ve designed our Sixth Form with two objectives in mind: providing the very best environment for learning and development but with the freedoms and space you need to pursue your own self-development goals. I also believe this is a perfect time to hone and develop leadership and communication skills, which is why being part of the wider school community is so important. To see what we can offer you, I d encourage you to come and see us and meet the people students, teachers and support-staff that make our Sixth Form special. We look forward to welcoming you soon. Mark Ronan MA (Cantab) Headmaster As soon as you have joined our Sixth Form, we start to prepare you to leave. We believe very strongly that your personal development is as important as the academic qualifications you will gain. In the Sixth Form you need freedom to develop your own learning strategies to help you become a more independent learner, capable of identifying and building on personal strengths, but also able to recognise limitations. Whilst you may not be confident in this area to start with, our excellent team of pastoral staff and teachers will keep an eye on your progress, offering support and help as the need arises. You may also want to try new things: to experiment with new academic challenges, public performance in the theatre, sports leadership, music or other extracurricular activities. You will have the opportunity to take on responsible leadership roles in the Sixth Form, working with staff to ensure the smooth running of the school. Our goal is to make the Sixth Form a place where you can have the confidence to risk pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, safe in the knowledge that you are well supported. Your Sixth Form years will pass far more quickly than you expect. Not only will you be learning academically and maturing personally, but you will also be making important and exciting decisions about your future. To help you get this right we offer you one-to-one discussions with specialist staff, individual support with applications and access to the collective experience of our superb Old Pocklingtonian Network. The value of this personal support at this critical phase of your life cannot be overstated. Sheena McNamee PhD BSc Head of Sixth Form Pocklington Sixth Form 1

4 Inspired for life Strengthening the links between academic and personal growth Focusing on strengths Sixth Form is an opportunity to focus on the things you love but in fact, Personal Strengths goes a lot deeper. It s not just about what you do but also the way you do it. Have you noticed how some people are brilliantly gifted at public speaking while others can organise and plan beautifully? When you work with your strengths it feels natural and comfortable, whereas weaknesses feel difficult, challenging and frustrating. Understanding personal strengths and how to make the most of them is key to a strong performance, so our approach in the Sixth Form not only helps you focus on the right academic subjects, but also provides opportunities for polishing and honing your natural skills and talents. This is the key to self-awareness which will help to strengthen your resilience, and provide you with the confidence not only to take on the challenges ahead but to succeed on your own terms. Individually inspired This is not one size fits all : the range of opportunities in the Sixth Form allows you to create a balanced programme to fulfil your academic objectives and also leaves time to explore new sporting, cultural or vocational activities to shape further and develop individual skills and strengths. Whatever you are looking to achieve, we will make sure that, wherever possible, we can fit your needs into the timetable. Our broad academic and cocurricular programme is designed to give you choice and allows you to suggest additional activities. Our excellent pastoral care is flexible and focussed on you. Your tutor and teachers will know and support you really well to help you make the most of your Sixth Form experience. You cannot underestimate the impact of this level of personal investment in your development. Taking risks Employers are always looking for dynamic and enthusiastic people, but being dynamic and enthusiastic involves taking risks. Our Sixth Form provides a safe environment in which to try out your leadership, management and organisational skills if you come unstuck we will be there to help you get back on track. We would rather you had the courage to try and need help than never to try at all. We are all allowed to make mistakes! The truly positive, supportive relationship between our students and staff is a key feature of our Sixth Form. We want you to succeed. For the love of... Above all else, you need to study what you love! You have a broad range of subjects to choose from in Pocklington s Sixth Form and we try to ensure that there is something to suit everyone. We will help you to develop the independent research and study skills that are so important for your success at university and beyond. These transferable learning skills will be a real asset, wherever you choose to go in life. Your teachers will work closely with you as an individual, identifying what you need to make progress. With this detailed, personal feedback you will see real improvements and feel positive about your work. You and your teachers make a formidable team! We make it easy to extend your interests beyond your A level subjects our truly broad academic extension programme gives you the option of finding out more about a range of genuinely interesting topics on a weekly basis. The school meets very successfully its aim to develop talent, confidence and personal responsibility through a broad curriculum and extensive co-curriculum, which are both excellent. Independent Schools Inspectorate Pocklington Sixth Form

5 POCKLINGTON SCHOOL OUNDED 1514 YORKSH IRE Our values are more than words Virtute et Veritate: With Courage and With Truth is as relevant to education today as it was at the School s foundation in We never forget that learning something new means adapting, exploring and growing and it takes a certain self-confidence. Consequently we do everything we can to create the best environment for learning, which includes providing support and help when it is most needed. We want our students to love learning and all that it entails. Inspiration is unpredictable, elusive and often highly personal. What captures the imagination of one can seem humdrum to another. In an evolving global community, we believe our ability to foster open mindedness, curiosity and debate form the basis of an enjoyable learning experience. Pocklington Sixth Form 3

6 Life in the Sixth Form Independence days Academic study in the sixth form is very different from studying for GCSEs. As a sixth form student you will take much more responsibility for your own learning and will have the flexibility to structure your personal work programme, making decisions in order to balance your workload with other commitments. 4 Pocklington Sixth Form

7 A new way of studying To achieve the best possible grades you will need a much more active working relationship with your teachers: you will be encouraged to work collaboratively, seeking advice and extra help as necessary, and will be expected to undertake independent research and reading in support of your chosen subjects. Subject choices and options There are 24 A level subjects for you to select from in the Sixth Form. We offer a wide range of subjects so that you can choose courses that play to your strengths and interests. Full details of our Sixth Form academic curriculum options are given in the AS and A level Curriculum Choices booklet which accompanies this prospectus, or on our website: You can also opt to study for an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This will help you to develop independent and critical study skills as you complete an in-depth project on an interesting topic of your choice. EPQs are highly regarded by university admissions tutors and carry UCAS points. Results indicate that progress at A Level is high. Relationships in the classroom between teachers, support staff and pupils are excellent, and pupils feel that they can approach any member of staff for help. The quality of some marking and comment, particularly in the sixth form, is exceptional. Academic extension As a Sixth Form student at Pocklington School you will be encouraged to fully to broaden your academic horizons by attending academic seminars and presentations. These can be selected from an annual programme of clubs, societies, activities and events to suit your own interests and specialist subjects. To extend your academic involvement, you can volunteer to take on the responsibility of becoming a Subject Prefect, help to organise and host visiting speakers and liaise with Heads of Department. The working week Your working week in the Sixth Form extends over six days and will be extremely busy and varied. We set aside Tuesday afternoon for sport, when you can take advantage of coaching to improve your skills or try something new. Your timetable will also include individual tutor time, house time, community activities as well as academic lessons and possibly sports fixtures. You will also have some free periods which can either be used for studying, completing other voluntary tasks or relaxing with your friends in our spacious sixth form centre. You can also choose to make use of our other facilities e.g. the Tom Stoppard Theatre is an excellent resource and our Art and Design Centre is open throughout the working day. Independent Schools Inspectorate 2013 Pocklington Sixth Form 5

8 Your time to shine Sports If you are passionate about competitive sport, Pocklington is a great place to be. We take our team sport very seriously, and we are very successful. However, if sport for fitness and enjoyment is more your style, you can choose from a wide range of options. Music and Drama In the limelight, or firmly behind the scenes, you will have plenty of opportunities to get involved in our busy schedule of performances. Whatever your interests or talents, the Sixth Form leads by example. The Upper Sixth organise and produce individual House entries for the fiercely contested annual House Music and Drama competitions which involve almost everyone in the school. Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Optional membership of the CCF will provide you with a wealth of opportunity to gain citizenship and leadership training and experience. Sixth Form Army and Air Force Cadets become Non-Commissioned officers (NCO s) whose role is to organise and be responsible for junior cadets. There are also opportunities to develop individual skills by attending leadership courses run by the the National Cadet Training Centre (CTC) or at HQ Air Cadets. We often have winning teams in national and regional competitions. Community Action Our Community Action programme allows students to use their many and varied talents in the wider community. Options vary slightly from year to year but generally include: helping out at local primary schools; social visits to senior citizens or less mobile local residents in local day care centres or retirement homes; visits to the Sue Ryder Home for disabled adults; to King s Mill School for disabled children, and conservation volunteers. 6 Pocklington Sixth Form

9 Duke of Edinburgh Award If you would like to design your own own adventure then perhaps the Duke of Edinburgh Award is for you. Achievement of this award provides the opportunity to play to your strengths as you gain important teamwork and leadership skills whilst working through bronze, silver and gold levels as well as becoming fitter and healthier. Pocklington Award This is our scheme of recognition and reward for individual participation in the co-curricular life of the school. Achievement of a Gold Award in the Sixth Form shows that you have demonstrated an adult level of responsibility and maturity using inter-personal, team-building and teamwork skills - all of which are highly regarded by employers and invaluable in adult life. Trips In addition to regular day visits, field work and language exchanges in support of your studies, you will have the opportunity to join one of the many overseas trips which are run by the Classics, Music, Art or History Departments. There are also overseas sports tours and charitable expeditions to locations in Southern Africa. Recent visits have included Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Pocklington Sixth Form 7

10 Looking to the future Skill development Employers cconsistently ask young people for key workplace skills. We want you to be well prepared for the demands of the working environment so that you will really stand out at interview. Our sixth form will provide you with many chances to develop and to practise your communication, teamwork, initiative and leadership skills. The more you involve yourself in the life of the school, the more opportunities you will have. Opportunities to get involved You will be able to demonstrate your commitment to both academic and co-curricular events and activities by making the most of our wider Sixth Form programmes. Taking part will enable you to develop your abilities to work in a team and to work effectively with a wide range of people including teachers, peers, younger pupils and others outside school. Showing that you can work with a variety of people is a key skill in today s job market. Pupils consistently gain places at universities in the UK, the majority at their first choice of institution. Independent Schools Inspectorate Pocklington Sixth Form

11 Positions of responsibility to suit everyone In the Sixth Form, anyone can volunteer to take on responsibility and we will do our best to find a role to suit your skills. This could be helping out with our younger students e.g. listening to young readers, acting as prep-room assistants or helping with afterschool care. Alternatively, you might become a School or House Prefect, a Library Assistant, a Sports Team Captain, a CCF Non-Commissioned Officer, a Student Council Representative, a Subject Prefect - or bring us your ideas and we may be able to create a position just for you. Careers and University advice Whatever your aspirations beyond school, you will receive one-to-one guidance and careers advice from our excellent specialist Careers Service, which is available to both our students and their parents. This includes individual support for university applications (including specialist applications to Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Oxbridge), work-based training courses, academic scholarships and GAP year advice. You will also be able to practise your interview skills with an independent external interviewer. Since no two students are the same, you will find our one-to-one support, tailored to your individual needs, to be invaluable in guiding you through the difficult decision-making process which faces all Sixth Form students in their last year at school. Old Pocklingtonian Association (OPA) We are very proud of our Old Pocklingtonians and they are very keen to help us to help you. As a Pocklington Sixth Form student you will have access to a wide range of support, help and advice from our Old Pocklingtonian Association. This could be as simple as either having a conversation about a career or university decision or offering you some work experience in a specific field - in some instances our students have been offered employment on the basis of work experience organised through the OPA. Either way, support from the OPA is available to you throughout your time in the Sixth Form, and beyond, for as long as you need it. SophieTregellis OP ( ) exhibiting her natural pet food range Pocklington Sixth Form 9

12 Boarding The original social network 10 Pocklington Sixth Form

13 Boarding in the Sixth Form Boarding can be especially helpful in the Sixth Form - it frees up time that would otherwise be spent on travel. This means that students can take advantage of the co-curricular and academic extension opportunities that will help to give them the edge on their personal statement or in the job market. Sixth Form boarding also helps individuals to enjoy greater independence and become more selfsufficient. This can be a big advantage when they move away from home. Flexibility when you need it Whatever Sixth Form students choose to do, we are aware that the demands of school, work, and modern family life are not always compatible so we have tried to make our boarding arrangements for both boarders and day pupils as flexible as possible. Students may find that extended day boarding works well for their busy schedule in the Sixth Form. They join the boarders for breakfast and stay at school as part of the senior boarding community until 9 pm, allowing them enough time to join after-school activities and to complete their homework. If our Sixth Form day students find that they have a particularly busy few days, with a school play for example, they can consider making use of our occasional boarding options to help them through the pressure point. More details about these services can be found in the current booklet Information for prospective parents or on our website: Boarding successfully encourages boarders to develop independence, tolerance and self-reliance. Independent Schools Inspectorate 2013 Pocklington Sixth Form 11

14 Boarding in the Sixth Form A home from home with your own personal space We have some of the best boarding accommodation in the UK. Our senior boarding houses, Fenwick-Smith for boys and Faircote for girls, are on or adjacent to the campus. Lower Sixth students normally share a room with one other, and Upper Sixth students have their own study bedroom. All houses are equipped with telephone, internet and Skype facilities so it is easy to keep in touch with family and friends at home. Family members are encouraged to visit whenever they can. Weekends and free time Living closely with your peers in a busy community is exciting and enjoyable but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding. Everyone needs time out, which is why students can choose whether or not to join in the boarders organised activity programme. This typically includes off-site trips for shopping, dry slope ski-ing, sports and the cinema. They will also have plenty of time simply to relax with their friends, which is an important part of the boarding experience. The quality of the boarding provision and care is excellent. Friendships exists across year groups, (while) co-ordination to support boarders from overseas shows great care and enables them to become well integrated into both school communities and to participate fully in school life. Independent Schools Inspectorate Pocklington Sixth Form

15 International students We welcome students from around the world and a recent school inspection judged us to have a relaxed and successful approach to the integration of boarders with other pupils. As a boarder at Pocklington you will be part of a diverse international community: our boarders come from the UK, Europe and around the world. At the same time, you will also join a well-established English community. As both a day and boarding school, Pocklington has a large number of local English pupils which gives you the best possible opportunity to make English friends. This will not only help you to improve your English but will also enable you to learn about UK culture. Everyone has many opportunities to practise their language skills: students speak English around school and all lessons are taught in English. We also have specialist EAL teachers (English as an Additional Language) who can also help those wanting individual support to improve their language skills. All international students have a UK guardian to support them at parents evenings and other school events when their parents cannot be with them and we also provide help with transport arrangements for exeats, and holidays from all UK airports. Pocklington Sixth Form 13

16 The campus and local area Pocklington School is situated on a 65 acre campus on the edge of the small friendly market town of Pocklington which offers banks, supermarkets, a post office, a cinema, a leisure centre and several restaurants. The town is surrounded by beautiful green countryside close to the Yorkshire Wolds and a short distance from two important protected areas of outstanding natural beauty: The North York Moors National Park, and the Yorkshire Dales. Fold upon fold of the encircling hills, piled rich and golden Winifred Holtby, Author The town of Pocklington is in the north of England in the East Riding of Yorkshire, 12 miles east of the historic city of York and 20 miles from the city of Hull. It is about four hours from London Heathrow Airport by car or train, or two hours from Manchester Airport. It is also possible to fly from Heathrow direct to Leeds Bradford Airport which is just over an hour s drive away. Bus services for day pupils Pocklington School is easily accessible on public bus services from Central and North Hull which cover Beverley, Bishop Burton, Driffield, Market Weighton, North Dalton and Shiptonthorpe. In addition the school operates a number of private routes which vary from year to year according to demand. Details of current bus routes are available from the Bursar s Secretary and parents who may need to rely on a private route should make their requirements known to her at the earliest opportunity. 14 Pocklington Sixth Form

17 The Pocklington campus In addition to specialist teaching facilities for music, science, English and other academic subjects, and four boarding houses, our 65 acre campus includes the 300 seat Tom Stoppard Theatre as well as 21 acres of grass rugby, cricket and hockey pitches. There are also two full sized synthetic pitches, one of them floodlit, which can be used for hockey and netball in the winter and in the summer are transformed into 18 tennis courts. We also have an indoor swimming pool and an indoor sports hall. Pocklington Sixth Form 15

18 Admissions and scholarships Admissions Offers of places in Pocklington Sixth Form are subject to availability of a place, the provision of a satisfactory school report and the attainment of six GCSE grades to include 4B and 2C grades. There is no formal entry examination. Because all lessons are taught in English, international students are all tested and interviewed on Skype (if it is impossible to visit) to ensure that they can benefit from the education offered. Bursaries A limited number of Sixth Form bursaries, worth up to 100% of the day fee, are available to Sixth Form applicants. Bursary applications must be made by the end of February (check the date in the accompanying Sixth Form booklet) in the proposed year of entry. Bursaries are awarded on merit as a result of examination, recital performance or other tested skill in the following March, and after assessment of the means of parents or guardians. The candidate must also achieve the GCSE grades required for sixth form entry i.e. 4B and 2C grades. Full details are available from the bursar. Scholarships Academic Scholarships Sixth Form scholarships and exhibitions are available to both internal and external Sixth Form applicants. Known as Hutton Awards, these are offered to the highest performing GCSE candidates in the year group, normally those who achieve 8 or more A* grades at GCSE. Music Scholarships Music scholarships are awarded annually. The minimum entry requirement for Sixth Formers is Grade 8 on their first instrument and Grade 5 on their second instrument. Auditions are held in the Lent term and students interested in applying for a music scholarship should contact the Director of Music as soon as possible to arrange an audition. 16 Pocklington Sixth Form

19 Find out more Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you ll make and for this reason we like to meet as many of our prospective pupils and their parents, siblings and other relatives as we can. We recommend visiting us on a normal school day to enable you to meet the staff and students and experience for yourself the spirit of the school, either at one of our open mornings or by prior appointment. Until then, you can find out more about our family of schools by visiting our website where you will find all the information you need. To arrange a visit please contact: The Admissions Secretary Pocklington School West Green, Pocklington York YO42 2NJ Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) enquiry@pocklingtonschool.com

20 Getting here By Road: Pocklington is easily accessible from the A1079 linking York and Hull. By Rail: York Railway Station is approximately 30 minutes by taxi. Buses depart from outside the station. By Air: Leeds Bradford, Humberside and Manchester airports are all within easy driving distance. By Sea: The ferry terminal in Hull is approximately 45 minutes drive away (sailings from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge). Photography by and school staff Pocklington School West Green, Pocklington York YO42 2NJ Tel: +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) Registered Charity No