Welcome to Claremonts Sixth Form Year 12 Parent

Welcome to Claremont’s Sixth Form Year 12 Parent Information Evening th Monday 16 September 2019

This evening: 5. 30 – 6 pm Introduction to A-levels and vocational qualifications 6 – 6. 30 pm Introduction to the 6 th form

What is our philosophy? • The sixth form is a place where you will mature and develop, both socially, emotionally and academically • You will have opportunities to try new experiences, make new friends and further develop your own identity, personality and values • It is a bridge between being a child/pupil and becoming a young adult ready for university, apprenticeships or employment • We will give you the freedom and independence to do this – and we expect you to show the responsibility and maturity to manage this transition

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Our expectations of students: 95% attendance & 100% punctuality Follow the rules of the sixth form Stick to the sixth form dress code Demonstrate excellent behaviour around school – showing respect and maturity – and being role models for younger students A commitment to work as hard as you can to achieve academic success To contribute positively to the school life and local community

Claremont High School’s Sixth Form Code of Conduct 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Students will attend all lessons, enrichment sessions, tutorials, assemblies and compulsory registrations. Students will be on time to all lessons, enrichment sessions, tutorials, assemblies and compulsory registrations. Students will observe the school’s attendance policy regarding authorised absences. Students will meet all deadlines set by teachers for the submission of work. Students will adhere to the sixth form dress code at all times. Students will have their ID badges with them at all times and show them when required. Students will sign in and out using the biometric system if they leave the school premises during the day and as required at AM and PM registrations. 8. Students will treat all staff, visitors and other students with respect and courtesy. 9. Students will not bring any visitors into the school unless they have obtained the permission of a member of the sixth form team. 10. Students will treat all of the sixth form areas and all of the school buildings and property with respect and care. 11. Students will abide by the rules of our sixth form areas, for example ensuring that they work in silence in the sixth form study area and do not eat or drink in that room. 12. Students will use ICT appropriately and will check their school email regularly. 13. Students will never submit plagiarised work and will always follow exam regulations in external, internal and classroom assessments and examinations.

Stage Behaviour Actions Timescale Stage 1 Persistent breaches of the sixth form code of conduct across a period of time Meeting between student & PPM Phone call between parents/carers and PPM & letter home Student remains at Stage 1 until code of conduct is consistently followed Stage 2 No change to behaviour following Stage 1 Meeting with Head of Sixth Form, PPM and parents/carers & letter home Student needs to demonstrate they are following the code of conduct consistently for a specified period of time Stage 3 No change to behaviour in timescale set out in Stage 2 Meeting with Deputy Head for Sixth Form, Head of Sixth Form, PPM and parents/carers to initiate permanent exclusion or other options Stage 4 Permanent exclusion from our sixth form

Key things for parents to know about the sixth form • A-levels and vocational qualifications are significantly harder than in previous years • Students can find it difficult to manage the transition between GCSE and A-level • We must ensure that we support our students’ emotional well-being and mental health • This is a period where young people are going through big changes and we must support them as best we can to achieve their dreams and ambitions • Open dialogue between parent, school and student is vitally important

Registration • All must attend AM registrations every morning • All must be in school from Period 1 to 4 • All can go home at lunch if they do not have a Period 5/6 lesson • All can leave school for lunch and come back for Period 5 • All do not need to attend PM registration All must attend any other registration as directed by their form tutor Every student will meet once per half term for a 10 minute mentoring/coaching session with their form tutor during a PM registration

More freedom coming…. We will gradually give students more freedom and independence if they show the responsibility and maturity to be able to manage their time successfully.

Sixth Form Smart Dress Code Students in the Sixth Form are expected to dress smartly and appropriately for school. Any student dressed inappropriately will be sent home to change. Key things they CANNOT wear: ripped or faded jeans; tracksuit bottoms/tops & sportswear; baseball caps; any clothing that is offensive, revealing or inappropriate for school in any other way.

Acceptable Hair and Head wear Tops Leg wear neat and tidy hair outdoor hats worn outdoors Hijab/ Topi (prayer hat) outdoor hats (woolly hats etc) worn indoors including registration and lessons no baseball caps worn indoors/ outdoors No hoods to be worn smart shirts or blouses/tops smart T-shirts jumpers, cardigans or blazers/jackets sportswear, including football tops hoodies (except Claremont leavers hoodie) inappropriate language/ symbols on T shirts ripped or torn clothing sheer clothing low necklines/crop tops/strappy vests smart trousers or jeans smart skirts/dresses (knee length or below) no leggings sportswear, including tracksuits overly baggy or low trousers ripped or torn clothing, including ripped jeans high heeled shoes flimsy sandals/ flip-flops/ beach shoes outdoor clothing worn indoors including registration and lessons heavy make up obtrusive jewellery e. g. dog collars Footwear smart shoes/ boots smart trainers Outdoor clothing (coats/ smart coats hats/ scarves etc) Jewellery and Make up Not Acceptable simple earrings and necklaces/ chains natural looking make up

Sixth Form areas in the school • The Street – multi-purpose space, including for quiet study • Monty’s – an area to relax or work in • The Quiet Study Room – quiet study, no phones, eating/drinks • The Silent Study Room – private, silent study area, only open for lessons, no phones or eating/drinking

Mobile phones can only be used in the sixth form areas

Other important things • All students receive an ID card after Photo Day on Tuesday 24 th September • Assemblies are on Thursdays – starting 26 th September. We want students to deliver them! • Rewards – we have a rewards’ assembly every term & rewards’ breakfasts every term. We also run a trip to Brighton for the top 50 students in the summer! • Bursary – the school receives funding for students from low-income families. Applications are now open. • FSM- If your child received Free School Meals in the lower school please apply through your normal route in order for this to continue.

6 th Form Support Form Tutors -Liaise with as your first point of contact -Meeting with each student once a half term -Checking attendance and dress code -Supporting and guiding students in choosing their next steps Mr Reilly – Learning Mentor for students - Supporting students through apprenticeships post 18 Mr Jodha- Organisation of the mentoring programme for students in Year 12 and 13 -Supporting vocational subjects in ensuring students meet their coursework deadlines -Organising student voice events to ensure students’ views are represented Mental health support and guidance is available from any of our staff. Possible referrals can be made to counselling and mentoring where required.

Key dates in Year 12 & 13 November 2019 – GCSE English and Maths re-takes January 2020 – First vocational examinations May 2020 – Vocational examinations June 2020 (end of Year 12) – UCAS (mock) exams for A-level students July 2020 – UCAS predictions for all students December 2020 – Mock exams 1 January 15 th 2020 – UCAS deadline March 2021 – Mock exams 2 May/June 2021 – Final vocational exams/deadlines & A-level examinations

UCAS – getting to university • This is a good time to apply to university – it is relatively easier to get a place at university than in previous years • BUT, the cost of going to university is higher than at any time previously AND many people are questioning the relative value of a degree given the high cost attached • The loan system is complicated – the most overlooked fact is that the maintenance loan does not cover the full cost of going to university • UCAS 2021 launches in January 2020 for all Year 12 • We support all our students from January 2020 through to Results Day August 2021 • Please encourage your son/daughter to research their options and to make an informed choice (see ucas. com) • UCAS Information Evening will be held on Monday 27 th April 2020

How we help students to find their future • Unlimited 1: 1 careers’ meetings • A full programme of careers education delivered through tutorial sessions • A full programme of support and guidance delivered by tutors and through assemblies • Careers’ event in the Spring term for all students • The option of undertaking an Extended Project Qualification

Our Commitment… Students will • Have had opportunities to acquire and develop employability skills • Know about post-18 learning options • Know how to prepare for and make effective applications to universities, apprenticeships, school leaver programmes and so on. • Know how to find and use a range of careers information resources • Know how and where to access careers guidance • Be supported to make effective Career decisions and transitions