6th Form Prospectus #2

Uckfield
College

Realising Potential



Your Springboard to Success

Dear Student
Welcome to a new and exciting chapter in your life: the beginning of a great
experience which will help you discover more about who you are and what
you can achieve as a unique, talented person. The next stage of your
education will transform your life. You will want to take on new challenges
and here, at Uckfield, we offer you outstanding opportunities to learn and
develop as an individual.
We are a highly successful 6th Form, consistently achieving excellent results and
with a very high proportion of our students progressing to their first choice
university. We are utterly dedicated to giving you inspirational teachers and
supportive mentors.
The 6th Form team will equip you to be the best you can be by: helping you
to achieve your best possible results; enabling your leadership to develop; giving
you opportunities to have fun and grow as an individual; providing excellent
careers guidance and by advising you on university and job applications.
We are very proud of the broad and flexible curriculum we offer and we are
even more proud of our 6th Form students.
They are happy and successful because they:
­ have a thirst for knowledge, skills and understanding
­ are active learners
­ work hard
­ are independent thinkers
­ lead by example
­ take part in so many opportunities
­ contribute to student life and give generously to the community
­ are reliable, punctual and have excellent attendance
We look forward to welcoming you to our 6th Form and working with you to
realise your potential.
Hugh Hennebry
Principal

3

Why choose Uckfield College 6th Form

A great range of courses
There is a wide variety of courses on offer; over 30 A Levels, a range of Level
3 BTEC, as well as a selection of BTEC Level 2 courses. More details about
courses and subject requirements are in the Curriculum Booklet.
Excellent teaching and results - our students are high achievers
The college prides itself on its excellent A Level and BTEC results. Teachers
continually challenge 6th Form students and never settle for second best.
Our unique support system
The 6th Form pastoral structure ensures that you will always have someone
to talk to, including a personal mentor to guide you through your time in
6th Form.

“students comment positively about the care, guidance and support they receive”
Ofsted

The 6th Form is large enough to offer a wide range of courses,
but not so big that you will feel lost
There is a friendly welcome, both for students who join us from within the
college and those from other schools. In addition to our wide and varied
academic curriculum there are plenty of extra curricular opportunities, from
the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme to becoming part of our 6th Form
Leadership Team.
Life after 6th Form
Whatever you choose to do after you have finished your courses you will
be supported every step of the way, whether this is a successful application
to a top university, preparing your portfolio for Art Foundation studies,
planning a gap year or applying for an apprenticeship or employment.

4

What do students say?

‘‘The staff at Uckfield always ‘‘ ‘‘Winning the Sussex rugby cup ‘‘I’ve found the sixth form at ‘‘
provide amazing emotional as a part of the College team Uckfield to be a very friendly, ‘‘
and educational support. ‘‘ was a great opportunity that I sociable environment and it is
Milly Volkova am very thankful for. really easy to make new friends.
‘‘ ‘‘ Chester Stanyon Daisy Cotterill
‘‘The Technology department’s
equipment and teachers have ‘‘Students are ‘‘Teachers here create a flexible and
given me the ability to well-guided and rewarding learning environment
manufacture exciting projects benefit from which I really appreciate.
which I thought I'd never be teaching which is Jack Read
able to achieve. of a consistently
Tom Salter high quality.
Ofsted

‘‘Taking part in the Model
United Nations General

‘‘The staff at Uckfield College Assembly was a fantastic ‘‘The Fine Art facilities are
are very approachable and exactly what I needed. I feel
help me overcome any opportunity to learn about that I am in a solid place to
difficulties that I come across continue on and pursue an
in learning. policies in other countries Art Foundation course.

Mahi Haque Louis Bissett
‘‘ ‘‘
and get involved in political ‘‘

debate. India Rayner-Phillips

5

What is it like to study in the 6th Form

Studying the best courses for you in 6th Form is very important and this
means choosing the subjects you are most interested in and the right level
of challenge. There is a much greater range of courses in the 6th Form
than at Key Stage 4 and our expert staff are there to guide you in making
your choices.
Students on Level 3 courses (A Levels and BTEC Level 3 qualifications) usually
take three subjects in Year 12; some will also take the Extended Project
Qualification or Core Maths (an AS equivalent level over 2 years). The
Extended Project Qualification is a research-based independent study that
gives students a nationally recognised qualification much valued by universities
and employers. You will have approximately 15 hours of timetabled lessons
per week, 8 periods of supervised study, with the rest of the timetable as
independent study periods. Level 3 courses are very demanding and you
will find you need to organise your time effectively to ensure you complete
your work. 6th Form students have their own dedicated study areas as well
as a 6th Form Common Room for relaxation and socialising.
Level 2 courses are the equivalent to GCSE qualifications, grades A* to C.
Students on these one year courses will have around 9 to 10 hours of lessons
a week, with two days for work experience. The courses have assessments
in class throughout the year, rather than end of year exams.

6

Life beyond the classroom…

Although the priority in the 6th Form is fulfilling your academic potential and
successfully completing your courses, there is a lot more to 6th Form life than
studying. There are regular 6th Form trips; recent destinations have included
Ghana, India and skiing in Austria. There are also plenty of performance
opportunities, such as a diverse range of music concerts and the college show.
All 6th Form students have the chance to participate in a wide range of
enrichment activities, such as helping in lower school classes working with lower
school students in the Eco Club, joining the Student Council, or our Student
Leadership Team. Such activities prove successful and enjoyable ends in
themselves, as well as being valuable elements in job or UCAS applications.
There is also an active 6th Form Social Committee (as part of the Student
Leadership Team) which runs events such as themed Winter Wonderland trip,
the 6th Form Easter Ball and the Leavers’ Prom. There is also the 6th Form
Common Room, which has its own cafe and coffee shop and is a relaxed
environment in which students can socialise.

7

What support will I get?

One of the cornerstones of the 6th Form’s success is the mentor system.
You will be placed in a mentor group of approximately 15 students. If you
are new to the college you can choose to be with someone you know. Your
mentor is a specially trained teacher who will oversee your time in the 6th
Form and mentor you throughout. This will include academic mentoring,
pastoral support and writing references. Your mentor also monitors
attendance and progress in courses and is a point of contact for your
parents/guardians.
The 6th Form has a close relationship with the college’s Special Needs
Department to ensure students receive the support they need for their
classroom learning and in their examinations.
6th Form students can apply to the 16-18 Bursary Fund for help with costs
related to their studies. This is particularly aimed at lower income families
and enables students to buy text-books, equipment such as laptops and pay
for educational trips.
There is a very strong 6th Form pastoral team. In addition to the 6th Form
mentors there is a Head of 6th Form, three Directors of Sixth Form, and a
full time Pastoral Leader (a non-teaching member of staff) who support
students every step of the way.

8

UCAS and the 6th Form careers service

We are proud of the support we offer to university applicants and the success
that they enjoy in securing their places. A thorough programme is in place
to prepare 6th Formers for, and guide them through, applying to higher
education. This includes dedicated research and application booklets, guest
speakers, visiting the local higher education convention and also a parents’
information evening. Considerable emphasis is placed on ensuring both the
UCAS personal statement and reference fully and effectively support the
application. Here the relationship between 6th Former and mentor proves
so important - and effective.
The 6th Form has an excellent careers service for students wishing to go on
to employment or an apprenticeship after their course has finished. This is
available to all students in the 6th Form. Students are also given help on how
to apply for jobs, preparing their CV and given training on interview skills.

9

How do I apply to the 6th Form

Applications to 6th Form are welcome up until the start of courses in
September. However, if application choices are to be taken into account
when we make decisions on the option blocks, they must be received by
30th March.

Students in Year 11 at Uckfield College will be asked to complete digital
options preference forms. They will receive a range of information and
guidance during the Spring Term, which will provide them with the
opportunity to discuss their options and let us know which they are likely
to select.

We welcome applications from external students. Students who are not at
Uckfield College in Year 11 can download an application form from the 6th
Form page of the college website, or contact the college and ask for an
application form. You will not have a formal interview, but are most welcome
to come into the 6th Form and discuss your application choices at any time.

We will write to your current school and request a reference.

Application enquiries from external students should be sent to
[email protected]

APPLICATION TIMELINE

October 6th Form prospectus is issued and students start to consider their choices.

November 6th Form Options Evening - students can talk to staff and students about the courses they
are interested in.

January Students in Year 11 at Uckfield College have a meeting about their choices. External
students have until the 30th March to apply if their choices are to be included when the
option blocks are decided.

March / April Any students with potential clashes in their options are notified and offered alternative
choices.

May / June GCSE examinations

August GCSE results and enrolment interviews. The enrolment interviews take place in the last
week of August, after the GCSE results have come out.

September Courses start in the first week of September, following a 6th Form Induction Day.

10



Uckfield College
Downsview Crescent,
Uckfield,
East Sussex TN22 3DJ

Tel: 01825 764844
Email: [email protected]
www.uckfield.college