Bushey Meads Sixth Form

A Centre Of Excellence

Welcome

• Mrs Ash- Assistant Head teacher in charge of Key Stage 5

• Ms Smallwood – Head of Sixth Form

AIMS

• How to support your son or daughter

• Key dates and important tips from departments

• How to be successful• Who can help

A-Level is an Iceberg A-Level is a massive

jump in independent learning.

It is closer to University learning than it is GCSE

There is no spoon-feeding going on.

Think of your A Level course as an Iceberg. The lessons are the small but defining part above the surface but the important weight and depth are under the water

The Lessons

Independent Work

What can Parents do to help?

Support your son or daughter:

–Ask them about their courses –encourage them to talk

–Ask them about homework – why aren’t they doing any?

–Provide them with a place to work

–Check the Learning Gateway

–How many hours should they be working outside of lessons?

How to be a

successful 6th Form

student - key

messages from

Faculties

Computing in Year 12

Ms Heartfield

• AS Computing : 2 units (both exams)

• AS Applied ICT : 3 units (1 exam) all equal value

• BTEC National : 6 coursework units

Example of weekly plan and

deadlinesW/C Topic Deadline Date

01/09/2014 (1) Introduction to the Unit

08/09/2014 (2) Life in the information Age

15/09/2014 (1) Life in the information Age

Presentations all complete

by Wednesday 17th Sept

Interviews due Wednesday 17/09/14

22/09/2014 (2) Life in the information Age/ ebook designsEbook designs completed by Friday

26/09/14

29/09/2014 (1) Start the ebook LIIA Section complete by

Wednesday 01/10/2014

08/10/2014 (2) Online Services

13/10/2014 (1) Online Services

20/10/2014 (2) Online Services

27/10/2014 Half Term

03/11/2014 (2) Digital DivideOS Section complete by

Friday 7/11/2014

10/11/2014 (1) Digital Divide

17/11/2014 (2) Making your ebook/Multimedia DD Section complete Friday 21/11/2014

24/11/2014 (1) Making your ebook/Multimedia

English

English Literature

English Language and Literature

Head of Faculty - Mr Dawson

Mr Cartledge

AS PE THEORETICAL UNITS (60% OVERALL)

•SOCIO-CULTURAL STUDIES

•ACQUIRING MOVEMENT

SKILLS

•ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

• HOW TO HELP ?

1.A LEVEL PE TALK – Watch sport and talk theory

2.Read Quality Press for sporting articles on

contemporary issues (eg drugs, health and

fitness, deviance)

3.Encourage students to do wider research for

homework tasks

4.Test on KEY TERMS – see glossary

5.Revise thoroughly for Unit tests (excellent

guide on progress)

AS PE PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT (30%)

•PERFORMANCE IS

ASSESSED IN 2

SPORTS FROM 2

DIFFERENT ACTIVITY

PROFILES

• HOW TO HELP ?

• ENCOURAGE THE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE

PARTICIPATING IN SPORT !!

• FOCUS ON WEAKER AREAS EG BADMINTON,

TABLE TENNIS

• ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP FITNESS

LEVELS

AQA AS BIOLOGY

SCIENCE - Mr BILTON

21st May 2015

1st June 2015

Feb-March

2015 (TBC)

UNIT 1 – BIOLOGY AND DISEASE

Topics covered:

Causes of disease

Enzymes

Cells

Lungs and lung disease

Heart and heart disease

Immunity

UNIT 2 – THE VARIETY OF LIVING

ORGANISM

Topics covered

Variation

DNA and Meiosis

Genetic Diversity

The variety of life

Cell cycle

Cell differentiation

Exchange and transport

Classification

Evolutionary evidence

Adaptation and selection

Biodiversity

EXPECTATIONS

A positive attitude

Effort

Ask for help if you need it

Do extra reading to supplement your learning

in lessons

Remember your equipment e.g. paper,

textbooks etc.

HOW TO SUCCEED AT AS

BIOLOGY

Organisation – keep your notes in order

Study skills – spend time actively reviewing material

that you have covered in class

Mind maps

Summarise your notes

Draw pictures

Try exam questions from the AQA website

USEFUL SOURCES

Not an exhaustive list – try Google for others

www.biozone.co.uk This is an excellent gateway to many other websites with useful material to support topics in both AS and A2. Click on Biolinks on the home page.

www.biologymad.com/ This site is full of useful notes to support AS and A2 topics and also useful web links and advice for students.

www.s-cool.co.uk Many web pages of structured notes

A level Physics

Specificatio

n AQA Physics A

In the first year, students cover familiar subjects in more depth: mechanics, materials and

waves, and exciting new topics: particles, quantum phenomena and electricity.

In the second year, students are introduced to topics including fields and further mechanics,

and choose from options including astrophysics, medical physics, applied physics and turning

points in physics

Scheme of assessment

Unit 1 – PHYA1 Particles, quantum phenomena and electricity

40% of the total AS marks

20% of the total A-level marks

PPE in April

Unit 2 – PHYA2 Mechanics, materials and waves

Written Examination – (70 marks/120UMS)

40% of the total AS marks

20% of the total A-level marks

PPE in January

Controlled assessment

Investigative skills assessment (ISA)

20% of the total AS marks

10% of the total A-level marks

Practice ISA in November

Real ISA scheduled to be sat in March (last week

before Easter)

Attainment tracking

Expectations

Students are encouraged to make use of their textbook by preparing the lessons

of the following week.

It is expected that students annotate their textbooks, by highlighting, linking pieces

of information, writing questions to ask the teacher, and answering the summary

questions (mark schemes are available on the back of the textbook).

Students are encouraged to make use of relevant website, as well as answering

past exam papers available from the AQA website

Resources

Students have been handed out 3 packs

- Lesson notes (summary of the lesson)

- Practical and ISA skills booklet

- Extended writing questions (formative assessment)

The exam question pack will be available soon, and will cost £5

per unit (£10 in total).

A-level Chemistry

A-level Chemistry qualification is linear.

All the AS exams at the end of their AS

course and all the A-level exams at the

end of their A-level course.

Tips for success

• Revise regularly after each lesson.

• Complete as many past exam questions as possible to understand the style of question.

• Refer to mark schemes. This will help students to identify the important points needed for the questions.

• ASK FOR HELP

The Arts – Mr Knowles

Drama and Theatre Studies

• Currently working on Unit 1.

• Deadline: End of this term.

• Keep notes on every lesson.

• Every lesson counts towards the final grade.

The Arts

Fine Art / Graphics• Food and Drink

theme final pieces to be completed by 14th

November.

• Preparation work complete by 17th

October

The Arts

Media Studies• Group films: 13th

October• Research, outline

treatment, detailed treatment, storyboard and shooting script: 7th

November• Individual films: 12th

December

The Arts

• Look at the grading criteria very carefully.

• 1st Assessment (Unit 23: The Inspirational Performer) due in 19th

November

BTEC Music

The Arts

• Dedication

• Research independently

• Take part

• Be critical

• Experience the Arts

Social Sciences

Faculty

Head of Faculty: Ms Knowles

The Social Sciences Faculty

SubjectsBusiness Studies

G and P

Law

Psychology

Sociology

Key StaffMs Hazell / Mrs Pinkus

Mr Arnold

Ms Knowles

Mrs Lawrence / Miss Brewer / Mrs Broome

Miss Brewer / Miss Bevan-Davies

Any concerns?

Contact us

School email is

the most

convenient way

Faculty Expectations

In Lessons● Attendance and punctuality

● Be fully equipped

o lined paper - to include a margin

o bring any text books required

o current folder - to be organised

o homework

● Be active and not passive

● Be fully prepared

o all homework completed by the

deadline to an excellent

standard

o for all tests etc

Independent StudyDirected by departments - on top of homework e.g.

● take advantage of opportunity, such as drop-in

clinics (BS - Monday lunch H7)

● further reading

● reading a quality newspaper

● watching the news or other relevant

programme e.g. ‘Question Time’;

documentaries

● delving into ‘A’ Level Magazines

● going back over notes

● looking back over staff feedback given - acting

upon it e.g. re-drafting part of an essay

● visits - e.g. to courts, Parliament

Faculty Expectations

Independent Study

Directed by departments - on top of homework e.g.

● take advantage of opportunity, such as drop-in clinics (BS - Monday lunch H7)

● further reading

● reading a quality newspaper

● watching the news or other relevant programme e.g. ‘Question Time’; documentaries

● delving into ‘A’ Level Magazines

● going back over notes

● looking back over staff feedback given - acting upon it e.g. re-drafting part of an essay

● visits - e.g. to courts, Parliament

Texts and Reading

● Each department has a list of recommended texts - including extension ones for

students who wish to take their learning to a higher level

● Students are expected to purchase core texts themselves - they have been

given the details of these books by their class teachers via a letter.

● For some, it is recommended

that they subscribe to a magazine

Social Sciences Policies

● Minimum pass mark for all tests and exams - generally 60% (sometimes higher

for individual students)

o Failure to reach this minimum will lead to a compulsory re-sit

● Pre-public exam - January - all students expected to pass

o Not passing - re-sit opportunity - possible withdrawal from the course

o For those not reaching their target grade - re-sit opportunity

● To keep you informed

o school assessments

o test results

o concerns

o successes

It would be really useful to have

your email address - this saves us

masses of time

A Level Product Design

Mr Chalkley

Year 12: project 60%, practical exam 40%Year 13: project 60%, written exam 40%

Looking to the future…………..

To do well in A level Product Design you should

be:creative

resilient

organised

determined

independent

an ideas person

a problem solver

a higher level thinker

a good communicator

Careers:

Product design

Engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil)

Fashion (designers, buyers, material

specialists)

Business management

and many many more……………….

Succeeding At Humanities’ AS

Levels – Mr Newbold

• Humanities A levels include Geography, History and R.S. (Philosophy and Ethics)

• Commitment

• Organisation

• Preparation

• Engagement

Remembering

COPE will help

you not just to get

by but also to

succeed

Geography• Exam Technique

• Exam Command

Words

• Extra reading

AS Units

Unit 1 Global Challenge 60% of AS marks

Unit 2 Geographical Investigations 40% of AS marks

Assessment

Unit Title Exam Time Format 1 Global Challenge

1hr 30min In Section A you will use the

resource booklet to answer data

response and short answer

questions.

In Section B you will also use the

resource booklet and your own

ideas to choose and answer a longer

essay question.

2 Geographical

Investigations

1hr 15 min You will answer one question on

Extreme Weather and one

question on Rebranding Places. The

questions require longer responses,

each with three parts, designed to

include data response,

investigation and evaluation skills

and related impacts/management

issues. You will be expected to use

the resource booklet and our own

ideas from fieldwork and research

carried out.

History

• The A Level History Course is OCR specification A

• There are two exam papers at AS Level History:

1. F961 “Britain Foreign and Imperial Relations 1945-90” – one 1 ½ hour paper where students write two essays from a choice of three questions

2. F964 “Germany 1918-63”- one 1 ½ hour paper where students answer two questions on sources in their historical context

Key Steps To Success

British Paper

• Answer the question- learn to recognise command words

• Structure your argument-remember the importance of finishing with a strong conclusion

• Remember PEEL

Germany Paper

• For Q. (a) try to make a point by point comparison

• Be clear what the focus of the question is; you are only looking for comparisons regarding a particular issue

• Make judgements all the way through

• Q. (b) is essentially a debate on an historical issue based on the evidence in the sources and student’s own knowledge.

• Give both arguments for and against before reaching a conclusion

R.S. (Philosophy and Ethics)

The course offered is the Edexcel specification

• To be successful in RS students should:

• Write/type up notes they have taken in lessons.

• Supplement their class notes with independant study.

• Be aware of issues in the world around them.

• Be on time, organised and focused!

• Complete homework.

• Be prepared to answer exam style questions in class.

• Answer questions using the PEEL structure.

• If you don't understand ask!

If only I’d taken a language!

Ms Dawson

I just can’t believe I didn’t get into the university I wanted to go to. I

didn’t realise they’d want me to have a languages qualification. Now what am

I going to do??

AS Topics and sub-topics

1. Media

• Television

• Advertising

• Communication

technology

2. Popular Culture

• Cinema

• Music

• Fashion/trends

3. Healthy living / Lifestyle

• Sport/exercise

• Health and well-being

• holidays

4. Family / Relationships

• Relationships within the

family

• Friendships

• Marriage / partnerships

Unit 1 French or Spanish AS Level

• Unit 1 Listening, Reading and Writing

=70% of the total AS marks

Students will be given individual CD players which they control. The 2 hour exam is all on one paper and timing suggestions are given on it.

• Unit 2 Speaking French 35 minutes (20 minutes preparation time)Speaking= 30% of the total AS marks

AS Topics and sub-topics

1. Media

• Television

• Advertising

• Communication

technology

2. Popular Culture

• Cinema

• Music

• Fashion/trends

3. Healthy living / Lifestyle

• Sport/exercise

• Health and well-being

• holidays

4. Family / Relationships

• Relationships within the

family

• Friendships

• Marriage / partnerships

Support for students

• Students are offered one –to one support

with the class teacher as often as they

wish.

• All students see the Foreign Language

Assistant at least once a week from

October until the speaking exam. The

focus is purely oral.

Three units in Year 12

Core 1

Core 2

Statistics 1

Equally weighted

A-80%, B-70%, C-60%

All three exams will be sat

in June 2015

There are no January

exams

Less opportunities for

resit, so change mindset

and ensure best score on

first sitting

Progress tracking and

improvement

C1 PPE

Progress tracking and

improvement

Topic assessments- DIAGNOSE strengths and weakness

- THERAPY given through Maths Surgeries,

independent studies, directed support from

teacher

- TESTING will take place to check if

weaknesses have become strengths

Maths Folder

- Students are expected to maintain

a well organised folder containing:

- Classwork notes

- Homework

- Independent studies

- Exam paper questions

- Problem questions

Support and

Independent Studies

- Maths Surgeries on Wednesday

lunchtimes

- Sixth Form Maths study space in

G6

- Textbook CD

- MyMaths

- www.examsolutions.net

GCSE Maths v AS Maths

GCSE Maths – last

minute? May survive.

AS Maths – last minute?

No chance

The Sixth Form Team

Assistant Head teacher in charge of Key Stage 5 – Mrs Ash

Head of Sixth Form – Ms Smallwood

Assistant Head of Sixth Form – Mrs Hoskins

EPQ Coordinator – Mrs Neal

Learning Mentor – Ms Miller

Key Stage 5 administrator – Mrs Crane

Based in the Sixth Form Centre in order to provide day to day support and guidance

EPQ

An independent project based on a student’s personal interests

A stand alone AS qualification.

The only AS qualification with an A* grade

Develops the skills of research, follow through and completion

Highly regarded by universities and employers alike

EPQThis term students will: Develop a title / theme/ idea for their

project Complete initial research

Next term selected students will: Complete research

After AS exams selected students will: Finalise projects / products Present their projects to an audience

Success Story Ella – ex-Bushey Meads student

Results

–Media Studies – A*

–English - B

–Fine Art – A*

–Destination.

–Birmingham University to study English

How did she do it…?

Ella was a classic Bushey Meads student. Good results at GCSE and ideal to study 4 AS levels.

However, she struggled with exams at every turn. She revised hard but something was missing on the day of exams.

She had many disappointments. However, she just kept going.

Ella has gone on to be successful because she has developed the tools to deal with difficult situations.

What can I do?

Be pro-active

Re-write my notes after lessons.

Re- work my essay responses/ ideas so that I understand them

Speak to my teachers, asking where I can improve.

Cut negative self talk.

Be honest – am I really working at the level I need to be at?

Perseverance

It is hard to do something difficult.

It is easy to give up when the going gets tough…

But learning to cope with difficulty, to become independent and adaptable is a vital part of education.

Intervention & Assessment

Settling in Check

–Early October, all teachers asked to make a judgement on how students have started the course.

–All concerns interviewed by 6th form team.

Intervention & Assessment

Assessments

– 3 Assessments over the academic year. Can be viewed on the Learning Gateway

21st November 2014

20th March 2015

8th May 2015

Consultation Evening– 24th February 2015

Study Leave

– Commences 8th May

– A2 lessons commence 8th June

Pre Public Examinations

Week Beginning 12th January

Results to parents 9th February

Students who fail these examinations are in danger of being removed from the course

Opportunity to re-take

Entry requirement for A2 in year 13 is a D grade

Students can no longer re take year 12 at the current school

CONTACT

Mrs Crane : 020 8955 8801

Ms Millar : 020 8955 8851