offer booklet 2016
DESCRIPTION
The Sixth Form College Guide to Offered StudentsTRANSCRIPT
A guide to what you can expect when you
join The Sixth Form College...
Welcome
I would like to congratulate you on
being offered a place at The Sixth
Form College and welcome you to
Wirral’s No.1 Sixth Form. Your
decision to apply to us here at the
College means you are on a path to
a bright and successful future as
you will be studying at one of just
93 specialist colleges in England
for 16-19 year old education.
We offer the widest choice of A Level
programmes in Wirral, meaning we
can offer personalised timetabling
to ensure you have the opportunity
to study a programme that meets
your individual needs, achieve the
best results possible and support
you for your next move.
Last year we achieved record results
with an overall pass rate of 99%
and we outperformed 95% of other
A Level providers in 2015 for the
value-added to students’ grades
and performance. More than 400
students successfully gained Higher
Education places at Universities
including Oxbridge and the
prestigious Russell Group.
College life is an enjoyable and
vibrant experience – with students
aiming high to aspire, achieve and
succeed in all they do. There is a
mature and supportive atmosphere
with a wide range of enrichment
quality facilities and a strong
community of students.
We believe in the potential of all
individuals and we believe that
our Sixth Form offers you the
opportunity to make a successful
transition from school to University
and employment.
Moving from school to college can
be a worrying time – but there is no
need for it to be. We are always
available to discuss things with you,
whenever you need us. We have
outstanding help and support to
help you as a student at The Sixth
Form College.
Good luck with your exams this
summer, and I look forward to
seeing you at The Sixth Form
College soon.
activities to suit all interests, high Kathryn Podmore Principal
Congratulations!It is extremely competitive to achieve a place with us here at The Sixth Form College.
We received over 1300 applications in 2015 for Year 12 admissions.
Get Connected
By keeping up to date with us, you will become part of our student community
before you start in September.
You can also find us on:
Join our Facebook Freshers group for all new students
joining the College in 2016. It contains lots of useful
information throughout the year.
Visit our student microsite for more of #whatyouneedtoknow
before you join. You can also see who has previously joined
from your school in the Student Alumni section.
facebook.com/bsfcfreshers
your.bsfc.ac.uk
Facebook: /birkenheadsixthformcollege
Twitter: @BSFC
Instagram: @BSFC_
Youtube
Google+
What Happens Next?
Look out for our monthly newsletter! When you completed your application you will
have automatically been added to our mailing list to receive our top news and student
success stories. This is a great way to stay up-to-date with the opportunities that will
be available to you when you join us in September.
Now that you have received your offer
with us, you will need to confirm your
acceptance. You can do this via email
([email protected]) or by filling in and
sending us the postcard enclosed in
your offer letter.
Name:
Date of Birth:
Date of Interview:
Email Address:
I wish to accept my place at The Sixth Form CollegeI do not wish to accept my place at The Sixth Form College
www.facebook.com/birkenheadsixthformcollege@bsfc
You will be invited to join one of our
New Student Events. This day forms an
important part of our admissions process
and allows you to explore a day in the life
of a Sixth Form College student.
It involves taster sessions in your chosen
subjects, the chance to meet the staff
and meet other students who are joining
at the same time as you.
The taster sessions you attend will be
based on your preferences discussed at
your interview. This will give you a real
insight into how your usual college day
will look from September. It can also aid
the decision process; if you are undecided
between two subjects, try them both and
make a more informed decision on your
preferred programme of study.
On top of this, there will be a host of
activities to meet new people and to help
you settle in quickly.
Key Dates:
THURSDAY 30 JUNE 2016
FRIDAY 1 JULY 2016
NEW STUDENT EVENT
ENROLMENT
Enrolment is when you officially become a student
at The Sixth Form College!
We will send you an appointment to attend on one of these dates nearer the
time. During your enrolment we will confirm your GCSE results and agree your
programme of study. If you have met the entry requirements for your chosen
courses you will have the opportunity to ask any questions before we finalise
your programme.
If there are any entry requirements that you have not met, we will discuss
your options with you, this may include alternative courses. We do look at
every student individually, so final decisions on your programme will be
made after we have discussed this with you.
During enrolment your student ID will be organised.
unable to, please advise the admissions team as soon as possible so
that if you enrol after these dates you will potentially have a more
limited course choice.
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST 2016 - THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
It is important that you enrol on one of the above dates. If you are
that an alternative enrolment time can be agreed. Please be aware
Financial SupportMost essential college costs such
as course workbooks, textbooks,
instruments and equipment are
provided by the College free of
charge.
The Sixth Form College has
Bursary schemes available
to assist students with low
household income. This
includes help with costs for
transport, books, meals or
other course related costs
needed to help you to
There are several elements to the
financial support available:
• Guaranteed Bursary of
£1,200* for students in most need
and who meet the criteria
• Income-assessed Bursary for
students who meet The College’s
Income Assessed Bursary Criteria
• Hardship Fund – an
emergency fund for students who
experience short-term financial
hardship and are struggling to
meet costs associated with College
A Guaranteed Bursary of £1,200 is
available to students who are: -
• in care or a care leaver
• a young person receiving income
support (e.g. young parents, young
people living independently,
young people who are registered
as disabled)
• or a young person receiving both
Disability Living Allowance and
Employment Support Allowance
Guaranteed Bursary*
succeed at College.
A subsidised college meal PLUS
either a solo bus pass OR a bus
pass to cover the college’s own
direct bus services OR £250
payable in 5 x £50 instalments.
In all circumstances attendance
must be over 95%
An Income-Assessed Bursary is
available to students if a Parent/
Parents receive the following:
• Income Support / Income Based
Job Seekers Allowance / Income
• Child Tax Credit, provided you are
not entitled to Working Tax Credit
and your annual gross income is no
• Guarantee Pension Credits
• Support under Part VI of the
Immigration and Asylum Act
1999
Students who live over 3 miles
away and whose parents are on
Income Support may be entitled
to a local authority supported bus
pass.
Details are available by phoning
0151 606 2020. Students are still
entitled to apply for the College’s
income assessed bursary.
For more information visit our website:
http://www.bsfc.ac.uk/college-information/bursary-scheme
Income-Assessed Bursary*
* Details correct at time of printing for academic year 2015/2016
more than £16,190.
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for
4 weeks after you stop qualifying for
Working Tax Credit.
The Income-Assessed Bursary
consists of:
• During the initial roll out of the
benefit, Universal Credit
related Employment and Support
Allowance (ESA)
Make use of Free Unlimited WiFii
All students can download Microsoft
#BSFCFacts
Office 365 for free to use at
available across the college!
home!
All students can download Microsoft
Frequently AskedQuestions
If you have achieved 5 GCSEs at A*-C
(including Maths and/or English
Language) you will study 4 AS Levels
(or equivalent) in your first year.
In your second year you will study 3
subjects at A2 Level.
If you achieve below 5 GCSEs at A*-C you will study towards a BTEC Level 2 Diploma and will be enrolled onto Level 2 programmes in Maths and/or
English Language.
What is the College Timetable?
Monday / Tuesday 9.00 – 4.15
Wednesday 9.30 – 3.00
Thursday 9.00 – 4.15
Friday 9.00 – 2.30
How many subjects will I study?
#BSFCFacts
The HUB has over 130 computers for students to use as well
as access to high speed internet and specialist software.
There are also over 9000 books, journals and other
media for you to use.
Do I need to attend College if I don’t have a lesson scheduled?
Students may not have lessons
scheduled at certain times of the
day. During this time you are
encouraged to be in college using
the study facilities, such as the
Hub or Study Hall.
What are the lunch facilities at the College?
Lunch lasts for 45 minutes. The
student refectory, 8SQ, provides hot
and cold meal options as well as a
wide range of snacks and drinks. It
is open throughout the day from
8:30am-3pm. There is also plenty
of social space including our
student conservatory.
Is it possible to visit the College before I start?
Of course! If you or your parents
would like to visit the college please
contact Hilary Mitchell, Admissions
Officer ([email protected]), to book a
tour with us and we would be happy
to show you around. There will also
be an opportunity to book on to a
Talk & Tour session through the
year, where you can attend a talk
by our Admissions Department &
be taken on a guided group tour
of our facilities.
What do I wear?
At The Sixth Form College, you
don’t need a uniform to succeed.
You are able to wear your own
clothing, but we ask that you
dress appropriately for the
How many students go on to University?
Over 400 students go onto
University from the College each
year- more than any other sixth
form in Wirral!
Is Wi-Fi available at the
College?
We provide FREE Wi-Fi throughout
the college. This is just one of the
excellent facilities and services
our IT and Technical Services
department provides!
I was a prefect at school - do you offer any similar opportunities?
There are opportunities to become
a Student Ambassador or Head
Boy or Head Girl. Student
Ambassadors get involved in
events and marketing activities
at the College.
College environment.
Visit: your.bsfc.ac.uk
for more FAQ’s and for
#whatyouneedtoknow
> Personal Tutors
> Mindfulness Sessions
> Careers Guidance
> Advanced Academic Writing Programme
> Tutorial Sessions
> Learning Support
> Higher Education Guidance
We’re proud to provide a wide variety of support options to all students.
#BSFCFacts
What sets us apart from local
school sixth forms?• We’re experts in A Level and BTEC qualifications. Our priority and focus
is Advanced Level study and our results are in the top 5% in the country.
• We have more A Levels and BTECs for students to choose from allowing
us to tailor programmes to your ambitions and abilities - you are not
restricted by option blocks.
• We have specialist sixth form teachers and support staff.
• We offer an adult approach to student learning, providing a stepping
stone from school to the world of employment or university.
• We have invested £4m in learning environments designed for sixth
form study.
– Max achieved A* grades in Mathematics, A’s in
Physics and Chemistry. He is now studying Physics
at the University of Bath.
More Students Choose Us.Over 1300 students applied
to the college for September 2015.
Our results put us in the Top Tier of
Get In The Driving Seat.
Take advantage of exclusive deals and
Theory Test sessions available to all
students at The Sixth Form College.
withWirral’ssixth formNo.1
More people are choosing to study with Wirral’s specialist Sixth Form college
than ever before!
‘The Sixth Form College outperformed 95% of other
A Level providers in 2015 for the value-added to students’
grades and performance’.
Learn to drive and get ahead of your peers!
More #BSFCFacts
Sixth Form Colleges nationally.
Watch our video online at bsfc.ac.uk to
hear from our current students and why they
decided we were their No.1 choice!
The Sixth Form College - Birkenhead
Park Road West, Claughton Village
Prenton , Wirral
CH43 8SQ
T: 0151 652 5575
Any questions?
Call: 0151 652 5575
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.bsfc.ac.uk
facebook.com/birkenhead
sixthformcollege
@BSFC
Find us on @BSFC @
Join our Facebook Freshers Group:
facebook.com/groups/bsfcfreshers
Visit your.bsfc.ac.uk for more of
#whatyouneedtoknow