Hartismere & Debenham Sixth Form

Moving into the Sixth Form will be as significant a change as the one you made when you joined your High School; then, you had to adjust to learning eight or nine discrete subjects, now, you will be in charge of your own learning in two or three chosen subject areas, and will be given adult status within the Sixth Form Centre.

We plan to organise 'induction days' before the end of your Year 11, when there will be opportunities to familiarise yourself with what the Sixth Form has to offer; these days will be significant in determining your next two years, both socially and academically.

Once you have made up your mind to join the Sixth Form, the first object is to fill in an application form indicating which subjects/courses you wish to follow. This should not be as difficult a choice as it may seem because by then you will have talked over your way forward with your parents, teachers and careers advisers and will have a fair idea of what will be open to you should you reach the necessary standards at GCSE. You need not worry that your original plan will have to stand; changes may be made, with guidance, right up to the day you start the term. Following your GCSE results you will be able to arrange for an interview with Ms. Susczenia to review your programme of study should you need to do so.

The course you choose will be negotiated through the system just described. The traditional Sixth Form would require and expect you to follow three A level subjects with general studies (AS) as an optional extra. This may be what you require and it will be available to you. There are, however, many different combinations of subject choices which do not follow that pattern; a mix of AS and GNVQs is quite likely in some cases while there may be others who follow a GNVQ course only. The need for discussion and careful thought is vital.

You will be required to follow one or two "additional studies" some of which may involve a period of work experience but all of which are designed to broaden your experience during the two years. Once your timetable is complete the distribution of your time in a week should resemble one of the charts.

Apart from designated courses, we hope the arts will become part of a day to day existence of all the members of the sixth form. Music is a powerful force in the ethos of both schools. There is a tremendous range in activity from classical, orchestral, through to brass and ensemble to modern and rock groups. Drama is another area of excellence and we look forward to seeing the talents of the sixth form put to good use, again not just by those studying the subject.

Hartismere and Debenham want a consensus approach to the ‘social sixth’. We want your two years here to be happy and to benefit you personally. You will have your own centre which will contain most of your tutorial space, and your own common room for which you will be responsible. There will be no school uniform but you will be asked to dress tidily. There will be a student-elected Sixth Form Council which will be the centre of student matters and liaison, and which will organise social events, trips out and which will encourage you to contribute to the rest of the school and become involved in community projects.

The Hartismere facilities allow for all sports normally followed, e.g. football, netball, basketball, tennis, rugby, athletics, gymnastics, table tennis, badminton etc. while transport is available to take you to Debenham where the sports facilities range from a fitness room to squash courts. Swimming sessions, golf, horse-riding, sailing and other alternatives will be arranged for those of you are keen to pursue out of centre activities.

The new library has not only been designed for light and space but also for excellent researching possibilities and for private study. It has six study stations with information retrieval, tapes and headphones or computerised information; alternatively, they can be used for private study.The system will be networked and information can be assessed from there and from the new, well-equipped Information Technology suite.The new Art room and the new Science rooms have been specifically designed with the needs of the Sixth Form in mind.

Although you will be following few subjects, you have to work very hard to achieve the results at this higher level. Presumably you will have chosen subjects which interest you, and will be pre-disposed to study them in depth. Your tutors will provide you with the academic framework and encouragement necessary for you to succeed, but you will be expected to adopt a mature attitude to your own studies and involve yourself with general life of the Sixth Form.

Once in the Sixth Form you will be assigned to a tutor group with a member of staff to be of assistance to you, to encourage you and to help support your progress. It will be his/her responsibility to compile profiles and to report to your parents/guardians. Your tutor will monitor your attendance and academic/social development and will ensure that you know how to find the best advice on post eighteen progress. If you choose to go to university, then the UCAS forms needed for application purposes have to be filled in at the beginning of your second year sixth. Examinations at the end of Year Twelve become quite significant in this process. Your form tutor is an important figure throughout as he/she is the person who will know most about you. The second series of examinations will be towards the end of the Easter Term and will be the 'mocks', i.e. they will tell you what standards you have reached and will be a practice run for the final examinations in June. Some modular subjects might require you to complete final parts of an assessment and examination at strategic points during the course. Your tutor will help you organise yourself if you need it and will be the person you would turn to if any problems should arise over the two years.

The Sixth Form is a place where you will have many opportunities, not only those of learning but of communicating, socialising and having fun. Our aim is to enable you to develop in many different ways. We are a stepping stone to your future. You will face many new challenges and there can be no disguising the fact that it will be hard work. You must use your time carefully and thoughtfully, constructing your timetable to maximise your potential.

There will be many opportunities to assist you in your planning for the future and they will automatically become part of your Sixth Form life. You will have professional careers interviews, regular contact with your tutor who will advise you regarding opportunities that will benefit future applications. There will be time for a careers convention, visits to colleges and universities and an ongoing programme of visiting speakers from a wide range of occupations and organisations. You must also find time to use the facilities in school, the careers library and reading new information that may be relevant to you.

If you have any concerns, Ms Suszczenia is available to advise you personally. Your future will need careful planning, you will be required to meet deadlines regarding applications and occasionally you will need to assess yourself and your abilities honestly. We are here to guide and help you but remember that some of the responsibility will be yours.