The Belvedere Academy Sixth Form: the best choice for you …
Belvedere offers a wide range of A Level studies as well as the chance to adapt to new and demanding studies in a friendly and supportive setting. Furthermore, we can offer leadership opportunities which may not be available elsewhere.
We have good links with Oxford and Cambridge and other universities, colleges and employers. Our success rate in A Level examinations speaks for itself: last year most of our Year 13 students went to their first choice of university.
Freedom to be yourself…
We know that by the time you leave the Sixth Form you will be an adult and our aim is to help you to become an independent and responsible individual, whose initiative is balanced with self-discipline and critical judgement.
You will find that you will have considerable freedom to choose your courses of study and how you distribute your time between work and other activities.
The Sixth Form accommodation is entirely for Sixth Formers, with extensive Common Room facilities, a kitchen and quiet study rooms. You will choose how you use the periods when you have no lessons and the timetable may let you leave school early when you are free. Sixth Formers are also able to leave the Academy premises during the lunch hour, with their parents’ consent.
Minerva Network
As a Sixth Former at a GDST school you automatically become a lifelong member of the Minerva Network, joining 50,000 other former GDST students. Through its website – www.minerva.org.uk – it offers careers advice and profiles, work experience and contacts for University visits. There are also scholarships and prizes available to Sixth Formers and GDST students at University, and Minerva also provides CareerStart, which are life skills modules that give our Sixth Formers a competitive edge when applying for jobs and University.
Choosing the right subjects for you …
Students will have to take the initiative in working outside the classroom. There are usually fewer classroom lessons than in Y11, but you will be expected to complete work set by staff, to organise your own programmes of learning and revision and to set aside time both for the extra reading recommended by teaching staff and for lectures, visits, field trips, etc. This programme of personal study will involve holiday times as well as utilising school weeks to the full.
At The Belvedere Academy:
· Everyone will take AS examinations at the end of Year 12, and A2 examinations at the end of Year 13.
· In Year 12, all students will be expected to take four AS level subjects, in addition to General Studies, although students of exceptional ability may wish to take five.
· In Year 13, in addition to General Studies, students continue with three of their subjects to A2 level, but again students of exceptional ability may take four subjects.
Remember that the quality of grades is often more important than the number of subjects taken.
Getting the best advice …
Only you can decide which are the right subjects for you, but do discuss your options with staff, family and friends. More importantly, ask your teachers whether they feel that you have the potential to succeed at AS/A2 Level in their particular subject. A positive response from staff does not mean that you must choose that subject, only that it can be considered as a possible option.
Admissions Criteria
Admission to the Sixth Form is on academic merit with a basic requirement of five GCSE passes at Grade A* to B coupled with subject-specific performance, a successful interview and a desire to play a full part in the life of the whole Academy.
Time to decide…
To indicate the AS subjects you wish to start in September, just download and complete the application form and return to the Academy by the date specified.
It is important that your decision is an informed one at this stage.
Bear these points in mind:
· Make sure you have read this information thoroughly and have spoken to your subject teachers either at The Belvedere Academy or at your current school.
· Most students will start four AS subjects in September of Year 12 (plus General Studies). Make it clear on the form if you wish to start five.
· If you are unsure about which subjects you wish to take, write down the full list of subjects you are considering, in order of preference.
· Make sure you have checked with the Careers Department if you are aiming for a specific course or career.
Financial help for Sixth Formers …
The National Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme is a means tested weekly benefit to help students with expenses incurred by post-16 study, including fares, books, stationary, field trips etc. You should have already registered with the EMA local partners and be ready to sign your Contract.
The Contract comes in two parts:
• Part 1 - A standard national document linking conditions of attendance to receipt of the weekly payment. Conditions include:
• Excellent attendance to school.
• 100% attendance to lessons.
• Three or more late marks per week will disqualify you for an EMA payment.
• If you are late for an external examination you will not qualify for an EMA payment.
• Part 2 - A contract tailored to each individual student and your agreed learning goals. This will govern your periodic bonus payments. These are payable in January and June of each academic year, and an additional bonus is paid in September for those returning in September of Year 13. Conditions include:
• No failures at AS
• No effort grades of four or five and an average effort grade of two or more.
• No detentions for late or incomplete work.
• No lateness
Other considerations
· Absence for more than one week will disqualify you for EMA.
· You will be eligible for payment when you are on authorised study leave providing you attend all your exams. EMA will stop in the week of your last A2 examination.
The information found on this website is provided in good faith but may be subject to change.