St Michael’s Sixth Form

Faith in your Future

Mission Statement

We aim for our Sixth form students to become successful learners, achieving academic success, developing into confident individuals and responsible citizens.

This is a caring Sixth Form, committed to ensuring that all students achieve at the highest level. All members of the school are valued and will find respect for themselves, their families and their traditions.

Aims

To develop and nurture independence, confidence and self-esteem:

• by building on and developing new skills, knowledge and understanding, to enable our students to become independent learners;
• by enabling students to make informed choices and decisions by developing personal organisation skills;
• by recognising and respecting students’ hopes, dreams and aspirations;
• by building successful relationships with others;
• by working towards and gaining recognised qualifications and accredited awards;
• by being involved in planning for adulthood, having a voice and developing self-advocacy skills by planning individualised pathways and targets to support a student’s future career aspirations;
• by having fun and enjoyment through the activities they participate in.

Principles

Becoming a Sixth Form student at St Michael’s is an important moment; the commitment is significant, the expectations considerable.  As a Sixth Former you will be engaged in demanding study, encouraged to contribute to the School’s further development and to take a leading role in all aspects of the life of the School. 

You will have opportunities to show leadership, to mentor and develop younger students and to take part in activities that span year groups. Each student at St Michael’s Sixth Form is expected to be a role model to the younger members of our School, and so expectations of attitude and conduct are very high. Your Sixth Form years are important in terms of curriculum choice and you will be treated as individuals.

We are an inclusive Sixth Form. Care will also be taken to ensure that students develop skills that will increase their opportunities for an active role in society after their school life. Staff will also work to ensure that the students join in the full range of extra curricular and curriculum opportunities such as student committees (eg Charity, Entertainment, Events).

Motivation

It is the belief of staff at St Michael’s that motivation is a key to students’ learning and so all programmes for all students will consider the variety and challenge for students, to ensure they remain successful, confident and well - motivated learners.

Self-Esteem

All the work in the Sixth Form will be planned to ensure that all students develop their self-esteem and pride in their own abilities. This will be as a result of rewards and praise and the involvement of pupils in their own assessment, but also through events such as the annual awards evening.

Communication

A principle of the work of the Sixth Form is the emphasis on the development of communication skills for all pupils. Opportunities will be offered for students to develop skills through a variety of means including Student Committees. The 'student voice' is listened to and acted upon.

Quality

The Sixth Form will continue to be part of the whole school self-evaluation systems which are in place to continually monitor and improve the quality of the work of the Sixth Form. As part of the extensive intervention and support programme, to raise standards and aspirations for all, we run a Mentoring Programme. This aims to break down young people’s barriers to learning, allowing for academic and personal development. We want each student to know how to study, help identify targets and provide advice about exam preparation. The Sixth Form offers an inclusive and innovative curriculum.

Citizenship

The Sixth Form aims to provide students with the opportunities to build on previously acquired skills, to begin to develop an individual adult identity. We will support and encourage our students to succeed and prepare them for their adult life, enabling them to play a full part in modern British society. We run workshops concerning experiences and issues that relate to modern British society, such as the "Game On" workshop in September, a Home Office approved deliverer.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

St. Michael's Sixth Form

We offer a core provision of A level and Level 3 Vocational qualifications. We will signpost appropriate provision for our students to support their educational pathway and future career. This is supported by Independent Advice and Guidance provided by our Careers Connexions Adviser.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development

The Sixth Form take on a variety of responsibilities such as student leaders in PE, and the Sixth Form Leadership Team run a variety of committees. Sixth formers are involved in aspirational and improvement work within Key Stage 3 and 4, for example, speaking in assemblies and subject mentoring work. We work closely with partner schools and universities, for example, we are the lead hub school in Merseyside for the Cambridge University HE+ Programme. We develop business links, which are key to improving student awareness of job markets, attend Careers and HE Fairs and have strong links with local Churches and work with community groups and organisations such as the Rotary Club. As a result, this helps to provide work related learning opportunities, workshops and masterclasses, visits and work experience, but it also helps us deliver a well-rounded sixth form education and experience to our students.

Sixth Form Team

Students are offered continual support throughout their time with us. They have form tutors, and Mr Meir and Miss Hamm are on duty in the Sixth Form area from 8:30am until 4pm, 5 days a week. Support includes study skills, preparation for Work Experience, help with Apprenticeship and UCAS applications, advice on student bursaries, travel costs, higher education funding, grants, CVs, application forms and interview preparation. Support and help are available if personal difficulties are getting in the way of studies. External Speakers who visit us include Apprenticeship Providers, the NHS and Universities. Quiet spaces are provided where students can talk through their problems and work towards making them easier to handle.

Opportunities

“Collaboration with the wider community, including innovative links with higher education institutions, is strong.’’ SIAMS Report 2015

Opportunities available include participation in the National Citizen Service Programme and visits to HE Institutions such as Liverpool Hope University, with whom we are in Partnership.

Students are encouraged to take an active role in School life, for example, from supporting School productions, helping to run Sports teams, support the School Chaplain, set up Clubs, such as the Board Game Club, to working in Departments, by working as Mentors or offering classroom support.

Guided study time is to be allocated allowing for quiet study and opportunities for personal development, including producing an individual learning plan.

Careers Advice

Our School Careers Adviser is there to help students find the right path, providing impartial advice and guidance on everything from education, training and work prospects. Our Adviser is available every Tuesday and Wednesday. St Michael’s Sixth Form recognises the importance of its role in preparing our young people for participation in society as informed and active citizens, empowered through knowledge to make changes concerning the issues that affect them and those around them.

Curriculum for Life Programme

The Guidance lessons are specifically designed to address the needs of our students. They map their progression over the AS and A2 level courses. Topics include:

• Social Media and the Law /Using it to Further Your Career
• Note-taking: How to Take Notes Effectively
• Independent Learning/How To Read Around Your Subject
• Time Management: How to Balance all of Your Commitments
• Topical Issues (current affairs)
• Mental health/avoiding stress
• Financial Planning
• Career Planning/CV Writing/Apprenticeship and University applications

For further information, please contact Mr D Meir, Head of Sixth Form.