Welcome to Sixth form

Welcome to Tabor Academy’s Sixth Form

‘MAXIMISING POTENTIAL’

Being a Sixth Form student is an exciting period of your life.  The journey will be exhilarating and challenging.  You will be expected to work independently and keep to deadlines as well as enhance your employability and likelihood of being accepted into a university.  Year 12 and 13 are two of the most demanding years of education you will ever experience, but they lead to much greater opportunities and prospects.  You will need to develop excellent organisational skills and resilience.  The sixth form team are here to help guide you on your path and support you in making choices for your future.

We have high expectations of attendance and punctuality.  You are expected to maintain attendance of at least 95% and, as role models to the younger year groups in the academy, match exceptional attendance with punctuality.  We will do all we can to support you in your success.  The same can be said of your standard of dress and work ethic.  Deadlines are there for a reason and we will monitor your ability to meet these deadlines.

You need to know your grades and be in constant discussion with your teacher to know how to make the necessary improvements.  Unlike at GCSE, there is a much greater emphasis on independent study in non-timetabled study sessions and self-motivation in sixth form.  We will support you in this through the enrichment programme and our ‘A level mindset’ sessions.  These are essential life-skills that will better prepare you for both university and the world of work.

DRESS CODE

Tabor Academy has a strict dress code which all members of the sixth form must follow.

Sixth formers are role models for the rest of the school and need to be smartly presented at all times.  You are expected to wear ‘Smart Business Dress’.  For male students, this means a shirt, tie, with trousers a blazer and smart shoes.  For female students, this means a shirt or blouse, a blazer, a skirt to the knee, or trousers and smart shoes.  Leggings, shorts, jeggings, jeans or tight trousers are not permitted.

It is not acceptable to wear hoodies, trainers, low cut tops, off the shoulder tops, T-shirts or very short skirts or dresses for girls.  If you are unable to meet the dress code due to an extenuating circumstance, a note must be written in your planner by a parent/carer.  We are proud of the individual nature of our students and the way they present themselves within the code.

All students must at all times wear their student Tabor lanyard/ID.

ASSESSMENT AND TRACKING

Parents will receive formal “tracking” information at three key points in the year.  This will assess how well students are doing, including the BTEC or A level grades that they are currently on.  Parents and students should use this information to help them plan their work and revision, by comparing the present grades to their target grades and the grades they need for their university choices.  Some parents will be invited in for meetings with the form tutor or the Achievement Team Leader of 6th form about the tracking, with students placed on mentoring programme.  These interventions are intended to help students to achieve their target grades.  Any parent who would like to discuss the tracking information, or indeed discuss their son or daughter’s progress at any time, should feel welcome to contact their form tutor or Ms Brown.

YEAR 13

As a school, we have two very clear priorities for Year 13:

• All students should aim to maximise their achievement. Whatever grades they received or how many units they completed in Year 12, we expect all students to work towards the next grade up.  If you are on a C, try to get a B by the end of the year.  If you are on a Merit at BTEC, try and get a Distinction.  Aim high.
• All students should complete an application to university during the autumn term. If a student is unsure about whether they want to go to university, they should still write the application, then you cannot change your mind if you decide you want to go!  The school has a team of staff who will support students in this UCAS process.

Students and parents are reminded that universities and employers often ask for references throughout Year 13 – including on results day in August – which will include questions about attendance and punctuality.  The school can only say attendance is “outstanding” if it is over 95%.  Poor attendance and punctuality in Year 13 can seriously affect your future plans.

Year 12 and 13 will be challenging, but it will prepare you for life in wider society.  Rest assured that you will be supported and encouraged to be the best that you can be in all subject areas.

Mr M Bowman

Head of KS5