Year 12 Parents Evening November 2013

Year 12 Parents’ Evening

Ratcliffe College

• Welcome & Introduction– Mr G. Lloyd

• Academic Programme & Key Dates– Mr N. Taylor

• Careers & Higher Education– Mr G.J.Sharpe


Ratcliffe College

AS Courses AS Courses

• Grade boundaries Grade A - 80%

Grade B - 70%Grade C - 60%Grade D - 50%Grade E - 40%

• Aggregated score every mark counts!


Ratcliffe College

A2 Subject Choices - A2 Subject Choices - the procedurethe procedure

• By end of Spring term, students should have an idea of which subjects to continue to A2

• After AS exams attend A2 lessons only

• If in doubt….– attend all 4 subjects until end of term. Final

decisions then made at beginning of September


Ratcliffe College

Importance of Year 12Importance of Year 12

• Universities can take into account unit grades when making offers or deciding whether to make offers

• Students need to prepare as thoroughly as possible to alleviate the pressure of re-takes in Year 13.

• Overall success at A Level relies heavily on performance at AS!


Ratcliffe CollegeOur recommendations - sOur recommendations - students should …..…..

• Spend 5 hours per AS subject per week on private study

• Keep notes in an orderly fashion in their files

• Spend time reading around the subject; refer to reading lists


Ratcliffe College

Academic Key DatesAcademic Key Dates• Thursday 28 November – Presentation of GCSE certificates• Friday 13 December - Studies Cards to Parents• Friday 14 February – Studies Cards to Parents• Monday 24 to Friday 28 February – Mock AS Examinations• Monday 03 March – Higher Education Information Evening• Monday 17 March – deadline for A2 choices• Friday 21 March – Written Reports to Parents• Monday 12 May to Friday 06 June – AS Study Leave• Thursday 14 August – AS Examination Results


Ratcliffe College


Ratcliffe College

Boarding at Ratcliffe

Mr Aidan CookeMrs Joanna Leite


Ratcliffe College

Why Board:An opportunity to develop independence;

The Sixth Form Flat Prior to University

Access to fantastic facilities. Additional time can be spent on school work.

A busy, social experience with a wide variety of activities to choose from during the week and at the weekends!A supportive environment in which to study


Ratcliffe CollegeBoarding Options

• Full Boarding - 7 nights a week

• Weekly Boarding - 5 nights a week, returning

home at weekends

• Regular, committed occasional boarding – 1,2 or

3 nights a week

• Casual boarding


Ratcliffe College


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – OptionsCareers & Higher Education – Options

• Higher Education – Degree [>90% of students]– UK? / Abroad?

• Further Education – Diploma course

• Full-time employment with training

• GAP year – Employment & Experience

• GAP year – Personal enrichment


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – FactorsCareers & Higher Education – Factors

• Interest

• Ability

• Career intentions / thoughts

• Character & personality

• Level of maturity

• “Is it worth the money?”


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – FactorsCareers & Higher Education – FactorsA’ level grades countA’ level grades count

• Natural Sciences at Cambridge A*AA• History at Bristol A*AA• Law at Birmingham AAA• International Relations at Queen Mary’s AAA• Business Studies at Lancaster AAA• Sport Science at Exeter AAB

Twice as many A’ level A grades as ten years agoAbout 25% of A’ level passes are at grade A/A*


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – FactorsCareers & Higher Education – FactorsA grades are not always requiredA grades are not always required

• French and English at Reading BBB• Agricultural Science at Nottingham BBC• Aerospace Engineering at Salford BBC• English and Media at Leeds Trinity CCC• Politics at Leeds Metropolitan CDD


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – FactorsCareers & Higher Education – FactorsA level grades are not enoughA level grades are not enough

Universities look for evidence of:• Interest in subject• Awareness of subject (work experience?)• Initiative• Interpersonal & teamwork skills• Ability to handle responsibility

In other words:Mature, motivated, interesting people


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – SupportCareers & Higher Education – Support

Student

Careers dept On-line resourcesParents Tutors & pastoral staffCareers advisers Subject teachers

University Admissions TutorsMaking the right decisionMaking the right decision


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – StagesCareers & Higher Education – Stages• Year 12

– Autumn: Higher Education booklet– Spring : Mon 3rd March – H.Ed. Info. for parents.

What next after the 6th form? ISCO ‘Course finder’ / Centigrade’

tests Thu 3rd April – H.Ed. Convention

(Nott’m)– Summer: Choose course

Decide long list of universities Complete draft personal statement


Ratcliffe College

Careers & Higher Education – StagesCareers & Higher Education – Stages• Year 13

– Autumn: UCAS applications completed

(before half-term)– Spring : Student finance applications

UCAS decisions finalised– Summer: A’ level results (Thu 20th August)

University destination confirmed


Ratcliffe College