Upper Sixth Key Academic Information (2011/12)

Upper Sixth Key Academic Information 2011-2012 (pdf / 488kb)

Summer Term

• May/June examinations - pupils will be issued with a personalised examination timetable (also, see notes below)
  
• Higher Education - acceptance of firm and insurance offers
  
• End of term Houseparent letter home (plus any co-curricular reports).
  
• Text books to be returned to the issuing department by the end of term
  
• Results Day - advice available & ongoing help with any post-exam/repeat applications
  

ADDITIONAL NOTES (U6th YEAR)

1. Upper Sixth coursework
   
   Coursework will be ongoing throughout the U6th. Some work may be required during Christmas, Easter and half-term breaks - please make holiday plans accordingly.

• External Examinations - May/June
  
  Note 1. Language oral examinations typically take place in the second half of the spring term and continue into the first half of the summer term.
  Note 2. Art/Photography examinations start in the first half of the spring term.
  Note 3. May/June entries
  • Appropriate revision during the Easter and summer half-term breaks is essential - please make holiday plans accordingly.
  • We would typically advise against pupils being entered for more than a total of 8/9 module examinations in the May/June session of the upper sixth. .
  • We would typically advise against more than one re-sit of any module - experience shows that subsequent re-sits are highly unlikely to yield an improved outcome.
  Note 4. Examination Leave - revision at home and in boarding houses: detailed arrangements have been confirmed in the letter sent from the Senior Deputy at spring half-term. Examination leave may be taken from 12.30 p.m. on Friday 1st June 2012. Pupils may ask Houseparents for permission to revise in their Houses at specified times from Monday 11th June 2012.
  Note 5. Pupils following AVC/BTEC programmes may not take examination leave until they have completed all their assignments and have permission from the relevant Head of Department.
  Note 6. Post-examination period - U6th pupils will normally be expected to leave the school once their final examination has been completed unless House or School commitments require them to remain; pupils leaving after their examinations return with their parents for Parents' Day, but not before.
  Note 7. The above arrangements must on no account conflict with school commitments; team players, musicians and those involved in other group activities must refer to the appropriate staff.

3. Academic Trips, Visits, Exchanges and Fieldwork
   
   A number of trips, visits, exchanges and fieldwork activities take place throughout the U6th which support pupils' academic studies. Where necessary, parents will be given as much notification as possible of the precise dates of these activities. In some subjects, participation is regarded as an essential part of the course.

4. Internal Examinations
   
   Academic departments will timetable internal examinations at appropriate points throughout the academic year. These internal examinations will take place during normal lesson time and will be scheduled by each Head of Department to best fit with teaching programmes.
   
   Internal examinations are an important opportunity for pupils and teachers to gauge levels of progress and they should be regarded as an important stepping stone in preparation for the examinations in January and May/June. Pupils are strongly advised to prepare for these internal examinations as fully as possible to ensure that they are in a position to perform to their potential.
   
   Appropriate revision during the period of time preceding these Rehearsal examinations is strongly advised. Experience shows that lack of preparation for Rehearsal examinations is an indicator for likely under-performance in the real thing.

5. Reporting
   
   Reports are sent home at the end of the autumn and spring terms and at half-term in the autumn term. The reports during the autumn term are A4 summary sheets; the report at the end of the spring term is a full booklet. A Houseparent letter (plus any co-curricular reports) will be sent home at the end of the summer term. Reporting sessions are used by group tutors and senior tutors to closely monitor pupil performance and progress. Parents are contacted as appropriate following reporting sessions if a pupil is not meeting academic expectations.

If you have any queries regarding these key events, please contact your child's Group Tutor.