Transition Material

10th July 2020Mrs L Johnston

We hope you have accessed and found some of the preparatory work Ms O’Neill, your future Year Leader, put together for you. We cannot stress enough the importance of super curricular engagement (work that is in addition to specifications, work that is pursued for personal interest and fulfilment). Students in our Sixth Form have a real desire for learning and that is what enables them to succeed and secure exceptional final outcomes on their courses. 

Over the past weeks our teachers have been collating a range of focused material to help you prepare for your chosen course of study. The expectation is that you will engage with this work and complete the tasks for each of the three subjects you intend to study. Learning materials can be accessed via this link. 

Places and confirmed subject choices will be agreed on enrolment once all results are confirmed. There will be an opportunity for students to review their subject choices and request changes at that point (subject to availability). No subject changes will be made prior to this time. Students can access the work for all courses we offer, they can use the material to help them decide their final choices but should complete the work for the three subjects they intend to study. Any requests for subject changes must take into consideration our pool structure; students must select one subject from each of three of the four pools (i.e. not exceeding three subjects in total).

2019 Results Day Procedures

10th July 2019Mrs L Johnston

Year 13 results will be available for students to collect from the Advanced Study Centre (ASC) in school on Thursday 15 August from 8am downstairs in the ASC.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend school to collect their results in person on the day of results. Any not collected by the student will be posted out.

In all cases students should bring with them to school their UCAS personal ID in case they need to make contact with a university or UCAS. They should also bring a fully charged mobile phone with plenty of credit. UCAS Track is likely to be made ‘live’ again on the morning of 15 August sometime between midnight and 8am. This allows students to check if they have been successful in achieving their university place prior to results being available. Please be aware that some universities react faster than others, some institutions will still be making decisions on Results Day and the days following, especially if a student is ‘borderline’.

 

Confirmation Decisions on 15 August

Likely outcomes on UCAS track regarding FIRM or INSURANCE.

If a student meets or exceeds the conditions on their firm offer they should see their UCAS Track read UF (unconditional firm). 

If a student fails to meet the conditions of their firm offer but meets or exceeds their insurance offer they should see their UCAS Track read UI (unconditional insurance).

If a student reads CF on their UCAS Track then it is likely that the university requires more information and is yet to make a decision on that application. It is advised that the student calls the university in order to clarify the situation. Often this can be the result of missing qualifications and/or grades lower than the required offer but still close to being considered. 

If a student reads CI on their UCAS Track then it is likely that they meet the required offer for their Insurance offer but that university can not confirm their offer as the Firm university has still not confirmed whether to accept the lower grades for their respective offer. In this situation the insurance place will not be lost while the firm university makes a decision. Alternatively their grades may be lower than the required offer and the university are yet to make a decision on their level of flexibility.

In all of these cases universities could hold places/decisions until 31 August. 

 

Adjustment

If a student meets or exceeds the terms of their offer and are no longer interested in their Firm choice they may be able to apply for Adjustment via their UCAS Track. This allows the students to search for alternative courses without having to be released from their Firm choice, thus allowing some security in their decision making. From selecting Adjustment on UCAS track they have five days (5 x24 hour periods including weekends) to find and confirm a place, failing that they will default back to their Firm choice (if a students offer goes to UF less than five days before 31 August, they will only have whatever time is left between then and 31 August).

 

No longer wish to apply to University

If a student who is holding a firm or insurance offer, no longer wants to take up a place at university they need to email the admissions department of that university and confirm this in writing. No further action is required following this.

 

Deferred Entry

If a student would like to defer their entry until the following academic year then they should email their request to the admissions department of the specific university (the university may decline the request). Students should be sure that they wish to defer at this point, they will not be able to revert back to their original year of entry once the have made their decision to change and a course provider has accepted this.

 

Clearing 

If a student has no confirmations identified on UCAS Track or have been rejected from all places then they are eligible for Clearing and they can search for any free places still available. In order to speak to the universities and be considered for different courses the student must have their personal UCAS ID and their A Level results to hand.

They then must call each university to make enquiries about free places which are still available, this will change constantly from the morning of Results Day as places are filled.

Students will need to state their name, UCAS ID, qualifications and have the new course code they wish to apply for. If they meet or are close to the entry criteria they are likely to be transferred to an academic where they will have to ‘sell’ themselves as to why they are suitable for the place. If successful they should receive a verbal offer during the call, this should then be followed up by confirmation via UCAS Track and/or and email/text. They should click ‘Add Clearing choice’ and fill in the course details by the date the university/college gave them on the phone. Students should check their emails especially their spam/junk folders; there have been issues in the past especially with Hotmail addresses.

The student should then amend their student finance application to include the new course choice. Direct contact would be made by the university following this with a welcome pack via post or email.

 

KEVI Staff Support

There will be a team of KEVI staff based in the ASC from 7am on 15 August. They will be available to students from 8am throughout the day until approximately 4pm. This will consist of the full Sixth Form Team and members of the Central Leadership Group.

It will not be possible for staff to take phone calls in this time as they will all be dealing with students, so please come into the ASC rather than phoning.

Results Day 2020

10th August 2020Mrs L Johnston

Details of the arrangements and support available to all of our Year 13 students on Thursday 13 August and beyond can be found in this letter.

It also links to the Ofqual published  student guide to explain the results process this year, which you may find useful here.

The National Careers Services also have the following support:

  • The Exam Results Helpline 0800 100 900 will be running this year from the 12 August until the 28  August from 8am until 10pm every day
  • Students, parents/carers and careers advisers will be able to access support by calling the helpline or speaking to an adviser on our webchat, as well as on Twitter on @Exam_Helpline
  • The National Careers Service will be running a Virtual Careers Fair aimed at supporting young people who are looking for advice for their next steps after receiving their results. Monday 24 August, aimed at 18 year-olds, and will include live Q&A sessions with National Careers Service advisers, as well as content from a range of national and local organisations. Students can register for this event on the following link nationalcareersservice.eventbrite.co.uk

Virtual Induction: New Year 12

16th July 2020Mrs L Johnston
Each week we have been sending Virtual Induction materials to all of our 2020 applicants. We hope that the material that has been sent has been informative, supportive and representative of the ethos of our school and Sixth Form.
We want you to ‘virtually’ meet some of the people who you will meet in your first days at King Edward’s Sixth Form: The Sixth Form Team look after over 450 students across Year 12 and 13. Miss O’Neill is your Year Leader and she, along with Fiona, heads up the Year 12 Tutor Team. You will also meet many of the Senior Staff in your first days.
Over the Summer we understand that students (and parents) want to get organised, if you are certain of your subjects and you are confident you will meet our entry criteria you might find our equipment list helpful.
This letter identifies some key subject staff.
The final email of the half term our current Senior Students answer some of your questions.
Other content that makes up our virtual induction include:
​Our annual ‘Welcome to Sixth Form’ presentation sent out last week is here, with the voiceover/video version by Mrs Johnston and Miss O’Neill here
See our Newsletter Summer Term 1 edition here
 
Miss O’Neill – your future Year Leader has put together this Video from two weeks ago
 
Completing a short biography via this form. This information will be shared with your new Form Tutor, ready for the new term, so please complete by 17 July.
Introducing Fiona, who will be your Sixth Form mentor and work alongside Miss O’Neill. You can virtually meet Fiona, by following this link.
Link to Unifrog Get signed up and create your profile; any issues with sign-in codes email sixthformkevi@the3rivers.net
Beth introduces herself and explains a little bit about her role in this video
The Black Lives Matter assembly by Miss O’Neill and the Senior Students can be accessed via this presentation 
Meet Sarah  here., she heads up a team of counsellors and you can see the team via this handy overview and leaflet to explain their service here
New to the school – check out this video of the school site (made for Y8 but we all share the same school)
Beth’s assembly  about strength and resilience, and compliments her latest blog post really well. There is also a self care video on Breathing
Beth’s Weekly self care tip​

September Return Information

16th July 2020Mrs L Johnston

We have been working very hard with all of our colleagues across the school to interpret the government guidelines for the full reopening of schools to all students from September.

As a Sixth Form team we are delighted to welcome all students back into lessons.

Please see below for year group specific information.

Information for students joining Year 12

Information for students returning into Year 13 

 

Results Day 2020

16th July 2020Mrs L Johnston

Taking everything into consideration, including the current government guidelines, we have taken the difficult decision to distribute results remotely. 

Students will receive their final grades direct to their 3rivers email account at 8am on Thursday 13 August. JCQ stipulates results must be sent on the secure school server and can only be sent directly to individual students. 

To read the letter issued to parents/carers, please click here

Preparation for Sixth Form Study

10th July 2020Mrs L Johnston

At this time of year we would invite our applicants in to meet the Sixth Form team, sample some lessons and discuss our expectations for September. Unfortunately, that has not been possible this year so Mrs Johnston and Miss O’Neill have delivered their presentation virtually.

Sixth Form at King Edward’s Presentation

We hope you find the information we share with you useful and informative. If we have delivered our message as we intended you should get the sense that we are all craving some sort of normality and that we are really looking forward to welcoming students back in the new academic year. The original presentation without narration can be accessed here.

All students aiming to return to study with us should complete the Bridging/Transition work for all subjects they are considering at A Level. That work can be accessed here.

The 2020 GCSE cohort have experienced unprecedented events. We wish all of our students and applicants the very best for the Summer results.

Letter from Sarah

22nd June 2020Mrs L Johnston

Hi guys,

Wow how can this be the last newsletter of the year?  What a year, I’m sure none of us will forget 2020.

It has been great keeping in contact with so many students in sixth form during lockdown and what I’m always struck by when I’m speaking to our lovely sixth form students is that I’m asking them how they are doing, but every single one always asks me how I am doing and how my world is!  This is such an amazing quality of our sixth form students.  We have known so many of you since lower school and watched you grow and mature into thoughtful and caring young adults.

I think one of the key messages during lockdown has been to check in on each other frequently and see how the people around us are doing and I know how well you have done that.

This empathy and kindness is something for us all to keep passing forward as we continue to support each other and spread happiness, positivity and hope.

I’m touched by all of the thank you’s that we have received, but we truly thank you for trusting us and allowing us to support you on your journey.

The counselling service continues to remain open, please just get in touch if we can help you at all counselling@the3rivers.net and we try to spread mindful positivity and mental health updates on our twitter https://twitter.com/t3rcounselling

 

Wishing you a lovely summer.

Sarah (and all the team)

Getting your own ‘Cheer Squad’

17th June 2020Mrs L Johnston

We all need cheerleaders.

Think about your world – who are the people who say ‘well done?’ Who picks you up
when you are down and helps you go again? Who celebrates with you? Who nods or
winks or smiles in your direction when you look around to see who’s with you?

These past months have been immensely difficult. In different ways and to varying
degrees we have all experienced worry, loss, disappointment – and some of these
have grown into sustained anxiety, grief, anger and frustration. None of these are
easy emotions to carry around with us.

As we look to the Summer, some of us to receiving grades, others to making big
‘next step’ decisions, others to a return to whatever ‘normal’ will look like, we, more
than ever, need to surround ourselves with people who will walk with us, cheer us
on, remind us to care for ourselves and give us the strength, laughter and hope we
need. We also need to be those people for others.

In our well being sessions on building Emotional Resilience this year, we looked at
how important it is to know who the people are who are on your side no matter what.
We also explored what it might mean to be a Sixth Form community which supports
and helps each other, even, and especially, in the face of worry, fear and
uncertainty.

Here are some of the phrases the current Year 12 community came up with – they are for us all.

Focus on the positives

Just breathe It will be OK

It’s not the end of the world

Don’t worry

It’s going to be alright

Just be positive and you’ll succeed

Get some help if you’re struggling

You’re better than you know

Your grades do not define you

You don’t know what can happen if you don’t try

Which of these phrases might be ones you choose to carry with you as we walk into
the next season of our lives? Could you write it out to have on your wall? On your
phone? Which of these phrases might be ones you send to others – could you write it
for them in a message, on a card, in a sketch?

The idea that we are a Sixth Form community is a big one. It takes us outside of our
own private journey and opens us up to giving and receiving support, care and
encouragement on our journey together.

We all need cheerleaders. We are each others cheerleaders.

Get practising today!

 

Beth

Check out the Instagram page @holdingtreasure to add a short reflection time into each day.

Senior Students 2020

19th May 2020Mrs L Johnston

The Senior Students play an important role in the life of our school and Sixth Form. The Senior Students are elected by both students and staff and are ambassadors for The King Edward VI School. Your Senior Students for 2020-2021 are:

Susu Anitche – Head Girl 

The subjects I am studying are Spanish, Drama and English Language

My ambition after Sixth Form is to either study Spanish at university or to do a Media/Broadcast Journalism Apprenticeship (which I would prefer!)

My interests are baking, music, video-games and anything movie related.

I want to be a senior student because I wanted to challenge myself and do something that I hadn’t done before while also having a positive effect on the school in the last year that I have.

My advice to current year 11’s is don’t stress over situations that you can’t control, you’re just putting yourself through the pain twice.

One of my favourite mottos/quotes is “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall” by Nelson Mandela.

 

Ellie Cape – Deputy Head Girl 

The subjects I am studying are History, French, Drama 

My ambition after Sixth Form is to study History at university.

My interests are gymnastics, drama, watching musicals/theatre, and cooking 

I want to be a senior student because I love communicating with different people and being part of a team to work towards something.

My advice to current year 11’s is don’t get too worked up about exams and try to find the joy in a stressful time – even though it can sometimes be hard.

One of my favourite mottos/quotes is “knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” by Aristotle

Niall Murtagh – Head Boy

The subjects I am studying are History, Geography, English Literature

My ambition after Sixth Form is to complete a degree in History and Politics

My interests are football, TV, film, football, the news, Middlesbrough Football Club

I want to be a senior student because I genuinely enjoy the school environment and appreciate the chance to contribute in a meaningful way

My advice to current year 11’s is retain consistency in your work-life balance and don’t panic

One of my favourite mottos/quotes is… ‘Don’t be afraid to have dreams… If you work hard enough and you’re not afraid to dream then you’re not afraid to fail.

I’m not afraid to fail. Everybody fails. I have had more failures than I’ve had success.’ by… Chris Coleman after Wales reached the semi finals of Euro 2016

 

Josh Williams – Deputy Head Boy

The subjects I am studying are Physics, Maths, Further Maths

My ambition after Sixth Form is to study Mechanical Engineering at University.

My interests are maths, trains, going on walks, travelling, and watching movies.

I want to be a senior student because I really enjoy public speaking and organising events.

My advice to current year 11’s is to chill. Remember that getting worried or stressing won’t affect the outcome of your exams. What helped me was listening to music, and doing revision outside in the fresh air.

One of my favourite mottos/quotes is “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” Matthew 6:34