Brighton and Portslade Aldridge Community Academies

6th Form Prospectus

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy

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Brighton and Portslade Aldridge Community Academies welcome you to our new joint Sixth Form prospectus. The joint Sixth Form represents a shared commitment to:

● A personalised approach to learning that enables all students to be successful

● Using the £40 million that has recently been invested in our state of the art campuses, and the further investments we are planning, to the benefit of all of our students and local communities

● Developing, alongside academic qualifications, entrepreneurial life skills, such as the ability to take a manageable risk and the ability to communicate effectively, that are vital for our students if they are to be successful in life.

Students can choose to study a diverse range of courses and we work closely with each student to ensure that subjects chosen are appropriate for their style of learning and lead to progression, whether that is to university, college, an apprenticeship, employment with training or

even to start their own business. We strongly believe that parents/carers expect their sons’ or daughters’ Sixth Form to focus on good qualifications, good grades and life skills, but also look for somewhere that provides the transition to their next stage in life.

I am really pleased that you are considering joining TheAldridge Academy Sixth Form. I am passionate about thesuccess of the Sixth Form and all of the students in ourcare. Our aim is to ensure that all students have the verybest opportunities available to them when they completetheir courses.

This is why we have developed a curriculum which isbuilt around your individual needs to enable you to be successful.

To support academic studies we have developed astructure to enable you to receive the highest qualityinformation, advice and guidance about the options opento you when you complete your Sixth Form courses –whether that’s going to university or into employment.

I chose to become the Academy’s sponsor because I amfully committed to supporting young people andimproving educational achievement. Our job as sponsoris to support the Principals and their teams to ensurethat every student receives the very best educationpossible. I am very proud of the great new facilities wehave now at BACA and PACA, and the progress in examresults that both academies have made in the short timesince opening.

I was born and educated in the local area and take anactive and ongoing interest in the future of both

This helps ensure you are in a position to make the rightchoices and progress successfully.

The Sixth Form has a house structure which creates asense of belonging and all students have a daily tutortime session. In addition, we have developed an extensiveenrichment programme which is designed to give youopportunities you may not get at other local SixthForms. This will give you your own unique selling pointson your CV – so vital in this highly competitive world.

I very much look forward to meeting you and welcomingall of our new students into our Sixth Form.

Mr Jamie HarrocksVice Principal Sixth Form and Extended School

academies. Success for me is about creating a positiveenvironment where students can realise their futurepotential. I have always had a passionate interest ineducation and am confident that through improvingeducational performance we can make a real differenceto the life chances of those who attend our Sixth Form. I am committed to supporting young people to ensurethat this happens.

Sir Rod Aldridge OBEChairman of the Aldridge Foundation, sponsors of BACA and PACA

Head of Joint Sixth Form’s Message

Sponsor’s Message

Our mission is to change lives and bring about positiveoutcomes for all our learners. The Aldridge AcademySixth Form is underpinned by an ethos that supports thehighest possible personal achievement for each student.We encourage all students to develop a passion forlearning. In particular, we want you to recognise thepotential you have and we will provide the opportunitiesto unlock that potential. We believe that every studentcan achieve success, irrespective of their starting point.

We aim to foster independent learning so that everystudent can take responsibility for their own learning anddevelop an entrepreneurial attitude that strives forsuccess. Students are encouraged to become leaderswithin the Sixth Form and wider community. They takeon a variety of roles such as mentoring, prefects and peersupport, developing a strong sense of social responsibilityand making a positive contribution to the local and widercommunity. We aim to foster social entrepreneurship andhelp create a culture that values compassionate, activeand responsible citizens.

Our ultimate aim is to fully prepare you for your adultlife and ensure that you feel ‘life ready’ by the time youleave us.

Mission Statement

BACA opened in September 2010, with students movinginto the cutting edge Academy building with its newsports, entrepreneurship and IT facilities and dedicatedsixth form area a year later. BACA has a specialism insport which is promoted in the Academy throughout thecurriculum and through its modern sports facilities. TheAcademy also has an entrepreneurship ‘hub’ containingoffice pods where students and local entrepreneurs fromthe community can incubate innovative ideas to developnew businesses.

The Academy has a specialism in sport, requiring allstudents to participate in a sporting activity and to takean accredited course at Key Stage 4. BACA hasoutstanding sporting facilities that include extensiveplaying fields, a six court indoor sports hall with cricketnets, 2G all-weather pitch, an outside multi-use gamesarea and a sprung floor dance studio. We are in theunique position of having two universities in ourimmediate proximity. This enables us to work closelywith them, share their expertise, access their resourcesand give you a flavour of Higher Education.

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) openedin September 2011 and has specialisms in science andsport. In December 2013 we will open new state of theart science teaching facilities, including a science,technology, engineering and mathematics centre,specialist sixth form science labs (wet and dry) and anoutdoor balcony for science experiments.

Our excellent sporting facilities include full access to asports centre located next to the Academy whichincludes a gym. PACA is currently undergoing a £12.7minvestment which includes the development of a newSixth Form centre, Music and Performing Arts centre, andstate of the art computer and Apple Mac suites whichwill enhance the learning environment for our students.This will be completed before Christmas 2013. We aredeveloping contractual links with several high performinguniversities, enabling students to access level four units ofwork, university library facilities and online mentors.

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA)

Portslade AldridgeCommunity Academy (PACA)

Arial view of theBACA campus

PACA’s new dance studio, part of the£12.7m campus refurbishment

Curriculum OfferOur goal is to enrich the lives of all of our students and forthem all to be successful. This means providing a curriculumthat is personalised so that all students can thrive in theirstudies, enjoy their work and progress post 18/19. Thereare three curriculum pathways you can follow.

Choosing the correct pathwayWe recommend that you:

� Read the more detailed subject/course descriptions found on our websites

Pathway Courses Minimum entry requirements

Academic and Vocational 4 subjects 5 GCSE grades A*- C including English A Levels and Maths and if applicable additional

subject specific grade requirements at GCSE

Vocational A Level 3 subjects plus either English 5 GCSE grades A*- C with either equivalents or Maths GCSE re- sit English or Maths

Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) GCSE English and Maths re-sit 5 GCSE grades A*- Gand two BTEC courses

� Consider the grades that your subject teachers predict that you might get

� Take your time to find out about all of the subjects/ courses that interest you and are relevant to your possible career

� Pick subjects/courses that you enjoy and are good at

� Use this prospectus to record your ideas as you discuss subjects with staff and your parents.

Qualifications� A Levels PathwayAn A level is a traditional Level 3 academic qualification.The qualifications are studied over a two year period.There is one final examination at the end of the course.

Grades are awarded at A*-E level. Each grade has anequivalent number of UCAS points, which will be used byuniversities to make students offers of places on degreecourses. (A* =120 points – E =40 points).

� Vocational (A Level Equivalents) PathwayA BTEC or CNC National Level 3 course is a vocationalqualification. These qualifications are studied over a twoyear period. The courses are usually made up of portfoliobased work and may have practical assessments included.These qualifications suit students who can manage asteady workload and are interested in the practicalelements of an area of study.

Grades are awarded at: Distinction – the equivalent of a grade A at A level, Merit – the equivalent of a grade C at A level, andPass – the equivalent of a grade E at A level.

Each grade has an equivalent number of UCAS points,which will be used by universities to make offers of placeson degree courses. (A* = 120 points – E = 40 points).

� Level 2 GCSE and GCSE Equivalents PathwayThis pathway is designed for students who have notachieved grades C or above in English and Maths.

The pathway is designed to support the students inachieving level 2 qualifications to aid their progression.This is a year-long programme which offers a full GCSEEnglish and Maths programme of study. Students will alsostudy two other vocational subjects to GCSE level.

Level 2 students will progress onto level 3 courses ifsuccessful in achieving a C or above in English and Maths,and passing their vocational courses. If students wish tomove onto an apprenticeship, a job with training or starttheir own business at the end of the year then they willbe supported at PACA by our Progression Manager,Nicola Lombardo.

Subjects in each pathway at the BACA campus

A Level English Literature, Media and Film Studies

Vocational Level 3Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, Art, Hospitality &Catering, Sport, Science, ICT and Business Studies

Foundation Level 2GCSE English and Maths and Leadership & Management

Subjects in each pathway at the PACA campus

A Level English Literature, English Creative Writing, Maths,Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Textiles,Geography, Law, Government & Politics, Sociology,Psychology, Economics, PE, Art, Spanish and Photography

Vocational Level 3Health & Social Care, Science, ICT, Business Studies,Sport, Travel & Tourism, Media and Performing Arts. Allare available as double A Level equivalents and so earntwice as many UCAS points

Foundation Level 2GCSE English and Maths, Business or ICT and Health &Social Care or Travel & Tourism

*Courses running at each campus are subject to student numbers.

Experiencing Other CulturesThe Aldridge Foundation’s Opening Eyes programmegives our students the chance to think in a new way, asthey make local, regional, national and international tripswith diverse themes. The aim of the programme is tobroaden horizons and give students the opportunity tolook at their own circumstances in a different way. Mostrecent international trips have been to New York andCosta Rica.

PACA Pioneers visit Diria National Park, Costa Rica

BACA students in New York

Bursary SchemeOur Sixth Form participates in the national bursaryscheme paying up to £1200 per year to students withfinancial needs.

2 October 2013 - BACA Campus Sixth Form Open Evening An opportunity for all prospective 3 October 2013 - PACA Campus students to find out about our Sixth

Form, meet our subject staff and start the process of choosing courses for next year. Students who do not already attend BACA or PACA are invited to submit an application form indicating their subject preferences *

October 2013 – February 2014 Visits for external candidates* Students wishing to join the Sixth Form who do not already attend BACA or PACA are invited to have a tour before submitting an application form. All applications should be received by the end of December 2013

13th – 17th January 2014 for Year 11 into 12 interviews for Parents and students are invited to Internal students BACA/PACA and external discuss course options with the

students with parents and the Sixth Form team once their From the end of January for Vice Principal for Sixth Form and application forms have been receivedexternal students Extended School

May - June 2014 GCSE exams

July 2014 Induction Students can attend taster sessions,get to know the Sixth Form and meet their tutors

August 2014 GCSE results Mr Harrocks and senior staff are 10:00 am to 12:00pm available on results day to offer

advice and support

September 2014 Enrolment day You will have a meeting with a senior member of staff to discuss course choices at BACA and PACA

September 2014 Courses confirmed and timetables All students confirm their course issued choices and obtain a signature

from their tutors

Key dates for prospective students

The Aldridge Cricket Academy (ACA)The ACA is a unique partnership with the Sussex CricketBoard and supported by Sussex County Cricket Club.

Facilities at both academies have benefited from a combinedcapital investment of nearly £40m in the last 3 years and arecomplemented by a top-class cricket coaching programmeunder the guidance of former Sussex and England starJames Kirtley. He is supported by Director of Cricket AlexiaWalker, a Level 4 ECB qualified coach and a former Englandinternational and Sussex county player.

The Aldridge Cricket Academy provides specific andintensive cricket coaching programmes for male and femalecricket players, delivered by a dedicated coaching teamconsisting of ECB qualified specialist coaches. We providepost 16 study programmes that integrate with the CricketAcademy training and development blocks. This givesstudents the chance to develop their sporting talent andacademic qualifications together, rather than having tochoose between the two, or having the constant stress ofdealing with conflicting training and college work schedules.

Students are selected following a cricket trial with ourcoaching staff, a cricketing reference from a recent club orschool coach, your GCSE grades and a reference from yourlast school or college. You will probably have playedrepresentative cricket at district / area level or above, orSussex League cricket and to be successful you will need todemonstrate your sports skills, fitness and commitment tothe sport.

Other sporting academies at the BACA campusIn September 2014 we plan to have additional sportingacademies in Basketball, Football, Table Tennis, Dance andAthletics. All will follow the framework of the CricketAcademy and will have head coaches. Students will gaincoaching and refereeing qualifications in their disciplinesif they are sport related.

Other sporting academies at the PACA campusIn September 2014 we will have a Football Academy, GolfAcademy, Netball Academy and Performing Arts andDance Academy. All will follow the framework of theCricket Academy and will have head coaches. Studentswill gain coaching and refereeing qualifications in theirdisciplines if they are sport related.

Our Director of Sport - Simon FunnellSimon took up the newly created role of Director ofSport in September 2013, overseeing the development ofall sports at both schools, working with their sportsteachers to increase opportunities for all students to getinvolved with sport whilst developing programmes tosupport gifted and talented players.

Simon has been involved in his previous role of CricketDevelopment Manager at SCCC, with the developmentof ACA and the appointment of Alexia Walker as theDirector of Cricket. Simon holds an ECB Level 3 and anMSc in Coaching from Loughborough University. He hascoached youth teams, in schools and universities in theUK and internationally. x

Our Sixth Form Sports Academies

“I feel passionately that sport can conquer many

prejudices, bringing communities and people together.

With a strong sporting background and a fantastic rise in

academic standards the Aldridge Academies offer

excellent opportunities to all and I am really looking

forward to working with the talented and dedicated

team across both schools. My aim is to get more

students playing and enjoying sport, and for both schools

to produce county, national and international players in a

variety of sports.”

Simon Funnell, Director of Sport

“To have someone of Simon’s coaching and organisational

ability on board is really exciting and will give our students

opportunities across an increasing range of sports. As part

of the community focus of both academies Simon will

encourage the development of relationships with local

clubs to provide additional opportunities for our students

to play competitive sport. We are committed to further

developing our campuses to support Simon’s work with

us and to offer our communities and local clubs access to

great sports facilities.”

Sir Rod Aldridge OBE

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy

Brighton Aldridge Community Academy

Brighton Aldridge Community AcademyLewes Road, Brighton BN1 9PWT: 01273 691 191 www.baca-uk.org.uk

Portslade Aldridge Community AcademyChalky Road, Portslade, East Sussex BN41 2WST: 01273 416 300 www.paca.uk.com

The Aldridge FoundationFirst Floor, Swan Gardens, 10 Piccadilly, London W1J 0DDT: 0207 297 0340 www.aldridgefoundation.com

For more information please contact:Mr Jamie Harrocks Vice Principal of Sixth Form and Extended SchoolsT: 01273 416300E: j.harrocks@paca.uk.com

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