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Sixth FormInformation Guide

SENIOR SCHOOL

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR LOWER SIXTH 2016-17

TERM 1

Date Event Sunday 4th September Induction all pupils in Lower SixthMonday 5th September School starts for all pupilsTuesday 13th September- Eid al Adha *Dates subject to change Thursday 15th September Sunday 18th September School reopensALIS tests take place to provide a baseline grade of likely academic

performance at A level (no revision required) Wednesday 5th October Meet the Tutor & University

Presentations (12:00 noon – 5:00pm) Monday 16th October Sixth Form Parents’ evening

(3:00 - 6:00pm)Sunday 30th October- Thursday 3rd November Half term Thursday 8th December Lower Sixth Progress Report published

on Parent Portal Thursday 15th December Term ends (12:00 noon)

TERM 2

Tuesday 3rd January Term startsSunday 29th January- Thursday 2nd February Half termTuesday 14th March Lower Sixth Full Report published on

Parent PortalThursday 6th April Final deadline for all Lower Sixth

coursework Term ends

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TERM 3

Sunday 23rd April Term starts Sunday 28th May Half termMonday 29th May Lower Sixth Examination WeekThursday 15th June Lower Sixth Reports published on

Parent Portal Thursday 29th June Term ends (12:00 noon)

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IMPORTANT DATES FOR UPPER SIXTH 2016-17TERM 1

Monday 5th September School starts for all pupilsTuesday 13th September- Thursday 15th September Eid al Adha *Dates subject to changeSunday 18th September School reopensWednesday 5th October Meet the Tutor & University

Application Presentations Monday 16th October Sixth Form Parents’ evening

(12:00 noon – 5pm)Sunday 30th October- Thursday 3rd November Half termThursday 8th December Upper Sixth Progress Report

published on Parent Portal Sunday 11th December Upper Sixth Mock Examinations beginThursday 15th December Term ends (12:00 noon)

TERM 2

Tuesday 3rd January Term starts Upper Sixth Mock Examinations

continueTuesday 17th January Upper Sixth Report published on

Parent PortalSunday 29th January- Thursday 2nd February Half termThursday 6th April Final deadline for all Upper Sixth

coursework Term ends (12:00 noon)TERM 3Sunday 23rd April Term Starts Sunday 7th May Upper Sixth Study Leave beginsSunday 28th May Half termThursday 29th June Term ends (12:00 noon)

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PARENTS’ GUIDE TO REPORTSAt Sherborne Qatar we ensure that pupils are tracked by their academic progress throughout the year. We use a variety of assessment methods in conjunction with teacher judgement to ensure we monitor progress carefully. Here at Sherborne Qatar we produce the following types of report:

Progress report:This report is given termly (provided there is no full report in that cycle) and gives the following information from each subject teacher based upon the evidence to date and the professional judgement of that member of staff.

• Current working at grade • Minimum expected grade • Aspirational grade• Attitude to learning at school• Attitude to learning at home (based upon homework submitted)• On track to achieve the minimum expected grade

Full report:This report is issued once in Lower Sixth. This is a formal written report encompassing written subject reports from all subject staff alongside the criteria of the Progress Report. In Upper Sixth, pupils have detailed reference numbers for university applications.

Minimum Expected GradeLower Sixth: The minimum expected grade is based upon the initial aptitude tests undertaken in the early stages of the Autumn Term.Upper Sixth: The minimum expected grade is based upon the initial aptitude tests undertaken in the Lower Sixth in addition to the previous year’s attainment.

Aspirational Grade: The aspirational levels are taken from subject teachers’ knowledge of the pupil, tests and the work undertaken to date. This grade can be modified throughout the year and exam course.

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HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD IN SIXTH FORM?

AttendanceExcellent attendance and active participation in lessons is crucial for academic success. Parental encouragement to attend Sixth Form, even if not feeling 100% will really help pupils stay on top of the work expected.

Independent StudyThe Sixth Form is all about challenging academic study and preparing pupils for far greater independence in future years. Independent study periods reflect how much time pupils should be studying in addition to their lessons if they are to achieve the results they are capable of. Using this time and time working at home is essential for academic success so please ask to see your child’s work and test them on their knowledge on it. For every hour of lesson time, pupils should spend the same time on active independent study and revision for that subject, this is in addition to completing homework tasks.

Organisation of important tasksAssist pupils with developing a daily routine which includes:

• Keeping a homework diary and prioritizing tasks• Keeping a year view diary with deadlines for important dates• Ensuring there is a clearly labelled and organized file for each

subject and each teacher in which hand outs and notes are properly filed each day

• Encouragement for consolidation of their day’s learning through revisiting lesson notes, further reading and expansion of notes, test them on key terms and concepts

• Completion of homework• Additional independent study: wider reading and research;

examination questions; reading examiners reports; preparation for upcoming units of study

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Information TechnologySixth Form pupils will all have a school email address which we will expect them to check at least once a day. This will help them become responsible and independent and keep up with messages and information from school. Your support in this is encouraged.

Study techniques• Encourage ACTIVE study. Note taking, mind mapping, creating

revision cards, attempting timed condition responses (with no resources) are all good methods to use.

• Help to split up independent study at home into manageable chunks.

• Keep your child well hydrated in between study sessions.• Insist on breaks and relaxation time within the week.

RevisionFor tests and exams the advice is start early. Revision should be taking place every week for all subjects in the form of notes, practice exam questions, practice essays and so on. There is never such a thing as ‘no homework’. As parents, please do ask to see actual revision notes and test your child on them.

Keeping up to dateAs parents you will want to have the most up to date information to support your child during these important years in their education. We recommend helping our pupils to follow the advice in this booklet and maintaining an awareness of our university preparation schedule. There is also good deal of information on our VLE, we recommend logging in frequently with your son or daughter to read and discuss.

Preparing for Higher EducationKeep up to date with school based university preparation tasks and spend time as family discussing ideas and doing some research together. It is not an easy process and adult support in addition to that provided at school can be helpful. One of the most important criteria universities look for is whether a pupil is academically committed alongside being especially passionate about their chosen subject area at higher education. Getting involved with different activities to show

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evidence of this is highly recommended. For example, pupils could pursue a related Extended Project Qualification, participate in a super-curricular activity such as Medics Club, a privately studied MOOC or work shadowing. Extra-curricular activities can provide much needed relief from academic study and are also to be encouraged.

What is the role of the Form Tutor?The role of the Tutor is essential to your child’s well-being. The Tutor is the person that you as a parent or your child should go to with any concerns. Tutors are responsible for each child’s pastoral well-being and academic monitoring. Tutor groups meet twice a day and in this time, they can help support your child with any issues they may have. Your child will also have a termly interview with the tutor to discuss their achievements and concerns. Tutors’ contact details are listed below:

Lower Sixth• Ahmed Lower Sixth Tutor Gill Gregory

ggregory@sherborneqatar.org • Cook Lower Sixth Tutor Estelle Jones ejones@sherborneqatar.org• Copeland Lower Sixth Tutor Sharon Loxton sloxton@sherborneqatar.org• Cutler Lower Sixth Tutor Amanda Dobison adobison@sherborneqatar.org• Hamad Lower Sixth Tutor Krishna Ranglall kranglall@sherborneqatar.org• Moza Lower Sixth Tutor Malcom Godsman mgodsman@sherborneqatar.org

Upper Sixth• Ahmed Upper Sixth Tutor Kym Prichard kprichard@sherborneqatar.org• Cook Upper Sixth Tutor Nikki Williams nwilliams@sherborneqatar.org

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• Copeland Upper Sixth Tutor Donna Ketteringham dketteringham@sherborneqatar.org• Cutler Upper Sixth Tutor Ruth Nakeeb rnakeeb@sherborneqatar.org• Hamad Upper Sixth Tutor Sheila Murphy smurphy@sherborneqatar.org• Moza Upper Sixth Tutor Stacey Mate smate@sherborneqatar.org

What is the role of the Head and Assistant Head of Sixth Form? The Head and Assistant Head of Sixth Form have overall responsibility for the academic and pastoral welfare of both year groups. They will monitor the academic tracking and implement strategies to support pupils’ progression as necessary. They will set the tone for the lower and upper sixth form in terms of behaviour and conduct in and around school. They will also ensure that pupils are fully engaging in life at Sherborne. They oversee university guidance and provide support with all higher education applications. The Head and Assistant Head of Sixth Form contact details are:

• Head of Sixth Form Mrs Thomas jthomas@sherborneqatar.org• Assistant Head of Sixth Form Mrs Braben hbraben@sherborneqatar.org

What is the role of the Head of House?The House system is pivotal in developing a pupils’ sense of belonging at Sherborne. Heads of House are responsible for leading the school’s House System and encouraging participation in a wide variety of activities. They will get to know the strengths of the pupils in their House and will be able to provide feedback with regards to a pupil’s contribution to wider aspects of school life.

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The Heads of House are:• Ahmed Mrs Outram joutram@sherborneqatar.org• Cook Mrs Khayari rkhayari@sherborneqatar.org• Copeland Miss Ketteringham dketteringham@sherborneqatar.org• Cutler Mr Robey grobey@sherborneqatar.org• Hamad Miss Nightingale-Smith ansmith@sherborneqatar.org• Moza Mr Adam iadam@sherborneqatar.org

Higher Education & Careers Programme The concept of studying for a degree abroad or indeed here in Qatar is a life changing move. Therefore we dedicate our tutor time to opening up the world of opportunities available to our pupils and working through the many issues which need to be carefully considered in planning for this venture. Starting in Lower Sixth, we take a very thorough and personalised approach which we believe maximises our pupils success in securing university places or following other avenues of interest. For pupils in Upper Sixth, we spend time adding the final touches to pupil’s applications and aim to have applications completed in the Autumn term. Please pay close attention to our internal deadlines.

Lower SixthSeptember The Year Ahead – Expectations, Target setting &

Study Skills October Planning for Success at HENovember Choosing the right HE courseDecember Researching HE courses & Performance ReviewJanuary Application requirementsFebruary Planning Personal Statements & Essays

March Writing Personal Statements and Essays & Performance Review

April Revision Techniques at A levelMay Starting Applications for HE & completing necessary

TestsJune Maximising from the Summer Break

Upper Sixth September 29th Redrafting personal statements/ essays Final deadline for transcript requests October 13th Final deadline for Oxbridge applications Final versions of Personal Statements & Essays due November 15th All UCAS applications to be completedNovember 30th All USA & Canada applications to be completed December All other applications to other countries to be completedJanuary Preparing for UniversityFebruary Preparing for University March Revision Techniques at A levelApril Revision Techniques at A levelMay ExaminationsJune Examinations

We are here to support our pupils on the beginning of their journey to independence. We have a friendly environment coupled with high expectations, challenge and effective assessment and monitoring helping us to promote hard work, teamwork and success. This short guide is intended to assist you navigate your way through our policies, procedures and plans. We look forward to working in partnership with you and helping our pupils to get the best out of their time with us.

With best wishesThe Sixth Form Team