The Sixthform
The History of Sixth Form Education at Blessed George Napier School
The history of the BGN Sixth Form goes back to the time of the first Head of the School, Mr George Grimshaw. He saw the need for young people to have the opportunity to continue their studies and develop maturity in a Christian Catholic atmosphere where they had become familiar with learning and the development of social skills.
The Sixth Form was consolidated under Mr Terry O’Flynn, the second Head and now it is my task to develop and protect the efforts of all those in the past who fought to be recognised as the viable and successful Post -16 institution that BGN Sixth Form is today.
In recent times, the Governors have agreed a distinctive admissions policy which encourages students from other schools to join.
The ‘A’ Level Course Structure
In September 2000, a new system of Post 16 Study was introduced in England and Wales, designed to encourage students to study a broader curriculum in Year 12 before specialising in Year 13.
The Sixth Form Curriculum is structured as follows:
- Students usually take four or five AS Levels in Year 12 and reduce this to three or four A2 Levels in Year 13.
- Each AS Level consists of three units of study.
- By the end of Year 12 students will have completed coursework or sat an examination in each of the three units.
- In September of Year 13 students may ‘cash in’ the marks for an AS subject they wish to discontinue and gain a final grade. This grade earns points which can assist university entrance and is recognised by employers as a leaving qualification.
- The three or four AS subjects a student wishes to continue studying in Year 13 at A Level comprises a further three units of study each.
- The three units of study at A2 are added to the three units of study at AS, and this makes the full A Level.
- In August of Year 13, a final A Level grade is issued to each candidate, based upon the marks gained for the six units of study combined. This grade also earns points which help students gain a place at their chosen Higher Education Institution.
What A Levels Does Blessed George Napier School Offer?
Religious Education is a compulsory part of the curriculum. Consequently all students follow a course leading to the award of the Certificate and Diploma of Catholic Social Teaching and Bioethics, validated by the Oxford Delegation of Examination Awards.
We offer the following courses at both AS and A2 Level:
- Art
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- English Literature
- French
- Further Mathematics
- Food and Nutrition
- Geography
- Graphics
- History
- ICT
- Mathematics
- Music
- Philosophy and Theology
- Product Design (Textiles)
- Spanish
- Sport Studies (PE btec)
- Sport Studies
- Travel and Tourism
In addition, any student may also gain a BTech Diploma in Sport.
Sixth Form Facilities
We are very fortunate at BGN to have part of the school set aside for the sole use of the sixth form students. The Sixth Form Centre is situated at the front of the school and provides a base for all students to use throughout the day – during study periods, free lessons, break, lunch, and before and after school. The area includes:
- common room
- large study room with computer and internet access
- kitchen
- toilets
- lockers and cloakroom
Other facilities which are also available to all students include the school library, with a study area set aside for Sixth Form use only, three computer rooms, department based equipment, and well equipped laboratories. In addition, the School Chapel lies in the centre of the school and provides the venue for Sixth Form Assemblies or a more informal opportunity for students to drop in as they wish.
Bridging the Gap: From GCSE to A Level and Beyond
The Sixth Form at BGN seeks to help students acquire knowledge, understanding and skills which will benefit them throughout life, in an environment which has neither the control of the first five years of secondary school nor the complete freedom of the Higher Education Institute.
Central to the Sixth Former’s life is his/her academic study, though the level required at AS and A Level can be a daunting prospect. To help students adapt to the new, raised standards and the different style of teaching and learning, Sixth Form Tutors provide advice, support and stability, guiding students through this period of transition and dealing with any problems that might arise.
Opportunities are provided throughout the two years for students to think about their future after school. A week’s Work Experience is arranged in Lower Sixth and speakers from universities, industry and Gap Year organisations are invited in to encourage students to consider the options open to them.
Post-16 Links Within Banbury
At present, BGN, Banbury School and the North Oxfordshire College work together within a Post-16 Timetable Grid under a longstanding co-operative arrangement. There are various advantages to this:
- Students may study subjects at other institutions that are not on offer at BGN e.g. AS Sociology, whilst maintaining a pastoral base at BGN.
- Where students wish to study two subjects from the same option block at BGN, they can take one of the subjects at BGN and the other elsewhere, so maintaining their preferred subject combination.
- Students from other institutions can study courses at BGN which are not on offer at those institutions e.g. AS and A2 Chemistry or Music. The Governors welcome applications from these students providing they are prepared to integrate into the Christian ethos of the school.
- Students continue to study in a familiar working environment whilst experiencing academic life outside their own institution.
The Sixth Form Contract
We encourage all our Sixth Form Students to take an active and leading role in all aspects of school life. Because of this high profile within the school, and as preparation for what lies beyond in the world of work or Higher Education, high standards of behaviour, appearance, attendance and punctuality are expected. The following conditions are detailed in the contract:
I shall:
- attend school regularly, only being absent for legitimate reasons.
- attend all my lessons when present without exception.
- register both in the morning and afternoon.
- be punctual to all lessons.
- be fully involved in Assemblies and School Masses.
- complete set work on time.
- catch up promptly on any missed work.
- make good use of the time available in school for study.
- dress and behave in a manner appropriate to a member of the Sixth Form.
- bring credit to myself and the school at every opportunity.
- have respect for all other members of the school community.
- strive to be an appropriate model example for the younger students at BGN.
- show leadership in all the sporting and extra-curricular activities entered by the school, supporting social functions and fund raising activities.