16-19 Programme of Study

16-19 Programme of Study

The Sixth Form Curriculum is fully compliant with the Department for Education’s 16 to 19 Programmes of Study Guidance for 2019/2020.

All students have programmes of study which include:

  • Substantial qualifications that stretch them and prepare them for education at the next level of for employment;
  • Work Experience, including Work Experience placements, to give them the opportunity to develop their career choices and apply their skills in real working conditions;
  • Other non-qualification activities to develop their character, broader skills, attitudes and confident and to support progression;
  • GCSE English Language and Maths lessons if they have not achieved a GCSE grade 4.

Every programme of study has a core aim which is agreed with the student and includes one or more substantial academic or technical qualifications selected from the following list:

  • A Level Maths
  • A level Further Maths
  • A level Biology
  • A Level Chemistry
  • A Level Physics
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Creative iMedia
  • BTec National Extended Certificate in Computing
  • BTec National Diploma in Computing
  • BTec National Extended Diploma in Computing
  • BTec National Extended Certificate in Art and Design
  • BTec National Diploma in Art and Design
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Engineering
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering
  • EAL Engineering Technologies

The Entry Criteria for our 6th form courses is:

  • Entry Criteria for Cambridge Technical & Level 3 BTECs: 5 GCSE grades 4-9, including English (Grade 4+) & Maths (Grade 5+).
  • Entry Criteria for A Levels: 5 GCSE Grades 4-9 including English (Grade 4+) and Maths (Grade 5+). Grade 6 or higher in the subject to be studied at A Level.

The application of theory to ‘real’ projects, designed and delivered with our University and Employer Partners, underpins everything we do in Key Stage 4 and in the Sixth Form.  Some projects focus on subject-specific, specialist and technical knowledge and skills which consolidate and extend students’ learning.  Others develop their personal and employability skills, helping to prepare them for the next steps in their journey onto further or higher education, apprenticeships and employment.

Personal and Employability Skills Development –  Sixth Form

Our Personal and Employability Skills Development Curriculum is comprehensive and has equity with our academic and technical curriculum.  It provides opportunities for students to develop the following skills, prioritised by our University and Employer Partners: leadership; team-work; independence; communication; resilience; entrepreneurship. It also allows students to engage in activities to extend their specialist knowledge and experiences.  In addition, it teaches students about how to lead a healthy and safe lifestyle and promotes cultural capital.

UNITS

At the start of each academic year, we run an induction period for all students which ensures they understand how to keep themselves and others safe in school and the wider world.  The following areas are covered:

  • Health and Safety within the work place and school environment
  • Safeguarding policy and practice, including e-safety
  • Radicalisation and Extremism (Prevent)
  • Sex and Relationships Education
  • Health Education, including Drug and Alcohol Awareness

These topics are revisited annually.

Opportunities to promote Cultural Capital are embedded into our academic courses and Personal Development Curriculum.  Year 10 students also participate in the Culture Vultures programme which culminates in a Cultural Capital week at the end of the summer term.

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

Our aim is for 100% of our students to progress onto a positive destination at the end of Year 11 and Year 13 (Sixth Form, Further or Higher Education or an apprenticeship).  CEIAG is extremely high profile at RDUTC and our CEIAG programme is fully compliant with all the Gatsby Benchmarks.  In addition to the valuable CEIAG students gain from our Employer Projects, our CEIAG programme includes:

  • Personal Development Business Mentoring: 1-2-1 mentoring for students whose behaviour is a concern;
  • Stretch and Challenge Business Mentoring: Small group mentoring for the top five most-able students in each year group;
  • Employability Skills Business Mentoring: Half-termly mentoring sessions delivered by teams of Business Mentors to teach students about:
  1. Equality and Diversity
  2. Leadership Structures and Leadership Styles
  3. Professional Behaviours
  4. Personal and Public Reputation, including online presence
  5. Financial/Budget Management
  • A Post 16 Education Provider Expo for local Further Education and Sixth Form colleges to share their educational offers with our students;
  • Three Careers Expos per year – two for partner businesses, one for non-partner businesses;
  • Application and Interview preparation co-ordinated by the Directors of Human Resources from our Founding and Major Partners;
  • Work Experience Placements.
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