How does Grace Academy Sixth Form meet the 16-19 study programme requirements?
All sixth form establishments that are funded by the ESFA have to ensure that they meet the criteria set out in the government’s 16-19 study programme guidance. The Criteria, and how we meet them as a sixth form are detailed below:
Grace Academy Sixth Form is an accessible provision. We offer 10 Level 3 courses, these include 3 A Levels and 7 Vocational/Applied General subjects.
All study programmes require students to complete a minimum of 580 hours of planned activities per year, including qualification and non-qualification activities.
Students must complete a minimum of three Level 3 qualifications, in addition to the tutor time programme, core PSHE sessions, a two-week work-related learning placement towards the end of Y12, alongside independent study periods.
All students must take part in work experience that will enable them to develop critical employability skills needed for real working conditions. These should be meaningful encounters, non-qualification based, as well as considering their needs, career pathways and preparing them for adult life.
All Y12 students are required to organise and take part in a two-week compulsory work experience during the final half term of Y12. Students spend tutor time, their mentoring session and study periods investigating their placements to allow them to develop skills and encounter experiences that link to their overall goals. All students have access to a bank of placements to aid their search. Their work-related placements will be recorded and monitored on the ‘Unifrog’ platform.
The tutor time programme and PSHE provision are structured and example topics include but are not limited to:
- Healthy Relationships
- Road Safety
- Money Matters and managing personal finance
- Effective revision strategies
- Careers workshops
Y12 students experience at least two University visits throughout the year, Careers Fair, Apprenticeship Roadshows and What Uni events, as well as having access to an independent Careers Advisor. Y12/13 students start to complete their personal statements in the summer term on the Unifrog Platform and receive a lot of advice from tutors and the post 16 pastoral team, as well as having checks from tutors at What Uni and BCU.
We offer a variety of Leadership opportunities for our students in sixth form as well, including the Student Guild team, which is elected at the start of each academic year and are responsible for working in and around the academy in addition to supporting the local community. Their roles focus on wellbeing, extracurricular and charity work.
All students are expected to participate in the lower school community. Y12 students complete weekly paired reading sessions with Y7 students and Y13 currently complete weekly paired reading sessions with Y8 students.
Students are also encouraged to take part in subject mentoring during lessons, help with the running of various enrichment sessions and take part in whole school events such as open evenings, transition days, sports day, our annual Christmas Community meal and other Christmas events to name a few.