Mrs L Johnston | Sixth Form at The King Edward VI School

Author Archives Mrs L Johnston

Hindsight…

13th December 2018Mrs L Johnston

As mentors, we often hear the same message echoing throughout Year 13… “I wish I had worked harder in Year 12,” or “I can’t apply for the course I want because my predicted grades are rubbish,” despite admitting that they did not work hard enough for their mocks. The pattern repeats itself year on year so I decided to try and break this cycle. I asked current Year 13 students: if they could go back in time a year, what would they do differently? Knowing what they now know, what advice would they give to their Year 12 selves? And, for the ones who had a successful Year 12, how did they do it?

As we look to recruiting our next group of Year 12 students and our current year group mature, here are some of their pearls of wisdom to help you to have a successful Year 12.

Use your frees to start working earlier. At the end of this year, the stuff you’ve learnt needs to be solid because it gets harder in year 13 and there really isn’t time to recap 1st year content.

Get your work done as soon as you get it, otherwise it piles up fast.

Workloads become much easier to manage if you look after yourself first.

If you’re taking any essay based subject, especially those you have to do a coursework for, do an EPQ it’s a good way to improve your writing and useful for learning skills needed for coursework e.g. referencing. I’ve increased my grades by a whole grade after completing my EPQ just because I can articulate my arguments better. Although be aware, it’s a lot of work completing an EPQ and try and get it done sooner rather than later (especially the candidate log).

It’s OK to struggle, A Levels are not supposed to be easy and there is nothing wrong with struggling at the start so long as you do the appropriate work and get the appropriate help when things get too much. Talk to people about what’s bothering you and at the same time listen to those who need your help. Sometimes just getting things out helps a lot.

Pre-read. No matter what subject or topic it is, pre-read it, and it will make the whole topic easier, as you will be able to understand it so much better and quicker.

Don’t be afraid to double up if you need to. There is absolutely no shame in doubling up, and it will definitely help you improve.

Don’t be discouraged at first if your grades are completely different to GCSE grades. Eventually it will click.

Past-paper questions!!

Keep notes tidy and organised so when you come to revise you don’t need to rewrite half a book of work!

Use the silent study areas as much as you can do, don’t risk losing them.

Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can start today.

I’d say that you don’t have to stick to a certain type of revision, instead try lots of different things out so you know what the best revision methods are for you in year 13. Organisation is great but it’s more important to keep things varied than to worry about sticking to the same thing!

It ALL matters.

Don’t put off work till the last minute, do it when you get it so you can do it the best you can – predicted UCAS grades are decided on early in the year in year 13 and they’re based on your marks and effort in year 12. Be organised through year 12 and you’ll have an easier time revising in year 13!!

Article compiled by Jess Mares, Year 13 Mentor.

Post 16 Information Evening

7th December 2018Mrs L Johnston

We are delighted to invite prospective Year 12 students and their parents/carers to our Open event on Thursday 10 January 4 – 7pm.

There will be a chance to meet the team, speak to subject staff and receive some guidance on Post 16 options with Sixth Form at King Edward’s.

If you have any queries please contact [email protected]

The Biggest King Edward’s Inspires… so far!

29th November 2018Mrs L Johnston

A Northumberland school welcomed hundreds of students and parents from across the county to its biggest and best careers event yet on 22 November.

King Edward’s Inspires, which is now in its fifth year, is an annual careers fair held by The King Edward VI School, part of The Three Rivers Learning Trust. And this year’s event featured stands from more employers than ever before, including accountancy firms PWC and Graeme Tennick & Co, law firm Muckle LLP, the NHS, Northumbria Police, Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service, Northumbrian Water, civil engineering firm ARUP, HR specialists Avec, Faulkner Browns Architects, design and brand agency JUMP, and more.

In addition, students and their parents and guardians could chat to representatives from colleges and universities from across the country, including The Northern School of Art, Edinburgh Napier, Leeds Beckett, Edge Hill, the London School of Economics, Trinity College Cambridge, and the Universities of Stirling, Newcastle, Cumbria, Sheffield, Dundee, Sunderland, Huddersfield, and Teesside among others.

There was also a full programme of advisory presentations on offer, covering topics including apprenticeships, personal branding, student life and finances, and careers in areas as diverse as nursing, engineering, medicine, film, sport, law and environmental science.

As well as King Edward’s own students, a coach descended on the Morpeth school from Berwick Academy and families from The Duke’s Secondary School were welcomed.

Sarah Flanagan, Head of Post-16 Education at Berwick Academy said of the event: “It’s been really valuable for us as a rural and isolated school to get access to this range of employers and higher education institutions. We simply couldn’t do this alone, so our ongoing partnership with The King Edward VI School has really been of benefit to my students over a number of years, and this year has been bigger and better than ever before.”

Mark Fox, Careers and Employability Manager at The Duke’s Secondary School in Ashington added: “I think it’s been a really amazing evening, because there’s something for everyone, so no one has gone home empty handed.”

Year 12 student at The King Edward VI School Shannon Brown said: “Tonight has been really good for me because I didn’t really feel I had a clue what I was doing but now I have a plan, and lots of information to go through.”

Exhibitor Graeme Tennick has already got work experience candidates lined up until July 2019 following the event. He added: “It’s a fantastic event that helps the students to fully get a feel for what businesses are like and what they are looking for, and the various routes forward. We’re looking forward to taking part again next year.”

Leanne Johnston is Assistant Headteacher at The King Edward VI School. She also organises King Edward’s Inspires. She said: “King Edward’s Inspires goes from strength to strength with our partnerships with The Duke’s Secondary School and Berwick Academy continuing to thrive.

“The students and their parents get a lot of benefit from the evening, so we want to thank all of the organisations that have taken time out of their busy schedules to attend.”

Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can start today.

Post 16 Info Evening 10 January

Post 16 Info Evening 10 January