Sixth Form Class of 2018 in a League of their Own

24th January 2019Mrs L Johnston

The hard work and determination of the students and staff within Sixth Form at The King Edward VI School continues to be recognised. National performance data published today (14/1/19), sets Sixth Form at King Edward’s apart from its contemporaries.

The performance data released focuses on Value Added. Common in the world of Economics, Value Added within education seeks to measure the educational gains made over time i.e. the progress each and every student makes from their starting point. Within Sixth Form GCSE performance in the benchmark indicator and we measure the attainment gain over their two years.

At Key Stage Five, Sixth Form at King Edward’s is ranked top for progress in Northumberland and second in the North East (The school ranked top have 12 A Level entries compared to King Edward’s 732!) Of all schools nationally Sixth Form at King Edward’s is ranked within the top 100. However if we scrutinise the data further and consider state schools with over 100 students in Key Stage Five, Sixth Form is ranked 12th in England, this includes both state and independent schools.

We are incredibly proud of our students and staff, who with their relentless drive for excellence secured outstanding results. Progress data, such as that released today is incredibly important as it reflects effort and attainment by each and every student in each and every assessment. This has enabled students to secure places at prestigious national and international universities and jobs with renowned employers.

Sixth Form at King Edward’s are currently recruiting for Year 12 starting in September 2019. For further information regarding entry or to arrange a visit please contact [email protected]

Post 16 Information Evening

10th January 2019Mrs L Johnston

Thursday 10 January 2019 saw our annual Sixth Form showcase event. This is an event we are really proud of and it allows us to share our vision and ethos for Post 16 study and give you a flavour of what and how we do it.

As part of the event the Ms Savage, Headteacher, Mrs Johnston, Head of Sixth Form and Ms Familton, Head of Year, supported by our Senior Students, delivered a formal presentation. A copy of the presentation can be accessed via this link.

Post 16 Information Evening allows our expert teaching staff to discuss with students and their parents the realities of Post 16 study and what the A Level/Level 3 courses are like. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we hope that those who attended found it informative and inspiring.

If you could not attend the evening, but would like to visit our Sixth Form or would like to discuss an application with a member of the Sixth Form team, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected], over the phone or any of our social medial channels.

Applications for Sixth Form in September 2019

10th January 2019Mrs L Johnston

Any student wishing to apply for entry into our Sixth Form should complete this online application form.

Students should check the entry requirements in the Sixth Form at King Edward’s prospectus, these are found on page 15 and 16. The entry requirements are a guide, and our informed judgement on what level of attainment at GCSE will mean successful progress and attainment at A Level. Do not let the entry requirements deter you from an application; be aspirational and let the entry requirements be a motivator for your Summer exams. Every application, after results, will be judged on its own individual merit. All applicants will be considered and be invited to interview after results in August.

To create our timetable we organise subjects into pools, this is reflected in the application form. You should check that your chosen combination of subjects are possible within the timetable. Use the latest option pool document to check. Applicants are invited to choose three A Level/Level 3 subjects from the four option pools. These pools are provisional at present. If your combination of subjects does not work, make a note on the application form and we will investigate and try our best to meet the need. In the very small number of incidents where combinations of subjects cannot be accommodated, applicants will be invited for a meeting to discuss.

Bridging Week will take place during the week beginning 8 July, where students will try their chosen subjects for a week. This is an excellent week where students will get to know Sixth Form and our staff. We are aware that some students will be on the NCS Summer programme during this week. Please just keep the Sixth Form team informed once you have your offer of a place. 

Following GCSE results in August, all students should confirm their final subject choices using an online form which will be available on our website on results day.

Applicants from Other Schools

If you would like a personal discussion and a tour of the school, please contact us via our email, [email protected]

We will send out further information during the year, but we would expect you to attend Bridging Week and a presentation afternoon on Friday 5 July.

Follow our social media channels to get a taste of Sixth Form life here at King Edward’s

Home Study

12th December 2018Mrs L Johnston

Home Study is the privilege afforded to Sixth Form students who demonstrate a mature and accomplished approach to their learning and maintain an attendance above 95% (or show consistent improvement when circumstances are beyond individuals’ control). Home Study allows greater freedom to students to tailor a bespoke Sixth Form experience, it also develops individuals ability to self-motivate and self-manage; skills crucial for success in employment and Higher Education.

Due to the changing nature and demands of A Level study, as a Sixth Form team we have listened to our Year 12 students and from January will allow students in Y12 Home Study – this is unprecedented in our Sixth Form. There is a Home Study agreement that must be signed by students and their parents/carers for Home Study to be granted.

Home Study is granted in the morning where there is a block of non-contact periods or after the last lesson of the day. Students are welcome to stay in school and study using the school facilities, but must ensure they have followed attendance protocols.

Home Study is a privileged and will be consistently reviewed to monitor the impact on individuals’ progress and year group attendance. With privileges come responsibilities and the expectation is that all students in Sixth Form will consistently model the high standards of dress, punctuality, attitude and behaviour that we expect.

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]

First Edition

7th December 2018Mrs L Johnston

A team of students worked together to get their vision of a school newspaper up and running. The self-starting group have shown great determination and resilience to get together the content for their first edition, even meeting with a marketing and branding expert for advice.

The editorial team includes all year groups, but is led by one of our Year 12 students. This go-getting attitude embodies the attitude of our Sixth Form. Getting the first edition together has been a real accomplishment and we look forward to their second edition scheduled for release in February.

The Red and Black Winter Edition

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.”

Fundraising in Memory of a Friend

23rd October 2018Mrs L Johnston

On Friday 19th October, Year 12 decided to take on staff in a charity football match, in memory of our amazing friend Emily Pattison.

We never thought the turn out would have been so good, we only expected a few from our year group and maybe a few in lower school to watch. The match was good-competitive, but ultimately our team of Year 12s won!

We had a bake sale and a crossbar challenge too, and there is a raffle organised for later this week.

So far, we managed to raise an amazing amount of £3,274. which is the most the school has ever fundraised from one single event. 

I am absolutely gobsmacked and overwhelmed that as a school we have been able to achieve something so amazing. Emily was a very special girl, who touched so many people’s lives and this really does just show.

On behalf of Emily’s friends, I would like to thank everyone who donated, contributed and raised this much money for the incredible charities of Scott House and The Sick Children’s Trust. It really is incredible.

Article Contributed by Jade in Year 12

Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

13th September 2018Mrs L Johnston

The new academic year got off to a great start this week with BBC Radio Newcastle dropping in to talk to our Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl about the value and importance of women’s right to vote.

The interview took place in our Advanced Study Centre with the girls ‘going live’ at 8:50 (link to the show https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/play/p06hpvzb). Despite being nervous Claudia and Phoebe provided thoughtful comment on such an important issue. The girls were joined by Penny and Philippa Supporters and educators around the Women’s Suffrage movement. Penny is part of the Morpeth-based Emily Inspires group and Philippa, a third generation descendent of Emily Davison.

Whilst being interviewed live on local radio was both nerve wracking and exciting, it was a great opportunity to see and discuss modern broadcast media. Laura from Radio Newcastle discussed the importance of work experience within the journalism industry. Indeed, the technology that was used was surprising… and iPad and microphone!