Teaching & Learning in Sixth Form

As part of Bishop Ramsey's offer to give Sixth Form students, regardless of background or faith, a rich and deep learning experience, all subjects will adhere to the following standards:

• the needs of all students are met in all lessons
• teachers must demonstrate expert knowledge of their subject and have strong pedagogical content knowledge
• subject teaching must demonstrate a coherently-planned and sequenced curriculum which embeds subject knowledge and skills for future learning. As such, students are able to articulate how their current learning relates to the wider sequence and are aware of end points
• assessment effectively monitors the progress of all and provides direct feedback, as well as checking students’ understanding systematically and identifying misconceptions and content for development
• teachers create environments that allow students to focus on learning and in which students are challenged and encouraged to apply wider subject conceptual knowledge and understanding
• classrooms demonstrate high levels of literacy and vocabulary and are opportunities for critical discussion, debate and exploration
• student work demonstrates progress, opportunities for extended writing and a depth of independent study beyond the classroom content. Marking is seen as an opportunity for further recommended reading/development
• where possible, homework is preparatory in nature, allowing teachers and students to engage with content on a critical and conceptual level in the classroom. To this end, materials are given well in advance to help students prepare for lessons
• students are encouraged to read widely around their subjects and have a good understanding of the work/industry/higher education opportunities for their subjects
• subjects provide students with regular extra-curricular events and trips.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of the subject delivery and students will be assessed through a mixture of formal school examinations, subject-based assessments and tasks, and regular student teacher dialogue.

In order to support the transition to the Sixth Form, Year 12 students will begin their Sixth Form study with a six-week induction period in the first half of the Autumn term. During this period, students may swap courses if they feel that they have made the wrong choice. After this period, course changes will not be permitted. All students will sit a 'progress assessment' at the end of the first half term.

Academic conduct for success

Sixth Form students will be encouraged to show resilience, composure, curiosity and ambition in all that they do, as all are necessary for academic excellence.

Students’ attitudes and conduct must demonstrate an understanding of appropriate workplace/professional behaviour, at all times, and they should remember that they are ambassadors for our core values and must, therefore, act as role models to the lower school students.

It is a requirement that Sixth Form students have high levels of attendance and punctuality in order to benefit fully from the educational opportunities available.

The expectations of scholarship should not be restricted to the classroom and the school has created a timetable which allows students the space and time needed to deepen their knowledge.

Alongside their subject timetable, Sixth Form students have additional study periods in dedicated study areas.

Independent Learning and wider reading

Each subject studied will provide five hours a week of independent learning. The work will be relevant and appropriate to the current content studied and there is a firm requirement that students adhere to all deadlines. As part of that commitment, teachers will provide meaningful and timely feedback on work submitted. It is a student’s responsibility to ensure that their work folders and books are organised and structured to suitably aid study and revision. All materials should be available for inspection and review whenever necessary.

Submitted work must demonstrate the standard needed for Sixth Form study and students must take full advantage of the times allocated for learning and preparation in order that they are able to participate fully and effectively in the classroom.

Students will be taught how to effectively and independently research and read beyond the classroom and this wider reading and study ought to inform discussion of the standard subject content, with teachers facilitating that application through extensive questioning in the classroom.