This document outlines the key information for students in Year 12 at Simon Balle School. It discusses the expectations and goals for Years 12 and 13, including developing independent learning skills. It provides details on the reformed and non-reformed A-Level qualifications as well as other Level 3 options. There are sample timetables, expectations for students, and information on progression to Year 13. The document also discusses UCAS, apprenticeships, work experience, and important dates for Year 12 students.

1. High Expectations and High Aspirations
Year 12
• Develop independent
learning skills and support
students in making the right
decisions
• Develop study skills that
help plan for the two year
courses
Year 13
• Prepare students for life
after Simon Balle and to
support them in building
the commitment and
determination to succeed.
Key purpose of each year

2. Non reformed A levels:
• Made up of the AS level examined
in May 2017 and the A2
examined in June 2017 Only 5
subjects maths, product design,
film studies, music tech and
politics
• Each part makes up 50%of the
overall A level grade.
AS level
• Either a free standing qualification,
or the first half of the full A level.
Year two: the A2
• Not a separate qualification, but
the second half of the A level.
• The A2 is designed to deepen the
knowledge gained during the AS
level.
Reformed A levels:
• Linear 2 year course
• Examined in June 2018
Cambridge Technicals or BTEC
qualifications at Level 3
• ICT
• Business
• Health and social care
• Sport
• Equivalent to AS/A2 Level
• Continuous Assessment but some
examination components
• Pass = E
• Merit = C
• Distinction = A
• Distinction * = A*

3. Progression to Year 13
• To continue with a subject to A2 a minimum grade E in the
internal exams in June this year.
• Three subjects are required to constitute a year 13 course. This
may be made up of year 12 courses in part or resit GCSE
courses
• Year 12 internal examinations will determine if a student can
progress to year 13. (they will also form the basis of any UCAS
or apprenticeship predicted grades)
• If a student does not meet the requirements to progress after
the internal examinations, they MAY be offered a chance to
resit on the INSET day in September. If this is successful, they
can carry on the subject.

4. A Typical Timetable of 3 A Levels
Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri
1 Maths Geography Maths
2 Geography Geography Maths
Break
3 Chemistry
4 Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Geography
Lunch
5 Quiz Revision planning SMSC Diary checks Assembly
6 Maths Maths Chemistry Geography

5. How badly do you want success?
• Plan to use your non-contact time
• Know what is coming up.
• Plan for extra work you would like to move
onto when homework is complete
• Plan revision materials starting now
•Plan for success

6. A Typical adapted Timetable – this should be shared
with parents
Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri
1 Maths
Homework
Maths Geography Chem
homework
Maths
2 Chemistry
prep
Revision notes Geography Geography Maths
Break
3 Chemistry Chem
homework
Geography
homework
Geography
prep
Muti-gym
4 Chemistry Chemistry Maths prep Chemistry Geography
Lunch
5 Quiz Revision planning SMSC Diary checks Assembly
6 Maths Help in Maths
(Yr 7 lesson)
Maths Chemistry Geography

7. How are students challenged to
achieve potential?
Monitoring and support – Mr Klippel, Mr Ford, Mr Taylor, form
tutors
• Rigorous assessment and feedback
• Parental access to Go4schools to see progress throughout
the years
• EPQ – an independent research project (Starting after Easter
2017) – counts as an AS level equivalent – more information
will be available for students and attending the Yr 13
presentations for EPQ will be a useful insight.
• Work experience placements (see later slides week
beginning July 3rd)

8. What will Go4Schools look like?
You will notice that the colours will change in the current grade box as we progress
through the year. Green means on track to achieve the target grade but the gap
between the target and current would be expected to be smaller as the year
progresses.

9. Expectation of students
As a student I will:
• Agree to study independently (4 hours of private study each week for
each A-level subject)
• Make good use of my private study time in school
• Meet all agreed subject deadlines
• Attend all lessons and follow the attendance procedure
• Arrive at registration and lessons punctually
• Ensure that any part-time paid work does not disrupt study
• Contribute to the wider life of the school through involvement in
enrichment activities
• Help keep the Sixth Form area clean and tidy
• Dress appropriately for school according to the Sixth Form Dress Code
• Be an excellent ambassador for Simon Balle School both in school and
in the wider community
• Check my school emails frequently; use the internet appropriately
• Set myself stretching academic targets
• Respect and accept all members of our school and wider community

10. WORK EXPERIENCE
2017
3rd – 7th JULY
ALL YR12 TO PARTICIPATE

11. WHY ?
UCAS/PERSONAL STATEMENT
- Places on courses are increasingly competitive
- Other than grades how do they distinguish between applications?
- Extra curricular - evidence of passion for your subject/skills
A CHANCE TO SAMPLE A PROFESSION / INDUSTRY
- Is it for you?
- Networking with people about degree courses/prospects
- Finding out the best route into that profession
- are apprenticeships available?
ENHANCE YOUR CV
- May lead to part-time work / full-time employment
- Evidence of independence
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Confidence / maturity / independence

12. WHAT TO DO NEXT
DECIDE ON THE TYPE OF PLACEMENT ,
CONSIDERING:
- TRAVEL(COST/TIME/CITY)
- degree course/apprenticeship/
career
- OBJECTIVES (what are you hoping to achieve?
CONFIDENCE/SAMPLE PROF/INFO)
- CHARITY WORK/VOLUNTEERING
(could this type of placement show skills and passion)

13. Finding Placements

15. • Personal details/contact numbers etc
• School attending and subjects studying
• Why you would like work exp placement ie.career link,
university course, passion for charity/organisation.
• Dates available (offer alternatives in holidays if necessary)
• Offer to visit to get placement form signed.
MAKING CONTACT…..include

16. FINALLY…when you have a “yes”
~ Visit/post/email Placement Form
for signature.(ALLOW 2 WEEKS IF POSTING OR
TAKE WITH YOU IF VISITING)
~ 19th April – DEADLINE
return form to Mr Ford

17. Available on SBS website : (currently 2016
Versions of documents, will be updated in next
week) got to Sixth Form tab
* Work experience letter to parents
* Placement form – email to placements
* Contacting a company information sheet
* Template letter for contacting placements
* Hertfordshire charities list

18. Planning on applying to university in
2017?
• AS grades/internal assessments : all important –
Predicted grades will be based on your performance
• Personal statement: what have you done in your own
time to illustrate your passion for your chosen discipline?
• Extracurricular activities: what experiences and skills
have you developed to increase your chances of
becoming a successful undergraduate?
• Competitive courses: engineering, medicine, dentistry,
midwifery, nursing, physical science, biological science…
• Use www.ucas.com all answers and advice on this site

19. UCAS information
• Friday 3rd March – Emirates stadium – 40
places booked(also includes some
apprenticeships information)
• Visit to a UCAS exhibition (likely to be at
Anglia Ruskin on June 21st)
• Talk from University of Sussex applications
department – July after work experience
• Open days – look them up on www.ucas.com

20. Why apprenticeships?
• Opportunity to be paid whilst gaining
further qualifications.
• Relevant experience in the
workplace.
• Good chance of employment when
finished

21. Apprenticeships Information
• 9th March – talk from an ex SBS student
and an executive of Zurich Insurance
• 13th / 14th March Apprenticeships show
in Milton Keynes 20 places booked (this
is already full but we will consider a
second bus if numbers warrant)
• https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/apprentic
eships

22. Communication is vital
Form Groups
• 12A – Miss Ansell
• 12B – Mrs Hill/Mrs Selby
• 12L – Mrs Paris
• 12M – Dr Nwaba
• 12N –Miss Pinkerton
• 12R – Mrs Ayres/Dr Dennis
sixthform@simonballe.herts.sch.uk
Director
of Sixth
Form
Sixth Form
Admin
Support
Lead Tutor
on UCAS
Tutors
Academic
tutor Miss
Robinson
Sixth form
manager

23. • Ownership of Learning
• Aim for 100% Attendance 90%
means approx 140 hours of study
missed
• Good Time Management
• Self-motivation
• Make use of Support
• Seize Opportunities
• Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
• Home-School Communication
The Key to Success

24. Dates for your diary
• March 14th Yr 12 Parents Evening
• May AS Exams
• June 22nd Internal Exams
• July 3rd Work experience
• Aug 17th AS Results Day
• Sept 1st INSET day – resit Yr 12 exams
• Sept 4th Term starts

25. Concluding thoughts
• Plan every week, what do want to achieve?
• Have high expectations of everything you do
• Develop your transferable skills: plan your
work experience week early
• Post-18: aim high, start now