Policies & Procedures

Sixth Form Policies & Procedures 2023 - 2025

^{Welcome to Collingwood Sixth Form}

This booklet will outline the Policies and Procedures in the Sixth Form. In the Sixth Form, we want to be able to treat you like an adult, so please familiarise yourself with the contents of this booklet. Life in the Sixth Form is very different, and we really hope that you enjoy your time with us.

Sixth Form Personal Tutor

Your Sixth Form Personal Tutor:

^{is the first port of call for staff concerned about you}
^{will monitor your academic progress}
^{is your confidante and adviser}
^{is your referee for UCAS, CVs, job interviews etc.}
^{is your guide through the tutorial programme}
^{is the most important link with home}

You must attend all PT sessions and Seminar unless told differently by your PT.

Personal Tutorial Programme

^{The Tutorial Programme is part of Sixth Form students’ overall timetable and therefore, unless advised, attendance is mandatory. During this time the following activities will take place:}

^{Individual and Group Tutorials}

^{Seminars/Visiting Speakers}
^{Sixth Form Committee Activities}
^{Careers Advice/UCAS}

^{Seminar Programme}

Seminars are held every week and are compulsory. You will need to read the weekly email and check notices on the Sixth Form website and plasma screens in advance to check which seminars you should be attending. This year, Seminar will be held on Wednesday period 3. A register will be taken, so unless instructed by the Sixth Form Personal Tutor team you must attend.

^{Beyond the classroom - enrichment}

Although the main aim at Collingwood is to ensure success on your chosen courses, the philosophy of Collingwood emphasises an all-round involvement in College life.

Although the Sixth Form has a distinct College atmosphere, being part of one of the largest educational establishments in Surrey allows students to be involved in a wide range of activities. Many of these can allow Sixth Formers to take responsibility for younger students.

Activities include:

^{Student Leadership – Senior Prefect Team}
^{Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme}
^{Lesson Assistance and Paired Reading/Toe by Toe}
^{Peer Mentoring/buddying with younger students}
^{Open Evenings/Parents’ Evenings}
^{Work Placements}

Communication

Other than seeing you in person our main method of communication is by email and EduLink. It is your responsibility to check your email, Edulink and other sources on a DAILY basis and always respond when necessary. If you claim the 16-19 Bursary, your payment will be delayed if you fail to respond to emails relating to this.

Edulink

EduLink allows parents and students to access college-based information, such as; timetables, overall attendance and progress reports. it is also where teachers may set homework and a way to communicate with both students and parents.

^{Year 12 Work Experience}

Preparation for university and employment is an integral part of the Sixth Form programme. Employability or work-readiness is becoming more and more important to universities and employers and by accessing work experience in relevant sectors out students can gain a real advantage when applying for university or work. In Year 12 we encourage students to take full ownership of the process, finding and organising their own work experience placements during the summer term.

16-19 Bursary Fund

The Government provides funding through the 16-19 Bursary Fund to provide a discretionary, cash limited fund which aims to provide financial assistance to young people whose access to, or completion of, education is inhibited by financial constraints. For eligible students the fund can help towards the cost of essential course related costs such as travel to College, equipment, books and essential educational trips during the current academic year.

Receipt of bursary is conditional on the student meeting agreed targets set by Collingwood College as detailed in the Bursary Agreement. This covers for example; compliance with absence procedures, standards of behaviour and learning outcomes. The amount of each award will be assessed and disbursed on an individual, case by case basis as detailed in the individual application form. This is dependent on the funding available and the number of eligible students. The College will offer bursaries in the form of non-cash “in kind” payments where appropriate.

High Priority Group - a £1200 bursary will be made available to students who the Government has classed as vulnerable. These include:

^{Young people in care}
^{Care leavers}
^{Young people in receipt of income support or Universal Credit}
^{Disabled young people in receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or a Personal Independence Payment}

Discretionary Bursary - can be applied for by families with a gross annual household income below £30,000. This includes:

^{Job Seekers Allowance (income based)}
^{Pension Credit (guaranteed element)}
^{Employment Support Allowance (income related)}
^{Universal Credit / Tax Credit Awards}

^{If you think you are eligible to apply for the bursary fund, please complete and return the application form. The bursary panel will decide on eligibility and level of bursary award following receipt of all applications. Students will be notified by email and will be invited to attend a meeting with Sixth Form Student Services Manager to discuss the amount they have been awarded and how it will be paid.}

If an application is unsuccessful, students will be told in writing. All students have a right to appeal against any decision made. Appeals must be made in writing to Mr Tanner, Co-Principal within 10 working days. If required, a meeting will be arranged with the Appeals Panel where the claim will be reassessed, and the student informed of the decision in writing.

^Attendance

In the Sixth Form we expect 100% attendance from you. This applies to all lessons for which you are enrolled including; Seminars, Study Periods, Personal Tutorials, Super Curriculum, Enterprise Days and Academic Review Days. It is your responsibility to ensure you are registered for all your lessons and other non-subject based sessions as listed above.

Based on the results achieved by students in previous cohorts, students with an attendance rate between 95% and 100% have achieved or exceeded their target grades. Where attendance drops below 95%, so do the grades in each subject. We are therefore very keen that every student in the Sixth Form maintains an attendance rate of 100%.

^{Absence Reporting}

All planned and unplanned absences should be reported by a parent/carer via Edulink. When logging in to Edulink there is an icon shaped like a bell (Absence Reporting) – this will take you to a page where absences are reported. For illness we ask that you only report one day at a time on the day of absence, however, parents/carers will be able to report an absence for medical appointments etc. in advance. Holiday requests should still be requested via our Leave of Absence form that can be collected from any reception and is also available on Edulink (Noticeboard, Forms). Please ensure all absences are reported by 8.25am.

Monitoring Attendance

Attendance is monitored closely by your Subject Teachers and Personal Tutor. If we are not informed of the reason for any given absence, it will be marked as unauthorised and students will have a meeting with their Personal Tutor to discuss the issue. If at any time, we feel that your attendance has slipped below acceptable levels, we will be in contact with your parents or carers in an attempt to resolve the issue.

Offsite (non-contact periods)

Sixth Form students are expected to attend all time-tabled activities during the College day including lessons, seminars, Personal Tutorials, supervised study periods and Enterprise Days. Attendance for these sessions is closely monitored. When you have non-timetabled periods during the College day, including breaks, we recommend that you remain on-site to complete independent study however you are free to leave the site subject to the consent of your parent and Personal Tutor.

^{Attendance Procedure}

Step 1 – Automated Unauthorised Attendance Email

Every morning an automated message will be sent to parent/carers and students highlighting any unauthorised absences for the previous day. For example:

Dear Parent/Carer and Student

Our system is showing that ………… has an unexplained absence on the following ……………

Please can you provide a reason for this absence at your earliest convenience by updating the Absence Reporting System via Edulink

Many thanks

Ms Browne - Sixth Form Learning Mentor

Please ensure that Ms Browne has a response regarding the absences as soon as possible.

Step 2 – Personal Tutor Contact with Student

Should attendance fall below 90% within a 2-week cycle this will be addressed at the next available opportunity with the Personal Tutor. If necessary, attendance will be closely monitored for a period of time.

Step 3 – Attendance & Progress Meeting

Each half term we hold attendance and progress meeting for students whose attendance and/or progress is causing concern. These meetings are with the student, parents/carers and Personal Tutor. If parents/carers are unable to attend, the meeting will still go ahead, and the outcomes of the meeting will be communicated

The action points and result of the panel will be recorded via a contract between the student and the Personal Tutor. This could include detentions, loss of free time and additional study periods added to the student’s timetable

^{We also reserve the right to charge the exam entrance fees if the students’ attendance is less than 90%.}

Step 4 – Senior Assistant Principal Attendance Meeting

Failure to adhere to the Step 3 Attendance Panel actions and/or contract will result in a further meeting with the student’s parent/carers, Personal Tutor and the Assistant Principal. A letter will be sent home inviting the parents/carers to attend the meeting. The outcome of this meeting may involve students being asked to leave College as a result of their failure to meet our attendance requirements.

^{1. Illness}

^{If you are unable to attend College due to illness, a parent or carer must call the Sixth Form Absence Line on 01276 457666 before 10.00am on each day of absence.}

If you become ill during the course of the day, you must report to the Sixth Form Office. If you do not report in and miss a class, truancy rather than illness, will be seen as the cause of the absence. If you leave College due to illness, you must advise the Sixth Form Office before you leave. On your return to College following illness you must bring in a letter from your parent/carer or complete the Sixth Form Sickness Absence Form within 3 days.

^{2. Absence}

If you are absent for one of the reasons listed below you must complete a Sixth Form Authorised Absence Form at least 48 hours in advance. This must be signed by your Personal Tutor so the absence can be ‘authorised’ and the register marked accordingly.

^{A medical appointment that cannot be arranged outside college hours (i.e. not a routine doctor’s or dental check-up but a hospital appointment with a specialist that cannot be negotiated)}

^{Evidence - Appointment card or letter}

^{A religious holiday}

^{Evidence - Letter from parent/carer}

^{A visit to a University or College either to attend an open day or a career related interview (maximum of 5 per year)}

Evidence - Letter from parent/carer or email/letter from University

^{A work experience placement which is an integral part of a course and for which the student does not receive a wage}

^{Evidence - Letter from parent/carer or letter from appropriate organising body at least one month before the placement is due to commence}

^{A need to look after a family member or other person for whom the student has a caring responsibility, (this cannot be a regular occurrence – nor can it be to care for someone for whom the student is not identified as a carer).}

Evidence - Letter from parent/carer

^{Participation in a sporting, volunteering, performing or presentational activity as a representative of the College or at a significant level of achievement (i.e. regional or national competition).}

Evidence - Letter from parent/carer or relevant teacher

^{Attendance at a funeral, bereavement of a close relative or friend}

^{Evidence – Letter/phone call from parent/carer}

The College does not authorise absences for the following reasons:

^{Holidays, unless there are exceptional reasons}
^{Part or full time work which is not part of the student’s programme of study}
^{Leisure activities}
^{Birthdays or similar celebrations}
^{Child-minding siblings or looking after people for whom the student is not identified as a carer}
^Shopping
^{Driving lessons or theory tests}
^{Dental appointments}

On rare occasions there may be an exceptional circumstance for which an absence may be authorised for a reason that is not on the above list, the Senior Assistant Principal will advise you whether this is possible.

^{Teacher Absence}

If a Subject Teacher is absent for any reason, it is the student’s responsibility to register in person at the Sixth Form Study Centre and complete the cover work set by the class teacher.

^{Study Code}

^{In joining the Sixth Form you have contracted to:}

^{attend all subject lessons, Study periods, Personal Tutorials and seminars}
^{arrive at lessons punctually}
^{to be fully prepared for that lesson, with all appropriate equipment}
^{to give priority to College work, completing assignments punctually and maintaining a regular programme of personal study}

You may be required to attend after College sessions or other forms of intervention if you fail to meet deadlines. If you are continuously missing from, or late to lessons, fail to give in homework or exhibit poor behaviour in class, you will be sanctioned appropriately. If you do not attend lessons and study revision sessions, you could be withdrawn from an exam.

You are responsible for completing your subject reviews. In the event of staff absence, you are expected to adhere to the attendance code.

If you terminate the course prior to completing any examination requirements you will be responsible for reimbursing the College for the examination/course registration fees and the return of any books/resources issued.

You will be expected to be familiar with, and adhere to, the Charter on the Use of Computers, which is displayed around the College. You will be required to sign the attached ICT policy agreement.

^Punctuality

Punctual attendance means that you must arrive at your lessons on time. Lateness is treated in the same way as an absence and will be sanctioned.

^{Entrance Gates}

^{After 8.50am the Sixth Form gates to the car park will be locked and reopened at the end of the College day. You may gain access through Barossa pedestrian gates using your student ID card.}

^{Standards of Behaviour}

Behaviour towards each other and towards members of staff will be that expected of one adult towards another. You should expect the same in return.

Smoking or vaping anywhere in the College or within its vicinity is strictly forbidden. You must not stay around the entrance gates into the Sixth Form and must walk out of view of the College whilst smoking. You are not permitted to congregate in groups anywhere within the residential areas. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in an appropriate sanction.

Mobile phones/iPods should not be used in class unless agreed by the Subject Teacher. If you are using your phone/iPods without permission, it will be confiscated and handed in to the Sixth Form Office until the end of your lessons that day.

^{Social Code}

Sixth Form students should respect all members of the College, the Community, its buildings and site. In particular, common sense, courtesy and consideration for other people should guide behaviour in the Sixth Form.

Behaviour towards each other and towards staff will be that expected of one adult towards another. Therefore, you should expect the same in return.

^{All members of Collingwood have a shared responsibility for maintaining the College environment. Smoking anywhere in the College or within its vicinity is forbidden.}

Sixth Form students are responsible for maintaining the Common Room and Study Centre.

You must wear your student lanyard with ID badge at all times.

^{Dress Code}

We are always judged by external appearances. Whilst your individuality is respected, you are asked to think about the ‘public perception’ of the College at all times.

Try, as far as possible, to ask yourself whether or not you would wear your College clothes in a place of work. Work clothes tend to be clean, smart and give a business-like impression. You should not wear the following clothing whilst in College;

^{Very short skirts}
^{Very short shorts}
^{See through tops}
^{Cropped tops}
^{Clothing showing offensive logos or language}

If your clothing is deemed inappropriate for College, you will be sent home.

^{Supervised Study}

Year 12 students will have 9 additional supervised study periods allocated to their timetable. Students will be expected to register with the Sixth Form Learning Mentor in the Sixth Form Study Centre where attendance will be monitored. Where possible, we encourage students to bring their own IT devices into college. Non-attendance of supervised study periods will affect overall attendance. The number of allocated study periods may be reviewed on an individual basis throughout the academic year.

Student Intervention

As the academic year progresses, staff will increasingly be offering a range of additional activities or interventions to support students. If a student is not achieving their target grades in one or more subjects, additional intervention may be allocated to their timetable until target grades are met. These interventions may include revision or catch-up classes, extra 1:1 or small group sessions, focused individual target setting and/or additional supervised study periods to student timetables.

Study Leave

^{Sixth Form students do not have a scheduled block of Study Leave. When an exam is scheduled for the morning you must attend all your afternoon lessons. If you have an exam in the afternoon, you are not required to attend the morning lessons immediately prior to the exam. This time must be used to revise for the exam.}

^{Transportation Code}

When crossing the A30 please set an example to the younger students by using the footbridge or the pedestrian crossing.

If you are a motor vehicle driver, please park your vehicle in the Collingwood Gymnastics Centre car park (this is the only available parking). Permits are required and are obtained from the Sixth Form Services Administrator. These will be issued on a priority basis. You are not permitted to park in any of the staff parking areas around the campus. Please do not park in any residential areas or Curtis & Staub gym. Collingwood College accepts no responsibility for your vehicle or its passengers.

^{Where to go for Help}

Advice and communication links between the students, Personal Tutors and other staff will be provided by the Personal Tutor Team. Information and letters will be held by the Sixth Form Services Administrator. It is your responsibility to check your e-mail on a daily basis, the Weekly Bulletin and the plasma screen for urgent messages.

^{USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES}

^{Surrey Children and Young People’s Partnership – (www.surreycc.gov.uk/partnership)}	^{03456 009 009}
^{Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust} ^{www.sabp.nhs.uk) (CAMHS)}	^{0300 55 55 222}
^{Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust (Frimley Park Hospital)}	^{01276 604604}
^{Family Lives – national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life www.familylives.org.uk)}	^{0808 800 2222}
^{Surrey County Council (www.surreycc.gov.uk)}	^{0300 200 1004}

^{The following telephone numbers offer direct access for students:}

^{Acorn (Community Drug & Alcohol Services) - Guildford}	^{01483 450256}
^{i-access Drug & Alcohol Services}	^{0300 2225 932}
^{Childline (www.childline.org.uk)}	^{0800 1111}
^{CORAM Children’s Legal Centre (www.childrenslegalcentre.com)}	^{0345 3454 345}
^{Citizens Advice Bureau (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)}	^{03444 111 444}
^{Crimestoppers (www.crimestoppers-uk.org)}	^{0800 555 111}
^{Frank About Drugs (www.talktofrank.com)}	^{0300 123 660}
^{Frimley Park Hospital (www.frimleypark.nhs.uk)}	^{01276 604604}
^{Kidscape (www.kidscape.org.uk)}	^{0207 730 3300}
^{Old Dean Youth Centre}	^{01276 66225}
^{Relate (www.relatewestsurrey.org.uk)}	^{01483 602998}
^{Samaritans (www.samaritans.org)}	^{Freephone: 116 123}
^{Youth Access (www.youthaccess.org.uk)}	^{0208 772 9900}
^{Youth Counselling Service, Surrey}	^{0845 600 2516}

^{The following websites offer information and support:}

www.healthysurrey.org.uk/your-health/mental-wellbeing/camhs/

^{www.antibullying.net}

^{www.bullying.co.uk}

^{www.stopbullying.gov}

^{www.kooth.com}

^{www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk}

^{The following websites offer assistance with revision:}

^{www.s-cool.co.uk – Free GCSE revision and A-level revision website}

^{www.bbc.co.uk/schools - free online study support resource for school-age students}

^{www.schoolhistory.co.uk/ - On-line History lessons, revision, games}

^{www.what2learn.com/home/examgames/science/ - Revision resources}

^{www.revisioncentre.co.uk}

^{www.revisionaid.co.uk}

^{www.homelearning.org.uk/useful-resources/gcse-pod.html}

Surrey Libraries

Surrey Libraries offers free fantastic sources of information all available on the web (such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oxford Reference Online). Their simple online service can be used to search catalogues, reserve items, use the Online Reference Shelf and of course to join the Library.

https://arena.surreylibraries.org/web/arena/

Sixth Form Policies Procedures Booklet 2021-2022
PDF File