Sixth Form

Why Aberconwy?

We offer a very good standard of teaching at sixth form level over wide range of subjects. Group sizes tend to be relatively small, giving greater opportunity for individual attention. We also have the great advantage of knowing many of our students at the start of courses, and are therefore aware of their strengths, areas for development and individual needs.

Success

We are very proud of our students’ achievements, which results from their personal commitment together with the enriching learning environment and strong community spirit here at Ysgol Aberconwy.

As well as huge success in employment and apprenticeships, many of our students progress to degree level study. Students have recently been successful in beginning degree courses in such subjects as: Medicine, Yacht & Power Craft Design, Law, Mathematics and Computer Science at universities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Warwick, Queen Mary of London and Birmingham.

Our Sixth Form successes go well beyond academic achievement. Our many drama and musical performances are recognised as being of the highest standard. Our post-16 students are also heavily involved in the success gained in sporting events and in the regularly held community activities.

Opportunities

 We are aware of the highly competitive nature of today’s workplace and entry into higher education as well as the desire for personal fulfilment. At Ysgol Aberconwy we provide Sixth Form students with an extensive range of rewarding opportunities for personal growth and academic development beyond the academic study they will need for their curriculum vitae when they leave school.

Travel

We have regular trips and expeditions. From an annual Ski Trip in February to educational visits throughout the year, we will always endeavour to provide the best possible opportunities to students to develop and learn outside the classroom environment. We also organise visits to Universities and higher education institutions for students during their time in the Sixth Form.

Sport

Students are given the opportunity to take a full part in the school’s sporting programme as well as being given the opportunity to further their sporting experience and responsibilites by taking the Sports’ Leadership course.

Team Building

Students take part in a number of very enjoyable team building days working with both school staff and outside agencies. There are also a wide variety of social activities as well as the opportunity to work with younger students as peer mentors and through the buddy system.

Personal Responsibility

We encourage all our students to take responsibility for their own learning and to actively manage their contribution to the life of the school. We expect our students to be present every day for the full day and we provide all the facilities they need to support this. We believe that this managed study is a key factor in student success at Key Stage 5.

Performance

Regular high-quality musical and drama productions together with a full selection of extra-curricular activities and societies are part of the programme of activities in Aberconwy’s Sixth Form. We also regularly send teams through to local and national debating competitions where we have achieved considerable success.

Roles

We offer our students many opportunities to take on an additional role outside of their academic studies. This may be as a prefect, senior prefect or within a subject as a classroom assistant. On an annual basis we appoint a new team of students to the management team and each Form Group has a representative on the Sixth Form council.

Support in the Sixth Form

 Students are fully supported from the moment they apply to Sixth Form and throughout all their time with us.

We offer:

• an experienced and dedicated tutor for every student
• support for every student through the tutorial programme and individual support sessions with their tutor
• a dedicated Guidance Mentor who is always available for student and parental contact
• individual subject support from experienced subject teachers
• access to virtual learning environments with interactive learning
• full revision support leading up to external examinations
• access to a private study area complete with ICT facilities
• access to a well-stocked learning resource centre
• proactive and rigorous monitoring of student attendance and work
• a report on student progress every half term together with a Parents’ Evening and a full annual report
• detailed help and advice on course choice through an interview process with all applicants
• strong higher education and careers guidance
• individual assistance and help with the completion of UCAS applications
• help with EMA, student loan and grant applications
• access to many outside agencies including school based counselling and school nurse services
• individual assistance and guidance with applications for employment/apprenticeships
• detailed advice and support on and after examination results days both for GCSE, AS and A2 courses

Facilities

In our beautiful location beside the Conwy estuary we enjoy state-of-the-art facilities including:

• a full sports centre with large sports hall
• specialist facilities for drama and music including studios and practice suites
• full ICT facilities in all subject areas
• fully staffed study suite for Sixth Form with full ICT facilities
• a refurbished common room for Sixth Form students

The whole school building is modern, light and well-equipped with excellent ICT facilities throughout; including interactive whiteboards in most classrooms and the extensive availability of wireless-enabled laptop computers.

Our Sixth Form Open Evening took place on 30th January. If you missed it and would like to view our facilities, please email Janette Hughes to request a visit.