Dress and Appearance 

It is important that sixth form students meet the high standards of professional appearance set out in the dress code. Students must wear a suit as specified in the dress code and jewellery, make up, hair styles, footwear and other clothing must meet the standards expected of members of staff. 

Attendance 

Good attendance is essential for academic success. Students are expected to achieve at least 95% attendance over the year. Attendance at all timetabled lessons and supervised study time is compulsory.  Students who miss lessons without authorisation can expect to have to make up for the time lost by attending compulsory extra study periods and being addressed by the discipline policy. 

Leave of Absence and Authorisation of Absence 

It is important that “known in advance” absences are covered by a leave of absence.  If a student needs to apply for a leave of absence he/she should bring in a letter, signed by their parent/guardian, giving it in the first instance to their form tutor or Mrs Keiser in the sixth form administration office. This includes absences for university open days, which must be authorised in advance.  Students are asked not to attend more than 3 open days, during the time when they would normally be taught, in any one academic year.  If a student is away due to illness, a parental phone call to Mrs Keiser on the morning of absence and a parental note confirming this is still required and needs to be given to their form tutor or Mrs Keiser in the sixth form administration office. 

Punctuality and Hours of Attendance 

Punctuality remains an important priority. Students must use their identification badges to scan in as they enter the site and they must be with their tutor group for 8.35 am. Attendance at the academy is compulsory, every day, between 8.35 am and 1.15 pm. If students do not have a commitment after this time they are free to leave the site.  Students must remember to scan out as they leave. Students who are persistently late at the start of the academy day can expect to have the privilege of early leaving at 1.15 pm withdrawn and be addressed by the discipline policy. 

Independent Study  

One of the big challenges for sixth form students is that they can only achieve success with a much greater amount of independent study than is required at GCSE. 

As part of the government strategy for Covid-19 catch up, every student in the sixth form will be assigned a weekly one hour ‘Supervised Study’ period where students will be timetabled to attend an independent study period supported by a sixth form specialist teacher.  

It is also advised that every year 12 student should identify on their timetable, a one hour slot each week for each subject they study when they will be committed to doing independent study at the academy. This is in addition to homework.  In year 13 each student should identify 2 hours for each subject every week which they will use for independent study. 

Sixth Form Facilities 

Students have the use of the following exclusive facilities: Sixth Form Café, Sixth Form Study Room (WG1) and the Sixth Form Quiet Study Room in Willow building.  They may also use any free areas in WG1 for private study.   

Sixth Form Privileges 

Sixth form students are an integral but distinctive part of the academy.  To recognise this, students have a number of privileges which other years do not. In addition to not having to wear the year 7 to 11 uniform and having the opportunity to leave at 1.15 pm on some days, movement rules around the Academy are more relaxed for them.  They may access the same public areas as staff such as using the front entrance. Students may have also have mobile phones in their possession but their use must be confined to within Sixth Form areas. They must not be used around the academy. Sixth form students also have their own café, which is open from 8.30 am until 2.00 pm and they may also use the Café in Oak Building during their free time if they choose to. 

The Executive Board and Student Leadership 

An executive board of year 13 students is elected each year. Its function is to give students real responsibility and leadership positions.  It will be running various events and all students are urged to get involved and contribute. 

Academy Policies 

Being a sixth form student at the academy entails accepting academy policies. This includes a complete ban on smoking/vaping on site and the expectation that students will work hard, complete all work that is set and meet all academy standards in terms of dress, attendance and punctuality. Sixth form students are role models within the academy and their behaviour is to reflect this.  

The academy has disciplinary and support policies in place for sixth form students. Students who fail to meet our expectations may have certain privileges withdrawn, such as that of leaving before 3.00 pm. Students may also be required to engage in extra, supervised study or to attend extra classes arranged by staff. These may be after 3.00 pm. 

More serious, or repeated breaches of expectations will be dealt with by the academy’s formal sixth form disciplinary procedure. 

A copy of the disciplinary policy is available from the academy, on request.  

Student Cars 

Subject to parking constraints and strict health and safety requirements students are allowed to bring cars onto the academy site but must display a parking permit (available from the academy). Any student wishing to do so must meet Mr Bargh beforehand. A register is kept of all student cars being brought onto the site and students must ensure that they have a copy of the safety regulations which are available from Oak Reception.  These must be adhered to.  Students should not park cars on roads around the academy as this causes significant congestion problems.