Merchants’ Academy Office

@symes

Peterson Avenue

Hartcliffe
Bristol
BS13 0BE
t: 0845 6442145

e: info@merchantsacademy.org

Sixth Form at Merchants’ Academy

Introduction

When it opens in September 2008 Merchants’ Academy will include a new Sixth Form offering a range of BTECs. Alongside the curriculum there will be opportunities for students to participate in sporting, musical, cultural, community, employment and other activities.

If you are currently in Year 11 then for the first time you have the choice of whether or not to return in September to study in the Academy Sixth Form. Life in the Sixth Form will be very different from your previous school days. If you decide to enter the Sixth Form you will receive certain privileges and in return have responsibilities in relation to work, behaviour and the community. All students will be given an agreement to sign, stating their willingness to abide by this commitment, with a trial period at the beginning of your course. We aim to create a hard-working, friendly and caring environment through the partnership of staff, students, parents, governors, employers and other friends.

The Sixth Form shares the aims of the Academy which are:

More specifically, the Sixth Form will:

 

BTEC

For September 2008 we are offering the following courses:

These courses will also include a strong work experience programme. For this reason and to help ensure that your time studying at the Academy is successful students are required to not undertake additional paid work outside the Academy for more than eight hours per week.

If you would like to apply for any of these courses, please contact Mrs Higgins at the Merchants’ Academy office.

 

International Baccalaureate

Merchants’ Academy is a candidate school* for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Merchants’ Academy believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) as IB World Schools can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme. Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted.
For further information about the IBO and its programmes, visitwww.ibo.org.

If you would like to apply for any of these courses, please contact Mrs Higgins at the Merchants’ Academy office.

 

Sixth Form Ethos and Policies

Our vision is to develop the ambition, self esteem, confidence and potential of all our students and to widen their horizons through the provision of a first class education. We will ensure that students, staff and parents will work together to create an ethos of high standards, expectations and achievement within a progressive, caring and supportive environment. As a member of the Academy you will be expected to conform to all Academy policies.

 

Academy Day

Sixth form students will be expected to be present at Merchants’ Academy from 8.30am until 3.45pm. No student will be allowed off the site during this time unless it is part of their timetable. All extra requests to leave the Academy during the day must be approved by the Academy Director – Post 16. It is hoped that students will take part in and help to run extra activities being offered by the Academy from 4pm – 5pm on Monday to Thursday at least once a week. Students will have the opportunity to retake English and Mathematics GCSE if appropriate and will take part in Work Experience and Community activities as part of their timetable. There will be allocated time for independent study where students can take advantage of the private sixth form study area.

 

Whole Academy Community

You are the ambassadors of Merchants’ Academy and thus will contribute fully to all aspects of Academy life. Opportunities will arise for students to help lead the Student Council, to mentor younger students, to help with clubs and societies and to take on leadership roles around the Academy. You will be a prefect, a senior member of a house and you will have the opportunity to apply for the post of Academy Head Boy or Girl and House Captains.

 

Support

You will receive support and mentoring and you can expect all staff to treat you with respect. You will have an Academy based personal tutor who you will meet with each day (in a small group with other students from the Academy). The Academy Director – Post 16 will also be available to meet with you through appointment to help resolve any issues affecting work. The sixth form is a real opportunity to take responsibility for your learning. If you are having any problems try to talk to your tutor early on, before they become more difficult to resolve.

 

Punctuality

You are asked to be punctual to all sessions. All students arriving after the teacher takes the register will be marked as absent. This may affect your EMA payment (if you are eligible to receive it). Late and absent marks will be totalled and reported on references for work placements and further education. Persistent unauthorized absence may result in you forfeiting your place at the Academy.

 

Dress Code

Merchants’ Academy is a place of work and all its members are asked to abide by a dress code so that they present a professional image to all. Sixth Form students should wear office wear for the Academy, including a shirt, tie and smart trousers for boys and a smart shirt (which must cover the back and midriff) and trousers/skirt for girls. It may also include a suit. Students will be allowed to wear appropriate clothing for practical sessions such as sports kit or construction overalls. Any student arriving at the Academy dressed in a manner which is in contravention of this code or which is contrary to the Health and Safety requirements will be asked to change immediately, even if this means having to return home.

 

Behaviour

Sixth formers are the senior students of the Academy and as such should behave as responsible role models for the rest of the Academy. Any inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour will not be tolerated and the student may forfeit their place in the Academy.

 

Sixth Form Study Area

There is a designated area available to all sixth formers but it is essential that every user is responsible for keeping the area tidy. It is a privilege to be able to use this space and a mark of your position in the Academy. Students will not be allowed to bring food or drink into the area but can use it for study sessions and sixth form meetings.

 

Social Activities

There will be a programme of sixth form social activities including a teambuilding day in October