Student Support

Pastoral Care at Braintree Sixth Form

Pastoral care is at the heart of our work at Braintree Sixth Form. We combine the personalised guidance and support one expects from a secondary school with the demands of post-16 study. Our aim is to foster independence, intellectual curiosity and the highest academic success among our students.

Personal Tutor

Every student has a personal tutor with whom they meet at least fortnightly to discuss their academic progress. The regular reporting by subject staff into a centralized information system enables the Personal Tutors to be fully informed about the performance of their tutees across their subjects as well as being aware of their achievements outside the classroom. Systems of monitoring and tracking are used in which performance against targets can be measured as well as commitment to studies.

In addition to the Personal Tutor, to whom they can turn for advice or support at any time, students are encouraged to meet and talk with any of the team of dedicated Sixth Form staff where there are issues of concern.

Medical Issues

Sixth Form students have access to a nurse who holds regular drop in sessions during lunchtimes in the Sixth Form building. Dates and times are advertised. Where students are experiencing particular difficulties the Sixth Form will be able to work with parents to arrange for students to receive mentoring or, if appropriate, counselling.

SEN

The Sixth Form has a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and SEN support will be available for Sixth Form students. The Sixth Form is strongly committed to both inclusion and equal opportunities and it will always look at any reasonable adjustments which can be make in order to facilitate access for students with special needs.

For further information about student support please contact Mr D.O’Brien, Assistant Director of Sixth Form, denis.obrien@braintreesixthform.com

University and Careers information

The Sixth Form introduces students to careers choices through appropriate input in the curriculum and through a range of evening careers events where students have the opportunity to hear about and discuss a range of different careers. Sixth Form students will be encouraged to arrange Work Experience and to make use of the careers books and software available in the Sixth Form.

It is anticipated that many students will progress from the Sixth Form to university. The Sixth Form builds university awareness into its individual programmes of study so that each subject draws out and explains progression routes. The cycle of assemblies and extra curricular events will also include visiting speakers, visits to universities and workplaces, as well as specific programmes to support students applying to competitive universities and courses (eg medicine).

The Sixth Form has the benefit of a dedicated Connexions adviser, Frances Sparrow, with whom students can make appointments in order to discuss careers and university plans.

For further information about careers and connexions please contact Sarah.steadman@braintreesixthform.com