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Sixth Form

You can email on sixthform@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk or phone our direct Sixth Form line on 01377 232365. The Sixth Form currently consists of around 320 students studying a wide range of Level 3 Advanced courses and one Level 2 course. 

Our Sixth Form enjoys a superb reputation both locally and nationally and we're proud of the achievements made by our students. We are a vibrant community with a unique Electives programme which will allow you to build a CV which will compete with the best the UK can offer. We are also ambitious for our students and will provide you not only with the opportunity to excel academically but also allow you the space and give you the opportunity to develop personally.  

This success doesn't happen by accident! You will receive excellent teaching and support from staff who are always prepared to go the extra mile for their classes. This encourages you to develop into an independent learner, ready to face the challenges of life after Driffield School Sixth Form.

Facilities

Common Rooms

Year 12 and Year 13 have a large Common Room for each year group used both as a working area and a social area. During study time, you may want to use the Common Room to complete assignments, read and keep on top of your work. This is an essential part of your daily routine. In the Common Room there are work tables, a dedicated IT suite with networked computers and a Quiet room with more networked computers and a laser printer. The East Canteen is open all day for Sixth Form students to buy hot and cold drinks and food which can be taken into the Common Rooms or eaten in the canteen itself.

Private Study

The school is well equipped to ensure that all you need is on-site, from the specialist resources to the staff to give you guidance and advice. The Learning Resources Centre is used by a large number of Sixth Form students during the day where you can access DVDs, the Internet, books and journals as well as have a very peaceful working environment.

Help and Support

All students participate in a busy and fun Tutorial programme. This naturally means that you are kept extremely busy throughout your one or two years in the Sixth Form and perseverance, commitment to quality and determination will be essential to gain success. As well as all this, there is a great element of enjoyment in making social, academic and personal progress and if you continue your education with us, we are sure that you will enjoy your studies and progress to well deserved success in later life. We have a Head of Student Support based in the Year 12 centre who deals with all matters relating to student welfare, attendance, advice and support. Our Connexions service offers specific time dedicated to the Sixth Form where you can drop in and discuss any issues relating to your studies, career intentions or personal situation.

 Dress

There is no uniform policy for Sixth Form students. You are naturally expected to wear clothes which are suitable for the environment in which you are working.

Sixth Form Committee

The Sixth Form Committee is there to represent the needs of the students. Meetings of this group are called during lunch times. Through the Committee, issues can be raised to staff and suggestions made to improve facilities for all students. The Committee attends to various matters concerning day to day life and matters concerning the Common Room. It also ensures that links are maintained with the rest of the school by organising events for younger students but also fun events for our own students. Recent events have included an Open Mic session, Baking contest, Chilli eating contest, Sponsored Leg Waxing (for boys!), staging of a musical (Grease), Christmas Review, Halloween Fancy Dress and many more.

Personal Development and Progression

 Building a powerful CV and ensuring you have the edge when it comes to applying for employment or Further\Higher Education is a vital role of the Sixth Form. To help you show these additional skills, there are a wide range of Elective and Enrichment options in the Sixth Form which include General Studies, Open University Modules, Photography, Counselling, Sixth Form Committee; Work Experience; Charity Committee; Fitness Suite; Year 7 and 10 Mentor Programme, First Aid, Cooking on a Budget, Subject Ambassadors and many more.

There are many options open to you Post 18 and we will make sure that you are ready if you want to go to University in this country or even study in the USA, Australia, or in Europe; if you want to find an apprenticeship as a number of our students have been successful at finding places within the East Riding or working in the financial sector for high profile employers such as Price Waterhouse Cooper and Kaplan Financial, travelling abroad for a season or even to work for a few months in a developing country - we've had students working in Ghana, Uganda, India and in Thailand.

Many of our learners move on to Higher Education and we are especially proud of our students' success rate on very competitive courses. We aim to achieve a 100% pass rate on our Level 2 and at A2 every year and believe strongly that no student should spend two years on a course only to fail it. In Summer 2011, our learners gained our highest ever percentage of students with more than 3 grade Cs at A Level (nearly 80%).

Trips and Visits

We offer a huge range of opportunities for students to take part in learning activities away from Driffield. Our links with Malawi in Africa grow more strongly every year and many of our Sixth Form students have visited. The fieldwork visit to Iceland is similarly popular and this year will see our students in London, Dublin, Paris, Calais, Norway, Birmingham, as well as more local visits to Bempton, Leeds, Harrogate, Pontefract and our outdoor centre in the Yorkshire Dales, Spiers Bank House.

Money Matters

What support may be available to me?

The 16-19 Bursary and the Learner Support Fund

The 16-19 Bursary offers you the opportunity to apply for three types of financial support during your time in the Sixth Form. 

1. Priority Awards

 The following students will be eligible to receive a bursary of £1200 per year, if agreed standards or behaviour and attendance are met:

• Young people who are looked after children in the care of the Local Authority or foster parents
• Care Leavers
• Those young people who receive Income Support
• Disabled young people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance

2. Minor Awards

The Minor Award will be allocated in three bands, dependent upon the learner's household income.

Household Income takes into account the income of the parents or adoptive parents with whom the learner lives. This will also include the income of any spouse, civil partner or live-in partner (of either gender) of the parent with whom the learner lives if parents are separated or divorced.

The level of the award will also be dependent upon the demand from the learners. Once all the applications have been made, we will publish our Awards for each band. This will be paid termly.

3. Transport Bursaries (2011-2012 figures)

Home to school transport is organised by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council from the majority of our surrounding villages into Driffield. There is no free transport into school for Post 16 students.

This current year's (2011-2012) travel costs offered discounted travel from East Riding Passenger Services. Students could purchase a yearly pass at £270 from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council; applications for discounted travel are available from Miss Bateman in September. At the time of going to press, we do not have the rates for September 2012-2013.

The Driffield School 16-19 Transport Bursary wil assist the learner with the cost of a travel pass from home to school transport based on the learner's Household Income indicated in the table below (figures based on 2011-12).

Learner Support Fund

There may be times during your time in the Sixth Form when your personal circumstances may need a temporary injection of funds to help you complete your studies. The Learner Support Fund (LSF) is designed to help you through difficult circumstances. The LSF may also be used to help all students with costs towards materials, courses, visits and other activities which will enhance your studies. You can confidentially discuss your circumstances with Mr Andrews, Mr Myers or Miss Bateman.

Driffield School Alumni

We actively encourage our former students to "keep in touch" and we have built a strong network of former students, our "alumni". These students are a vital link to the outside world as they have been through the Sixth Form here at Driffield, know what the pressure points are and can advise and guide our current students through the difficult times. Former students also come into school to help out with presentations on Starting Post 16 study, Higher Education, Student Finance and offer web based email support in reading CV's and personal statements for applications to University. Our alumni are spread far and wide but always willing to "lend a hand". You can access our developing alumni website by following the alumni link (www.branchingoutschools.co.uk) on our website and when you leave, you can join our band of alumni and offer your support to current students. 

Advanced Level Course  

• To start an advanced programme in the sixth form, it is recommended that you have gained 5 GCSEs at grade C or above and have at least a grade C in the subjects you want to take, or in the case of new subjects, a wide range of GCSEs at C or above.
• In addition to the above, some subjects have specific entry requirements as follows:
• Any A Level Science requires at least two Grade Bs in Science at GCSE and for Physics a minimum of Grade B in Maths
• Psychology requires a minimum of grade C in English and Science
• History requires a minimum of Grade B in History at GCSE
• French and Spanish require at least Grade B at GCSE
• Maths requires at least a good grade B at GCSE
• In year 12, you will have a choice from a wide range of subjects and the majority of students will start on 4 subjects plus an Elective.
• Most subjects are divided into four units of work, two units to be covered in year 12 which when examined will be known as an AS qualification. The full advanced qualification will be taken at the end of year 13. Some courses have retained their six units of work with three covered in Y12 and three in Y13.
• Pass grades for all advanced courses at AS are A-E and for the full Advanced are graded A*- E.
• All courses will demand some elements of written external examination.
• External examinations in all courses can be in January and/or May/June (of year 12).  For this reason, it is important that students do not take holidays where at all possible during term time.
• Students may re-sit externally assessed units, but this must be paid for by the student/parent.

Level 2 Childcare 

• This course is a one year course (year 12).
• It will give you the necessary qualifications to move to a Level 3 advanced course if you wish.
• It will prepare you both for life at college or for employment.
• It will increase your self confidence, motivation, and skills in communication, information technology and application of number.
• This course is more suitable if you have gained mainly grades D-G at GCSE.
• You will have to put together a portfolio of evidence which will include essays, reports, research, presentations, work experience, evidence of visits to establishments.
• You will need to be willing to work hard, organise a file of evidence and work in groups. 

Making Decisons

In making your decisions there are many people who might be able to help you – talk to as many possible

• Students in years 12 and 13 will be able to talk about their experiences.
• Subject tutors will give further information about course content and will provide an opinion on your ability.
• Form tutors are available to offer help and advice.
• Connexions advisors (careers) are regularly in school.  Appointments can be made to see them at any time.  They are also available to help you at parents’ evenings.
• Parents should be involved at all stages in your decision making.
• Employers can give work experience or work shadowing and offer advice on their experience of business or industry.

In making your final choice you should be asking yourself:

• What are my strengths?
• What do I enjoy?
• Who is around to help?
• Is this my own choice?
• What if my career choice changes?
• Am I happy with the choice?
• Has everyone been consulted?
• What will I need for my career?
• Have I looked into my choices enough?
• Have I any doubts?

You can talk over your choices or ask questions about any aspects of Sixth Form life by contacting Mr Andrews, Mr Myers or Mr Dyson in school. We will try to help you as much as possible. Finally, you can browse all of the opportunities available Post 16 at Driffield School online at www.logonmoveon.co.uk. If you are not a member of Driffield School already, you can ring for an application on 01377 232365.

Here at Driffield School we are working towards equal opportunities and our students will not be discriminated against in terms of age, race or disability.  What matters is that you are given every opportunity to develop relevant capabilities, which will then enable you progress to continuing education, training and employment.