Aim
Egerton Rothesay School has extended its educational provision to students beyond the age of 16 (Year 11), thereby creating provision for Year 12 students in September 2012 , with the aim of extending this to Year 13 students in September 2013.
Rationale
Children currently at ERS will continue to mature beyond the age of 16 and may require an additional amount of support and time in order to enable them to transfer successfully into a further education establishment or employment.
ERS is developing both one year and two year educational programmes within a high quality, secure and supportive environment in which students are able to continue to mature, develop and learn. This provision will also be open to suitable students currently at other schools.
The curriculum to be offered will enable students to gain confidence and independence in both learning and life skills, in a setting which offers engagement in largely vocational study. Additionally, subject to GCSE reform, there could be opportunity to retake one or more core subject GCSEs.
The school’s full range of additional provision will continue to be available to students in Year 12 who would benefit from it. This includes specialist 1:1 literacy and/or numeracy tuition, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and assistance with social communication. Students will be encouraged to experience relevant work situations within their chosen courses and to take part in off-site visits to support and develop their understanding and learning. Students will also be encouraged to engage in roles of responsibility within the school.
Organisation
Students in Year 12 will experience an organisation structure similar to that already in place for other year groups. Attendance at school will be full-time, 5 days a week. The school day will begin at 8.45a.m. and finish at 4.00p.m. Students will be able to use the school bus service.
Students will be members of the current Year 10/Year 11 Base structure, extended to include the older year groups. They will begin and end each day in a tutor group. If a tutor room space is required it is likely that this will be upstairs in the Woods Building. The school day will be organised alongside current practice in the senior school- i.e. split into six 50 minute learning periods, a morning break and a lunchtime. Students will take part in a compulsory PE lesson each week with Years 10 and 11 and take part in the school’s Friday afternoon activity programme..
The school will manage a comparatively small intake in its first year to ensure that, whatever the number of students in Year 12, provision would be financially viable and therefore sustainable.
Proposed Courses for 2012-13
It is intended that students will follow Edexcel BTEC courses. Qualifications offered by these courses are broad and varied and can be tailored to individual needs to a greater degree than is possible within a GCSE structure. They are designed to be engaging, motivating and relevant to learners.
The range of courses that are currently being proposed for September 2012 are listed below. For pupils entering Year 12, It is anticipated that Level 1 courses are likely to be the most suitable. If appropriate, however, some could be offered at Level 2. Following the Wolf Review of Vocational Education, we are aware that BTEC course specifications are being reviewed by Edexcel and that this is likely to result in some changes. When specifications have been accredited, we will be able to confirm courses to be offered. In the meantime therefore, it is possible that the proposed list may be amended.
To ensure that a broad curriculum can be offered, at least some of the courses will be open to suitable students in other academic year groups. Courses which are to be designated Year 12-only will be determined once we have a greater understanding of the nature of the student group in the initial Year 12.
It is anticipated that, for students following a one year programme, the successful conclusion of each course will lead to a BTEC Award in that subject and, for students following a two year programme, successful conclusion will result in a BTEC Certificate.
Courses
- Functional English
- Functional Maths
- Land Based Studies
- Applied Science
- Work Skills
- Money and Finance
- Personal and Social Development
- Functional ICT
- Performing Arts
- Caring for Children
- Hair and Beauty
- PE/ Sport/ Leisure
Course organisation will fit alongside courses for other year groups within the school timetable. It is hoped that, once the timetable is in place, a good degree of flexibility can be offered to each student to ensure that courses followed will reflect their individual abilities and interests.
Fees
The fee for a place in Year 12 in September 2012 is in line with that for Year 11. Further fees would be payable for additional provision including, for example, speech and language therapy, specialist 1:1 teaching and learning support assistance.
Admission to Year 12
Pupils already attending ERS
For pupils already in Year 11 at ERS and for whom a place in Year 12 is suitable, parents should indicate interest and then complete an Application Form to be returned to the school by the Spring Term of their Y11. Following an offer of a place from the school, an acceptance fee of £200 will be payable by the parent to secure the place. This fee will be refundable in September 2012 following the child’s arrival into Year 12.
Pupils not yet attending ERS
The admissions procedure into Year 12 will be the same as that for entry into other school years. The school’s admissions procedure is available within the school’s prospectus, on the school’s website or on request from the school. Following an offer of a place, a non-refunded securing fee of £200 will be payable to secure it.
Further Information
If you require further information regarding Year 12 provision at ERS, please contact, in the first instance, Mrs Liz Martin, the school’s Registrar, who will be happy to help.