1) This document provides information for parents on supporting their children in the first year of A-level courses at Roding Valley High School. 2) It outlines the structure of the A-level program, including independent study expectations, reporting cycles, and key dates. 3) School staff including form tutors, subject teachers, and leadership are introduced and their roles in mentoring and supporting students are described. The document aims to help parents understand how to best partner with the school to set their children up for success in their A-level courses.

1. Welcome
Aspiration Respect Endeavour

2. Mrs Jenner
Head of School

3. Helping your child make the best
start to their A-level courses
Year 12
September 2017

4. Key People
• Mr Harris Raising Standards Leader, 6th Form
• Mr Mammen Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum &
Progress)
• Mr Cheema Deputy Headteacher (Behaviour and
Safety)
• Ms Sellears Admin Assistant

5. The Reality
• Independent study, at school & home
• Tense time
• Pressure
• Students
• Parents

6. • Identify ways in which parents can support their children
• Look at the structure of A-levels and what they mean
• Identify what parents should do if there are concerns about the
progress of their children
• Analyse some simple techniques to improve the chances of
examination success
• Look at what options are open to students ‘post A-level’s
Start of A-level courses

7. Roding Valley High School
• An Academic Sixth Form
– Competitive entry level requirements
• Year 12 is full based on our curriculum model
– Taught by teachers that know you
– Consistency and continuity of education

8. Mr Mammen
Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum & Progress

9. • Attitude to Learning (ATLs) - collected w/c 25th
September. Reporting to parents soon after.
• Year 12 Exams w/c 11th December. Reports
out prior to Parents Evening on 23rd Jan
• Year 12 Pre Public Exams w/c 21st March.
Reports to parents soon after.
The Reporting Cycle

10. How much Homework?
5 hours per A-level per week at
the very least.

12. What is it?
• Online resource to set homework
• Parents and students can view their h/w
• Parents and students know when h/w is due
in
• Push notifications are sent through the free
app

19. • SMHW

21. A-level results
&
destinations

22. ▪ Roding Valley Sixth Form celebrates its first A level results, with an
incredible 98% pass rate.
▪ This is a great achievement for our first cohort through, with 33% of all
grades achieved at A*-B grades.
▪ This clearly shows that our sixth form provision is very good indeed. An
outstanding 93% of our Year 13s had applied for university and the
majority of the students achieved their first choice university.
▪ We have had some individual outstanding performances from some
excellent students.
Of those going on to university:
▪ Olivia Tinker achieved A*A*A plus A in the Extended Project
Qualification (Cambridge University to read History), Sophie
Humphries (Durham University to read Economics), Hannah Smith
(Durham University to read Anthropology), Natasha McVey
(Nottingham University to read Veterinary).

23. ▪ It is both reassuring and rewarding to know that all of our students are
now destined to continue their education either at well-respected
universities or entering the field of work.
▪ Success of the students was down to the hard work and determination
of the students, and the strong support of parents, leaders, teachers
and tutors. We have created a real family atmosphere in the sixth form
centre where staff know every student well and can support their
progress.
▪ We wish Year 13 all the best for the future and we now look welcoming
you all as new Year 12’s.

24. Mr Harris
Raising Standards Leader Post 16

25. The role of the form tutor
• As with lower school the tutor continues to
be pivotal.
• With on average 14 students per form.
• This allows for focussed tutor tracking and
mentoring.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

26. The form tutors
• 12Q - Mr Chowdury
• 12R - Mr Hussein
• 12S - Mrs Lasfer/ Mrs Bove
• 12T - Ms O’Callaghan
• 12U - Mr Savage
Tutors are the daily point of contact to ensure
students are on-time, and supported through
the mentoring programme.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

27. Student success
• Tutors and parents are key to students
success, checking weekly on organisation
• In school, we support Independent study and
monitor student progress.

28. Attendance
The target for student attendance in the Sixth
Form is 100%.
Please support the tutors by ensuring students
are on time and ready to start each day.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

29. Parental input
• Do not underestimate the power of parental
influence, particularly when this is in
partnership with the school.
• Believe in your child’s potential, encourage
them and make sure they are as prepared as
they can be.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

30. Independent study - in school
● Year 12 - in the Sixth Form study
room.
● Year 13 - in the Library.
● Both the spaces are supervised to
support silent work.
Work
smart
Consolidation/
recapping
learning
Making
the
minutes
matter

31. Independent study - at home
● Year 12 should be working on FIVE
hours homework per week per A-
level at the very least.
● Homework should be of a
consistently high standard.
Working
smart at
home
Rewriting
content/
revisiting prior
learning
Reading
more than
just the set
text

32. Roding Valley
“We are more than
just A-levels”
See the parental bulletin for opportunities.

33. Practical support learning
• Sixth Form Student Pack to support learning.
• A copy of your child’s timetable.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

34. Key dates
• Thursday 12th October Year 12 Parents evening (Concerns
only).
• Monday 11th December Year 12/ 13 Exam week.
• Friday 13th October Year 12 Team Building event, (See
ParentPay).
• Tuesday 23rd January Year 12/ 13 Parents evening.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

35. Thank you
We look forward to working with you over the
next two years to achieve the best outcomes
and next steps for your child.
‘Aspiration Respect Endeavour’

36. Wait behind if you have any
questions