SchoolYear 11
Welcome to Year 11
The Head of Year is Mrs Short: s.short@burford.oxon.sch.uk. She is supported by a team of seven Form Tutors. They can be emailed at any time to answer relevant queries or questions. Subject queries should be addressed to the subject teachers (see Curriculum for Heads of Department). A full list of staff emails is available for other queries.
Key Academic Focus
Year 11 is an extremely important time for all students, as they work towards the completion of their GCSE studies. Students continue to be encouraged to participate in school life in many ways, in sports, music, drama and house events, however, it is important to be aware of the added pressure that comes with completing GCSE courses. All subjects set homework at least once a week but there are no set days for homework to be issued.
Additional Support
Students are offered additional support sessions for all subjects at different times of the year. Here they can revisit old topics, complete extra work on Controlled Assessments or receive extra support from staff. Additional GCSE Support takes place in the lunchtime and after school clubs which run throughout each term.
Continued parental support and a quiet place to work at home remains essential throughout Year 11, particularly as mock exams and GCSEs approach. All students feel pressure at this time. The vast majority manage this well. For others it is more difficult and the Home-School Link Worker, Mrs Sanderson, is always happy to talk things through with both parents and students.
Burford Plus – Extended day care
From Monday to Thursday we offer an extended day, until 8.00pm. This is to accommodate the needs of busy parents who may, due to work commitments etc, not always be on hand at the end of the normal school day. It also proves beneficial to students who, working towards GCSEs, benefit from the more structured supervised homework, with staff on hand to assists with queries, that is offered by the Boarding Department.
Burford Plus offers students the opportunity to join the boarders and make use of the facilities within the Boarding Department. Tea and supervised homework are included together with the opportunity to take part in a range of evening activities organised by the boarding staff.
GCSEpod
GCSEpod is a series of short podcasts covering virtually all subjects, topics and content that can be streamed or downloaded on to a student’s laptop or smartphone. They can also download an App so that it can then be played whenever they wish – on the bus, just before an exam, walking the dog, etc. Staff also use them in lessons. Have a look at www.gcsepod.com.
Burford students have used the software to great effect in recent years, making us one of the top fifteen schools in the country for downloads and having a significant link to success at GCSE. Students have said that they like the additionality it offers on top of their more traditional revision, and the fact that they can dip into it easily.
All Year 11 students are registered and have login details and Year 10 students will soon also be able to benefit from access to GCSEpod. If any students have lost or forgotten their login details they can be reissued by Mr Pilgrim: j.pilgrim@burford.oxon.sch.uk.
Attendance
In line with government directives students are not permitted to take holidays during term time. Only in exceptional circumstances, is the Headteacher able to sanction time off and adherence to this is essential for students to achieve successful outcomes at GCSE.
Looking Ahead
Another major part of Year 11 is deciding on the next step towards ‘A’ Levels, into Further Education, an apprenticeship or employment. Our Sixth Form Open Evening and Taster Day allow students to sample life in the Sixth Form and these take place towards the end of the autumn term, prior to the application deadline.
Access to Careers Advice
Students are strongly advised to organise an appointment with the Careers Adviser, Mrs Knowles. She is able to answer questions regarding possible courses to pursue within the Further Education section. During the year visits are organised from a variety of employers, together with apprenticeship evenings.
Mock Interviews
Whatever the next step for students their ability to present themselves well at interview is key. For this reason all Year 11 students spend a day experiencing mock interviews. In preparation they are required to put together a CV, apply for a ‘job’ and members of the business community then come into school to hold mock interviews and give feedback providing realistic and valuable preparation.
The GCSE Exam Period
Following the Easter holidays, students complete the final weeks in school before starting Study Leave. Study Leave commences on Monday 15 May 2016 and allows students to study at home, if they wish, in preparation for exams, however provision is made for them to study in school if they prefer. On the day of their exams students attend school in uniform and are expected to sign in and out each day.
After their final exam every student is required to collect a Leavers’ Form from Reception. This needs to be signed by key members of staff and must then be returned to Reception. Only when this is done are students officially deemed to have left school.
Key Dates
- Interview Skills: Tuesday 12 September 2017
- Options Post 16 Talk – Tuesday 26 September 2017
- Options Post 16 Talk – Tuesday 10 October 2017
- Apprenticeship Convention at Witney Lakes – Thursday 19 October 2017
- Employer Mock Interviews – Monday 30 October – Friday 3 November 2017
- Review 1 – November 2017
- Parents’ Evening – Wednesday 2 November 2017
- Senior Maths Challenge: Tuesday 7 November 2017
- Sixth Form Open Evening – Thursday 9 November 2017
- Review 1 – November 2017
- Charter Day: Friday 17 November 2017 (Half day holiday)
- Day’s Holiday: Friday 24 November 2107
- Mock Exams – Monday 27 November – Friday 8 December 2017
- Sixth Form Taster Day: Friday 15 December 2017
- Review 2: January 2018
- Pastoral Forum: Thursday 1 February 2018
- Targeted Parents’ Evening: Thursday 8 March 2018
- Careers Event at Witney Lakes: Wednesday 21 March 2018
- Review 3: May 2018
- Senior Sports Day: Wednesday 9 May 2018
- Last day in school: Friday 11 May 2018
- GCSE Exams: Monday 14 May – Monday 26 June 2018
- Sixth Form Induction Days: Tuesday 26 – Wednesday 27 June 2018
- Year 11 Prom: Friday 6 July 2018
- GCSE Results: Thursday 23 August 2018
Year Charity
Each year students choose a charity to support throughout the year. Students raise money for their chosen charity, raising awareness of the charity’s aims and projects in assemblies and through presentations. This year’s charity will be Young Minds – a mental health charity for young people.