Please see letter from the Principal regarding the Year 11 Open Evenings for later this year. Click here.
Year 11 Open Evenings
Destinations Development Day – an online success! – July 2020
On Monday 6 July, Salisbury 6th Form College held an online development day. S6C holds Development Days each term, each with a different focus. The days are run off timetable allowing students to attend workshops run by visiting speakers as well as S6C teachers. This term the focus was on careers and destinations after S6C. This is the second development day run entirely online since the College had to close earlier this year but this is the first online development day to use live interactive workshops and talks from guest speakers.
The day started with live talks from the University of Portsmouth and ASK Apprenticeships service to give all students an overview of how to research and search for opportunities in higher education and training after their level 3 studies – the sessions had a particular focus on conducting that research online using virtual events and online resources due to the current situation. All students were encouraged to attend these talks which they could log on to from their own homes and attendance throughout the day was good.
S6C Pastoral Lead, Rebecca Anderson said, “We are so proud of the resilience our students have shown in lockdown; they have remained committed to their studies, whilst also using their time to research future options and develop their personal skills. Our students know that there are always people who will help, whether we are choosing next steps, or looking after our mental or physical wellbeing – staying connected is so important.”
Students also heard about university student life from an S6C alumni, who is graduating this year from a Russell Group university, and participated in an employability workshop with practical advice about applying for employment from DSTL.
The afternoon session welcomed employers from across all sectors who gave students an insight into their own careers and their workplaces which helped students understand the range of job opportunities linked to their current studies. Students met with employers, S6C alumni and CEOs of companies through live online meetings and pre-recorded videos covering careers ranging from Flight Test Engineer, to Hypnotherapist to Sports Analysis to Space Mission Scientist! Many of the videos and all of the live talks were created specifically for S6C students.
One year 12 S6C student said about their live Q&A session, “I attended the session with Matt Goddard on running a business within the UX and design industry. All questions I had were answered in good detail, and I also had time after the session to receive feedback on design work of my own.”
Throughout the day students also had access to a wealth of online information about future career and study options, including online webinars and links to virtual work experience opportunities.
The day ended with a live information session for parents who logged in online to hear from the University of Bath and ASK Apprenticeships about how they can support their young people to research future options and make successful applications.
S6C’s first ever online Freshers Day – July 2020
On Thursday 2 July, Salisbury 6th Form College held their first ever Virtual Freshers Day for applicants who have been made offers to study at S6C in September.
The day started with a video message from the Principal, Simon Firth, and a video tour of the College with images and videos from trips, visits and enrichment activities. The video also gave applicants an opportunity to hear from current and alumni students from S6C who all shared why they love S6C and what student life is like.
Following the pre-recorded video students then had the opportunity to meet with each of their teachers through live online Q&A sessions. The live sessions were run through Google Meet giving applicants an insight into how S6C’s current students have been keeping in touch with their teachers and how live online teaching has continued at the College throughout lockdown. Applicants also had access to information about starting College such as travel, IT and the enrolment process.
Vice-Principal, Louise Henderson, said, “The teaching staff were incredibly impressed with the level of engagement and maturity of the year 11 students in the online sessions. Students were thoughtful and were prepared with a range of questions to find out more about what they are going to study in the courses. Staff are really excited to teach our new year 12’s in September and are looking forward to having the students in the college where they will form their new teaching groups and friendships.”
As part of the online event, applicants and their parents could also learn more about the Aspire to Excellence programme at S6C. The Aspire to Excellence programme introduces Year 12s to excellent study habits, extension material, super curricular engagement, debating and higher level thinking skills, and gain early insights into job markets, higher education pathways and how to prepare for competitive degree, apprenticeship and employment applications. It also involves trips and visits and inspiring speakers. Applicants could hear from Rebecca Anderson who leads the programme at S6C and also from current students in Year 13 who have participated in the programme and are now progressing onto competitive courses and top universities.
S6C current students also participated in the day in order to share their experience of the College and why they love S6C. Year 12 students, Ruben, shared a film montage about his course which he created for S6C’s exhibition at the Salisbury Library February this year. Art teacher, Laurence Rushby, said “Ruben was great at expressing how much fun he had in the course. The session had a good vibe.” Another current student said “We gave an overview of the course and an opportunity to ask any questions. Psychology will most likely be a new thing for most going in as it’s not normally offered at GCSE so to get a little bit of background and to be told what they’ll be studying so they could maybe prepare themselves a bit over the summer was good”. Another student shared their own personal experience and said “I really found myself at college”
Exam Results Day 2020
Please see the letter sent out to parents and students regarding the Exam Results day for 2020.
S6C Post Freshers Day Letter
Please see the letter that went out Post Freshers Day.
Online Freshers Day – 2nd July 2020
We are excited to invite our prospective students to our first ever Online Freshers Day. Click on the link below to find out more information on how you can get involved!
Freshers Day – 2nd July 2020
#ThrowbackThursday – Geography residential trip to Swanage 2020
This Thursday we’re remembering when the Geography students went on a residential trip to Swanage at the beginning of March. The trip was an opportunity to develop the students fieldwork skills and to reinforce their curriculum concepts and case studies for Coasts and Changing Places, 2 of the units in the A Level course. Despite atrocious weather the group were in great spirits and worked with enthusiasm over the 2 days. Students were challenged to develop their understanding of a place’s characteristics in a study in Boscombe and to reflect on the contrasts between how the media represents the town and the reality for residents that live there. The issues are complex and the students showed great maturity in understanding and identifying a very contrasting place to their local study.
Vice Principal, Louise Henderson, said “Our coastal fieldwork had to be modified as we saw firsthand the impact of the weather and the closure of Swanage beach on the northern side that prevented our fieldwork due to the landslides that had collapsed onto the beach just days prior. This could not have been more topical as we had just studied mass movement in class the week before and the students were keen to view the landslides at a safe distance behind the safety closure tape. This did not prevent us completing beach profiles on the shallower beach section, and there was a constant dash of students moving off the beach between the wave breaks to stay dry. It caused huge amusement when we finally grouped together as Mr Chambers did not see a large wave heading towards him which he didn’t have time to outrun! The trip has now given the students some real insight into the types of techniques they can use for their non-examined assessment that they will be choosing in the summer term.”
#ThrowbackThursday – Brain Day 2020
On Thursdays we will be remembering back to some of the events that took place before College closed and learning moved online. Today, we’re remembering back to Friday 13 March 2020, Brain Day at S6C – we had Neuroscientist Dr Stutton in College giving insightful talks to our Psychology Students in both Year 12 and 13.
Students looked at the effects of addiction on the brain and also factors that play a role in schizophrenia – they learnt that there is research which suggests having a dog, especially one that licks your face, can act as a protective factor against the development of it!
The most notable part of the day was the sheep brain dissection where they were able to handle parts of the brain and look at the similarities in the structure to a human brain.
Thank you to Psychology teacher, Kirsty White, for arranging this fascinating day for the students.
S6C moves online
Since schools and colleges were told to close, the College building has been shut but S6C students continue to attend timetabled lessons online from home using Google Meet and Google Classroom and a combination of synchronous and asynchronous teaching. Maths teacher, Phil Greenwood, has even taken a whiteboard home so he can continue teaching via webcam! S6C students are all familiar with Google Classroom as teachers use it in ordinary College life to share resources and set assignments; it encourages independent study by allowing students to access work from home to continue their learning outside of the classroom and to submit assignments online. Now teaching is online, S6C teachers are using timetabled live video webcasts to run classes where they continue to pose questions to students as they would in class to ensure there are no gaps in knowledge going into Year 13. Until very recently, Year 13 students were also attending online lessons which enabled them to stay engaged with their studies and continue to prepare for their next step at either university, an apprenticeship or employment.
Principal Simon Firth says “We’re doing online quizzes, interactive lessons with Jamboard and even running our Clubs & Societies programme with online versions of Gaming Society, Film Club and sporting activities. Our Tutorial Programme is also continuing online with tutors meeting with students via Google Meet where they discuss targets, attendance and wellbeing.” Student engagement has been high and one student said “I enjoy online lessons as it enables us to crack on with work in our own comfortable environment and work in our own way” another said “It’s been great so far but I miss being with my friends and classmates.”
In Business A Level, Catherine Pennington challenged her students to develop a Business Plan for a new start-up firm and then face her in The Den for some gruelling questions. First Year student Thomas Green said “I loved doing this task, as it just helps bring out the creativity in people and I want to be able to express myself through my subjects. I’ve learnt a lot about building a business over the past few months so it was nice to be able to put it in an actual plan”
The students worked with business partners of their choice to create a plan worthy of potential implementation. Catherine felt it was an awesome way for young people to express a “can do” attitude, and encouraged her students to use the recording of their Business Plan Review in a digital CV when they are ready to find work or put their plan into action.
Later this term we will have our second online Development Day, this day will focus on career planning. The day will be held virtually using pre-recorded videos and live sessions on Google Meet. Students will hear from universities, ASK Apprenticeship service and local employers. There will be a focus on researching your options after Level 3 study with specific guidance on using online resources at a time when events on site cannot take place. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to university representatives and watch videos from a variety of employers made specifically for our students to introduce them to a wide range of employment sectors.
See what our students have to say about online teaching on our Facebook page.
All of us in the Salisbury community have been affected by the Coronavirus and it is heartwarming to hear all the stories of people coming together to make a difference. At S6C students have been reaching out to see what help they can provide; students are completing their full college programme whilst working in care homes, working and volunteering at the hospital, and even joining the first responder unit. Working in a care home, Alice says “During this crisis I’m continuing my studies by logging onto video calls, attending all the lessons I can while attempting to maintain some normality. In terms of helping my community I’m continuing going to work at a dementia care home on the weekends, however I am picking up extra shifts to help out and keep all residents company. I think it’s important to carry on trying to support anyone who is struggling with this unusual time and let them know they are not alone. We can get through it if we all work together.” Staff at S6C are incredibly proud of the students – some of whom are also providing essential services in supermarkets and helping with childcare at home.
To find out more, please contact:
Simon Firth, Principal, S6C sfirth@salisbury6c.ac.uk
#ThrowbackThursday – International Women’s Day 2020
On Thursday we’ll be remembering back to good news events that happened at the College before we had to close our doors. Today we’re remembering back to Friday 6 March when S6C students and staff celebrated International Women’s Day with an afternoon of workshops, talks & discussions. The theme for this year was #Each4Equal encouraging everyone to play their part in striving for gender equality. Students participated in small, student-led discussion groups exploring topics such as; practical ideas for committing to gender equality, identifying positive female role models, linking gender equality to students’ academic and vocational subjects, analysing how gender equality is or isn’t reflected in favourite TV shows and films, and identifying gender stereotypes in the media and employment. This was followed by a talk from Maths teacher, Vivien White, who spoke about her career as an engineer and professional skipper and the inequality she faced in a male dominated sector. There was a real buzz about the day and it was agreed that the message of everyone striving together for equality is key because it’s unacceptable for gender to be a barrier.
