Sixth Form Admissions
We welcome applications from students from all over the UK and beyond. Entry requirements vary depending on the courses students are looking to study and we advise that you look closely at the subject specific entry requirements found in the prospectus.
Generally speaking students must attain at least six GCSEs at grade 5 or above at GCSE including English and Maths (at Grade 4 or above) and have the determination to work hard on the courses they wish to study. Individual subjects will also have specific entry requirements.
We are fortunate enough to be able to welcome students from other schools into the Woodroffe Sixth Form, and we hold an annual Open Evening in November where further details of subjects available can be found, and where our current Sixth Formers can provide tours of the school. We welcome visits to the school at any time, and these can be arranged by contacting the Sixth Form team on 01297 442 232 or email 6formadmin@woodroffe.dorset.sch.uk.
Applications can be completed online for both internal and external applicants. If you have any queries about the application process, once again feel free to contact us.
Letters offering places are sent in mid June. The Head of Sixth Form; Justin Loveland is available on GCSE results day should you need to discuss any aspect of your application.
16-19 Bursary Fund
16-19 Bursary Fund
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is allocated to schools by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and is aimed at students who would be unable to stay in education after Year 11 without financial help.
Applications will be assessed individually depending on personal circumstances and award decisions will be on a case-by-case basis according to need.
Students will need to re-apply each September as the Bursary does not roll over each year.
All Bursaries are subject to good attendance, conduct and attitude to learning which will be closely monitored.
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive this bursary students must be aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August in the academic year in which they start their full programme of study. Applicants must satisfy the residency criteria in the ESFA Funding Guidance.
There are two levels of entitlement to the 16-19 Bursary Fund:
A. Bursary for defined vulnerable groups
The defined vulnerable groups are students who are:
- in care
- a care leaver
- claiming Income Support or Universal Credit because they are financially supporting themselves
- receiving Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own right.
Students from the above groups may receive a Bursary of up to £1,200 per year from the Fund. Payments will be dependent on financial need, attendance, behaviour and progress on the course.
Evidence
The school requires original evidence from the Local Authority, external agencies, key worker/social worker or evidence of Income Support /Universal Credit/etc in your own name. Written confirmation from the Local Authority of the young person’s current or previous looked after status will be required. There is more detail on evidence required in the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2023 to 2024 academic year - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Application
We should already be aware of any internal students in this category, however any external students joining the Sixth Form who fit these criteria should contact Mr Loveland or Mrs Marmion on registration day.
B. Discretionary Bursary
Students from this group do not have the same entitlement to the 16-19 Bursary Fund as the vulnerable group, however they may be funded for Sixth Form related costs at the discretion of the school should funding permit through the Discretionary Bursary. Payments will depend on total household income and students must:
- Live in a household where the total annual income is under £30,000
- Have achieved at least 95% average attendance (including punctuality) for the half-term
- Have produced work of an acceptable standard
- Have met all subject deadlines
Evidence
The School requires the original documentation showing the total household income for the year (or previous year if the current years is unavailable and the income is unlikely to change).
This is likely to include the 3 most recent Universal Credit monthly award statements, which can then be multiplied by 4 for an estimate of income for the whole year.
Evidence of Company dividends if self-employed.
Alternatively full copies of Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, Employment Support Allowance or any other benefits including payslips which could help support the application as evidence of household income.
In addition to this we will require a signed note from the applicant’s parent/carer confirming the household income status.
Payments from the 16-19 Bursary Fund are expected to contribute to the following:
- Travel to and from School
- Essential educational trips
- Books/Learning Resources and stationery
- Necessary course–related equipment and uniform
- UCAS fees/HE travel related expenses
Students eligible for help from the Discretionary Bursary Fund should not expect that payments will cover all course-related expenses: there is a limited amount available to the school each year and this will be distributed amongst students in need. The ESFA do not expect the Bursary Fund to be used to fund extra-curriculum activities unless they are essential to the course. Please note payments will depend on the students’ attendance, behaviour and progression on their courses.
Application
Students applying for the Discretionary Bursary will be given the application forms on registration day or alternatively you can access the forms online from the website. These forms should be completed in full with copies of supporting paperwork attached and returned to Mrs Marmion in the sixth form office by 17th September.
The Sixth Form Bursary Team will be responsible for deciding who receives the awards based on the criteria outlined above. The Bursary Fund is given to the school each year by the ESFA (Education & Skills Funding Agency).
Further Information
Further details on the Bursary Fund can be found here: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2023 to 2024 academic year - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Standards & Uniform
Sixth Form standards are a straightforward system of expectations which can be easily understood by pupils, staff and parents. The aims of Sixth Form Standards are:
- to promote academic achievement
- to promote responsibility for independent study and good study habit (including attendance, punctuality, completing work on time, high quality note-taking, independent study and revision, and performance in tests)
- to encourage personal development with increasing responsibility and self-discipline commitment to extra-curricular activity and involvement in the wider life of the school
- to provide a structure which challenges, monitors, rewards and supports performance across these objectivesto be good role models for the lower school and ambassadors in the community
There are six key standards which set out the School’s expectations of Sixth Form students:
- Full attendance
- Consistent punctuality
- Dedication to studying
- Participation in school life
- Demonstration of high levels of responsibility
- Adherence to the Sixth Form dress code
Students who consistently meet the standards will enjoy greater autonomy within the Sixth Form and are awarded Commendations. Those who fail to meet the Standards will be given Concern Notes. More information is available in the Sixth Form Prospectus.
Uniform
Polo Shirt: Blue school polo shirt embroidered with school crest.
Jumper: Plain dark blue or black jumper. Or, dark blue school hoodie with badge.
Trousers: Dark grey or black tailored trousers. Navy blue or black straight leg tailored trousers. No jeans or denim material, leggings or jeggings are acceptable.
Skirt: Navy or black skirt of appropriate length.
Shoes: Smart black, brown or navy-blue shoes. No visible logos. Trainers, high heels and above ankle boots are not permitted.
Tights: Plain blue/ black/neutral/grey.
Coats: Smart outdoor coat (coats & scarves not to be worn inside the building or in lessons)
From May Half Term
Shorts: Tailored knee length dark grey or black. ‘Fashion’ or skinny fit shorts are not acceptable, and neither are jeans or chino styled shorts.
Jewellery: One ring, a watch and one pair of earrings (suitable length for Health & Safety reasons).
The Governors’ Policy on hairstyles applies to the Sixth Form. Sixth Form students are permitted to wear one small and unobtrusive nose stud. In the event of the latter, the Head of Sixth Form will be the arbitrator in terms of interpretation of ‘small and unobtrusive’.
If a beard is worn it must be kept neat, tidy and well groomed.
Optional Smart Dress Friday
As role models of our community Sixth Form students are expected to dress in a smart and confident manner. Students have the opportunity to wear smart dress on a Friday which is appropriate for learning in a school environment. The Governors have delegated decisions within these policies to the Headteacher who will, if necessary, refuse entry to a student until such time as their uniform, hairstyle or appearance is deemed appropriate.
The Governors have delegated decisions within these policies to the Headteacher who will, if necessary, refuse entry to a student until such time as their uniform, hairstyle or appearance is deemed appropriate.
The Governors’ policy on hairstyles applies to the Sixth Form. Sixth Form students are permitted to wear one small earring per earlobe and one small and unobtrusive nose stud. In the event of a dispute regarding the latter, The Head of Sixth Form will be the arbitrator in terms of the interpretation of ‘small and unobtrusive’. The Headteacher will, if necessary, refuse entry to a student until such time as their uniform, hairstyle or appearance is deemed appropriate.
Sixth Form Application
Apply Online
Complete your online Sixth Form application form by Friday 9th February 2024.
Email Acknowledgement
You will receive an application acknowledgment email by Friday 17th February 2024.
Interviews
Interviews with Mr Loveland / Mr Greenhough start week beginning Monday 11th March 2024.
Conditional Offers
Should everything go well during your interview, conditional offers will be given by Friday 24th May 2024.