Post 16 Responsibility and Opportunities

The college offers a range of opportunities for you to enjoy your time in Years 12, 13 and 14 as well as to develop skills that will help equip you for life at university and the world of work. The opportunities include:

• Becoming a Senior College Ambassador
• Engaging in a comprehensive programme of voluntary work through Enrichment Programmes.
• Becoming part of the Senior College Council – including its associated committees (e.g. Social Committee, Charity Committee, Common Room Committee , and the Sports Committee)
• Attending the Tutorial Enrichment Programme for Years 12 and 13 
• College functions throughout the year to celebrate your achievements.
• Numerous college trips associated with your studies.

Senior College Ambassadors

At the Academy we expect that members of the College will take an active role in the life of the Academy and develop a sense of responsibility towards fellow students and the community beyond.

At the beginning of Year 12, you will be invited to apply to become a Senior Ambassador. To do this you need to fill in an Ambassador profile, listing as fully as possible everything that you have done during your Key Stage 4 years, where relevant giving details about the level of your commitment.

The categories under which you may give evidence are :-

• Academic Achievement, e.g. test results, GCSEs, etc do you keep up-to-date with set work?
• Attendance, Punctuality, Uniform, Conduct
• Extra Curricular Activities, including Sport, Performing Arts etc
• Volunteer and Charity Work, including the Sports Leaders’ Award
• Leadership / Initiative / Assistance with School Activities, Events and Functions
• Other

The numbers of students who may become Ambassadors is not restricted. All those who have a suitable profile will be appointed and from this group the new Head Boy, Head Girl and deputies are selected. The Head Boy and Girl will be selected from Year 13 students.

Not every one wants to become an Ambassador, but all students should aim to be able to offer a good profile since it is precisely this level of achievement and participation that Universities and employers look for and which will enable you to write a convincing Personal Statement on your UCAS form or job applications. Ambassadors will also be able to involve themselves in various committees ranging from sporting to social.

Volunteer & Community Service

Community Service is a voluntary placement programme that is open to all Year 12 students and lasts for at least half a term. For students on AVCE, NVQ and BTEC courses volunteering may be an appropriate way to use your skills in a practical manner and be counted towards your coursework. There is a range of opportunities on offer:

• opportunities in the local community include: 
• helping primary school children in their classroom, 
• supporting local nursery school children with their learning, 
• helping old people in local residential homes. 
• There are also opportunities within the Academy including: helping some Year 7 students improve their reading, supporting lessons such as art, mathematics, languages, I.C.T. and PSHE lessons.

The people supported by voluntary work gain a great deal by working with college students in an informal, friendly but intensive way. Students might use the experience to claim Key Skills that are also valued by universities. If interested please speak to the Dean.

Senior College Council

The Principal and Governors regard the views of students as being extremely important. We value what you have to say and often seek student opinion about their reaction to ideas for change.

Students in the senior part of the Academy are encouraged to form Committees and to send representatives to the Senior College Council which is administered by the Head Boy and Girl and their deputies.

As well as acting as representatives for the College you also have the opportunity to effect change in the lower school and plan for college events to celebrate being senior college students.