At Lift Witham Sixth Form we are committed to providing a purposeful, flexible and ambitious study programme. We offer a range of A Levels and BTEC qualifications and students will be given clear guidance to ensure they pick a pathway which will support their future career goals. Guidance about the right combination, number and level of courses takes place during Year 11, ensuring all students are aware of the opportunities for study at Lift Witham Sixth Form and how this can best support their future goals and aspirations.
As per our legislative responsibility our learners are provided with an average of 640 hours a year. An average student, on a full time programme, will be in school 25 hours a week and can expect each subject to provide 9 hours of teaching time across a fortnight. Each student will be given Independent Study Time (ISP) tasks as well as homework to complete each week.
As part of our study programme we expect all students to do work experience in the last two weeks of the summer term in Year 12. This is an exciting opportunity for our young people to network and gain vital skills to access the work force post 18.
Our core drivers at Lift Witham Sixth Form are a continuation of the ones in our feeder school; Lift New Rickstones. They are AMBITION, CHARACTER, and OPPORTUNITY. Whilst we pride ourselves on our mastery framework; it is vital that the students have enriching experiences to develop their character and to gain perspective of the wider world.
From 2023-2024 all students will be expected to attend an hour of PSHE a fortnight as part of our curriculum offer. This will develop character and perspective. In these purposeful sessions students will engage in sexual and emotional education, citizenship, religious education and careers.
The 16-19 bursary fund provides financial support to eligible sixth form students to help with the costs of studying. The bursary is available to students who meet certain financial criteria and can help with expenses such as travel, meals, equipment, and other essential study-related costs. There are two types of bursary available:
Available to students who:
- Are currently in care or have recently left care
- Receive Income Support or Universal Credit in their own name and are financially independent
- Receive Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment alongside Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in their own name
Available to students from lower-income households who face financial barriers to education. Eligibility is based on household income and/or receipt of means-tested benefits. Funding may be available to support costs such as:
- Travel expenses
- School meals (if not eligible for Free School Meals)
- Essential course equipment, books, and stationery
- Curriculum-related trips and activities
- University and apprenticeship interview travel costs
- Subject-specific materials and uniform for work placements (where applicable)
Bursary awards are subject to conditions, including good attendance, engagement with studies, and adherence to sixth form expectations.
What is the attendance and absence policy?
ABSENCE LINE: 01376 515756 Ext 238
All students are expected to attend registration every day irrespective of when they have non-contact periods. This is the major point of contact for Tutors and is one of the main routes used for Lift Witham Sixth Form's communications (the other being student e-mail). Absence from Lift Witham Sixth Form, when known in advance, should be notified to the Tutor of the student.
If students are absent we ask the student or their parent to telephone the Lift Witham Sixth Form using the main number 01376 515756 Ext 238 if at all possible before 8:30 am.
Lift Witham Sixth Form is a full time establishment and students are required to attend every weekday for registration and to attend all timetabled lessons, where this is not possible students are expected to communicate with their tutor. Absence must always be explained. Prolonged absence or unexplained absence will involve contact with parents and can result in discontinuation of a student’s programme of study. If students leave the premises during lesson times, they MUST sign out at reception. Absences will be checked regularly and students who fail to attend registration either through absence from Sixth Form or lateness can expect their parents to be contacted. Further infringements may lead to formal disciplinary procedures being implemented.
Accepted absences - foreseen in advance:
- Medical appointment which cannot be arranged outside sixth form hours
- Occasional care for a person if student has definite caring responsibilities
- A religious holiday
- Visit to University to attend an open day/interview; a career related interview or audition
- Unwaged work experience placement relative to course
- Occasional extra-curricular activity giving significant personal achievement, including field trips and visits related to areas of study; sports fixtures and expeditions
- Attendance at a funeral
- Severe disruption to transport
- A driving test
- Study Leave.
Acceptable unforeseen absences – If sixth form notified on the day:
- An emergency family situation
- Transport problems with no alternative solution
- Isolated short periods of genuine sickness [Up to 3 days with details supplied by student or parent, between 3 and 7 days with parental or medical practitioner support]
Absences not generally acceptable
- Holidays
- Part or Full time work which is not part of the student’s programme of study
- Leisure activities
- Birthdays or similar celebrations
- Babysitting younger siblings
- Shopping
- Driving Lessons
What is the dress code?
Whilst there is no formal uniform in the Sixth Forms, we expect our students to dress in a manner that is appropriate for post 16 study. It is important to remember that all students are role-models and, as such, are expected to lead by example and show respect and consideration for all members of the community. Students should not wear any clothing that may be deemed offensive, provocative or inappropriate.
The following rules must be adhered to:
- Do not wear tops with inappropriate, offensive, suggestive or controversial slogans or designs.
- Tops should not be low cut or vest style and clothing should not be see-through.
- Skirts must be of an appropriate length.
- Trousers or jeans should not be low-cut or have holes/cuts in the fabric.
- Do not wear sportswear or shorts (an exception will obviously be made for Sports lessons). Trainers are permitted and smart polo-shirts are also acceptable.
- Do not wear caps or hats in lessons.
- Hair should be of a natural colour.
- Jewellery should be kept to a minimum. Ear-rings may be worn but flesh tunnels and multiple piercings are not permitted.
- Tattoos must be covered. Students should consider this seriously before getting a tattoo as this may cause them inconvenience, particularly in the summer months.
- On certain occasions, we may insist upon a formal dress code. Students will be informed in advance. Formal dress means a suit and tie for male students and formal office attire for female students.
- Laboratories and workshops may have further specific requirements (for health and safety reasons) and these must be adhered to.
Any final guidance on the Sixth Forms dress code is at the discretion of Sixth Forms Team.
Failure to comply with the dress code will result in you being sent home to change. All students must wear their ID badge and have their study files on them at all times.
What careers and university support is available?
Within New Rickstones we have a dedicated careers advisor who works with Sixth Form staff to guide students in the right direction for their post 16 pathway alongside this we have an independent careers advisor.
We work closely with DWP/ Jobcentre plus and connexions around offering the best opportunities, experiences and advice to ensure our students head off into the world past post 16 education in the right direction.
2 weeks work experience at the end of year 12 every year 12 student is encouraged to source and attend a 2 week work experience before the end of year 12 in the role they think they would like to pursue a career in this not only gives them an insight into the career but opens up opportunities to them in the future.
Every September we attend local careers fairs to promote sixth form but also network with local companies around apprenticeships etc for our students.
Every November we attend the skills london trip. This is at the excel london and has representatives from every area of employment. This shows the students the options available within the workplace and what they can achieve from apprenticeships but also has universities offering advice.
Usually around May / June all year 12 students have a day of timetable to start the UCAS process we have a representative form university to talk to students about the application process including finance and University life Those students who do not want to attend university we have external agencies like DWP/ Jobcentre plus come in and work with them around apprenticeships building a CV how to apply for jobs / where they can find job advertisements. To support this we attend the university open day at Essex university this has universities from around the country and is a chance for the students to meet people who are studying there and get a clearer opinion of the university,
AET Apprenticeship scheme - As a sixth form we have built great relationships with local employers and have lots of our ex students working in the local area pursuing careers that we as a sixth form helped shape through the links we have built.
Do you have a student leadership team?
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
The student Leadership Team is a group of committed and enthusiastic students who play a major role in Sixth Form life by providing student voice and organising fundraising and social events.
If you are an enthusiastic, self-motivated team player you might like the chance to represent the student body, encourage new ideas and work in order to improve the Sixth Form. If you would, then being involved in the Student Leadership could be for you.
Being part of the Student Leadership will allow you to develop the skills you may already have, contribute to a team effort for a better Sixth Form experience, and will enable you to demonstrate skills employers desire.
THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM AIM TO:
- Represent all students
- Raise awareness of key issues
- Fundraise for local and national charities
- Organise social events in response to interests of students
- Support student clubs and events
- Act as a link between the student body and members of staff as part of the ‘learner voice’.
