A: All students apply on a Cambridge Area 14-19 Partnership (CAP) application form which should reach the College by 1st February 2013. Some students in a minority of local partner schools will make their application on-line by the same date, as part of a CAP pilot scheme. Details of our application procedure and admissions policy are on pages 106 and 109 respectively of our prospectus. If you have any further questions about this, please contact Mrs Claire Walker, Admissions Officer, at the College. It is not necessary to decide on your final combination of subjects before applying. Please write down on the application form the range of subjects you would like to discuss at the informal guidance interview. This may be a list of five or more subjects. At interview we will discuss with you your preferred combination of subjects. Please read pages 6-7 of our prospectus for information and advice about choosing your subjects. Virtually any combination of subjects is possible.

A: No. We offer places according to the criteria given in the admissions policy on pages 109-111 of the prospectus. The purpose of the informal guidance interview is to discuss with you the subjects you wish to study and, where appropriate, to offer guidance on subject choice and combination. We will also ask you to tell us about your activities and interests outside the classroom and whether you are likely to need additional support arrangements, for example for a learning difficulty or a disability. It is also your opportunity to ask any questions you may still have.

A: We expect to be able to offer about 1000 places for advanced level courses for entry in September 2013. We expect to make offers of places by 28th March 2013 to in-area students and after Easter to out-area students.

A: Over 95% of our students are from within the CAP catchment area (‘in-area’), with the remaining small percentage coming from further afield (‘out-area’). Currently 87% of our students are from state maintained schools.

A: In order to be invited to an informal guidance interview about your course, you will need an estimated profile of an average of grade B or above across your Key Stage 4 qualifications. This average will be based on your best eight subjects, including Maths and English Language. You do not specifically need an estimated grade B in Maths or English Language unless this is an entrance requirement for one of your AS level courses. An example of an average grade B profile would be 2 A grades, 4 B grades and 2 C grades. Interviews will normally be offered to all ‘in-area’ applicants who place Hills Road as their first choice AS/A level centre whose applications have been received by the closing date of 1st February 2013 and who meet the criteria above.

A: In order to be considered for the offer of a place, you will also need at least an estimated grade B (or Level 2 equivalent) for subjects to be studied at AS level or in related subjects. However the specific entrance requirements for each subject are listed in the prospectus and an A grade prediction is required in relevant subjects to study Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. If too many qualified applicants satisfy the minimum grade profile in relation to places available, we will need to set an adjusted grade profile requiring A grade predictions. It is not possible to be specific about the number and level ofpredicted GCSE grades required as it varies from year to year depending upon the demand for each subject. We will also take into account the availability of space in the subjects applied for, the contribution you could make to the overall life of the College, and the strength of the school recommendation. In addition, information provided by your school will need to indicate no significant concern regarding your attendance, punctuality, general behaviour, attitude to study and aptitude for your proposed course of study.

A: There is no need for students to be estimated A* grades, although such grades will be taken intoaccount when assessing the overall profile of students.

A: We value IGCSE qualifications and the grades awarded in exactly the same way as GCSE qualifications.

A: In the event of oversubscription, we expect to offer the substantial majority of places at the College to in-area students who achieve the adjusted estimated grade profile set by the College regardless of school of origin. When considering which students to accept who fall below this profile, preference will be given to students attending the College’s 18 partner schools listed in note 1 of the Admissions Policy, also taking into account the space available in the subjects applied for.

A: We will consider all applicants in accordance with our stated admissions criteria. If we are unable to make an offer we will assume that applicants will be applying to at least one other CAP centre and will therefore receive other offers. It is the applicant’s responsibility, in conjunction with the advice they receive from their current school, to make appropriate applications to CAP centres that ensure that they are made at least one offer. As always, we work closely with colleagues in other post-16 centres to seek to ensure that all students are placed on an appropriate course.

A: Yes. Whilst the great majority of places will be offered to in-area applicants, we expect to be able to continue to offer some places to out-area applicants. Whilst we strongly encourage applications from out-area students, we also encourage all out-area applicants to apply to a more local school or college where a place can be guaranteed. If a student lives outside the CAP area and attends a private school in the CAP area, that student counts as ‘out-area’ for admissions purposes. In the light of the number of applications received, the College will decide whether or not individual out-area applicants will be invited to interview, although all applicants will remain under consideration.

A: Following the publication of GCSE results on Thursday 22nd August, we will be holding enrolment days on Friday 23rd and Tuesday 27th August 2013; the Induction Programme for Year 12 students will take place in the week beginning 2nd September (exact date to be announced).

A: To some extent, but we can usually adjust the number of sets in most subjects to meet the demand. Application patterns vary from year to year and students should always apply for the most appropriate subjects which meet their strengths and progression needs.

A: This is the norm for the majority of students. although students taking Maths and Further Maths will also take three other AS levels. A very small number of students may take only three AS subjects, especially if retaking a GCSE in Maths or English or if other circumstances dictate, for example health reasons or national sporting commitments.

A: No. Some students choose to continue all four (or five) subjects to A level. Alternatively, some students supplement their course with a new AS subject, joining a Year 12 set. This relies on there being space in the relevant AS sets. All students will also participate in the Extended Project programme (AS equivalent) which runs through Year 12 and into Year 13.

A: Yes. There are many new subjects available. The individual subject pages of the Prospectus indicate the entrance requirements for each course.

A: Firstly, in common with many other post-16 centres nationally, we require students wishing to study Maths and science subjects (Physics, Chemistry & Biology) to achieve A grades at GCSE in these subjects. Please read the prospectus carefully to check the detailed requirements for each subject. This requirement has been established because national research and local evidence indicate that students failing to achieve at least a grade A at GCSE in these subjects find it difficult to achieve the highest grades at AS/A level, with a significant proportion being unable to complete the course successfully. Secondly, even if you are predicted A grades in Maths and Sciences, it is important to be sure that these are subjects in which you have a genuine interest, possibly because your future plans require you to study them, and also a willingness to rise to the challenge of more advanced AS/A level work (i.e. not just subjects in which you achieved a high grade owing to general intelligence, but without feeling any particular passion for them). A conversation with your current Maths and Science teachers ought to help you to identify the extent of your scientific or mathematical interest. Another clue might be whether you currently spend any time going beyond the class and homework set in Maths and Science, or whether you are happy to move quickly on to other work as soon as you have done the minimum required in these subjects.

A:

A: We recognise that many students will be taking at least one vocational/applied course at Key Stage 4. The inclusion of an applied/vocational course in a student’s programme does not of itself advantage or disadvantage the application in any way. What matters is that the student’s Key Stage 4 programme provides a suitably balanced range of courses to ensure successful progression onto their chosen AS/A level courses.

A: Normally we are able to timetable any combination of subjects; there are rare exceptions where this is not possible. In choosing your subject combination it is important to consider your career aim, any related subject requirements and the possible requirements of any higher education courses you may be considering. It is also sensible to consider the nature of subjects you will be studying; for example, are they all essay-writing subjects, or are they all new subjects? We will discuss at interview which combination of subjects might be best for you.

A: Where appropriate you might join an A2 class in year 12 and complete the A level in your first year at the College. In this case, we would need to discuss the compatibility of examination specifications (syllabuses). If it were possible for you to join an A2 class in year 12, you would be given work to do over the summer period and you may need to attend A2 classes in the summer term after completing your GCSE examinations. If your AS grade is not as strong as you would like, you would probably repeat the AS course and then complete your A level over two years.

A: We would discuss with you in August whether we could modify your course here or whether to help you to find a more appropriate course at another centre.

A: It may be possible, although we would encourage you to give a subject a chance before changing. A change of subject would depend on your relevant GCSE grades, your timetable, and on availability of space in other subjects.

A: You will have one lesson a week timetabled for enrichment; however, many students take part in additional enrichment and extra-curricular activities outside timetable hours.

A: You will meet your tutor individually on a regular basis to review your progress and to discuss any issues either of you wishes to raise. In addition you will have a weekly tutorial session with your tutor group, consisting of approximately twenty-three students from your year group. The tutorial programme is designed to meet your needs at various stages during your time at Hills Road and will include study skills and careers activities. Your tutor will provide appropriate references for progression to higher education or employment.

A: All departments provide subject “surgeries”, mostly at lunchtimes. These give students the opportunity to work through difficulties with a teacher on an individual or small group basis; in some cases a whole topic is reviewed with a larger group. In addition, the Study Skills Centre is a resource available for all students for advice and support on a wide range of study techniques and skills, as well as offering more specialist learning support.

A: No, but you will be advised on how to use this time to reach a sensible balance between study and relaxation to meet the requirements of your courses. You may choose to use some of this time for extra-curricular activities or for socialising with friends. Nevertheless, you will need to use some of this time to prepare homework and other assignments. You can expect to spend additional time on your studies outside College hours, as we recommend that students spend four hours a week on homework and independent learning for each of their AS subjects.

A: The government’s 16-19 Bursary Fund provides limited support through the College to students who face financial barriers to participation in education, based on household income or other relevant circumstances. Details will be given to all students during the induction period.

A: We do not operate our own bus service and students need to plan their own transport arrangements. Some help with costs is available from Cambridgeshire County Council. If you live more than three miles from Hills Road Sixth Form College (but within the designated CAP area for access to Hills Road courses), Cambridgeshire County Council offers a reduced price season ticket for bus travel. The railway companies usually offer a rail subsidy to full time students. Confirmation of the scheme and prices will be sent to you when offers of places are made. Further information about transport for post-16 education is available at: Post 16 education transport

A: Typically, around 95% of Hills Road leavers progress to courses in higher education.

A: Yes. There is a programme of careers advice for all students. The tutorial programme has a focus on careers and planning for higher education or employment with training in the spring term of your first year. In addition, students are encouraged to make use of the resources in the Careers Department as necessary and may request an interview with a careers advisor at any time during their course.

A: Typically, about 30% of Hills Road leavers take a gap year. There is a great deal of advice and help available in the Careers Department, including talks from former students, a gap year evening in the upper sixth, and resources in the careers library with details of how to plan the year.

A: No. However, the College has a work experience co-ordinator who will help put you in touch with potential work experience employers. Students are particularly encouraged to do some work experience if they are intending to apply for vocational courses in higher education such as architecture, law, medicine, physiotherapy, radiography and veterinary science.

A: The Parents’ and Friends’ Association organises a talk for parents in the Spring Term to introduce them to the system. The application process for student loans and awards will be explained in Year 13.