A: All students apply on a Cambridge Area 14-19 Partnership (CAP) application form which should reach the College by 12th February 2010. Details of our application procedure and admissions policy are on pages 6-7 and 118-121 respectively of our prospectus. If you have any further questions about this, please contact Mrs Ros Mitchell, Admissions Administrator, 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 8-11 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 118-121 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 900 places for advanced level courses for entry in September 2010. We expect to make offers of places early in May to in-area students and in mid-May to out-area students.
A: About 95% of our students are from within the CAP catchment area, with the remaining small percentage coming from further afield. Currently 87% of our students are from state maintained schools.
A: Initially, in order to be invited to an informal guidance interview about your course, you are likely to need an estimated profile of at least an average of grade B across your Key Stage 4 subjects (GCSEs and other qualifications). This will need to include at least a grade B at GCSE in subjects or related subjects to be studied at AS level; the entrance requirements for each subject are listed in the prospectus. If too many applicants satisfy the above profile in relation to places available, we will need to set an adjusted grade profile involving some A grade predictions. 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.
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.
A: If Hills Road is over-subscribed by first choice, qualified ‘in-area’ applicants, we will consider all applicants in accordance with our stated admissions criteria. Students who are at risk of not being offered a place will be given the opportunity of an interview at their second choice CAP centre. This interview gives the second choice centre more time to consider the application and makes it more likely that the student will be offered his or her chosen course in the event of a referral to that centre. Students in this position will normally be informed late in the Spring Term, after their interview at Hills Road and after all applications have been received and analysed. Final decisions about the offer of places will not be taken until early May, following further consultation with local schools. In accordance with an agreement that exists between post-16 centres in the CAP area, students will not normally be reconsidered for admission to Hills Road once they have accepted a place at their second choice centre. We work closely with colleagues in other post-16 centres 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 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: To some extent, but we can usually adjust the number of sets in most subjects to meet the demand.
A: No. This is the norm for the majority of students, but some take five, often Maths and Further Maths plus three other AS levels or very occasionally five separate subjects. Some students 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. Most students who drop a subject at the end of year 12 supplement their course in year 13 with AS level Critical Thinking, AS level Science in Society, AS level World Development or the Extended Project (AS equivalent). 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.
A: Yes. There are many new subjects available. The individual subject pages of the prospectus indicate the entrance requirements for each course.
A: On page 9 of the prospectus we have explained the progression options for all those AS subjects for which GCSE Science is an entry requirement.
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 and any related subject requirements. 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-two students from your year group. The programme of activities 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 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: Means tested financial support is available in the form of the Educational Maintenance Allowance.
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 CAP area), 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: http://www.cambscoursefinder.com.
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 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.