Hartismere Sixth Form College

Welcome to Hartismere  

Hartismere Sixth Form College welcomes students from all over Suffolk and Norfolk, as well as our own Hartismere students: all benefit from the same care and support that makes ours an outstanding school and sixth form.

Hartismere has grown enormously in the last few years and it is a pleasure to work in a college which sends happy, well rounded young people to university and into the world of work. Our students achieve excellent academic qualifications and develop a commitment to work and their community that means they have the best possible preparation for life after sixth form. Our university students achieve extraordinary success and enjoy returning to Hartismere to share their experiences and achievements. Indeed, employers actively seek out Hartismere graduates as potential recruits. 

Students can choose from a wide range of A level subjects; they can also develop their academic experience through the Extended Project Qualification as well as a varied programme of cultural enrichment. Hartismere offers its students experienced and committed staff and a fantastic environment and resources, including a purpose built sixth form reading room. We expect our students to be hard-working, to want to achieve success and show a commitment to the wider life of the sixth form and school community. 

Our open evening gives prospective students and their parents an opportunity to see the sixth form, the school and to meet the staff. Visits at other times can always be accommodated. 

Hartismere Sixth Form College is a happy, vibrant place and we look forward to your joining our family. 

Jayne Hudson 
Director of Sixth Form 

Courses

At Hartismere we offer a wide range of academic A level, AAQs (Alternative Academic Qualifications) and Cambridge Technical courses, as well as enrichment courses and the highly regarded Extended Project Qualification.

Brief details of the courses we offer are given here. Much more detailed information about subject content, assessment and teaching is given in each department’s subject leaflet. You can collect them at our open evening, download them from the sixth form area on our website (course information & introductory videos) or request them from the sixth form office. Changes continue to be made by the DfE to qualifications, and so getting in touch and attending our open evening is the best way to find out the latest information. 

Academic Challenge and Independence  

Most students at Hartismere take four subjects at the start of year 12 in order to give them plenty of choice: we know from experience that students change their minds about A level subject choices quite frequently. A programme of mock exams and assessments helps them to make their decisions.

Our curriculum is designed to offer choice and breadth of opportunities: as well as traditional subjects, students can choose subjects new to them such as photography, economics and psychology. We also offer the level 3 Certificate in mathematics and the EPQ as additional qualifications. 

Students are supported by specialist teachers, personal tutors and through a thorough system of assessment and monitoring so that they achieve the best possible outcomes. 

Our reading room, with its wide range of books and literature, is for exclusive use by sixth form students for private study, prep, wider reading and university research. 

Cultural Enrichment  

Our students take part in a programme of cultural enrichment activities, designed to broaden and deepen their understanding of our society (and their role in it), its culture, politics and diversity. Students attend a programme of lectures which are given by staff and visiting speakers on topics as diverse as film and media censorship, the UK economy and the importance of sleep. It gives students a taste of university life and university teaching methods as well as an opportunity to consider and engage with challenging ideas and issues.  

The Extended Project Qualification 

The Extended Project is a level 3 qualification that involves an exploration of an area of personal interest to the student. Students begin their project towards the end of year 12 and complete it in year 13. Candidates:

• choose an area of interest

▪ draft a project title, aims and objectives

▪ plan, research and carry out the project

▪ provide evidence of all stages of project production

▪ deliver a presentation to a specified audience

▪ reflect on the process.

The project could either be an extension of a student’s academic studies or an exploration of a topic that interests them and which is outside their A level studies. Many students choose to present their research in the form of an extended essay, but other examples of past projects include producing a play, composing and recording music, writing a computer program and designing furnishings. 

Students sometimes take an EPQ in a subject which they may not have chosen to continue to A level, but which they enjoy, such as art. The EPQ is excellent evidence to universities and employers of an ability to study independently and of a self-motivated student. 

University & Careers 

All students, whatever their ambitions, take part in a programme of activities designed to help them plan for their futures.

In year 12, students are introduced to the UCAS process. They research university courses and institutions and learn how to write an effective personal statement. In the summer, all students undertake work experience to extend their understanding of the world of work. 

Students who apply to Oxford or Cambridge, or who apply to do medicine, dentistry or veterinary science receive a range of additional support, including support with BMAT and UCAT, practice interviews and specialist advice. 

Students who plan to go into employment, or to undertake an apprenticeship, will explore and research employment and apprenticeship opportunities and learn how to write an effective CV and application letter. We have good links with local employers who often seek out Hartismere graduates. 

Ofsted say, “Pupils access a high-quality careers education, including that related to work experience and work-related learning. They go on to appropriate next-step destinations, including appropriate post-18 apprenticeships, employment and further education”. 

Each subject will have its own entry requirements.  Please see individual courses for more details.

A level subjects, which subjects are you interested in studying?
Please choose SIX subjects. 
For each subject please choose an order of preference.  Choose option 1 in the subject which you would most like to study, option 2 in your second subject choice and continue until you have your six subject options.

Optional enrichment courses:
you may choose Mathematical Studies in addition to the A Level subjects you will take in Year 12.

Mathematical Studies is a level 3 maths qualification aimed at students who have a level 4,5 or 6 in maths at GCSE. It is designed to improve students’ mathematical and problem solving skills and to help with the maths in other subjects such as the sciences, psychology, geography and economics.  

or 

The Extended Project Qualification

Travel 

Information about travel to and from the college is available from our office. Students in Suffolk should apply for transport via the County website: www.suffolkonboard.com. Students travelling from Norfolk should contact the Norfolk County Council Transport department. All students, irrespective of where they live, should apply for a pass before the start of term.

Travel is available for students who travel from Metfield, Mendham, Harleston, Brockdish, Needham, Dickleburgh and surrounding areas. Information about this bus route and financial support is available from the sixth form office.

Students may park cars, bikes or mopeds in the College car park.

Discretionary Support Fund

Students can apply for the Discretionary Support Fund if they need financial support. Information about the fund is available from www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund and a booklet and application form are available from the sixth form office.  

Our Sixth Form 

The college has individual and group study areas, a reading room, teaching rooms and offices, all with wifi access. The senior students’ common room and kitchen area are solely for sixth form use.

As a Sports College, Hartismere offers its students opportunities to take part in all manner of sporting activities, including rugby, cricket, netball and football. Our 9 hectare site has been developed to accommodate several new pitches and running track, a fitness suite, a dance studio with fully sprung floor, a flood-lit astro pitch and flood-lit netball and tennis courts.

The college has been awarded the Arts Award Mark for excellence in performing arts. Students are able to take the Arts Award and continue it to gold level if they wish. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is also offered at the school.

Applying to Hartismere & support

Students apply directly to the college by completing an application form – either online through the school website or by hand. Students from Norfolk can apply through helpyouchoose.org if they wish. Applications should be made as soon as possible.

All applicants meet with sixth form staff to discuss their proposed subject choices and future plans. We review subject choices after GCSE results, as well as at the start of term in year 12. Most A level subjects require students to have obtained at least a grade 6 in that subject (or a similar one) at GCSE. Students who wish to study maths, computing or physics must achieve a grade 7 in maths at GCSE (an 8 if further maths is chosen). Most students will have achieved at least 5 good GCSE passes, as well as meeting the individual academic requirements for each subject area.

Our college open evening is in the autumn and this is an excellent opportunity for students to ask questions about courses and how they are taught and assessed, as well as to see the school environment.

Discretionary Support Fund

Students can apply for the Discretionary Support Fund if they need financial support. Information about the fund is available from www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund and a booklet and application form are available from the sixth form office.