Year 11 study support offer at Patcham High School

Dear Parent/Carer,

I hope you are well.

I am writing to make you aware of the support on offer for your child when they leave school after their final Year 11 assessments on 28^th May 2021.

At this point your child will have a clear plan for their future education or training. However, we are aware that there is an unusually long summer break and we wanted to signpost you to further opportunities and support to help this transition.

On offer at Patcham High School, from Tuesday 8^th June – Friday 25^th June 2021:

• The school library for IT access & quiet study from 10.00 – 14.00 every Wednesday;
• A weekly Job Club every Wednesday from 13.30 – 15.00 to build CVs, personal statements, practise interview techniques, apply for part-time jobs and signposting to where these jobs are advertised;
• Teams ‘Year 11 Leavers and Study Support Team’ has additional work for students who wish to continue their studies;
• Weekly access to Learning Mentors;
• Weekly PE sessions;
• Weekly Art sessions;
• Weekly Technology ‘upcycling’ sessions;
• Weekly Music sessions;
• School-based work experience week from 21 – 25^th There will be a limited number of placements available for well-motivated students within departments of the school.  A full list of placements will be sent to students and they will be asked to write a letter of application and attend an interview. This will be an excellent opportunity to gain experience and a reference for a CV. Due to limited numbers, this will be a competitive process.

A Microsoft Form will be sent to your child later this week and they will be asked to sign up to activities of interest. For safeguarding purposes, all students must sign in and out at reception on the days they attend and at the appropriate times.

On offer from Varndean College and BHASVIC – a series of transition activities for your child.

Varndean College Academic Project: launched on 7^th June:

From June 14th until June 29th 2021- there will be a series of webinars, interactive online lessons and subject specific tasters and projects in each of the subjects they have chosen. There will also be the opportunity for students to partake in subjects they have not chosen but are considering to help them make the right choice before their enrolment interview.

The New Students’ Day will be on June 30th 2021 in college: all students will be in lessons for the day: https://varndean.ac.uk/

Following on from this they will complete their Flying Start s projects from 1st July. This is a considerable, subject specific piece of work in preparation for them starting their academic lives with the college.

Wellbeing and Emotional Transition Support: Varndean’s wellbeing and pastoral team have produced a number of webinars and interactive sessions to support all of their new students to help them to be ready for college.

Further Transition Support: Varndean’s Additional Support and wellbeing department will be organising one to ones with those students who would benefit from a meeting in college, for an individual tour or from some bespoke in-house transition support.

BHASVIC:

BHASVIC Moving On Day: Tuesday 6 July – on this day students will attend a lesson in their chosen courses and they will be set some work to do over the summer. This summer work will enable your child to keep their mind and other skills going and for them to be able to start in September with a little more confidence and familiarity with their chosen course:            https://www.bhasvic.ac.uk/admissions

Weekly, virtual #BeMoreBHASVIC transition webinars and activities, linked to wellbeing, and the neuroscience of successful study – in collaboration with Andrew Wright of NeuroNinja acclaim – will be starting after May half term.

On offer from the National Citizen Service:

If your child wants to experience something a little different, it is worth looking at the National Citizen Service. They offer two-to-three-week summer programmes at very competitive rates. National Citizen Service (NCS) is designed for 16- and 17- year-olds. However, you can go on programme as a 15-year-old, as long as you turn 16 on or by 31 August of the year you apply for:

https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/national-citizen-service

If for any reason you have any concerns about your child’s college offer or future education and training, please contact our careers adviser Natalie Ottaway: NOttaway@PatchamHigh.org.uk

If you have further any further questions about any of the above, please email me: mwarner@PatchamHigh.org.uk

Yours sincerely

Mark Warner
Deputy Headteacher