Sixth Form Code

The Sixth Form is an influential, important and integral part of the Our Lady of Sion School community. Pupil responsibilities and our expectations therefore, are clearly very high and the same basic rules apply to the Sixth Form as to the uniformed part of the school, within somewhat more relaxed guidelines.

Students should remember that they are part of a community and, as such, are expected to be good role models for the rest of the school. This means understanding and respecting and supporting the school's Christian ethos of ‘Consideration Always'.

Attendance and Punctuality
Good punctuality throughout the day and regularity of attendance are very important life skills and a form of politeness. For all Sixth Form students, the school day lasts from 8.40 a.m. until 3.40 p.m. Students are expected to be on the school premises throughout the day. They must attend all lessons and activities for which they are timetabled and join in all assemblies and acts of worship. Students may leave the premises for short periods after 10.20 a.m. and during the lunch break. At these times, they must sign out in order to conform to the Health and Safety Regulations.

ALL sixth form students must register with their tutor at 8.40 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. Any student not present will be marked absent, as is the case with the rest of the school. A letter or medical certificate must be provided to support any absence from school. Year 13 students need not attend registration sessions at ‘non-assembly times' when they have a block of free time, provided written consent has been given by parents.

Dress and Behaviour
Sixth form students are not required to wear school uniform, but we do ask them to dress appropriately for a working environment and as representatives of the school. Extremes of fashion in dress or appearance, including beach wear, visible tattoos and body piercing, with the exception of earrings (small ring or stud), are not permitted.

As Sixth Form students they should remember that they are still members of Our Lady of Sion School and, as such, have a responsibility to the remainder of the school.

They are expected to set an example in their movement and behaviour around the school. Chewing gum should not be used on the school premises at any time. The thoughtless disposal of chewing gum is unpleasant and can cause damage to equipment and clothing. Loud and otherwise silly behaviour and playing games in the inner quad is inappropriate.

Students must not smoke in and around the school premises at any time, including Gratwicke and Crescent Road. Alcohol must not be consumed on the school premises or at any time during the school day.

A student found in possession of illegal drugs on the school premises may be reported to the police, expelled, or suspended. The school reserves the right to suspend or expel a student who is convicted of a criminal offence.

Private Study
Apart from timetabled sessions, students in the Sixth Form should expect to spend time on their own work, reading and background studies. Students should spend 3-4 hours per A/S subject per week in study, this increasing to approximately 7 hours per subject at A2 level. Many sixth formers at first find it extremely difficult to organise their study time. They may use the resource Centre or rooms in the Sixth Form Block for private study. We ask them to respect the need for quiet in study periods and to use this time effectively for themselves and other students. Personal stereo systems only may be used in the Sixth Form Block and studies.

Academic Progress
Academic progress will be closely monitored throughout the course by monthly progress reporting, in addition to the usual testing and reporting procedure. If studenst fail to reach the required standard in the end of year A/S examinations they will not be able to continue to study that subject at A2 level.

Surroundings and Environment
Students are expected to show support for the school in its undertakings and respect its buildings and equipment. We all have the right to work in unspoiled surroundings. All members of the Sixth Form have a corporate responsibility to look after and keep the Sixth Form Block tidy; graffiti is unacceptable. They may decorate the common room and studies with posters, but these must be vetted by the tutors. A weekly rota will be drawn up to ensure this is the case.

Part-time Employment
Bearing in mind the requirements for study at home, students need to consider their priorities and the allocation of their time carefully, if they are already working part-time or looking for a part-time job. We ask that they keep their commitments to employment to a minimum. A Sixth Form student would be ill advised to undertake part-time employment for more than eight hours per week. For many people, even eight hours is too many.

Holidays and Courses
During the Sixth Form, holidays must take second place to work. AS and A2 courses are modular which means that exams take place twice yearly. This is in addition to any ongoing coursework. There is a vast amount of work to be covered so the pressure is on from the start of the course. Therefore students must not arrange holidays during term time. We are delighted to hear that students have supplemented their studies by going on courses during the holidays, but do not expect them to do this during term time unless organised by the school.

Duties
Sixth Form students are encouraged to play a part in school activities and so develop managerial and leadership qualities. All sixth formers in Year 12 are expected to assist the staff in maintaining order and discipline throughout the school, particularly during break and lunch hours, when they are expected to perform one lunch duty per week.

Many sixth formers will also hold important posts as Form, House, Charity, Public Relations, and Careers Prefects. All sixth formers are expected to fully support the House activities.

Motor Vehicles
Students are welcome to use their own transport in order to get to school. However, we must remind them that there are no facilities for parking on the school premises.

The school reserves the right to amend this policy (2009).