THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 16 -19 STUDY PROGRAMME

How do we meet the requirements of the 16 – 19 study programme?

All ESFA funded education for 16 to 19 year olds should be delivered as a study programme which combines qualifications and other activities, and which is tailored to each student’s prior attainment and career goals.

• Every study programme must have a core aim. For the majority of students, this will be either the study of substantial technical, applied or academic qualification(s) or preparation for employment

At DCHS our sixth form programme consists of a Level 3 programme. The Level 3 programme is composed mostly of academic qualifications and many students study facilitating subjects. There are a few applied/BTEC courses on offer. 

• Young people who do not hold a GCSE grade 4 (reformed grading) or grade C (legacy grading) in maths and/or English are required to continue these subjects as part of their study programme

At DCHS sixth form all students who do not hold a grade 4 in maths and/or English are provided with time on their programme to retake these subjects.

• AT DCHS we offer a work experience programme in the summer of Year 12 either online or in person and non-qualification activities which complement the other elements of the programme and support the student to progress to further or higher education or to employment as part of our additional learning. The non-qualification activity should develop students’ character, skills, attitudes and confidence.

Students in our sixth form are expected to take part in a number of activities which provide them with the opportunity to develop a range of “soft skills”.

• Tutor time is used effectively to discuss a range of important issues and develop key skills

• Every student in Year 12 takes part in additional learning and online or in person work experience.

• Provider Access Legislation has informed us to provide opportunities to explore a range of 'next step' activities and  opportunities and or visits to prepare for next steps in employment, apprenticeships, gap years, the armed forces or higher education 

• Every student in year 12 has a timetabled PHSCE lesson and the Year 13 PHSCE is currently delivered through tutor time.

• There are opportunities for students to work with a range of local employers and we use our enterprise advisor from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership who gives them the opportunity to have a formal interview

• All students are expected to volunteer either within school or as part of our 'Pay it Forward' Week in the summer of Year 12.

• All students receive careers and future planning support

• Some students in year 12 actively seek work experience placements with the support of the sixth form team and all students have an opportunity to experience in person or online work experience in the summer of Year 12 or at another point in the year as necessary to their career aim.