Different yet the same Getting the Sixth Form

Different, yet the same: Getting the Sixth Form Ethos Right Geoff Barton Headteacher, King Edward VI School, Bury St Edmunds

Different, yet the same: Getting the Sixth Form Ethos Right www. geoffbarton. co. uk Teacher resources: Presentation 76

Opinion, not advice

Us

300+50 A-levels

February 2009

9 Unhelpful words

The overall effectiveness of the sixth form is outstanding. Ofsted February 2009

The overall effectiveness of the sixth form is outstanding. Ofsted February 2009

5 Essential Ingredients

Values

1 Ethos • Expectations • Dress code • Work ethic • Role-model • Perks: Ed’s Place • Environment.

• It’s all about the teaching • Consistency of 2 Attainment expectations • Induction • Targets • Proportionate intervention.

3 Rigour • “Would I be happy …? ” test • Apprenticeship • Learning, not teaching • Recruit experts • Show excellence.

Be intolerant of mediocrity

4 Participation & leadership • Committees • Assemblies • JFK ‘service’ • Mentoring • Leaders • Debating • Track all this.

• Memories • Dressing up 5 Wackiness • Christmas show • Common room • Visibility & mystery = recruitment.

Value-added and values-added

A privilege, not a right

Good enough isn’t good enough

Different, yet the same: Getting the Sixth Form Ethos Right Geoff Barton Headteacher, King Edward VI School www. geoffbarton. co. uk Teacher resources: Presentation 76

Post-16 Workshop: Recruitment – Induction - Results Geoff Barton Headteacher, King Edward VI School www. geoffbarton. co. uk Teacher resources: Presentation 76

Workshop = Ideas Exchange

3 1. Opening rant 2. Group discussions 3. Q&A

Key ingredients: 1 Recruitment 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Know your values Current students Externals – visits/ feel-good factor PR – inside and out Don’t underestimate the ‘wannabe’ factor

Key ingredients: 2 Induction 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Dependence to independence Literacy and resilience: teach them Model: don’t just show Initial induction tasks Tutor time reinforcement Monitor basics – eg file check & study periods

Key ingredients: 3 Results 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. It’s about teaching … Head of Sixth isn’t a simple ‘pastoral’ role Quality doesn’t just happen Post-16 teaching is a privilege, not a right Demonstrate excellence Have house style on homework, etc … and accountability

3 1. Opening rant 2. Group discussions 3. Q&A

Post-16 Workshop: Recruitment – Induction - Results Geoff Barton Headteacher, King Edward VI School www. geoffbarton. co. uk Teacher resources: Presentation 76