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Successful Learning

We believe strongly that a student's academic success in Sixth
Form is less a function of innate ability and more one of developing
the right combination of character traits for successful learning.

Fortnightly assemblies, activities in Tutor time and academic
mentoring throughout the year are used to build the characteristics
of successful learners and help students to fulfill their potential.

In short, as described in the VESPA model of Oakes and Griffin
(2015), the characteristics of a successful learner are:

• Vision a knowledge of what you want to achieve
• Effort a willingness to put in many hours of proactive
independent study
• Systems a robust system for organising your learning
resources and time “My teachers have tremendous passion
• Practice practising and developing the skills required for the subject which is very admirable
by the course
• Attitude being able to respond constructively to setbacks and makes you want to learn and
discuss.”
Based on our regular reporting system, we also identify students
who could benefit from extra support and use the VESPA model Current Student
as a basis for tailoring one-to-one mentoring to enable them to
achieve their potential.
Importantly, such help is always available on request from a Achievement
member of the Sixth Form team for any student and we aim to
involve parents in the process as much as they wish.
“the quality of teaching
and learning in the sixth

Form is enabling students
to achieve well. students
receive highly.”

Ofsted 2020

Alumni profile : Jane Pursey
A Levels : Biology, chemistry,
Maths, spanish and History.
After Ivybridge : russian and
International relations at the
university of Birmingham.
Now working as a Policy Advisor
for the civil service in Defra.
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