Applying to DPA Sixth Form

How do I apply to the Sixth Form?

Visit the DPA website – sixth form – click on the application form tab https://dittonparkacademy.applicaa.com/2

Complete application form electronically and submit it.

How do I find out about individual subjects?

On the Sixth Form DPA web page there is a tab that you can click on called Subjects. Each subject has its own page that can be accessed through the Welcome page:

https://www.dittonparkacademy.co.uk/1088/welcome-page

What happens next?

Internal students will be offered a Sixth Form face-to-face interview that will take place at the school with one of the Upper School Team. The details will be posted on the Year 11 Teams.

External candidates may be offered an interview prior to results day or this will take place on results day. It is imperative that external candidates are accurate in their application – if a reference is not received via Applica  the application will not be progressed.  Please ensure that the email address for your referee is accurate and check in with them that they have completed it. If you have not heard from DPA this is usually the reason why.

What will I be asked?

You will be asked what qualifications you wish to study and why, about your future career aspirations and why you would like to come to DPA.

What happens if I am successful at interview?

You will be emailed a conditional acceptance. This means that you must gain the required grades and accept your place to DPA Sixth Form on results day via the Applica software. If you have accepted the place on the results day and have gained the grades for a place you must come to the school on results day for a 1:1 enrollment  where subjects are confirmed / changed depending on grades, class capacity and availability. It is important that you have a fourth subject in mind in case the class is full for a subject. The schedule of timings for the meetings will be posted on the Year 11 Teams.

What happens if I forget to do this?

You may lose your place at DPA as classes will be filled with students who have accepted places and spaces will be offered to external students who have accepted or are on the waiting list. You MUST ACCEPT the conditional offer on results day.

Am I allowed to apply to more than one sixth form provider?

Yes, you can apply to as many as you like, but do remember all schools usually accept their internal students first. You might lose your place at DPA if you are waiting to hear back from another school on Results Day – especially if they do not ring external students till the day after Results Day.

Schools need to fill their places and cannot risk waiting for possible students when there are students keen to accept places. If we have not heard back from you, we might offer your place to a student on the waiting list in the afternoon of Results Day.

Do universities accept all A’ Levels and BTEC qualifications?

Universities will accept all the qualifications that we are offering at DPA. It depends on which degree or Foundation course you are applying for concerning which subjects and grades you need. Some specialist courses such as Medicine and Engineering require specific subjects being studied.

What is the difference between A’ Levels and Level 3 BTEC qualifications?

A Level 3 BTEC is equivalent to an A’ Level however there are only 4 grades awarded for this qualification: D*, Distinction, Merit and Pass. These are equivalent to: A*, A, C and E grades at A’ Level. The BTEC qualification will be mainly coursework assignments that examine a vocational context with some content in timed examinations.

The A’ Level will consist of two formal external examinations – depending on the A’ Level it might include 30% examination coursework. The A’ Level examinations will take place at the end of Year 13 – with the BTEC qualification any examinations might take place during the two-year course.

Providing assignments have been submitted on time, students may be allowed to re-submit work. Both are accepted at universities.

Do all sixth form students have to attend registration AM each morning?

Yes. Students attend a 20-minute AM time in the morning where important topics are discussed and notices distributed. Students may attend online if they do not have a period one lesson.

At DPA students are put into Academic Mentoring groups (know as Tutorial or Form groups at other schools) and they will be comprised of Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 students. This is known as Vertical Tutoring. This enables Year 12 to develop leadership skills as they support Year 11 students.

Do all sixth form students have to attend assemblies?

Yes, students are required to attend the assembly that takes place on Friday at 8.40am.

Is there a dress code for Sixth Form students?

Yes, smart business clothes – suit for boys with shirt and tie, and skirt / trouser and blazer with blouse for girls. No trainers are allowed. See the dress code on the DPA Sixth Form page.

Can a student change their A’ Level or BTEC?

Students will have the first two weeks in which to request a subject change. They must check the grade requirements, class capacity and whether it fits on the option box and attend a lesson in the subject that they wish to change into having arranged this with the Subject Lead. They must submit a change of request form demonstrating that these procedures have been followed. They will then be informed if the subject change has been agreed.

Can a student reduce their A’ Levels to two?

No, it is a requirement that all students study for three A2 subjects, which can be A’ Level or Level Three BTEC qualifications. A student will not be permitted to drop a subject thereby only studying two qualifications.

Who pays for the examinations?

Students who are enrolled for a course will be entered for the appropriate examinations as long as the department recommends entry.

Entry for GCSE Mathematics and English below level 4 are paid for by the school and are compulsory; GSSE English and Maths above grade 4 would be private entry e.g. if a student wanted to gain a grade 6.

What are the rules about lanyards?

All students will be provided with an ID Lanyard and they must be worn while engaged in school activity.

 If I don’t have any lessons, do I have to stay at school?

Students have to attend school every day till 11am, even if they do not have a lesson before 11am. They are expected to attend all timetabled sessions, activities and interventions. Should they not have lessons after 11am they are permitted to go home to study as students are allocated lessons for private study – after 11am, they can choose to study at home as long as they do not have lessons and have signed out electronically.

We have the Sixth Form Common room, booths in the restaurant and designated areas for students to use for studying. Students must sign the appropriate register in the Sixth Form Common room and restaurant for health and safety reasons and wear their lanyards at all times around the school.

If a student leaves school during the school day, he /she must sign out at reception and sign in when coming back into school.

Can I bring a laptop/Ipad into class to make notes on it?

Yes, you can bring laptops / Ipads into school to work and make notes to help progress your learning. Please note the student is responsible for looking after it.

What is the school’s policy on mobile phones?

Mobile phones must be placed on silent or turned off when you are in class. They must always be kept stored away (in pockets or bags) in lessons or in any working areas, unless otherwise instructed.

You may use your phones in the sixth form common room but you must not use your phone whilst walking in the corridors and around school as you are a role model to the younger students.

How do I apply for the Bursary?

Request a Bursary form from Ms Findlay, our Upper School Pastoral Manager. Follow the instructions on the form and submit the completed form bringing in evidence of required documents to Ms Findlay. If the application is successful, she will arrange a 1:1 meeting with you to discuss how you can be supported.

What does Enrichment involve?

Each department aims to provide super-curricular and enrichment opportunities, such as: promoting additional wider reading, organising workshops or events with professionals, arranging excursions and trips, highlighting career opportunities or work experience and participation in national competitions. These are just some examples. Enrichment and leadership opportunities will also be advertised on the Year Teams. We have a range of leadership opportunities at the school. We work closely with our feeder primary schools with sixth form students supporting in lessons or assisting in their school fayres. We have strong partnerships with a range of universities who come into the school to support our students. Students also participate in and organise our Cultural Days of celebration.

Will I have the opportunity for Work Experience?

To be confirmed – dates and times.

Will I receive Careers Support?

Yes, you will be offered careers interviews with Advizor, a professional Careers organisation.

Are there Leadership opportunities?

Yes, you can apply to be a Lead Prefect which is our equivalent to a Head Girl or Head Boy and you can apply to be a Senior Prefect.

There are a variety of roles: such as Subject Ambassador, Peer Mentor, Mental Health Champion, Parliamentary Prefect, Social Events Prefect, Charity Prefect, Sports Prefect…  You may be asked to support students by subject teachers in lessons and during AM time in interventions, assisting at Open Day Events. Students can volunteer to lead in assemblies and in our Outreach work for example presenting to students in our feeder primary schools. We encourage all our students to take up leadership opportunities. These will be advertised on the Year Teams and in the AM notices.

Is PE compulsory in the Sixth Form?

No, you can support the PE department leading on sports enrichment, supervising events and supporting in lessons, or playing in games for GCSE moderation and you can  take part in sports House competitions and Sports Day but these are voluntary.

Are there Sixth Form sports teams?

There is a senior football team and senior netball team for you to represent your school.