STUDENTS NEW TO THE DOWNS

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STUDENTS NEW TO THE DOWNS
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ACADEMIC STANDARDS

• Highly rated (top 5) for value added performance
  nationally over the last 5 years
• Outstanding results locally- highest A-Level raw
  results ( A/B pass rate and grade per subject)
  and value added results for the previous two
  years.
• 5 years of consistently high performance.
• The most able students perform to a very high
  standard- 7 into Oxbridge in 2012.

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STUDENT SUPPORT

• 2 possible parental meetings
• 3 grade reports
• 2 mentoring meetings with tutors
• Pastoral system strong with daily tutor period
• Academic staff will always endeavour to see
  students in their free periods or at lunchtimes
• Please tell us about examination concessions or
  support you have when you apply!

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SETTLING IN

• Students will be put in tutor groups where they
  know someone or with other new students.
• External students get reported upon after 5 or 6
  weeks of the first term to make sure everything
  is going well.
• I try to have frequent conversations with the new
  students to ensure their well-being.
• Buddy system
• Induction will include a session just for those
  people who didnt come to The Downs

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SOCIALLY

• The Downs is a friendly school. There is always a
  good buzz in the Sixth Form Centre. Many of the
  students are involved in peer mentoring or
  helping in lower school lessons.
• Students help each other.
• This years external students have been very quick
  to settle in.
• A previous Head Boy was a student who came to The
  Downs from another school at the start of Year
  12. The current Deputy Head girl attended another
  school until Year 11.

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Where do our students come from?

• Currently 62 out 200 of our Year 12 are from
  other schools
• We recruit approximately 50/50 from state and
  independent

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Number of places for externals?

• Since the construction of the new Science Centre
  the school now has considerably more space and
  therefore is happy to offer places to suitable
  candidates
• Ideally 200 in the year group again with 60
  external students

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What happens if I want to apply?

• 2nd February 2015 deadline for applications
• Use report data and mock results to help you make
  choices
• You will be written to and called for interview
  after the February half-term.
• We will make offers on a combination of your
  address, the quality of the application, the
  interview and the reference/report from your
  current school.
• Offers will be made before Easter.
• Induction takes place in June/July 2014. You must
  attend or we will put you on our waiting list