Malvern College recognises that, at this unprecedented time, we need to continue our care and support of all our pupils right through the Summer Term.
Malvern College has produced a series of courses for our Hundred (Year 11 and Pre 6th) pupils to follow as preparation for joining the Sixth Form in September. We have also produced University Bridging Courses for our Upper Sixth pupils to prepare them for their final exams and in securing places at University.
Hundred (Year 11 and Pre 6th) Courses
As part of our commitment to a first-class education, we are delighted to launch these courses which aim to bridge the gap between the content and skills developed through the GCSE courses, and the level of skill and specific subject understanding that is needed for success in both A level and IB Diploma programmes.
Core Skills
Each course will have a focus on the following core skills:
Numeracy » Literacy (academic writing) » Reading » Note-taking » Academic integrity » Planning » IT
*Subject -Specific Skills Each individual course will also focus on its subject-specific skills as well as the application of the core skills listed above.
Outline of Bridging Course Programme
We are very clear that our Bridging Courses are not an opportunity to start IB or A level courses early. Pupils choose the subjects that they are studying as their IB higher level choices or as their A levels in the Sixth Form. There will be four periods per week, per course. The course is a five-week course. Those predicted GCSE grade 4, or lower, after the January trial examinations at Maths and/or English language will have weekly support lessons during the fiveweek programme.
Assessment
At the end of each course pupils will be assessed (self, peer and teacher assessment) by a variety of methods (continuous assessment, essay, presentation, video, poster, performance etc.) based on their skill development rather than subject knowledge.
Summary
The aim of the Bridging Courses is for pupils to become self-aware about the skills they have and the skills they need to develop further to enable success in the Sixth Form, and this level of self-awareness will be reflected in their end-of-term report. They will then take this awareness of areas they need to develop and strengthen into the Lower Sixth as they embark on their IB and A level courses.
Upper Sixth Bridging Courses
The bridging programme aims to provide our Upper Sixth pupils with subject specific academic and intellectual stimulation as well as skills focused courses and so provide them with valuable preparation for moving on to Higher Education or work. Pupils in the Upper Sixth may choose up to 3 or 4 courses from the options open to them, outlined below:
1. Continuation of subject specific study in some, or all, of a pupil’s A level or IB subjects, either as preparation for an Autumn sitting of IB or A level exams, or, purely for further academic interest.
2. Essay writing and research skills for university courses.
3. A Careers Preparation course.
4. University subject specific preparation – either some pre-course reading or a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) or a combination of both supported by an academic Mentor in defined subject areas courses. Run by academic departments. 5. More general MOOCs for which there will be less external support, but tutors will monitor and discuss their tutees’ progress with them.