Leadership & Skills Development Opportunities
Leadership and Skills Development Opportunities in the Sixth Form at ICHS
PASTORAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Students will be placed in tutor groups and will be placed under the pastoral care of their tutor, their Director of Student Development Team and the Sixth Form. The Personal Development curriculum is designed to prepare students for life in modern Britain, teaching them the skills and understanding they need to keep themselves healthy, happy and safe. Futures lessons, which are careers and personal development focused are also part of the personal development programme.
WELLBEING AND SEND
Our aim at Ilford County will always be to promote positive mental health for every member of our staff and student body. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches directed to all students. Our dedicated team of staff are always happy to see students as a one off or part of a support programme.
At ICHS, the Inclusion Team will support all students identified with SEN. Our role is to support both students and teachers in identifying strategies to provide the student with the best opportunity to reach their potential, both academically and socially.
EXTENDED PROJECT QUALIFICATION EPQ
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a Level 3 Qualification that may be taken in Year 12 alongside A level choices. It is an independent research project in which students choose their own topic, set their own question and carry out their own research. Their will either write a dissertation or produce an ‘artefact’ (such as a computer program, model or piece of artwork) together with a written report.
The EPQ is the equivalent to half an A Level (A* = 28 UCAS points) and can help students stand out in their personal statement or interview, especially if they want to go on to study subjects that are not offered at A Level, or if they wish to apply for competitive courses or places at Russell Group or Oxbridge universities. They will also learn valuable transferable skills, such as independent research, project management, critical thinking, and communication.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE
On entry to the 6th form, students will be required to sign up to the school volunteering program. As part of this programme, all students will complete 12 hours community participation with one of our partner organisations.
Mossford Green Primary School
Peer Tutoring – helping to support primary school students in lessons with learning.
Barking Havering and Redbridge Hospitals
Experience in a hospital setting through a range of voluntary roles, more often ward based, all non-clinical.
Barnardos
Local store assistance with preparing stock for sale, merchandising, filing and customers services.
ELHAP
Support in the coordination of holiday playschemes and term time Saturday Clubs throughout the year for disabled and disadvantaged children from across East London and Essex areas.
National Citizenship Service
Our pupils are invited to take part in the NCS programme which includes aspirational opportunities, NCS provides access to apprenticeships and work experience at extremely prestigious establishments and community engagement.
Wings of Hope Association Award
We offer our pupils a chance to partake in The Wings of Hope Association Award. Our pupils learn exceptional important lifelong skills such as communication, teamwork, entrepreneurship, leadership, finance and above all time management. In teams of up to 6, they organise fundraising projects over a period of 6-12 weeks. This year, two of our pupils won National Awards for raising over £2000.
ENHANCED CURRICULAR & STUDENT LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Students have the opportunity to apply for leadership positions both across the school and within the Sixth Form.
Faith Ambassadors
The Ambassadors of Faith and Belief (AFaB) scheme gives students the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills by attending training workshops and then visiting our local primary schools to deliver presentations on their faith or belief system.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Students have the opportunity to work for the prestigious Gold or Silver Duke of Edinburgh award whilst in the Sixth Form at Ilford County High School. This will enable them to hone their leadership skills as well as developing a range of other competencies and interests. https://www.dofe.org/
SPORTS EXCELLENCE
Students have weekly timetabled PE lessons and can join Elite Sports on Wednesday afternoons. ICHS Sixth Form participate in competitive sports in football, basketball & cricket during Elite sports sessions.
We also have a gym and excellent facilities for use.
The Sports Leadership Award Level 3 is offered to our sixth formers supporting them with enrichment opportunities whilst giving them the chance to add additional qualifications to their applications and CVs. For more information about the Sports Leadership Award see https://www.sportsleaders.org/
CAREERS & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - UNIVERSITY & CAREERS LINKS
University admissions talks and visits, including our partner colleges, Wadham, Oxford University and Newnham College, Cambridge University.
This offers them the ability to explore different degrees and pathways for the future whilst also supplementing their A-Level subjects with higher order knowledge and skills they acquire from these lectures. We also have access to academic support and tutoring from undergraduates at the university for A Level subjects. Our partnerships with Oxbridge Universities allow us to visit with our students several times a year, inspiring and motivating our students to apply. Our partnership with Queen Mary University London provides our students the chance to visit the university and attend talks within different specialisms.
Insight Outreach
Eligible students have the opportunity to apply for Oxbridge Mentoring Scheme. For more information about Insight Outreach see https://insightoutreach.org/
Alumni Visits and Talks
We have a large network of alumni in subjects ranging from finance, engineering, economics, medicine, dentistry and law, who provide opportunities for students to get inside information to secure university places in their chosen subjects and to succeed after graduation in the real world.
Apprenticeship Events
Degree apprenticeships are finally getting the status they deserve and in some cases they have become more competitive to secure than some of the most competitive courses in the country. This is why we ensure our students are getting the best advice from experts in the field and our careers coordinator distributes excellent opportunities as they arise. In collaboration with GCHQ, MI5 and MI6, sixth formers are offered Apprenticeship events. The organisations visit and provide further insight into the Intelligence Agencies. The Recruitment Team discuss how pupils can obtain skills to get into these programmes and support with application processes.
BBC
We offer our pupils the opportunity to partake in the BBCs Technology Apprenticeship schemes as part of our ongoing partnership with the BBC.
Future Leaders
Future Leaders is a free and year-long leadership programme. The award-winning curriculum gives students the tools to achieve their goals and make a positive difference in the community. Students attend online or In-Person weekly sessions around topics such as university and apprenticeship support, standing up to intolerance, and career skills. They will also visit places like 10 Downing Street, Canary Wharf offices, and Oxford University.
Young Reporter Scheme
Young Reporter in conjunction with Newsquest Media Group, run an exciting extra-curricular opportunity for students allowing them to experience what it is like to work for a real live newspaper. It is a fantastic experience for students to put on their CVs and it can be run alongside Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Throughout the scheme, students can apply to cover some exciting events, interviews, theatre reviews, large attractions and other opportunities. For more information about the Young Reporter Scheme see https://www.youngreporter.co.uk/
Nuffield Research Placements
The Nuffield Research Placement develops students’ research and quantitative skills on a short project. For more information see https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/students-teachers/nuffield-research-placements
Fantasy Wings Programme
Year 12 are introduced to the Aviation development programme which introduces students to becoming a professional pilot and the world of Aviation, from Engineering to Aviation Leadership.
InvestIN
Our continuing partnership with InvestIN means pupils can take advantage of the workshops and career insight events. For more information about InvestIN see https://investin.org
Team Up
Our partnership with Team Up means we offer our sixth formers to gain an accredited leadership qualification whilst tutoring disadvantaged pupils. For more information about Team Up see https://teamup.org.uk/ We also work with organisations like The Sutton Trust who run highly competitive long term programmes to prepare students for competitive courses and employment post-18.
Trips and Visits
Sixth formers are invited to a wide range of trips such as the Royal Courts of Justice and The Bank of England to allow them to explore the different avenues and obtain experience in different fields.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Our Year 12 pupils all complete a 5 day work experience placement. It is an opportunity for them to develop and practice new skills and become more confident in their abilities. It is also an excellent dive into future employment routes and can help to focus on career paths and return to education with added purpose. ICHS has partnered with the BEP Group, who will provide all necessary insurance, safeguarding, and safety checks for the placement, whether they find it or students find their own.