DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL NEWS
NEW BTEC COURSE REFLECTS
POCKLINGTON’S INDIVIDUALLY
FOCUSED LEARNING
Sixth form students at Pocklington School are now
being offered a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in
Sport from September 2017, as part of the school’s
commitment to offering a breadth of opportunity in
the curriculum.
BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications
which combine practical learning with subject and
theory content. Each BTEC is equivalent to two A
levels, with equivalent UCAS tariffs.
learning, and our priority is giving every pupil a
chance to develop their own particular strengths.
A personal study portfolio that they find enjoyable
and stimulating gives them every chance to grow
confidence in their ability, as well as to achieve the
best grades.”
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport
has mandatory units in anatomy and physiology;
fitness training and programming for health, sport
and wellbeing, and professional development in
the sports industry. Optional units include sports
leadership and sports psychology.
Laura Powell, Curriculum Director, said: “We are
excited by the breadth and flexibility of opportunity
which the BTEC qualification offers to our sixth form
pupils. A BTEC in Sport along with a complementary
A level subject, will give pupils the opportunity to
achieve their aspirations and decide on the type of
career they wish to pursue.” BTEC has earned a worldwide reputation as
a respected applied learning qualification well
regarded by universities, further education colleges,
and employers. Achievement in the qualification
requires a demonstration of depth of study, a
range of practical skills required for employment or
progression to Higher Education, and the successful
development of transferable skills.
She added: “We take an individual approach to Alongside A levels, BTEC National Diplomas
POCKLINGTON PREP SCHOOL
WELCOMES THREE YEAR OLDS olds to the Pre-Prep School for the first time.
Pocklington School is to extend its pre-school
provision from September, welcoming three-year-
The Pre-Prep, which is on the Pocklington Prep
School site, has been open to four-year-olds since
2010. It will now also welcome three-year-olds into
a pre-s chool class for half and all-day sessions, as well
as wraparound care from 8am to 5.45pm.
Ian Wright, Pocklington Prep School Headmaster,
said: “The Pre-Prep has been a huge success since it
opened to four-year-olds. We have decided to offer
a pre-school class for three-year-olds in response to
parental demand.
“The Pre-Prep has a relaxed, nurturing environment
with spacious classrooms and a lovely outdoor area.
NAOMI’S CREATIVE TALENT
RECOGNISED BY ARKWRIGHT
ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP who use them to pinpoint future stars. Naomi’s
scholarship is supported by technology and
engineering recruitment firm ARM.
Pocklington School student Naomi Allison has been
identified as a future leader in engineering by a
prestigious annual award scheme. Robert Hannigan, Director at GCHQ, who presented
Naomi with her award, said: “I was delighted to meet
such a vast pool of young talent: our future leaders
in engineering, computing and technology. We need
their innovation and invention to meet the cyber-
security challenge, helping to keep the UK a safe
place to live and work online.”
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust granted the sixth
form student an Engineering Scholarship at an
awards ceremony in London for the UK’s most
talented STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Maths) students.
The sixth form scholarships, awarded to GCSE
design students, are highly regarded by university
admissions tutors and industry recruiters. They
are one of the biggest accolades that a sixth form
student can receive. They consist of an annual
financial award, invitations to a range of activities to
complement their sixth form studies and mentoring
support. The scholarships are supported by the
UK’s top engineering employers and organisations,
Scholars are selected for their potential as future
engineering leaders by assessing their academic,
practical and leadership skills in STEM. The rigorous
selection process includes a two-hour, problem-
solving aptitude exam and a university-based
interview.
Naomi said: “I have always been passionate about
engineering and the Arkwright Scholarship helped
me to realise that I could have a future in the industry.
I found the selection process quite a challenge, but I
are the most widely-recognised qualification for
admission to higher education. In 2015, 95% of UK
universities and colleges accepted students with
BTEC qualifications.
Entry requirements to study the BTEC in the Sixth
Form are four B grades and two C grades at GCSE,
as is currently the overall entry requirement.
It’s also part of the Prep School building, which
makes any transition to our Prep School a smooth
one.”
The experienced Pre-Prep staff follow the Early
Years Foundation Stage to provide carefully
planned indoor and outdoor activities. Children
access an exciting range of defined learning areas,
both indoors and outdoors, for mathematics,
construction, investigation, reading, writing, art, role-
play and understanding of the world.
For further details contact Pocklington Prep School
on 01759 321228.
had excellent help through the school and it was a
good experience, which was useful preparation for
university applications. After school I’d like a career
in electronic engineering and I hope the sponsorship
from ARM will help with this.”
Steve Ellis, Head of Design and Technology at
Pocklington School, said: “Naomi stands out because
of her passion and interest in the subject, her depth
of knowledge and her willingness to learn. She is
interested in the broader world outside her school
syllabus; during her
GCSEs she was also
working on her own
project to develop a
prosthetic hand. You
couldn’t meet a more
deserving
student,
and I am sure she will
go on to be a very
able
representative
of the engineering
profession.”
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