Investment in Time, Resources and Study Facilities
At Copleston, we invest heavily in both time and resources and we believe this is the key to our students achieving exam results which are well above national averages and allow many of our students to surpass their own expectations. Here are just some of the ways we achieve this:
High expectations of all students
We don't set limits on what our students can achieve. If you meet the entry requirements to be accepted on a course, we assume you have the potential to achieve the highest grades possible on that subject and will support you to do so. We will support students with any additional needs and provide directed study after school each day for any students who need support with deadlines or with organising their study time. We expect all students to be in school during their study periods and the Sixth Form Centre is open early and remains open after school for any students who want to use our school facilities beyond normal school hours.
Unique study resources and expert course materials
Staff provide access to our own in-house resources via SharePoint and in printed format, with many subjects offering their own detailed course handbooks or workbooks produced by expert teachers. Some departments or teachers also offer their own websites or YouTube channels to support learning.
Investment in the Uplearn study platform
We provide all students with access to Uplearn. This isa platform that provides guided study and revision activities for many of the subjects offered at Copleston. Their website claims that 97% of students who complete all the activities on Uplearn for a subject will achieve an A or A*.
Superb study facilities and investment in IT
We have invested heavily in our study areas, ensuring there are large numbers of IT workstations available, both as laptops and desktops. Students can also connect to our "bring your own device" wi-fi network in any location within school. There are areas more suited to collaborative working and areas where students can work silently. Outside the Sixth Form Centre, many students also choose to use our Learning Resource Centre (library) which has comfortable seating for reading, desks for study and computer workstations for research.
Modern buildings and state-of-the-art facilities
Our Sixth Form Centre has recently been refurbished, with attractive wall-art, modern desks and workspaces and bright, spacious classrooms. Practical subjects take place in specialist areas of the school with new science laboratories and workshops, a dedicated activity studio, dance and drama studios (and a well-equipped stage in the main hall for performances), music classrooms and practice rooms close to the Sixth Form area, spacious art studios and a stunning exhibition space, new 5G sports pitches and tennis courts and a modern sports hall with climbing wall and basketball courts.
Access to refreshments and rest areas
Breaks are very important when studying, so we have a popular Sixth Form Cafe situated within the Sixth Form area where students can buy hot and cold drinks and snacks throughout the day. Down the corridor is the coffee bar which offers an area for students who wish to have their break outside the Sixth Form area. There is a designated outdoor eating and social space exclusively for Sixth Form students and they can also access any other eating or social spaces around the school at break and lunchtimes.
Wellbeing, Attendance, Careers and Pastoral Support
We recognise that our students may be dealing with many external factors that might affect their ability to learn and thrive at Copleston. We offer in-school support and will signpost students to relevant organisations who can help. We have a dedicated attendance officer with a desk in the Sixth Form open area who is a first point of contact for any students who need extra support. Our Director and Assistant Director of Sixth Form both have offices within the Sixth Form area with doors open onto the main study areas so that they are approachable and available. Our Head of School is also located in the Sixth Form area, as is our main ICT office and Reprographics Suite, meaning that students have easy access to a range of services and support. We also have a dedicated careers hub close to the Sixth Form Centre.
Free revision sessions with expert teachers
Our staff REALLY want their students to succeed and will go the extra mile to help them! In most subjects, expert staff will give up their own time after school, free of charge, to provide targeted revision sessions to students. These are always well-attended and hugely appreciated by students. New students are often surprised at just how willing Copleston staff are to give up their time to offer individual support or mentoring and to help them succeed.
Free holiday booster sessions
Many subjects also offer booster sessions during school holidays when exams are closer. Although we strongly encourage independent study, students appreciate the reassurance of having contact with their teachers over the holidays and to receive extra exam input. These are all offered free of charge to students.
Support with Study Skills and Motivation
We incorporate study skills into our APEX Enrichment programme, deliver additional content via assemblies and invite external providers such as MaximiseYP to deliver motivational study skills sessions to our students. Our students understand the science behind successful studying and the scientifically proven study methods that will help them achieve the highest results possible.
