Please read this agreement and tick the box at the bottom to agree to this contract.

It is crucial that you read and understand the points.  A paper copy is available, please request one via your mentor or, alternatively, you can print this page.

Students entering the Sixth Form at UTC Plymouth will find many differences from their previous experience of study in Year 11. In particular, students are expected to work far more independently, taking more responsibility for organising their time and developing effective study habits. You will be given guidance in the development of learning skills required for individual subjects by the appropriate teachers and through mentor time. However, there are some general expectations that you should be aware of before embarking on a course in the sixth form.

In particular, please take note of the following attendance and progression policies.


Progression Policy
Entrance onto any sixth form course is dependent on meeting the minimum entry requirements as specified in the sixth form pathway guidance. However, progression once a course is started is not guaranteed unless a minimum standard is maintained throughout  its duration.

Attendance Policy
Our expectation is that all students will maintain 100% attendance. Attendance to both registration and lessons will be formally monitored.
If students attendance falls below 96% a return to college meeting needs to take place between mentor and student.
If Students attendance falls below 90% Mentor meeting needs to take place to set targets for improved attendance to maintain above 96%.  Mentor to monitor for 4 weeks
If no improvement Key Stage Lead and SLT meeting with Parent/Carer (sixth form could lose placement at UTC for below 90% attendance)

It should be stressed that ALL absence will count towards these figures. Authorised absence due to illness, job interviews / training or university visits will nevertheless disadvantage your ability to progress satisfactorily with your studies. Students and their parents/carers must be aware of this and wherever possible students must attend ALL lessons.

Students at UTC Plymouth are expected to:
Attend college registration and all lessons punctually.
Give written notice for approval in advance, to both form and subject teachers, Head of KS5 and to Reception, of any planned future absence.
Complete an absence request form for any planned absences (this does not guarantee approval for absence)
 Provide on the day of return to college following an absence for illness or personal reasons, a letter of explanation from a parent/carer.
In year 12 remain on site during all lessons and registrations utilising private study facilities when not in taught classes, unless a student is performing well across all subjects and is given permission to leave.
 In year 13, attend college as agreed with your form mentor and Key Stage 5 Team (in line with your levels of progress).
Sign-out with Reception if leaving the college at anytime.
 Ensure that any work/assignment missed is completed on return from a period of absence.
Under NO circumstances arrange driving lessons during timetabled lesson times.
 Arrange dental and medical and any other appointments outside timetabled lesson times wherever possible and provide an appointment card from the practice for our attendance records.

Study & Extra-Curricular Participation

Students at UTC Plymouth are expected to:
Prepare fully for ANY formal assessments to ensure progression throughout the year
Devote a significant amount of time each week to independent study. This will include consolidation of work done in class and wider reading or research.
Ensure that any homework/work/assignment/coursework drafts and coursework set is completed on time in agreement with the subject teacher.
Participate in ALL activities specifically arranged for sixth formers by subject departments.
Represent the college, if selected, in STEM, Business, Employer engagement or other extra-curricular activities.
Become fully involved in the college Post 16 enrichment programme.
It is strongly advised that students undertake no more than 10 hours per week paid employment during term time. If students do choose to undertake employment, it should be mainly at weekends.

Regulations & Procedures

Students at UTC Plymouth are expected to:
Act Professionally at all times – we are training you for a work place environment so professionalism is key.  This includes appropriate use of language and appropriate conversations with student colleagues.
Smoking is not allowed on site, in the vicinity of the college, or any area where contact may occur with Key Stage 3/4 Students.
Behave in an appropriate Professional manner as a senior member of the college.
Dress appropriately for studying in sixth form in line with the UTC dress code.
Wear your UTC identification card and Lanyard at all times.
Refrain from using mobile phones, around the site or in any building or room apart from the sixth form study areas and ensure that they are switched off in all lessons and meetings, unless directed by the teacher.  If asked to, please hand in your phone to your lesson teacher.
It is with the discretion of your teacher that you are able to use Headphones, earphones and airpods for work related learning during lesson.  If you are requested to remove headphones, earphones and airpods you will comply with this request and place the items away.
Keep the common room and any sixth form areas litter free and treat facilities with respect at all times.
Attend all lessons.
Check Google Classroom on a regular basis for updates and notices.
Meet all homework and assignment deadlines set.
Attend morning registration on a daily basis unless you have agreed Study Leave
Display respect for all staff, students and property, and be aware of how my actions may affect others.
Refrain from any behaviour, which inhibits the learning of other students.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is taken very seriously in Sixth Form, especially if it is connected with coursework or controlled assessment work.   Plagiarism can result in an exam board cancelling a student’s exam entry and refusing to award a grade.  Students who engage in plagiarism at UTC Plymouth not only risk having their exam papers and coursework disallowed by the exam board, they also risk being ejected from the Sixth Form.


Drivers
Drive with due care and consideration for local residents and other students. Students who drive or park dangerously risk a driving ban from the college premises.
Register details with Reception, of the number plates, make and colour of any car or motorbike/scooter driven to college. We also need to keep a photocopy of your licence to drive or ride a vehicle and a copy of your certificate of insurance for the vehicle in order for you to be able to park it on site. If we do not have details for your vehicle, you will be asked to remove it from the site.

Whole-College Participation
Sixth Formers are in a position to set an example to younger students, and help them by being for example, STEM Ambassador, a Mentor or a School Body Member and by acting responsibly as they would in the workplace. In addition, we expect all students to take part in ONE enrichment activity which is outlined in the enrichment schedule, and attend any talks by visiting speakers during any “Contact” sessions when visitors have been booked to come into college for Year 12s or 13s.

Disciplinary Actions
Failure to follow rules and procedures will result in disciplinary action in line with the Sixth form Behaviour Code:
Stage 1: Verbal Warning (recorded on Arbor, parent/carer contacted)
Stage 2: Written Warning (sent to student and parent/carer, recorded on Arbor)
Stage 3: Disciplinary meeting with Head of KS5, SLT and Governor KS5 lead (Parent and Student invited to attend meeting, at this stage the student’s sixth form place maybe at risk)

UTC Plymouth believes that the college, student and parent/guardians all have an important part to play in making a student’s career in sixth form successful. For this reason, we ask parents/carers to read the undertakings detailed below.  Please ask should you have any questions by emailing peter.bragg@utcplymouth.org

UTC agrees to:
Provide a variety of private study facilities
Provide guidance on learning/ study techniques
Provide regular assessments of performance, opportunities for self-assessment, and target setting
Provide opportunities for the student to get involved in the life of the college