ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS

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ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
PROSPECTUS
2021

 ST DAVID’S CATHOLIC
 SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
Thank you for your interest in St David’s
          Catholic Sixth Form College. We hope
          this brochure will help you make key
          decisions about your future.

          First and foremost, we strive to be a
          community that gives witness to our
          Catholic and Christian values and
WELCOME
          beliefs. Our prime focus is the search for
          truth and meaning and we seek to help
          all young people in our care to reflect
          critically on the ultimate questions of life
          and develop their faith in God.

          Although admissions priority is given
          to our students from our four Catholic
          partner schools, we welcome students
          of all faiths and backgrounds. Whoever
          you are, and whatever it is that makes
          you unique in the sight of God, we will
          value that uniqueness at St David’s.

          We have a dedicated and professional
          teaching staff assisted by excellent
          administrative and support staff. We
          are very proud of our reputation for
          academic excellence and in 2019, our
          students achieved outstanding A Level
          and BTEC results yet again. It is our
          hope that this strong academic and
          caring ethos will inspire you to reach
          your full potential.

          We hope that you will find much joy
          and happiness planning your sixth
          form options, and we look forward to
          welcoming you to St David’s College.

                          Mark Leighfield, Principal

 2
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
I JUST WANT TO       ...THIS HAS HELPED
THANK YOU SO               HER TO FULFIL
MUCH FOR ALL           HER DREAMS AND
OF THE SUPPORT          SHE HAS GAINED
AND EDUCATIONAL       ACCEPTANCE INTO
EXCELLENCE YOU       THE UNIVERSITY OF
HAVE GIVEN TO MY      BRISTOL TO STUDY
DAUGHTER...        ANATOMY. I’M A VERY
                         GRATEFUL MUM.
                          Annie Brown, Parent

                                                3
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
6-7                      8-11                      12-13
        STUDENT                  COURSE                      STUDENT
        PROFILE               INFORMATION                  PERSPECTIVE
       Details of the fully     Types of courses, the     A first-hand experience
      rounded education       list of courses available   from one of our former
    that we provide all our     & entry requirement                students
           students                     details

         22-23                      24-27                      28-29
       FACILITIES             ENRICHMENT                    HONOURS
                                                           PROGRAMME
    From the sports hall to    Clubs, sports, trips,
    music rehearsal space,      visiting speakers,            A detailed look
     to cinema, St David’s    events, music, drama,          at all the Honours
       has a lot to offer      engineering... you         Programme has to offer
                               name it, we offer it!

         34-35                      36-37                      38-39
     GETTING TO                 FINANCE &                      AFTER
      COLLEGE                      EMA                       ST DAVID’S
    Bus prices, routes and     Cashless and online          Support offered for
       how to register          payment options,           your onward journey
                              EMA info and financial
                                   assistance

         44-45                      46-47
         OUR                         OPEN
       PARTNERS                      DAYS
    Details on our Catholic     Open event details
          partnership         including dates, times
                              & booking information

4
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
14-17                       18-21
   LEARNING                     COLLEGE
    SUPPORT                      ETHOS
  All the ways that we        Covering everything

                                                        CONTENTS
are here to support you     from retreat days to the
 from the moment you          Jesuit Pupil Profile to
       apply to us           our inclusive approach

      30-31                       32-33
SCHOLARSHIPS                 WELSH BACC
   The scholarships           Full details on what
available, how to apply      you will cover during
and what we’re looking        your Level 3 Welsh
  for in an applicant       Baccalaureate sessions

      40-41                       42-43
   PARENT                    APPLICATION
 PERSPECTIVE                  PROCESS
Don’t take our word for      How, when and what
it, read about a parent’s      happens next
       experience

                                                               5
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
St David’s is about so much
          more than coming in for
          lessons and going home
          again. We endeavour to
          enrich the whole person
          by drawing together all
          the work we undertake as
          members of the community,
          including our personal and
          spiritual development, our
          volunteering, our extra-
          curricular activities, and
          our academic studies, and
          making them connect in a
          single picture we call the
          Student Profile. It is our hope
          that, by the time a student
          leaves us at the end of their
          course, they will have had the
    STUDENT
          chance to grow in a number
          of areas, and so go out into
          the world far more equipped
    PROFILE
          to deal with its challenges
          than if they knew only about
          a few specific subjects. Above
          all, we want our students to
          leave with a sense of their full
          value as human beings: that
          is, beloved children of God,
          made up of mind, body, and
          soul.

6
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
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                             Christ at the Heart
                                                                                                               7
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
“

                                                  COURSE TYPES
      ST DAVID’S IS THE IDEAL

                                              “
    BRIDGE BETWEEN SCHOOL
     AND HIGHER EDUCATION
              Parent of a former pupil from
                Corpus Christi High School

      St David’s has a flexible
         programme offering
          courses that can be
        tailored to match our
            students’ personal
       abilities, prior learning
         and choice of career.

8
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
LEVEL 2                                 LEVEL 3

At Level 2, the College offers one-     The vast majority of our students
year courses appropriate for students   study at Level 3. These courses
who do not meet our requirement for     comprise AS/A Levels and vocational
the Level 3 programmes.                 equivalents such as BTEC Nationals.
                                        Students with at least six Cs at GCSE
After successful completion of our      will be eligible to study A Level
Level 2 programme, students will        courses, students with five Cs and
be invited to apply for our Level 3     above at GCSE/Level 2 BTEC will be
                                        eligible to study vocational courses.
courses.
                                        Some Level 3 courses have particular
                                        course entry requirements. Please
BTEC First vocational courses
                                        refer to individual course information
available at St David’s are:            for details.
   • Business                           Selecting the best possible courses
   • Creative Digital Media             is a key decision to make, and often
     Production                         a challenging one. It is helpful for
   • Health and Social Care             students to consider what they are
   • Information and Creative           really interested in and why, what
     Technology                         is important to them, their career
                                        prospects, and the courses available
Our GCSE courses are also open to       with the grades they have achieved.
Level 3 students who wish to resit.
GCSE resit courses available are:
                                        THE WELSH BACCALAUREATE
   • English Language
   • Mathematics                        All Level 3 students study the
   • Science                            Welsh Baccalaureate within the
                                        pastoral programme. The Welsh
                                        Baccalaureate Skills Certificate is
                                        graded A*-E and is equivalent to
                                        an A Level worth up to 56 UCAS
                                        points. Students participate in
                                        four challenges over a two-year
                                        period. These challenges include:
                                        the Enterprise and Employability
                                        Challenge, the Global Citizenship
 Full course details, entry             Challenge, the Community
 criteria and results can be            Participation Challenge and an
 found on our website:                  Individual Project.

stdavidscollege.ac.uk/our-courses
                                                                                 9
ST DAVID'S CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM COLLEGE - PROSPECTUS
COURSES
           LEVEL 3: A LEVEL

           Art and Design
           Biology
           Business
           Chemistry
           Computer Science
           D&T: Product Design
           Drama & Theatre
           Economics
           English Language & Literature
           English Literature
           Film Studies
           French
           Geography
           German
           Government & Politics
           History
           Law
           Mathematics
           Mathematics (Double)
           Media Studies
           Music
           Physical Education
           Physics
           Psychology
           Religious Studies
           Sociology
           Spanish
           Welsh - 2nd Language

           LEVEL 3: WJEC DIPLOMA

           Criminology
           Medical Science

10
Please be aware that the College may not

                                    stdavidscollege.ac.uk/our-courses
                                                                        be able to provide services or courses
LEVEL 3: BTEC                                                           due to a range of circumstances, such as:
                                                                        low class numbers resulting in a course
                                                                        being uneconomic to run; severe weather
Business                                                                conditions; severe damage to buildings or
                                                                        equipment; and any circumstances which
Health & Social Care                                                    may affect the Health and Safety of staff or
                                                                        students. In such circumstances, the College
IT                                                                      reserves the right to withdraw or suspend
Law                                                                     any course or service without notice.
Music Technology - Production
Performing Arts - Musical Theatre
Science (Applied)
Sports Coaching and                                                     Please note that this list is subject to
                                                                        change. An up-to-date list can be found
Development                                                             on our website along with full course
                                                                        information and entry criteria.
LEVEL 2: BTEC

Business
Creative Digital Media Production
Health & Social Care
Information and Creative
Technology

LEVEL 2: GCSE

English Language
Mathematics
Science (Double)

                                                                                                                   11
allowed to take other subjects, to
      MEG IS A FANTASTIC                       keep following new interests and
      EXAMPLE OF                               benefit from the philosophy of St
      HOW SEIZING AN                           David’s that all learning is beneficial,
      OPPORTUNITY AND                          even if it doesn’t necessarily seem to
      WORKING HARD                             tick a requirement or an objective.
      TO IMPROVE HER                           I’d given up the idea of applying to
      RESULTS, LED TO HER                      the highly competitive unis, but in
      CHANGING HER PATH                        response to the encouragement from
      IN LIFE, AND IT SEEMS                    my third-year tutor, the chaplain, the
      SHE COULDN’T BE                          UCAS officer – pretty much the whole
      HAPPIER...                               staff – I changed one of my options to
                                               the University of Oxford.

     I didn’t get it right first time round.   Throughout the application, I never
     The range and magnitude of the            felt a lack of support or faith in me. I
     choice to go to university, where to      was able to work on my own terms,
     go and what to do overwhelmed me,         being given advice when I asked for it
     and frankly I wasn’t ready.               but always focusing on being myself.

     After discussing it with my personal      St David’s had allowed me to wait
     tutor, I decided to withdraw from         until I was ready to move on to the
     UCAS. Far from making me feel             next stage of my life – ready to make
     like a failure, it was one of the most    those terrifying decisions, and accept
     liberating choices I’ve ever made,        whatever the outcome was.
     precisely because I knew St David’s
     would make sure I didn’t fall through     I gained a place, and have now
     the cracks. I was allowed onto the        started my third year studying English
     third-year programme, RASMA;              at Oxford. I definitely wouldn’t be
     after receiving my A Level grades,        here - and definitely wouldn’t be
     I decided I needed to re-sit a few        enjoying it so much - if I hadn’t gone
     modules if I was to get the best          to St David’s. And I couldn’t say how
     chance at university, and the teaching    grateful I am without rambling on for
     staff could not have been more            years.
     wonderful.
                                               The College lets you be a human
     In each of my A Level subjects, I was     being and an individual, and I believe
     allowed to join classes as I needed,      it’s that, along with all the academic
     and was given boundless support           achievements, that makes it a place
     by the teachers who cared so much         where true ‘potential’ is reached.
     about my progress and wellbeing.
     Perhaps most importantly, I was                 Meg Harrington, former student

12
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NO
‘ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL’ PATH THAT STUDENTS
TAKE AFTER THEY LEAVE US. WE ARE
SIMPLY HERE TO SUPPORT AND FACILITATE
STUDENTS AS THEY WORK OUT WHICH
PATH IS BEST FOR THEM.

 A STUDENT
PERSPECTIVE                              13
“HAVING HAD A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE AT
 A SIXTH FORM FURTHER AFIELD, ST DAVID’S
 PROVIDED ME WITH HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
 AND OPPORTUNITIES (SUCH AS PURSUING AN
 APPRENTICESHIP OR STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY)
 BECAME REALISTIC ONCE AGAIN.

 IN KEEPING WITH THEIR CATHOLIC ETHOS, THEY
 GAVE ME ANOTHER CHANCE – I WENT FROM CDE
 AT AS LEVEL ELSEWHERE TO AAA AT AS LEVEL AT
 ST DAVID’S.”

                                        Bradley

 “I HAD DREAMED OF GOING TO OXFORD SINCE I
 STARTED SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND BECAUSE OF
 ST DAVID’S, THIS IS NOW A REALITY!”

Ceri

 “ST DAVIDS COLLEGE HAS BEEN A GREAT
 STEPPING STONE BEFORE UNIVERSITY! I MET LOTS
 KNOWLEDGEABLE TEACHERS AND MADE SOME
 FRIENDS FOR LIFE. THE MEDICINE PREPARATION
 PROGRAMME GAVE ME AN INSIGHT OF MY
 FUTURE AND SUPPORTED ME THROUGH MY TIME
 AT COLLEGE.”

                                             Izzah
“I DIDN’T KNOW IF I WANTED TO GO TO ST DAVIDS
AT THE BEGINNING BUT ONCE I GOT THERE I
FOUND A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF STAFF
AND STUDENTS THAT HELPED ME FULLY REALISE
MY POTENTIAL.

                                          Beth

MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AT ST DAVID’S COLLEGE
WAS, IN SHORT, PHENOMENAL. STUDYING THERE
ALLOWED ME TO HAVE A GREAT SOCIAL AND
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AS I WAS LEARNING WITH
PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND BEING
TAUGHT BY OUTSTANDING AND HIGHLY QUALIFIED
TEACHERS.

DESPITE THE JUMP FROM GCSE TO A-LEVEL BEING
A HUGE ONE, MY TEACHERS HELPED ME SLOWLY
CLOSE THE GAP AND THROUGH EACH OF THEIR
UNIQUE TEACHING METHODS, THEY ALLOWED
FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN THE TWO
STAGES.

Hesham
PUTTING
     WE BELIEVE IN TREATING EACH PERSON
     AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND ARRANGE
     SUPPORT TO ENCOURAGE OPTIMUM
     ACHIEVEMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT.

14
YOU FIRST
We have a strong commitment to            they find challenging, things they are
building and developing a sound           worried about, and what support they
working relationship with students        have had in the past.
and maintaining contact with parents
and guardians to ensure the College       The main aim of this first session is to
is supporting all students effectively.   put together an action plan to help
                                          students to achieve their full potential
SPECIFIC LEARNING SUPPORT                 during their time at St David’s.

Our fully refurbished Learner Support     STUDY SUPPORT
Centre (LSC) aims to provide advice
and support to students about any         In addition to supporting students
aspect of College life, and to those      with additional learning needs, be
with additional learning needs.           they educational, physical or health
                                          needs, St David’s is committed
The LSC works with students in a          to supporting the study needs of
number of different ways, depending       students of all abilities throughout
on the nature of the barriers to          the College. Support Assistants and
learning and what best suits the          qualified teaching staff are available
individual student. For example,          to help students with any aspect of
we offer: additional, quiet working       their study.
space, one-to-one academic support,
advisory appointments, screenings         COUNSELLING SERVICES
for specific learning difficulties,
coordination of support and               As well as a pastoral tutor, students
reasonable adjustments for students       have access to the College Chaplain,
where necessary, referral to the peer     and the Chaplaincy team. An
mentoring scheme, and referral to         independent counsellor is also
external support organisations.           available to talk about any personal
                                          concerns you may have. This service
Preliminary appointments will take        is free and available to all students.
place in one of our confidential          Appointments may be made
office spaces in the Learner Support      anonymously and all discussions are
Centre. During this first appointment,    subject to a confidentiality policy.
students will be introduced to the
LSC and we will discuss how we may
be able to help. We will ask students
about any aspects of learning that

                                                                                     15
LOOKED AFTER YOUNG PEOPLE                SAFEGUARDING

     The designated member of staff           Student safety and welfare is
     with responsibility for promoting        paramount to us here at St David’s.
     the educational achievement of           We have two safeguarding officers
     children who are looked after is         who work on site at all times. If you
     Jamie Beynon, who is the Director of     have any concerns about your safety
     Studentship. He will:                    or welfare, or the safety or welfare of
                                              another student, it is really important
         • oversee arrangements in place      that you tell someone.
           for the admission of looked
           after young people;                Details on who to speak to and how
         • monitor, through support with      to contact them will be provided to
           pastoral tutors, attendance,       all students during the first week of
           assessment and achievement         term in September.
           data of looked after young
           people;                            EXAM SUPPORT
         • facilitate catch up arrangements
           when the gaps in the young         If you were entitled to exam
           person’s knowledge and             arrangements at school and would
           education are identified;          like to continue at St David’s, you will
         • encourage the young person’s       need to bring copies of your tests,
           engagement with College            reports, or medical evidence.
           clubs, the student council or
           additional revision sessions;      We would recommend booking an
         • arrange access to a safe haven     appointment at the LSC to discuss
           or College-based counselling if    this.
           required;
         • ensure Personal Education Plans    For UCAS and careers support
           (PEPs) are completed and the       information, please see ‘After St
           multi-agency review meetings       David’s’ on page 38
           can be attended;
     oversee arrangements for when a
     young person leaves the College as
     a result of a placement move or at a
     natural leaving point.

                                              Visit our website for more information
                                              on all of the support offered:

          stdavidscollege.ac.uk/support-and-welfare
16
ST DAVID’S
 YOUNG CARERS                               FREE MEALS
 ENVIRONMENT
 ARE YOU A YOUNG CARER?                     If you or your parents are in receipt
 ENABLED ME TO                              of one of the following benefits you
 PUSH         MYSELF
 • Do you give physical and
       emotional  support and/or
                                            can apply for free meals:

 AND GROW care
       provide  personal  TOto people       • Job Seekers Allowance (Income
       in your household?                   Based)
 •BECOME
       Do you care A    MORE
                    for parents, siblings   • Income Support
  CONFIDENT,
       or other family members?
  • Do you look after your brothers
                                            • Income Related Employment
                                            Support Allowance
  DRIVEN
       and sisters?AND                      • Universal Credit
  MORE         SOCIABLE
  If you have answered   yes to any of      Proof of benefit will need to be
  LEARNER.
  these  questions, St David’s is fully     provided.
 committed to supporting you.
Mel Benedict
Current Student
 There are lots of ways we can
 support you, including:

 •   Providing financial support
     (dependent on household
     income)
 •   Connecting you to other support
     agencies
 •   Allowing you to keep your
     mobile turned on so you are
     accessible at all times
 •   Creating a college timetable that
     suits your specific needs, where
     possible
 •   Providing emotional support
 •   Creating contingency plans if
     there are certain times that are
     more pressurised for you.

                                                                                    17
YOUR SPIRITUAL & PERSONAL

CHAPLAINCY
         GROWTH

         A Catholic College is a community
         which strives to be genuinely and
         fully human, where people can
         grow and develop while feeling at
         home and valued.

         The College aims to offer all the
         opportunity of an education, of
         training for a job, and of human
         and Christian formation. The
         spirit of the Gospel is at the heart
         of our way of life, relationships
         and community. Thus we affirm
         the value of each member of the
         College community - whether
         student or staff - and have
         concern for the whole person and
         the uniqueness of the individual.
         This entails sharing each other’s
         strengths and being sensitive to
         one another’s weaknesses, as
         well as striving for the highest
         expectations of personal growth
         and achievement.

18
CHAPLAINCY                         OTHER FAITHS

Chaplaincy represents an           Being a Catholic College means
extra and unique dimension to      being open and inclusive in our
your educational experience        approach. The Catholic vision of
at the College. Chaplaincy is      education is universal in character,
about accompanying you on          it is inclusive of everyone and
your journey through College.      deeply humanist. Students of
It’s about offering support        other faiths are very welcome at
and opportunities to develop       St David’s. We greatly respect the
personally and spiritually. It’s   sacred truths and values in other
about enabling an “animated”       religious traditions and encourage
educational experience through     such students in their faith
creating a community where         commitment. Students of other
fullness of life can be glimpsed   faiths are all encouraged in their
and lived.                         spiritual practice and prayers.

                                   RETREAT DAYS

                                   With the contribution of NET
                                   Ministries, we offer opportunities
                                   to students – as a part of their
                                   reflective education programme
                                   – to spend time reflecting on the
 A CATHOLIC                        nature of life and the sorts of
 COLLEGE FOR                       issues they may face, in light of
                                   Christian belief. These retreat days
 THE COMMUNITY,                    represent a rare opportunity to
 SEEKING TO                        take time out from regular activity
                                   and to consider the sorts of things
 DISCOVER AND                      that give our lives meaning.
 REALISE THE FULL
 POTENTIAL OF ALL,
 IN AN ATMOSPHERE
 OF LOVE, SERVICE
 AND RESPECT
 INSPIRED BY
 CHRIST.

                                                                          19
Spiritual Reflection is the comprehensive
        Religious Education programme all
        students follow at St David’s.        It is
        designed to be accessible to students of
        any faith or none. It encourages students
        to explore a range of philosophical,
        theological,    ethical,    and   spiritual
        questions in a reflective, analytical, and
        balanced way that stimulates questioning
        and debate. It also aims to combine the
        best of character formation and religious
        education.

        The starting question for each student
        on the course is: ‘what kind of person
SPIRITUAL

        would I like to become?’. Throughout
        the course we will reflect on a range of
        virtues and values, examine case studies
        of such virtues in practice and explore
        role models to emulate. Students will
        also encounter key beliefs, teachings
        and practices of the Catholic Church and
        other faiths in this journey of reflection as
        these relate to the virtues under focus.

        HOW WILL IT WORK?

        Students will have a one hour lesson
        each week for two years. We will spend
        approximately five weeks considering
        each pair of virtues from the Learner
        Profile.  Students will be regularly
        assessed on their learning.

        WHAT IS THE JESUIT PUPIL PROFILE
        (JPP)?

        The JPP is the outline on which the course
        is built. It emerged from the work done
        by the British Jesuit schools in 2013,

 20
trying to answer the question: What kind of people
do we hope our pupils are growing to be? The Jesuit
schools wanted to unpack the Catholic and Jesuit
vision of education as a time for learning and a time
for formation in learning to live a good life.

Some of the virtues of the JPP are evidently linked
more to the educational mission of the school (being
curious and active, eloquent and truthful, so that
you can be learned and wise) while others are more
obviously to do with the formation of character and
personality (being grateful and generous, attentive
and discerning, compassionate and loving, faith-filled
and hopeful, intentional and prophetic). The virtues

                                                          REFLECTION
of the profile weave and thread together and, taken
together, envision what a well-rounded and well
educated, good and virtuous young person could
be like: someone made in the image and likeness of
God. (Genesis 1:26)

ST DAVID’S IS NOT A JESUIT SCHOOL. WHY THE
JPP?

The JPP is now being introduced across the
Archdiocese of Cardiff and is already in use in many
schools. Here at St David’s we will aim to integrate
the JPP into all that we do as a College.

WHAT WILL LEARNERS GAIN FROM THIS
PROGRAMME?

The aim of this programme is integral formation. All
learners will be confronted with the key question
of ‘what kind of person would I like to become?’
Students will encounter a range of virtues which they
will have opportunities to reflect on and develop.
Students will engage with key teachings, beliefs and
practices of the Catholic Church and other religious
perspectives and will be invited to critically evaluate
their own and other’s beliefs. Students will also have
numerous opportunities to develop their literacy
skills particularly in oral and written communication.

                                                                  21
FACILITIES INCLUDE*                       study. Plasma screens and innovative
                                               work stations also contribute to the
      • Sports hall with large playing area,   modern and spacious design.
      viewing gallery, and teaching rooms
      on the upper floor                       OUR VIRTUAL LEARNING
                                               ENVIRONMENT
      • Fitness suite/gym (use all year for
      just a £5 membership fee)                All students have access to Moodle
                                               (a virtual learning environment)
      • College theatre fully equipped         which allows learners and staff to
      with lighting and sound systems          access course content and submit
                                               coursework from anywhere with
      • Music rehearsal space and new          internet access, including at home.
      Music Technology facilities
                                               Students have their own electronic
      • 50 seat surround-sound cinema          individual learning plan (eILP). This
                                               online system, known as Student
      • Media suite with the latest editing    Advantage, provides them with
      facilities                               relevant personal information such as
                                               their timetable, homework, grades,
      • Well-equipped Science                  attendance records, exam timetable,
      laboratories                             and results. Parents have access to
                                               their own version of the eILP to help
      • Large Art and Design and               monitor and support progress at
      Photography studios                      home.

      • Honours lecture theatre                FOOD AND DRINK

      • College chapel which holds mass,       Students can relax between lessons
      daily prayer, seasonal liturgies and     in the College canteen, or at the
      reflections                              tables and chairs situated in the main
                                               hall. Hot and cold drinks, snacks,
      • Fully refurbished Learner Support      breakfast and freshly prepared main
      Centre                                   meals are available each day. The
                                               College grounds are also popular for
     LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE                  socialising in the summer months.

     The St David’s LRC is a bright, airy
     environment that is highly conductive
     to supporting independent learning.            *Some facilities are closed due
     There are computers, iPads, and                to COVID-19, and will re-open
     different types of work spaces to              when safe to do so.
     facilitate group work and silent

22
“
EVEN THOUGH ST
DAVID’S IS A LARGE,
INTERNATIONAL SIXTH
FORM COLLEGE,
IT MANAGES TO
ACHIEVE A SENSE OF
COMMUNITY WHERE
STUDENTS HAVE A

                 “
SENSE OF BELONGING
AND UNITY.

FACILITIES            23
There’s so much more to
              College than just lessons.
              We want students to

     ENRICHMENT
              get the most out of their
              time at St David’s and
              we work hard to provide
              enrichment activities
              useful for students’
              UCAS applications and
              future careers, to offer
              opportunities to try new
              things, and to generally
              give them a college
              experience to remember.

              The aim of these activities
              is to expand our students’
              range of experiences, to
              develop new skills and
              knowledge, and to give
              students the opportunity
              to socialise with other
              like-minded individuals.

              These activities are just
              a small selection of what
              goes on at the College.
              To read more about these
              and some of the others
              we offer, please visit

              stdavidscollege.ac.uk/
              newsletters

24
CLUBS & SOCIETIES                        VISITS & TRIPS

Our staff and students have created      All students are offered the
clubs and societies where people         opportunity to broaden their studies
with shared interests have come          with visits and cultural trips to a
together to pursue the things that       variety of locations both within the
interest them.                           UK and abroad, for example:

The clubs and societies that are          • Biology field work, France
present in the College at the             • Science and Maths workshops
moment include:                           • Cardiff University
                                          • St David’s Hall
 •   Foreign Film Club                    • University Hospital Wales
 •   Comedy Classics Club                 • Theatre Visits - locally and in
 •   Creative Writing Society             London
 •   Physics Club                         • Warner Brothers Studios – Harry
 •   Philosophy Society                   Potter Experience
 •   Chess Club                           • Tours of BBC London Studios
 •   Catholic Society (CATHSOC)           • Crown Court & Houses of
 •   International Club                   Parliament
 •   Board Game Club                      • Field Work in Margam Park
                                          • Language Exchanges
GUEST LECTURERS                           • University overnight visits

Throughout the academic year guest       ENTERPRISE
speakers and lecturers attend St
David’s to speak to our students.        St David’s offers specialist support
They are usually a member of the         to students interested in self-
academic or industrial community         employment, as well as holding
with a wealth of knowledge and           a number of enterprise activities
experience. Guest Speakers have in       and competitions throughout the
the past included:                       year. These include: Money for Life
                                         Challenge, Global Enterprise Week,
 • A Fellow of the Royal Society         the Christmas Fayre, Trading Places,
 • Academics from Cardiff University     The Big Pitch, Big Ideas Wales, the
 • Scientists from Wales Gene Park       £1 Challenge, and much more.
 • Members of the Film Industry
 • Sector-Leading Businesses such
 as GE and the WRU
 • Aviation and British Film Institute
 • Careers Talks from Health Care
 Professionals

                                                                                25
ENGINEERING SCHEME                     MUSIC & DRAMA

     Students from St David’s have had a    There are plenty of opportunities for
     long record of outstanding success     students to participate in vocal and
     in national engineering awards, an     instrumental ensembles throughout
     opportunity open to all students       the year. The College choir performs
     across the College. Students in the    at various events including Advent
     scheme work with local engineering     celebration, the senior citizens’ party,
     companies to design, manufacture       and community events through the
     and present their solutions in a       year.
     variety of competitions. The College
     is a past winner of the Wales Young    The drama department welcomes
     Engineer of the Year and Welsh         students who would like to become
     CREST (Creativity in Science and       performers or members of the
     Technology Awards) Champion of         backstage crew. Previous experience
     the Year.                              is not always necessary, but
                                            enthusiasm and commitment always
     VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES             are. Our Performing Arts department
                                            hold various performances
     St David’s students have established   throughout the academic year
     good links with many charities, and    and friends and family are always
     work closely with them throughout      welcome to attend.
     the year. These charities include:
                                            SACRED JOURNEYS
      •   Citizens UK
      •   Ty Hafan                          St David’s strives to support
      •   Mary’s Meals                      all students with their spiritual
      •   HCPT                              development. In addition to the
                                            activities students take in the
     SPORT                                  Reflective Education, they also have
                                            opportunity to attend a number of
     Students are encouraged to enjoy       pilgrimages and quiet days during
     the sports offered at St David’s       their time at St David’s, both at home
     College. The key sports are            and abroad.
     netball, hockey, rugby, football,
     volleyball and basketball. College
     teams participate regularly in both
     friendly and league matches and
     competitions. The College also
     supports students who participate in             Visit our website for a more
     non-team sports.                                   extensive list of activities:

      stdavidscollege.ac.uk/extra-curricular-activities
26
ST DAVID’S TAKES A HOLISTIC VIEW OF
   EDUCATION; OUR EXTRA-CURRICULAR
ACTIVITIES GIVE STUDENTS ADDITIONAL
 ENRICHING EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE
                         CLASSROOM.

                                        27
“

                                       PROGRAMME
BOTH MY CHILDREN HAVE SUCCEEDED
AT ST DAVID’S AND CONTINUED ON TO
UNIVERSITY.

NOTHING WAS TOO MUCH TROUBLE OR

                                       “
EFFORT. I FELT THAT THE WELLBEING OF
THE STUDENT CAME ABOVE ALL ELSE.
Parent of a former pupil from
St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School
In a bid to cater for the individual needs of our learners,
      we have established a programme designed exclusively for
      students who show particular academic aptitude and prowess.
      These will be students who show an interest that goes beyond
      the normal limits of the classroom, and a desire to explore the
      sorts of questions that would both expand their world view
      and improve their ability to engage in academic conversation.

      The Honours Programme has seen many of its students go on
      to read for degrees at Britain’s leading universities, in every
      subject from Art History to Zoology. Our record over the
      years of helping students achieve their full potential has been
      recognised and praised by universities, inspectors, parents,
      and students alike.
HONOURS
      PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

      Honours Programme students are expected to begin by
      undertaking four AS courses, as well as attending Professional
      Skills Programme lectures. These lectures have been designed
      to help young people ‘stand out from the crowd’, covering
      the arts and sciences of the ancient world along with more
      contemporary issues and the development of science and
      technology.

      The Programme is informed by discussion with employers,
      consultants and academics, in accordance with Welsh
      Government guidelines, educational research and the
      expertise of our teachers. Young people are thereby provided
      with experiences, qualifications, work experience, and
      skills development opportunities that will make them more
      employable.

      HOW TO APPLY

      Candidates are required to submit an ‘Honours Application’
      form, seperate to the St David’s Application. This is available
      on our website, at interview, or can be sent to you upon
      request.

      Potential members of the Programme are then short-listed
      based on their GCSE predicted grades and application. Once
      GCSE results have been released in August the short-listed
      members are then interviewed at enrolment in September. A
      final intake of 60 students is taken on the programme.

                                                                        28
SCHOLARSHIPS   AT ST DAVID’S COLLEGE, WE
               BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION IS
               ABOUT TRANSFORMING LIVES
               AND ALLOWING LEARNERS TO
               REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

               WE ARE COMMITTED TO
               ATTRACTING THE MOST
               TALENTED AND DEDICATED
               LEARNERS, REGARDLESS OF
               THEIR GEOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL OR
               FINANCIAL BACKGROUND.

 30
HOW TO APPLY                               date and we think you are worthy
                                           of this award. When you apply for
We are offering two types of               universities or jobs in the future,
scholarship for 2021/22; one for           you will have the proof that you can
academic achievement and one for           distinguish yourself from your peers
contribution to the community.             and you have been able to “stand
Application forms can be found             out from the crowd”.
on our website. The deadline for
applications is Thursday 26th August       PROGRESSION TO UNIVERSITY
2021.                                      Universities like it when learners
                                           apply to them who have been
Please submit your completed               recognised for an accomplishment.
application, via email only, to:           Winning a scholarship is a big
                                           achievement and generally indicates
Mrs L Newman, Vice Principal               that you have exceptional ability.
LNewman@stdavidscollege.ac.uk
                                           A BENEFIT TO YOUR CV
Candidates may be invited for              Competition for employment is high
interview as part of the selection         and being able to distinguish your
process. We will also require you to       CV from those sent by hundreds of
sign a GDPR compliance form to             other applicants can be difficult. A
enable us to use some of your details      scholarship will help to make your CV
in our marketing (what school you          stand out.
came from, etc.). We will talk this
through with you if your application       PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT
is successful.                             Even if you are not desperately
                                           in need of financial assistance,
WHY APPLY?                                 receiving a scholarship can benefit
                                           you. For example, you may wish to
Some students think that                   use the money to buy resources that
scholarships are aimed at learners         will aid your learning, for example
who are in desperate need of               books or a laptop, allowing you to
financial assistance. This is not the      work more flexibly. The scholarship
case. Winning a scholarship will           may allow you to be more selective
provide you with many benefits, even       about how you spend your free
after you finish studying at St David’s.   time. It may mean that you do not
                                           need to have a part-time job and
‘STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD’                 can use this time for your studies or
Winning a scholarship indicates to         choose volunteering opportunities
others that you stood out among            that are more meaningful and will
your peers. The College has                add value to your future degree or
recognised your achievements to            employment.

            stdavidscollege.ac.uk/scholarships
                                                                                   31
WHAT IS THE ADVANCED WELSH                Certificate and supporting
     BACCALAUREATE?                            qualifications. The supporting
                                               qualifications are the student’s
     The central focus of the Welsh            A Levels or BTEC qualifications,
     Baccalaureate at Advanced level           GCSE English Language or Welsh
     is to develop the essential and           Language and GCSE Mathematics or
     employability skills of our students.     Numeracy.

     Building on their achievements at         In the Welsh Baccalaureate lessons
     Level 2, the qualification will help      students will complete the Skills
     learners develop more complex             Challenge Certificate which is
     skills, attributes and behaviours.        comprised of four Challenges and
     It will provide experiences which         completed over two years.
     will enable learners to be better
     prepared for their future destination,    In the lower sixth years students will
     whether university, further training or   complete:
     employment.
                                                • Enterprise and Employability
     The emphasis in the Welsh                  Challenge (20%)
     Baccalaureate is on applied learning,      • Global Citizenship Challenge
     i.e. acquiring and applying a range        (15%)
     of transferable skills. The Welsh
     Baccalaureate will encourage the          In the upper sixth year students will
     learner to value skills development       complete:
     as a key aspect of education and
     life-long learning. Offering a learning    • The Community Challenge (15%)
     experience relevant to the needs           • The Individual Project (50%)
     and demands of the workplace will
     develop students’ confidence, drive       HOW IS THE ADVANCED WELSH
     and initiative, preparing them to         BACCALAUREATE GRADED?
     enter, succeed and progress in the
     world of work.                            Each Challenge will be awarded
                                               Level 3 Pass, Level 3 Merit, or Level 3
     WHAT MODULES ARE STUDIED?                 Distinction.

     The Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate          The Advanced Skills Challenge
     is comprised of the Skills Challenge      Certificate is graded A* - E.

32
WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL AND                 higher or further education. For
EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS?                  example, throughout the two years
                                       learners will have the opportunity
The Challenges develop seven           to project manage teams, develop
skills valued by employers and         digital collaborative working skills,
Universities:                          develop marketing campaigns
                                       including website design and
 • Creativity and Innovation           critically analyse and question the
 • Digital Literacy                    reliability of information and much
 • Numeracy                            more.
 • Literacy
 • Planning and Organisation           In the Individual Project students
 • Critical Thinking and Problem       will select their own topic area,
 Solving                               linked to their career, and complete
 • Personal Effectiveness              a research project which can be
                                       used to support University entry or
The students will develop these        demonstrate an understanding of
skills through a range of tasks and    the sector for employment.
activities which will better prepare
them for the world of work and

                                                                               33
A morning and evening NAT Route 4          ROUTE 4: NORTHERN 2
     bus runs in term time from Pontypridd
     Train Station and Caerphilly Bus           7:30 Pontypridd Train Station
     Station coming through Templeton           7:55 Caerphilly Bus Station
     Avenue, Cherry Orchard Road,               8:20 Templeton Avenue
     Lisvane and Fidlas Road. Passes            8:23 Caerphilly Rd
     available either through the local         8:25 Excalibur Drive
     council if eligible or college.            8:30 Cherry Orchard Road
                                                8:35 Lisvane Road
     For other areas of Cardiff there are
                                                8:40 Fidlas Road
     courtesy buses running for the first
     four weeks of the winter term.
                                                8:43 Rhyd-y-Penau Rd, Cyncoed Rd
                                                8:50 St David’s College
     A Cardiff bus pass is also available via
     the college to students for an annual
     fee payable in 3 termly instalments.

     Additionally there is a pass which
     students can apply for online which
     will give them a discount on bus
     travel. Please go online and look at:
     https://mytravelpass.gov.wales
     On showing a my Travel pass this will
     allow them to purchase tickets on
     all buses NAT and Cardiff with up to
     33% discount.
                                                The College reserves the right
                                                to change/cancel routes if an
                                                insufficient number of students wish
                                                to use the service. Full refunds of
                                                any payments made will be given.

                                                Due to circumstances surrounding
                                                COVID-19, bus routes may change
                                                before September 2021, we advise
                                                checking in advance.

     For more information, please contact us by
     email: enquiries@stdavidscollege.ac.uk
     or telephone: 02920 498 555

34
VALE OF GLAMORGAN

                                     TRANSPORT
Buses for students coming
from the Vale of Glamorgan are       .
provided by the council free of
charge, provided students live
within those areas.

The buses are the S46, S47 and
S48.

For more information you can
visit the School Transport section
of the website, valeofglamorgan.
gov.uk. Alternatively you
can email schooltransport@
valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

CAERPHILLY & RCT

Students living in RCT and
Caerphilly may be eligible for a
free bus pass to apply, please
contact the local authority in
your area.

If you are not eligible for a free
bus pass, you can apply for a
bus pass through the college.
Information and costs will be
available during Summer 2021.

                                             35
CASHLESS PAYMENTS

                                              For more info or to register: stdavidscollege.ac.uk/cashless-payments
     As part of our mission to improve
     student experience at St David’s,
     we have implemented an online
     payments service. This allows
     parents, guardians, and students to
     pay for trips, buses, meals, and other
     services online, allowing greater
     control of this expenditure.

     As part of this service, we also have
     a cashless catering till system within
     the College, also used in local
     schools.

     The benefits of this system include:

      • avoiding the need to carry large
      amounts of cash;
      • reduction in queuing time at the
      college canteen, and;
      • monitoring expenditure online.

     Students wishing to purchase items
     from the canteen can add money
     to their account by either: using the
     iPayimpact website, or using the
     machine next to the canteen to add
     money in cash.

     Login details will be provided for
     each student after enrolment in
     September. If you have more than
     one child at St David’s, or at another
     institution using iPayimpact, you will
     be able to link additional accounts.

36
WHAT IS EMA?                            College reception from around May
                                        onwards. It takes six to eight weeks
Education Maintenance Allowance         for an application to be processed
is a weekly payment of £30 to help      so we recommend students apply
16-18 year olds with the cost of        during the summer.
further education.
                                        OTHER ASSISTANCE
Payments are made every two
weeks as long as you continue to        Other financial assistance may be
meet the College’s attendance           available from the College in cases
requirements.                           of financial hardship.

Getting EMA won’t affect any
benefits you or your family already
receive.

WHO CAN GET EMA?

You could get EMA if all the
following statements apply to you:
 • You usually live in Wales;
 • You’re aged 16, 17 or 18;
 • You’re studying for a minimum of
 12 hours at St David’s College
 • You’re able to meet the
 nationality and residency
 requirements;
 • You live in a household with an
 income of either £20,817 or less, or
 £23,077 or less if there’s more than
 one young person who qualifies for
 Child Benefit in the household.

If you need to speak to someone
about applying for EMA you can
call 0300 200 4050. Application
packs will be available from

                                                                               37
ST DAVID’S
 “   THE DESTINATIONS
     DEPARTMENT
     REALLY DO
     WORK HARD
     WITH UNIVERSITY
     APPLICATIONS
                                                  AFTER
     OR JOB
     OPPORTUNITIES.
     WE WOULDN’T
     BE HEADING
     TO UNIVERSITY,
     APPRENTICESHIPS
     OR EMPLOYMENT

                                        “
     WITHOUT THEIR
     SUPPORT
      Matthew Tyler-Howells, Valedictorian 2020

38
A College accredited with the Careers     Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary
Wales Mark, St David’s is committed       Science. These activities range
to providing high quality advice          from debates surrounding ethical
and guidance to help students find        considerations, to hands-on skills-
their true vocation and prepare           based activities. As part of these
them for their future after St David’s.   programmes, students are offered
This makes our College a perfect          support in preparing for interviews
stepping-stone between Secondary          through mock interviews with real
Education and a student’s future.         admissions tutors and admissions test
                                          support.
ROUTES TO SUCCESS
                                          MAKING CONNECTIONS
St David’s recognises the importance
of supporting students no matter          Through the Destinations
which route they wish to pursue after     department, overseen by our full-time
completing their Further Education        Destinations Manager, our College
studies. Each student is allocated        has extensive connections with
a Progression Mentor during their         employers, some of whom welcome
Upper Sixth year who guides them          our students to undertake work
through the process of making             experience.
life-changing decisions regarding
their futures. These mentors provide      In addition to the cross-College
support in completing personal            approach to Careers-based
statements for CVs, apprenticeships,      education, we also run several
training, higher education and job        related enrichment activities. Most
applications.                             notable is the Vocations Festival, a
                                          week in the College calendar entirely
UCAS                                      dedicated to providing students with
                                          the resources, advice and information
Support is offered to students who        required to make informed decisions
wish to complete a UCAS application       regarding their progression from St
by way of personal support sessions       David’s Catholic College. Activities
with local universities, student          that take place during this week
finance support talks and one-to-         range from CV workshops to talks on
one meetings with their progression       the careers available in the Creative
mentors.                                  Arts and STEM industries. A highlight
                                          of the week is a Vocations Fayre, a
In addition to this, the College          forum style event where students
organises societies and activities        have the opportunity to visit stands to
to specifically prepare students          gain impartial advice from employers,
for selective universities such           Higher Education institutions,
as Oxford and Cambridge and               apprenticeship and training providers,
highly competitive courses such as        and industry professionals.

                                                                                    39
My daughter attended the College         Academically the students are
     from September 2014 to June              stimulated and challenged and I was
     2016. She attained A* in the Welsh       very pleased to observe a genuine
     Baccalaureate, and A grades in           desire in staff to ensure that, as
     French, Philosophy and Mathematics       well as teaching the fundamental
     and studied English Literature to AS     content of the courses, they foster
     level, gaining an A in 2015.             critical thinking skills, facilitate the
                                              acquisition of lifelong learning
     There are several aspects of the         skills and help students develop
     College that are very impressive.        evidence-based problem-solving
     The most important in my opinion is      strategies – this is very impressive
     that the culture of College is one of    and differentiates this college from
     inclusion and respect for everyone       other schools.
     regardless of background and this
     enables student to feel safe and         My daughter feels that St David’s
     confident. Staff really care about the   has enabled her to discover her
     wellbeing of the students and are        true self – through meeting so many
     very willing to listen to any problems   new people her previous views have
     and provide support and advice.          been challenged and her opinions
                                              deepened. During her time at the
     Students at the College are treated      College she has transitioned from a
     as young adults and this enables         teenager to an adult and has finished
     them to make the transition from         with a strong, close group of lifelong
     school to university or work life        friends.
     very easily – over the two years I
     could see that my daughter was           I’d like to finish by extending my
     gently encouraged to become an           warmest congratulations to you all
     independent learner and to have          for creating an excellent learning
     confidence in her own abilities and      environment and my sincere thanks
     capacity to make her own decisions.      for looking after my daughter so
                                              well. I do hope that my son will also
     The advice given on university choice    choose to attend St David’s College.
     and the support given to complete
     the UCAS application form, navigate            Professor Karen Holford FREng.
     interviews and apply for financial               Parent of a former pupil from
     support was outstanding.                                  Cathays High School

     Students are also given a wide range
     of opportunities to broaden their
     skills by participating in activities               To read more testimonials,
     outside of the curriculum.                            please visit our website:

         stdavidscollege.ac.uk/student-success-stories
40
“
THE SKILLS WE HAVE LEARNT FROM BEING PART
OF ST DAVID’S HAVE PUT US IN A POSITION
WHERE WE HAVE GROWN INTO INDEPENDENT,
MATURE YOUNG ADULTS WHO, I’M SURE, WILL

                                                             “
GO ON TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN WHATEVER WE
CHOOSE TO DO WITH OUR FUTURES.
                      Rhian Paolella, Former Valedictorian

A PARENT
PERSPECTIVE                                                  41
APPLY                                   OFFER
               To fill in an online                    If we believe that you have
               application, begin by                   the right attributes for
     visiting stdavidscollege.ac.uk/our-      study in the sixth-form and we have
     courses or our Virtual Open Day, at      the courses for you, we will make
     virtual.stdavidscollege.ac.uk. You       an unconditional offer for study.
     will then be able to browse courses,     This means you are guaranteed a
     and complete the application once        place to study at St David’s. We will
     you are happy with your course           then arrange a telephone guidance
     choices. You can request a paper         session for you to talk through
     application form by calling 02920        course choices and answer any
     498 555. All applicants will receive     questions you might have.
     confirmation of receipt within 24
     hours.                                   If we believe that St David’s may not
                                              be the right place for you to study
               INFORMATION REQUIRED           either in terms of the courses you
               FROM YOU                       are most suited for, we will make a
               Before we can continue with    reserve place offer. This does not
     the next stage of the process we will    mean you have a place to study but
     require some extra information from      we might get in touch with you in
     you to support your application. We      August to talk about what courses
     will need proof of ID, preferably        we may be able to offer you.
     photo ID such as a passport, as          Students in receipt of a reserve offer
     well as your latest school report.       are advised to consider and seek
     A year 10 report is fine if your year    other post-16 options.
     11 report is not available yet. If you
     have any Additional Learning Needs       Students who don’t meet either
     and have a statement to support          the age requirement of the college
     any diagnosis, please forward a copy     or have submitted an application
     of this to us as soon as possible.       form in which they have not met
                                              our requirements of attendance or
                                              attitude to study in their school, will
                                              receive a rejection. In terms of age,
                                              students must be no older than 17
                                              years when beginning at the college.

42
     APPLICATION
It is important to email
                                         your school report
                                         to applications@
                                         stdavidsocollege.ac.uk

         TASTER SESSIONS                             ENROLMENT
         In July, the College arranges               Enrolment will take place
         taster sessions in order                    either on GCSE results
for you to experience your chosen          day shortly after. We will write to
courses at AS Level before you             you with details of your enrolment
commit to them. This also gives you        date and time during the summer.
the opportunity to try courses you         It is important that you attend
may be interested in but may not           enrolment as failure to do so may
have experienced at GCSE.                  put your place at the College at risk.
                                           You must bring along a copy of your
                                           GCSE results, along with any you
                                           have sat in previous years. We will
                                           be unable to enrol you without this
                                           information. Your studies will begin
                                           shortly after enrolment. Partner
                                           school students will be enrolled
                                           at their school. Should COVID19
                                           restrictions still be in place,
                                           enrolment will be digital, and we
                                           will let you know what to do prior to
                                           GCSE results day.

                                                                                    43
OUR PARTNERS
           AS PART OF THE DIOCESAN
           EDUCATION NETWORK, ST DAVID’S
           WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE
           FOLLOWING FAITH HIGH SCHOOLS:
           CORPUS CHRISTI, MARY IMMACULATE,
           ST ILLTYD’S, AND ST RICHARD GWYN.

          The close relationship
          with our partner schools
          has been a success for
          many years and has
          brought enormous
          benefits to our learners.

                                               45
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC HIGH
SCHOOL has very strong links with St
David’s College, as Cardiff’s Catholic Sixth
Form College. Our students and their
families are delighted with the breadth and
quality of provision at St David’s College.
Students from Corpus Christi High School
go on to be successful at St David’s College,
with approximately 30% progressing on to
Russell Group Universities each year.

ST ILLTYD’S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
is delighted to have strong links with St
David’s College. All our KS4 students know
that St David’s provides a clear pathway into
Post-16 education, by offering a wide range
of courses, relevant and valuable in today’s
society. So many St Illtyd’s students choose
to attend St David’s because they know
their personal and spiritual development will
continue to be shaped by an ethos rooted
in Catholic beliefs and values.

MARY IMMACULATE HIGH SCHOOL are
proud partners of the College. Through
a genuine commitment to providing the
students with the best possible deal, all
schools and College work well to provide an
experience which is unmatched in the city.
Many of our pupils complete their further
education at St David’s, upon completion of
their GCSEs.

ST RICHARD GWYN CATHOLIC HIGH
SCHOOL and St David’s College have close
links which provide our students with a
guaranteed progression route to sixth form
within the Faith Network in Cardiff and the
Vale of Glamorgan. Every student has the
opportunity to go to a Transition Visit in year
10 to enable them to gather information on
courses. There is also an open evening for
students and their parents in year 11.

                                                  45
VIRTUAL OPEN DAY
                                                    ST DAVID’S WAS A
     This year, we would like to invite you           GREAT PLACE TO
     into the college, but won’t do until it is      REALLY DEVELOP
     safe! Instead, we have made a virtual         MYSELF AS A WELL-
     open day resource that is available via       ROUNDED STUDENT
     the St David’s website. Our virtual open
                                                         AND BECOME
     day provides students and parents
     with the opportunity to see subject
                                                       A THOUGHTFUL
     information, take a College tour, and           AND ARTICULATE
     view information regarding the services        INDIVIDUAL IN MY
     offered by the College, such as careers             COMMUNITY.
     advice or student support.
                                                           Aisha Saeed, former student

                          GO TO:
               virtual.stdavidscollege.ac.uk

     OPEN AFTERNOONS

     We hope to hold a number of open afternoons, once it is safe to do so. These
     will be advertised on the college website and via the college social media
     channels. You can also subscribe to receive more information on upcoming
     events via the Virtual Open Day.

     LIVE EVENTS

     As part of the Virtual Open Day resources we will be holding a number of live
     presentations, accessible online, throughout the year.

46
COLLEGE WAS A
FRIENDLY AND
SUPPORTIVE
ENVIRONMENT
- STUDENTS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO BE
INDEPENDENT AND
SELF-MOTIVATED,
YET HELP IS ALWAYS
READILY AVAILABLE
WHEN REQUIRED.
        Dan O’Driscoll, former
        Cathedral School pupil

                                 47
IMPACT OF COVID19   NEW IT INFASTRUCTURE

                    Whatever the situation surrounding COVID-19,
                    we want to reassure you that the measures
                    we have in place mean that we are able to
                    respond effectively and maturely to adverse
                    circumstances.

                    During the summer of 2019, we invested in
                    an IT infastructure, upgrading significantly, so
                    that learning was able to continue in whatever
                    situation we may be in, both digitally or in
                    person.

                    FLEXIBLE RESPONSE

                    If students aren’t able to attend classes, we have
                    a structure in place that allows you to have the
                    class, digitally and in real-time, while being able
                    to actively take part in class discussions.

                    POSITIVE IMPACT

                    Student, parent and staff surveys taken
                    regarding the St David’s strategy allowed us to
                    reform and refine our response, in a pro-active
                    and positive way.

                    No student missed any of their curriculum
                    during the pandemic, unless of course they were
                    too unwell to attend classes digitally.
DIGITAL LEARNING
The impact that digital technology has on
learning has become well and truely evident
during 2020.

OFFICE 365

All students have access to the tools under
Office 365, including Word, Powerpoint and
Excel. Students are able to use these resources
both in and out of college to complete class
work, assignements and homework.

STUDENT EMAIL

Every student has a student email address, that
they can use to contact teachers and support
staff.

Emails are used to effectively communicate
around college, and students can expect to
receive regular emails regarding college events,
chaplaincy information and opportunities
regarding progression to universities and
apprenticeships.
EMAIL
ENQUIRIES@STDAVIDSCOLLEGE.AC.UK

          TELEPHONE
          02920 498 555

  ST DAVID’S CATHOLIC COLLEGE,
     TY GWYN ROAD, PENYLAN,
         CARDIFF, CF23 5QD

WWW.STDAVIDSCOLLEGE.AC.UK
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