Your Study Programme at Newman 

📚 Understanding the Newman Curriculum

At Newman College, all students study a full-time programme designed to help them achieve their academic goals and prepare for their next steps.

As a full-time student, you will complete 580 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) each year. The majority of your timetable will consist of your chosen Level 3 subjects, alongside a range of compulsory elements that support your personal development, future progression and wellbeing.

Your individual programme will be based on your previous qualifications, interests and future aspirations.

🎓 Level 3 Subjects

All students study three Level 3 subjects at College.

Each subject includes:

✅ 9 hours of teaching per fortnight

These courses form the core of your study programme and will make up the majority of your timetable.

👋 Mentor 1:1s

Throughout the year, your mentor will arrange regular 1:1 meetings with you. These sessions provide dedicated time to discuss both your academic progress and personal development, ensuring you have the support you need to succeed at Newman.

Topics may include study skills, attendance monitoring, academic progress, personal development, wellbeing and progression planning. Your mentor will also be there to celebrate successes, help you overcome challenges and signpost you to additional support where needed.

Please note: Any absence from a scheduled Mentor 1:1 must be authorised in advance using a Request for Absence form.

✨  Newman Edge

Newman Edge is a framework delivered through Mentor Time and briefings, designed to support you in becoming future professionals who are equipped for the next stage of their journey.

This will include guidance on personal development, study skills and tailored progression pathways based on your future aspirations, including Apprenticeships, Medicine and Veterinary, Oxbridge, University, Health, and Sport Science.

📢 Briefings

Students attend regular College briefings, which generally take place once every half term.

Briefings provide important information about College events, student opportunities, external speakers, careers and progression activities.

🌍 Core Programme

Core forms part of our wider PSHE curriculum and supports your personal growth during your time at Newman.

Students may also have opportunities to become involved in volunteering projects and activities within the local community.

💼 Work Experience

All students are expected to complete one week of self-arranged work experience during their two years at College.

Work experience helps you Develop employability skills, Explore career pathways, Gain valuable workplace experience and Strengthen future applications.

The timing of work experience will be designated by the College.

🔢 GCSE English and Maths Re-sits

Students who have not achieved a Grade 4 or above in GCSE English and/or Maths will be required to continue studying these subjects at College.

If applicable, these lessons will be included on your timetable.

Important: Attendance at GCSE re-sit classes is a condition of your place at Newman College.

🔄 Changing Courses

Subject choices should be carefully considered from the beginning of Year 12. Students receive extensive guidance and support before selecting their courses, and the College timetable is carefully planned around these choices.

If you wish to request a course change during the first few weeks of Year 12, you must speak with your House Head.

You must complete a Change of Options Form, and the form must be approved by:

✅ The Subject Leader of your current course

✅ The Subject Leader of your proposed new course

✅ Your PPL

✅ A member of the College Leadership Team

This ensures that a full academic consultation has taken place and that any change is in your best interests.

Important Deadline: All requests to change courses must be submitted by October Half Term at the latest.

Monitoring Your Progress

All students studying A Levels, BTECs, AAQs or other qualifications will be given ALPS predicted grades. These are based on your average GCSE points score and national data, and are used to set a Minimum Target Grade for each of your subjects.

Your Minimum Target Grade is exactly that: the minimum grade you should be aiming for. We want students to work towards achieving, and where possible exceeding, their target grades.

Progress data will be shared with students and parents/carers five times across the two years. This will include:

• your current attainment / ALPS grade

• your ATL grade

• information about your progress in each subject

If you are not meeting your target grades, support and intervention will be put in place by your subject teachers and/or the College Leadership Team.

Where progress is significantly below target, students may be asked to consider whether they are on the right course. Students achieving E grades at A Level or Pass grades on BTEC courses may be asked to drop the subject if progress does not improve.

Parents’ Evening takes place once a year online and gives parents/carers the opportunity to speak to subject teachers about progress.

Progression to Year 13

Progression into Year 13 and entry for final examinations is not automatic. Students must demonstrate that they are ready to continue with their studies and meet College expectations.

Progression and exam entry are dependent on achieving at least 95% attendance. If attendance falls below this, progression into Year 13 and final exam entry will be reviewed.

If attendance in an individual subject falls below 95% and a student is working below their target grade, continuation on that course will also be reviewed. This may result in the student being withdrawn from the subject, moved to an AS Level or vocational equivalent, or placed on a Fast Track course where appropriate.

Where attendance falls below 95% due to valid reasons, the College may consider an individual variance of up to 5%, down to 90%, on a case-by-case basis. This is not an entitlement and does not lower College expectations. It is a boundary for review and will only be considered where students are fully meeting academic targets and engagement expectations.

Students representing the College through extracurricular or sporting activities must take extra responsibility for their learning. Time out of lessons is still considered lost learning time, so students must use learning platforms to catch up and submit any missed work promptly.

Learning Support and Exam Access Arrangements

Some students may need additional support as they move into KS5 study. We work closely with students, parents/carers and mentors to make sure appropriate support is available where needed.

Exam access arrangements are based on a student’s normal way of working. If you had access arrangements at GCSE, these may continue into KS5 where they remain appropriate.

The Learning Support team will review existing arrangements during Term 1 of Year 12 to confirm that they continue to reflect your current needs and usual way of working.