A-levels no longer need to be confined to school classrooms and school bells.
University of Essex - Clacton Coastal Academy - Clacton County High School - The Colne Community School and College - Philip Morant School and College - Thurstable School
VI6 Promotional video 2021.mp4
Five Schools and the University of Essex transform sixth form opportunities with a unique project
Sixth form students in Colchester and Tendring now study some of their A Levels at the University of Essex as part of this unique partnership. VI6, pronounced "Six six," is the only project of its kind in the UK.
The breakaway sixth form partnership is made up of students from five different schools. The project offers a range of courses that students may not typically be able to access in their base schools such as Economics, Sociology, Spanish and Law.
Kelly Clark of the Guardian interviewed Neil Gallagher, Executive Headteacher of Clacton County High School and The Colne Community School and College:
Welcome to VI6
Welcome to the VI6 partnership website. We are glad you are here!
VI6 is a collaborative effort between six schools in the region, committed to providing the best possible education and resources to our students. We believe that by working together, we can offer a wider range of opportunities and experiences that benefit everyone.
We hope that this website will serve as a helpful hub for information and support as you navigate through the final term and exam season. Here, you'll find updates, resources, and tips from our partner schools and educators, as well as opportunities to connect with others in the VI6 community.
Thank you for being part of VI6, and we wish you all the best!
Preparing for University Podcast
Have a listen to Sean Duffy (Teacher) and Erin Cooper (VI6 Student) discuss with the University of Essex how Year 12 and 13 students can get themselves prepared for University.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0V7qQJRTLpO5n18GNURtRv?si=8f4c48fdfef640af&nd=1
We understand that one of the biggest impacts of the pandemic has been the disruption to students' learning, assessment and educational experience. We know that getting back on track might feel a bit daunting, and we want to do everything we can to help students succeed.
We've launched two online programmes made up of six modules designed to support students in their current learning as well as help them to progress onto their next steps. Modules can be used independently to support areas of the curriculum or as a series, resulting in a certificate.
Please click or share the relevant programme link below. You just have to follow the instructions to create an account with 'Open Essex' and enrol on the correct course.
Further Studies Preparation Programme - for students in years 10-11
University Preparation Programme - for students in years 12-13
If your students face any problems creating an account or accessing either of the courses, please email tel@essex.ac.uk .
Questions and Enquiries
Please email liz.bailey@essexvi6project.co.uk
Unique school partnership celebrates top national award
An innovative partnership that has provided sixth form students across six schools with a greater range of subjects has won a top national award.
The VI6 Partnership is celebrating after picking up a Pearson National Teaching Award in recognition of the collaboration between five schools and the University of Essex.
The partnership was set up to support sixth form subjects where there is traditionally low uptake in any one school.
But, with teachers and students teaming up for lessons held at the University, around 180 students are now benefitting from the unique opportunity.
The partnership incorporates Clacton Coastal Academy, Clacton County High School, Philip Morant School and College, The Colne Community School and College, Thurstable School and the University of Essex.
Neil Gallagher, executive headteacher at Clacton County High School and the Colne Community School, said: “The VI6 partnership is now an integral part of the post-16 offer of all the partnership schools.
“Not only does it allow us to viably deliver post-16 learning in some ‘smaller volume’ subjects, delivered by excellent teachers from across our schools, it is opening really exciting school-to-school, MAT-to-MAT dialogue about learning and teaching.
“Crucially the partnership is actively improving access to higher education for all of our students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and making them understand that university is a realistic option.
“I know many of our students will be the first in their family to access a university education and their time at the University of Essex has really helped raise their aspirations.”
Lucy Murray, director of outreach at Essex University, said: “The VI6 project is an important part of our outreach activity with local schools and colleges and we are delighted that it has been recognised with this award.
“As a university, we strive to raise the aspirations of young people with the potential to go to university, regardless of what their background is.
“VI6 demonstrates how, by working together and being innovative, we can all support young people to succeed.”
The partnership gained a Silver Award in recognition of its outstanding commitment to changing the lives of young people by providing increased opportunity and greater success for students.
As a Silver Award winner, VI6 Partnership has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year.
The Silver Award winners were honoured as part of the wider celebrations for national ‘Thank a Teacher Day’, bringing together everyone across the country to celebrate schools and colleges at the heart of their communities.
Sharon Hague, senior vice president of schools at Pearson UK, said: “Congratulations to the Silver Award winners on their incredible achievement, they should all feel very proud of themselves.
“And thank you to all the incredible educators across this country who really do make our schools and colleges so special.”
5 Sixth Form Colleges and a Top-10 Research University collaborating for higher learning
A foot on the ladder: University experience while still in Year 12 and 13
