Autumn 2016

LORDSWOOD SIXTH FORM CENTRE

Part of the Lordswood Academies Trust

NEWSLETTER
www.lordswoodsixthformcentre.co.uk

Autumn 2016

A SLICE OF LIFE @ LORDSWOOD SIXTH FORM CENTRE

Ms Dignon
Head of Sixth Form
A very warm welcome to current
and prospective students as well
as to parents and other members
of the school and wider
community.
This year we have enrolled 170
students into year 12 and, as
well as being delighted that
many Lordswood Girls and
Boys students have decided
to continue their education
with us, we extend a particular
welcome to over 50 students
who have come from a range of
different schools including Four
Dwellings, St Michaels, Hillcrest
and Harborne Academy. They
have made a brilliant start and
we are impressed by how quickly
they have settled into Lordswood
routines and got involved in sixth
form life.
It has been a very busy term so
far. Year 13 students have been
working alongside their post-18
mentors to submit their UCAS
applications. Many students have
taken advantage of university
outreach programmes and have
had the chance to attend masterclasses and conferences to help
boost their applications. The

Student Finance Team has given

an assembly to help prepare
students for the the costs
associated with higher education.
Meanwhile, Ms Baker and Mrs
Perry are keeping everyone up
to date with apprenticeship
and job opportunities. Year 12
students have also ventured out
to the Skills Show at the NEC to
get them to start thinking more
creatively about their future
careers.
Some of our male students
are hoping that they will be
able to make football part of
their future career and have
been successfully recruited
to Lordswoods new Football
Sport Academy in partnership
with Romulus. They are being
worked hard by coach Gary
and are to be seen out on the
Lordswood pitches training, rain
or shine, three times a week.
All students are completing a
full time programme of A levels
or vocational qualifications
alongside their football
commitments and have even
managed to score a few goals!
The Football Academy joins our
already established Basketball
and Cricket Academies - and they
are always on the lookout for
new talent.

The focus of this newsletter is

on making the very most of the
subjects that you study and the
opportunities with which you are
presented while you are in sixth
form. The author of Brave New
World, Aldous Huxley, is widely
quoted as saying:
Experience is not what happens
to you - its what you do with
what happens to you.
Nowhere is this more true than
in the world of education. You
can choose to move into sixth
form and do the bare minimum
- to allow your education to
happen to you. But those who
truly benefit are those who get
fully involved in extending their
learning inside and outside of
the classroom. We hear from
students who have gone on
theatre trips and to music recitals
and all the way to Ghana! We
also hear about students who
have committed to sporting
excellence and about students
who have been intellectually
stimulated by some big
questions in their studies.
Thank you to all who contributed
to this edition - and happy
reading!
c.dignon@lordswoodtrust.co.uk

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre

sfc-enquiry@lordswoodtrust.co.uk
www.lordswoodsixthformcentre.co.uk
0121 429 2838

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

STUDENT LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS

Congratulations to Priya and Leo who have

been appointed as Head Girl Head Boy for
the academic year 2016-17.

We wish them all the very best in their new

roles of responsibility.
The Sixth Form Student Council has
now been elected. They are meeting
regularly with Mrs Waraich to support the
development of their sixth form.

12.1

Saarah Choudhry/Jonida Osmani

13.1

Flora Maycock

12.2

Keeley Close/Simran Degan

13.2

Ayesha Maqsood

12.3

Haleema Mahmood

13.3

Varaidzo Takawira

12.4

Andreos Powell

13.4

Rasharna Martin & Shamaila Ul-Rehmen

12.5

Rudi Graham/Tamara McKoy

13.6

Nayab Ishfaq

12.6

Amrita Kaur/Farheen Kadra

12.7

Abhineet Purewal

12.8

Ethan Jellyman

BRILLIANT CLUB SUCCESS

I had the pleasure of
escorting our 2016 cohort
of Brilliant Club students to
their graduation event at
the University of Warwick
in September. The students
had attended six university

style tutorials led by a PHD

student on either the topic
of the Renaissance period in
Italy or cutting edge research
on the human anatomy.
They submitted an extended
piece of writing during the

summer and all the students

passed, receiving impressive
grades. Well done and
congratulations on your
graduation from all the staff.

LSFC TEACHERS RECOMMEND

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck, recommended by Mr Wells
Planet Earth II - BBC1, recommended by Ms Gager
Great Expectations - Charles Dickens, recommended by Mrs Price
Will Britain ever have a black prime minister? - BBC2, recommended by Ms Christian
Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll, recommended by Mrs Baker

Mrs Stanley

Autumn 2016

ROMULUS FOOTBALL ACADEMY JOINS LSFC

Romulus players during training and their first home match against Aston Manor in October

VOLUNTEERING IN GHANA
Ruvimbo Tawengwa
During the summer I
volunteered to teach at the
UCC Future Leaders school in
Ghana. This is an opportunity
I have always wanted to do
since hearing about it in Year
7. I believe that every person,

Mary Kotey whos education

is sponsored by LSFC

if they are able to, should

have this type of experience
despite any fears. I thoroughly
enjoyed every moment.
I loved the country, the
culture, the school and, most
importantly, the children.
Every one of the children
holds a special place in my

heart. They are so filled with

joy and it really reinforced
the most important thing for
me in life. You have a right to
be happy and to make other
people happy - they have so
little, materially, compared to
us yet they were able to put a
smile on my face every day.

LSFC really are helping to make the dreams come true for
hundreds of school children in Ghana
3

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

DEPARTMENT ZONE
ART DEPARTMENT
Miss Tooley reports that this years art students are showing great potential as they develop
their skills of portraiture.

Autumn 2016

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
WHY IS ITALY HAVING SO MANY EARTHQUAKES?
We are used to hearing
news stories of earthquakes,
volcanoes and tsunamis from
the far flung corners of the
globe, but rarely do we hear
about so many earthquakes
happening so close to home.
So why has Italy suffered from
multiple earthquakes over
the past few months? Two
of LSFCs geography A level
teachers were interviewed to
find out why.
What has actually happened
in Italy?
Physical geography expert
Mrs Mellor explains, There
were multiple earthquakes
during the month of
October - the latest was a
6.6 magnitude earthquake
centred near the Umbrian
town of Norcia nestled in
the Appennine Mountains.
It comes after Italy was
hit by two earthquakes,
measuring 5.5 and 6.1 on the
Richter scale, again in the
Umbrian region. All of these
earthquakes have happened
along the same fault lines as
a terrible earthquake which
killed nearly 300 people in
August.
Why is this particular region
prone to earthquakes?
The British Geological Survey
further explains that an
earthquake belt runs northsouth through the Apennine
Mountains along the spine
of Italy. This area has been

subject to destructive
earthquakes throughout
Italys long history. Italy is
often struck by earthquakes
because the Eurasian and
African tectonic plates grate
against each other along a
series of fault lines therethe
latest earthquake is thought
to have been triggered by
the deadly 6.2 magnitude
earthquake in August.
How can one earthquake
cause another?
From the day of the
earthquake in August
to the day of the latest
earthquake on October,
over 45 earthquakes with
magnitudes above 4 have
been recorded in the region.
Each earthquake, no matter
the magnitude, is followed
by aftershocks. The number
of aftershocks is expected to
decay within the following
months but we should bear
in mind that this seismically
active region is known from
historical times to experience
earthquakes above
magnitude six.
Have recurring earthquakes
happened in this region
before?
There have been several
major earthquakes in the
region, for example back
in 2009 a magnitude 6.2
earthquake in LAquila
- about 30 miles south of
the Umbrian region - killed

more than 300 people and

injured 1,500 others. But
the last clear sequence of
earthquakes in the region
was in 1997 when the
Umbria-Marche earthquake
sequence killed 11 people. It
was located about 31 miles
away from the earthquake in
August.
What precautions can people
take against earthquakes?
Human geography expert
Miss Gager explains Many
countries and organisations
around the world carry out
earthquake drills where
they can prepare and
train for what to do in an
emergency should there
be an earthquake. New
buildings and construction in
areas of tectonic activity are
designed to be earthquake
proof. Countries affected
by earthquakes also invest
in their infrastructure and
emergency services to ensure
they are trained and can react
to an earthquake.
In an earthquake remember
to:
DROP where you are, onto
your hands and knees.
COVER your head and neck
with one arm. If possible take
shelter under a desk or table.
HOLD ON until the shaking
stops.

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
STUDENTS TAKE INSPIRATION FROM F SCOTT
FITZGERALDS THE GREAT GATSBY
THE VALLEY OF ASHES

GATZ TO BE

Bound by a foul river.

Surrounded by a dismal scene;
the ashes consume their spirits and
stir up an impenetrable cloud,
that shadows their every move.
Hope, love, desire lost but never forgotten.
Dull and unprosperous,
blonde and spiritless, the ghostly man stood
mingling with, disappearing in, the cement
coloured walls.
He looks up to the eyes of God.
Blue and gigantic, they look with no face.
Watching their every move.
Watching their hopes crumble.
Watching their futile attempts at happiness
diminish.
Ashes and dust.
Hope, love, desire lost but never forgotten.
Rahmina - Year 12

A poor boy of seventeen

toiled to change his fortune. An exquisite
yacht
hinted towards the life to come.
For Gatz became Gatsby and
James Gatz became none.
A man with no history;
all were fascinated, intrigued,
by the shadow who reached for the glow of
light - so green.
Emanuela - Year 12

Dont
wait for extraordinary
opportunities. Seize common
occasions and make them
great.
Orison Swett Marden

IT DEPARTMENT
With over 48,000 jobs
currently available in the
IT and computing sector,
Lordswood Sixth Form Centre
has seized the initiative and
introduced A level computer
science. Our students
have been exploring a new
programming language C#
which allows them to develop
GUI applications. With their
new found skills they have
created Hangman and a
Touch Typing programme to
test their accuracy. They have
also explored developments
within computing by having
6

exposure to virtual reality.

Experiencing virtual reality with Google Expeditions

Autumn 2016

HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

ITS ALL CHANGE!
View change as the one
constant in your life. Welcome
it, expect it, anticipate it
Denis Waitley
This Autumn saw the launch
of the new NQF BTEC
level 3 health and social
care curriculum with the
introduction of examined
units for the first time.

the giggles and laughter that

could be heard. This interactive approach enabled the
students to successfully plan
and answer a question on
the importance of play for
a childs development and
language acquisition.
Year 13 are preparing for their
next big change - their future
life journey. They are working
hard, striving to achieve as
many distinction grades as
possible in their remaining
units, to open as many doors
as possible for their next
steps. They were keen to
share their experiences of
level 3 health and social care.
The health and social care
course enables you to learn a
wide range of topics and isnt
just based on one aspect of
learning.

Year 12 researched childrens

toys for their next assignment
Year 12 health and social
care students were quite
apprehensive about the new
demands but were soon
surprised to find out that
preparing for exams can
be fun. Working in groups
the extended certificate
class explored a variety
of childrens toys. No-one
could have guessed the
students were planning an
exam question essay from

Youll work on your own and

in teams developing your
communication skills.

Health and social care is

a friendly environment.
Teachers are supportive and
help you to think for yourself.
Youll go on work placement
and get an insight into
working life and meet new
people.
Youll need to be organised
and manage your time well.
Another change is that
the health and social care
teaching team has grown.
September 2016 has
seen Mrs Muggleton join
Lordswood bringing over 26
years of teaching experience
to this already successful
department.
What isnt changing is
that health and social care
continues to be a very
popular option choice for
Lordswood students as a
stepping stone to careers in
the NHS, education and other
public services.

Year 12 health and social care students enjoy their lessons

7

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS DEPARTMENT

ELECTION OF DONALD TRUMP SHOCKS LSFC
GOVERNMENT & POLITICS STUDENTS

Students were invited to

attend the US ELECTION
BREAKFAST on Wednesday
9th November from 6.30am
to 8.30am in the conservatory
to watch a live news feed
of the results of the recent
presidential election.
Students tucked into a
hearty breakfast of croissant,
pancakes, waffles and fruit
whilst watching the live news
feed of election results and
analysis.
Emily Baines was our own
LSFC political correspondent
interviewing and filming
reactions from students and
staff. Samira Hamizi, having
followed some of Trumps
campaign said Its surprising
how many people in America
must agree with his racist
8

and sexist beliefs. However,

opinion remained divided on
the result with some students
commenting that the result
showed just how hated
Clinton is and that this was
an election fought between
the establishment and antiestablishment factions.
In our own LSFC Election
Poll, students invited to the
breakfast voted in a secret
ballot with the Lordswood
results below showing a
drastic difference to the US
result:
Donald Trump (0 votes) 0%
Clinton (53 votes) 100%
Reflecting on the difference
between the Lordswood
vote and the US national
results Manisha Sidhu
said Im so shocked that

Trump has garnered so

much support from people
in America particularly
when Clinton had so many
celebrity endorsements and
seemingly higher moral and
ethical policies although
if that is the result of the
democratic vote it needs to
be respected.
A big thank you to all the
students who attended the
breakfast to analyse and
debate the results. We now
wait to see what impact a
Trump presidency will have
on the UK.
Lordswood Government
and Politics study US politics
as part of their Year 13
programme of study.

Autumn 2016

DRAMA DEPARTMENT
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
946: The Amazing Story of
Adolophus Tips
Caitlin Ellison - Year 13
On the 8th October 2016
our Drama group went
to see 946: The amazing
story of Adolphus Tips at
The REP. This performance
was a creative adaptation
incorporating Brechtian work
to tell the story of World War
One and Nazi empowerment.
This performance was very
enlightening as it was our first
time seeing a performance
by the amazing Kneehigh. We
laughed, we cried, we danced
and even got signatures from
the actors. The atmosphere
was bright and uplifting both
in the show and afterwards.
The show even had a charity
they were focusing on to
support refugees and we all
had the chance to purchase
a lucky button for the

good cause. I would highly

recommend the performance
if you have the chance and
Kneehigh performances in
general. I cant wait to go to
on our next theatre visit to
see Frantic Assembly at the
Warwick Arts Centre.
Things I Know To Be True
Patience Kanjira - Year 13
On the 21st of October,
I was transported to the
complex and conflicted
lives of the Price family, all
of whom had secrets that
forced the family to wake
up and smell the roses. The
simplistic portrayal of issues
of identity and marital affairs,
in addition to questions of
gender, were all the more
effortlessly executed by the
fast paced scene changes and
stunning movement pieces
that brought the controversial

topics of the show to life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the
mixture of humour, emotional
vulnerability and selfreflection shown within the
play. The struggle of working
class parents who have
placed their individual hopes
and dreams for a better life
onto their children, is shown
in such a breathtaking way
your own emotional strength
will be tested to withstand
the onslaught of powerful
thought provoking scenes.
I would recommend this play
to all theatre lovers and even
those unaccustomed to the
theatrics of the stage as this
amazing piece of work from
the famous Frantic Assembly
will leave you deeply thinking
about the pains and joy of
family life.

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT
BIGGING UP BUSINESS
LSFC alumna Ramanjit Dubb
tells us why she will never
regret studying A level
business.
I am a former student of
Lordswood Sixth Form
Centre having studied A level
business and this is a choice
that I will never regret. Whilst
studying A level business from
2014 to 2016, I quickly gained

a large amount of knowledge

from lessons which were well
structured, fun, informative
and interesting. I always had
a keen interest in business
but the A level course
exceeded my expectations.
The teachers provided lots of
help and guidance with past
exam papers and tips on how
to tackle different questions.
I achieved an A grade which

is mainly due to the Business

Department at LSFC and their
dedication in ensuring that
each student is given the
level of help that they need. I
am now studying accounting
and finance at a Russell
group university and the
excellent preparation I had at
Lordswood made settling into
higher education much easier.
9

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

SPORTING ACADEMIES @ LSFC

PROMISING START FOR THE BASKETBALL& CRICKET
ACADEMIES

LSFC basketballers training hard with Mr Guppy

both developing well too,
Mr Guppy fills us in on the
with a bright future ahead
first term of the Lordswood
in the new sports hall - a
Sport Academies.
venue that the teams can
call home. After the success
The Basketball Academy
of the girls team (reaching
has started the season in
the West Midlands area final
excellent form, beginning the
last season) expectations are
West Midlands Basketball
running high. All players will
League with 5 wins and 1
need to show the required
defeat. This includes two
commitment to both their
cup victories which takes
sport and their academic
the team into the Rosebowl
studies in order for this
cup-competition quartersuccess to continue.
final which will be played in
the New Year. The WMBL
has also introduced a new
playoff structure to take place
this season so, alongside
the League and the Cup, the
team will be competing for an
unprecedented treble success
by the end of the season.
The junior teams and girls
basketball programmes are
10

The Cricket Academy is

in the initial stages of the
indoor season and has begun
training at the internationally
renowned Edgbaston Cricket
Centre. The players have
already shown great potential
and sporting talent, which
will continue to be challenged
throughout the year. The
indoor fixtures will start after
the Christmas break. This is
always an incredibly exciting
part of the season and a lot
of practice and preparation in
the nets over the winter will
no doubt help the players be
ready for the opposition.
The Lordswood sport
academies welcome new
students and provide an
enhanced experience of
sixth form life for those that
are prepared to show the
commitment towards the
training and the competitions.
If you are interested - ask
questions, come and
watch some games and get
involved!

Training at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, the home of

Warwickshire County Cricket Club

Autumn 2016

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
TAKING MATHEMATICS FURTHER
Mr Pearce explains how
enrichment activities continue
to play a key role in A Level
mathematics education.
Lordswood Sixth Form Centre
Mathematics Department
has continued to strengthen
links with industry and
higher education institutions
this year, offering our Year
12 A level students the
opportunity to experience
maths outside the classroom.
At the beginning of the
term five year 12 students
visited Warwick University
to participate in a Problem
Solving Conference.
Following a tour of the
university, they worked in
groups with students from
other schools to develop their

algebraic reasoning skills,

improve their ability to offer
mathematical proofs and
collaborate in a Fun-Maths
Roadshow.

develop their teamwork skills.

Needless to say the group
of students are thoroughly
enjoying the whole
experience.

In addition, a small group of

year 12 students are currently
working in partnership
with Network Rail to devise
solutions to real-life problems
in industry. This is part of
the Engineering Education
Scheme, where the students
complete a five month project
to research an idea, test their
prototype, write a report
and present their findings
to a panel of engineers and
business managers. During
this time, they get to spend
two days at the University
of Birmingham and the
Ibis Hotel to help further

The Mathematics Department

is very keen for these
enrichment opportunities
to continue and is always
looking for innovative ways to
take maths education out of
the classroom.

Do not judge
me by my successes, judge
me by how many times I fell
down and got back
up again.
Nelson Mandela

MEDIA DEPARTMENT
MEDIA AND FILM STUDIES UPDATE
Media and film studies
students have already been
involved in an exciting
range of activities this
term. The level 3 extended
diploma media students are
currently planning their own
documentaries and short
films. After analysing a range
of films such as 28 Days
Later and Bridget Jones
Diary, the students are in the
process of writing screenplays

for their own British film.

Inspired by the films they
have watched in class, the
students are creating films
in genres including romance,
gangster and the zombie
apocalypse. Level 3 students
are also creating their own
documentaries and have
already started gathering
footage from the local food
bank and a local convent.

The Year 12 AS media studies

and film studies students
are really enjoying their
new courses. Here a few of
them explain they have been
getting on since September:
Liberty
The film industry is lacking
in females, especially the field
I am most interested in, so
even though my class is full
of boys, film studies is my
11

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

LSFC media students at work in the Media Department

and planned out an entire
favourite subject. Apart from
music magazine in order to
being able to write detailed
make our own front cover,
analyses on the films I know
contents page and double
and love, I have been able to
page spread. The process
enhance my English skills and
has been very educational
delve into a world that opens
because Ive discovered things
my eyes to all the aspects of
about the magazine industry
film I once missed; instead of
just enjoying the story I get to I didnt know before. Ive also
been able to learn what it
see sides of the film industry
is like to be the editor of my
Ive never even noticed
own music magazine.
before.
I was over the moon that I
could choose to do media
studies at A Level. At the
moment we have researched

Laurenc
As a student of both
media and film studies, I
am enjoying both courses

enormously I didnt know

where I was going to go for
sixth form but am incredibly
happy and know that I made
the right choice in coming to
LSFC. I believe that I have the
best teachers I could possibly
ask for who will help me
through my 2 years at sixth
form to get the best possible
grades. I also feel very
comfortable with my peers
in my class. They all have a
determination to do well in
the course and that motivates
me to do the same.
A level film studies students
are currently exploring the
films Let Me In, a modern
take on the vampire
myth, and the ghost story
The Woman in Black, in
preparation for the summer
examination. They are
also analysing two films of
their own choice for their
coursework portfolio. Their
film choices include: Maze
Runner: Scorch Trials, Worlds
End, The Revenant, Birdman,
Elysium and Paul to name a
few.

MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

DOES BREXIT MAKE STUDYING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER?
LSFC student, Lucy, makes the
case.
There is no better time to
study a language at A level
than right now. In the UK
only 38% of Britons speak a
12

foreign language, compared

to 56% of people in other EU
member states. The scarcity
of foreign language speakers
in the UK makes having an
A Level in a modern foreign
language something that

really makes you stand out,

on top of all of the skills it
provides you with.
As an A level Spanish student
I have been amazed at how
much my confidence has

Autumn 2016

grown. Youre challenged

to be brave and try to
communicate your ideas and
opinions with others even
though you might be unsure.
Not only does this improve
your ability to convey ideas
eloquently, but it makes
learning fun because you
learn to make mistakes, laugh
at them and move on with
the new knowledge in mind.
Many people assume that
at A level class activities are

limited to grammar exercises,

but my Spanish lessons are,
in fact, the most creative of
all. We engage in role play,
debates, presentations and
watch films and cultural
performances. Through
these mediums we tackle a
myriad of real issues currently
affecting the world. From
environmental awareness
to immigration, the breadth
of study makes a foreign
language A level applicable to
every post-18 pathway.

As a language student you will

learn about the eccentricities
of other cultures (as well
as noticing the ones in your
own) and at the end of the
course the proficiency youll
achieve in your chosen
language(s) will mean youve
got far more opportunities
available to you.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
Isobel Hinton, a Year 13
music student, and a group
of her peers went to see the
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson
Trio at the Town Hall playing
Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat
major, Shostakovich Piano
Trio in E minor and Brahms
Piano Trio in B major.

to recordings and the

atmosphere created by the
musicians as they played was
astounding.

On Friday the 4th of

November, myself and all
other students studying
music went to see a concert
given by a piano trio at
the Town Hall. This was a
fabulous opportunity to hear
wonderful music played
by professional musicians
and we all enjoyed listening
to pieces by Shostakovich,
Beethoven and Brahms.

As a cellist myself it was a

real inspiration to watch
the cellist, especially in the
Shostakovich piece, where
I was astounded by both
her technical ability and
musicianship. It was really
great to have so many young
people in the concert hall
enjoying the atmosphere
as the majority of classical
concert audience members
are of older generations and
introducing young people
to classical music is vital if
concerts like these are to
continue.

Being able to hear a concert

live is a completely different
experience to listening

As an A level music student,

this concert was an especially
valuable experience for me

as the pieces played spanned

a range of musical eras (from
the classical era to the 20th
century) and gave me an
insight into how the different
periods of musical history
contrast and compare.
I will definitely be visiting
the town hall to see more
concerts in the future and
know that all of us who
attended were inspired by the
performance given.

Its not that

Im so smart. I just stay
with problems longer
Albert Einstein

13

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre Newsletter

RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT

RS STUDENTS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS
Religious studies is an
exciting, academically
rigorous A level that can be
an excellent foundation stone
for future academic study.
You would expect all teachers
to praise their subjects so we
asked our students what they
thought.
Our experience in A level
religious studies has allowed
us to expand our knowledge
and become more aware
of things around us. For
example, what is the most
moral and ethical thing
to do? What is a religious
experience? What do
you believe about God?
We also have upcoming
trips, for example to the
Birmingham Oratory, which
will also further enhance the
knowledge we have already
gained in lessons.
Priya Malhi and Haleema
Javed
I chose religious studies
predominantly because of my
strong interest in the subject
and the excellent support
offered by the teachers. The
A level is applicable to many
fields of study at university.
I want to study law in the
future and religious studies
has improved key essential
skills such as wider reading
and critical analysis. However,
RS is not just a means to an
end, topics such as Aristotle
14

RS students are dedicated to their studies

and his idea of human
and human.
happiness and looking at how Bushra Akhtar
free humans really are have
also been fascinating for me
When I first chose the RS I
to study.
was expecting a lot of writing,
Daniyaal Mahmood
constant essays and no fun
- but I was wrong as lessons
Religious studies provides
are very active, full of group
an exploration of more than
debates, creative projects and
just faith. It is looking at
welcoming to all abilities. We
the foundations of morality
learn about very controversial
to raise questions within
topics like abortion, surrogacy
our own society, such as
and violence for self-defence
the morality of the effects
in ethics. I have also got to
advanced methods of
be part of the RE leadership
screening pregnancy have
team and teach younger
on the down syndrome
years which has helped
population. This is what I
me with my application to
particularly enjoy about RS,
university. I would highly
the application of scholars
recommend this subject as
opinion to issues but being
its an enjoyable environment
able to formulate your own
and it allows you to develop
personal opinions. Moreover,
your character and morality.
RS enables me to understand, Caitlin Ellison
expand and analyse beliefs
and theories, to think more
We have just launched
of what it means to be moral
the new and exciting A

Autumn 2016

level in religious studies at

Lordswood, with a bigger
focus on philosophy, ethics
and Christianity. This new
format encourages students
to link topics together and
develop synthesis and
evaluation skills ready for

university. For example, we

will now consider how far
Christian views on the soul
and afterlife are compatible
with philosophical theories.
The RE department are also
offering opportunities for A

level students to be involved

in key stage three lessons
to widen their leadership
and communication skills.
This is ideal experience for
prospective student teachers
or those looking to work in
the public sector.

HISTORY DEPARTMENT
RICHARD OF YORK... THIS IS YOUR LIFE!
the causes of the War of the
Roses in the 15th century,
and a key agitator of these
conflicts was the House of
York, initially led by Richard.

Year 12 historians revived

the biographical television
documentary This Is Your
Life for a one off historical
special, focusing on the life
and achievements of Richard
Duke of York.
As part of their A level
studies, students examine

Students researched the key

events and individuals in
Richards life and set about
writing a script, and Director
Emanuella Sula immediately
took responsibility for
casting the production.
With Rudi Graham as
producer and Safiya LintonChambers as editor, filming
began. Our host, Hannah
McCalla-Wycherley had the
opportunity to interview
Richard (played by Lydia
Metson) to find out just how

much of a trouble maker

he really was! Richard was
not going to take any of the
blame for starting this war,
not when he blamed the
weaknesses of King Henry
VI (Abbie Thompson) for
giving too much power to
his favourites such as the
Duke of Somerset (his rival)
and allowing his controlling
wife Margaret of Anjou (Sara
Zahid) too much influence,
after all, a woman is not fit to
rule England!
The host had a tough job
interviewing supporters on
both sides to see who was to
blame, but it is has all been
recorded for you to see!

PSYCHOLOGY & SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

In psychology and
sociology our department
ethos is developing our
understanding through
debate and discussion. To
meet this aim a number
of visits have already been
arranged. This year, both
Years 12 and 13 will be
attending a range of master-

classes at Birmingham City

University. These classes will
enable students to develop
their understanding of
sociology and psychology,
as well as get an experience
of university lectures. The
topics covered include How
do we look at the brain? and
Sex and crime: an ethical

dilemma. Year 12 psychology

and sociology students will
also be going on an overnight
visit to London, visiting
parliament, the Supreme
Court and the Imperial War
Museum to develop their
understanding of the role that
laws and government can
play in society.
15

Autumn 2016

FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2016!

THE SIXTH FORM TEAM

Ms C Dignon - Head of Sixth Form
Mrs K Sheward - Associate Headteacher for Lordswood Schools
Mrs L Verma - Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum
Mrs R Waraich - Achievement Co-ordinator for Year 12
Mrs S Kauser - Achievement Co-ordinator Year 13
Mrs P Baker - Director of CEIAG & Work Related Learning
Mrs L Richards - Sixth Form Administrator
Mrs G Thomas - Work Related Learning Administrator

Lordswood Sixth Form Centre

sfc-enquiry@lordswoodtrust.co.uk | www.lordswoodsixthformcentre.co.uk | 0121 429 2838