Minsthorpe Community College is a large successful 11-18 college committed to lifelong learning for all its students and community, within a supportive and friendly environment.  We hope that this information will help you make important decisions about your future and that we can offer you the right course for you. The number of Post 16 Students studying at Minsthorpe has risen impressively over recent years, with between 280-300 enrolling on courses between Year 12 and 13 every year.  We believe that at Minsthorpe we can offer a first rate Post 16 education, which will lead students to achievements and qualifications. 

As part of the Wakefield South East Learning Community (WSELC), Minsthorpe is committed to enhancing the opportunities for all learners in the south east of the district and to that extent, have strong links with Hemsworth Arts and Community College, with whom we offer joint courses.  We have also recently expanded our provision to include courses delivered at our brand new Wakefield South East Training and Enterprise Centre.  This is a new building including state of the art facilities in Beauty and Construction to name but two. 

We have a wide range of academic and vocational courses on offer all with good success rates.  Students enrol on either a two year 'level 3' programme or a one year level 1 or 2 programmes.  Many of our level 2 students then re-enrol on a level 3 programme.  At level 3, we offer AS/A2 levels, BTEC Diplomas (equivalent to 1 or 3 'A' Levels) and NVQ's. At level 2, we offer BTEC First Diplomas, NVQ's, and GCSE resits in Maths and English. Some subjects will be familiar to students whilst others offer the opportunity to embark on a completely new field of study.  Familiar staff who have already guided and pushed students through GCSEs are the course leaders for Post 16 subjects.

We are a popular and successful College which is rapidly expanding.   Students enrol on an extensive range of both academic and vocational courses.  Our collaboration within the Wakefield South East Learning Community means that this range is extending every year.  Established free transport links between us and our collaborative partner (Hemsworth Arts & Community College) and our third new site, WSTEC, located between the two, means that accessing courses on both sites has never been easier!

Our Beauty Therapy courses are taught in a brand new dedicated Beauty Salon to which all students have access for beauty treatments.

Our success is based on the belief that students deserve the best in terms of teaching facilities, extra-curricular activities and individual support. 

At Minsthorpe students benefit from high standards of teaching, effective tutorial support and excellent advice/guidance.

We offer an extensive enrichment programme where students will be able to develop their skills and interests through a wide range of activities including sport, volunteering and work experience.  This learning experience will help prepare our students successfully to pursue their further opportunities in education/employment.

Students will also have a weekly General Studies lesson which will support them in developing their personal and economic well-being as they mature into young adults and help develop academic and essay writing skills. 

We are lucky to have a purpose built Post 16 Centre located between the Science Block and the Sports and Fitness Centre. This is a two storey building which houses the learning centre equipped with computers solely for Post 16 use, social area, incorporating a Post 16 Café, and administrative functions for Post 16 students. Students are taught in specialist areas relevant to their course of study.

THE FACILITIES

• Dedicated Post 16 block
• Self-contained Café
• Self-contained Study Area with computers, printers and Photocopying facilities
• Access to new and refurbished subject areas.
• A purpose built Cadet Centre for the BTEC Public Services Courses.
• Free access to excellent new Sports Facilities.
• Access to the new Open Access Learning Centre for individual resources and study.
• Access to Post 16 only networked PCs to assist study and research.
• New Beauty Suite.
• Training and Conference Centre.
• First rate Childcare facilities on site.

We have recently expanded our structure and have put in place a huge amount of staff support at Post 16. The Assistant Principal and Director of Post 16 Education and Training oversee the Post 16. In addition there are two Cross Curriculum Team Leaders who take responsibility for Years 12 and 13 respectively. We also have a Support For Achievement Mentor, a dedicated Post 16 Careers and Education Guidance teacher, and access to MAP (Minsthorpe Access Point). Every student will have an individual mentor whose role it is to guide you through your Post 16 course(s).  They will provide personal, emotional and social support, monitor your attendance and follow up any unexplained absences, deliver the tutorial programme and discuss targets with you on a regular basis.  We will use a system of registration for students which is compatible with the philosophy of a Post 16 Centre that operates within a Community College. 

You will see your mentor at least three times a week.  This will involve monitoring performance and attendance as well as supporting you personally and emotionally.  Your mentor will also monitor your attendance closely and act as a communication channel between college, students and parents.  They will also write university and employment references for you. 

Staff will be available in college when the GCSE results are published in August.

Ask yourself:-What career do you have in mind? Can you plan to improve your qualifications so that you can achieve your chosen career? What alternatives to your career choice do you have in mind? What subjects do you need to study and to what level? 

Entry onto Level 3 courses requires 5 A - C GCSE grades or more.  We will look closely at your GCSE and other Key Stage 4 achievements and in discussion with students, help you choose the most appropriate course at the correct level of study. 

Advanced Level Post-16 students are given the opportunity to: Investigate Colleges and Universities. Attend Open Days. Listen to visiting speakers. Discuss career requirements and opportunities. In Year 13, staff and students together carefully consider individual needs when identifying the most suitable University or College. As a result, Minsthorpe has a highly successful record of placing students at Universities and colleges of Further and Higher Education.

The Careers Guidance and Action Planning which students experience in Year 11 continues in Post-16.For each individual, this consists of: Support and guidance from your mentor, subject teachers, the Director of Post 16 and other key staff. Interviews, when appropriate, with our Guidance Adviser .Use of the College`s Careers Library, which has an extensive range of books and computer software.

Students continue to thrive at Minsthorpe and 2011/12 saw our largest cohort of students progressing to university.  Almost half of students in Year 13 have been successful in securing places at university.  Our Vocational results continue to thrive, and every year, successes in BTEC exams are in the top 10% of the country.  In academic exams, students continue to thrive, with 2011 seeing our highest ever pass rate at A Level of 99% - this is above the national average.  With the addition of General Studies, and ASDAN CoPE to our programme of courses, students are coming out with more qualifications, and better prepared for the world of work, or university.  Our projections continue to rise and we expect to see our best ever results in summer 2012.