Some independent study has been set for all students in Years 7-10 who will not be in College on Thursday 27th April and Tuesday 2nd May due to the industrial action.
College will be re-open to all students on Friday 28th April and Wednesday 3rd May and it is a requirement that all students attend.
Link:
Letter from Principal re: Industrial Action on 27th April and 2nd May
Two Cowley Sixth Form College students have recently received the amazing news that they have been offered places to study Medicine at the University of Exeter.
Maja and Tanishka commented on being “happy, but quite shocked,” and “ecstatic and relieved!” after receiving the good news about their applications.
Looking forward to continuing their education in the South West, both students are full of praise for the support and encouragement they have received from staff throughout their time at Cowley Sixth Form College and especially during the application process to Exeter.
Tanishka commented: “My teachers have helped with every aspect of the application, from the actual application itself to mock interviews.”
Maja explained that she was ready for each section of the application process: “As part of the application to Exeter, we had to sit an exam that included content that we hadn’t started yet, but I felt prepared anyway thanks to all the support and help from staff at Cowley.”
The University of Exeter is part of the UK’s elite Russell Group of research-intensive universities and is globally recognised as a prestigious higher education institution of outstanding quality.
Cowley Sixth Form College Head of Achievement, Mr Dunford, commented: “We are delighted by the success of these students, and all our students who have shown grit and determination to pursue their study and career goals.
“The application process for studying Medicine at Exeter is particularly challenging and so I’d like to pass on my sincere congratulations to both Maja and Tanishka for their hard work and dedication in achieving their places.”
Both students are part of the College’s high achievers Scholars Programme, which provides an extensive range of subject-based and extra-curricular activities and support for academic high-flyers. The programme includes specific help with the application and selection processes for the most prestigious universities such as Oxbridge, other Russell Group universities and medical schools.
Find out more about Cowley Sixth Form College and the Scholars Programme online at www.cowleysixthform.org.uk.
We sat down for a Q & A with Maja and Tanishka about how they’re feeling about the exciting news, here’s what they had to say:
How are you feeling about being offered the place to study Medicine at Exeter?
T – I am really happy, quite shocked, but happy!
M – Ecstatic and also relieved!
What support did you have from the Sixth Form with your application?
T – Loads! Everyone has been so helpful. Subject teachers helped with every aspect, from the actual application through to mock interviews.
M – Same. I received a lot 1-to-1 mock interview help from Mrs Faulkner. As part of the application to Exeter we had to sit an exam that included content that we haven’t started yet, but I felt prepared anyway thanks to all the support and help from staff.
In the build up to finding out how you had got on with your application, how did you feel?
M – Stressed! The process takes months. It was a relief to finally find out.
T – Really nervous.
Has the offer given you a boost?
M – Definitely. I personally feel that I have got something to work towards.
Have you enjoyed being on the Cowley Sixth Form Scholars’ programme?
T – It has been enjoyable and has definitely been a contributing factor in how confident I felt in preparing to apply to university.
What opportunities have you had as part of the Scholars programme?
M – I have attended a number of undergraduate lectures on a wide range of subjects. As well as this, the Cambridge residential helped to give me an insight into life at a top university.
T – Same. To add, as part of the Scholars programme, we are given a selection of books that really helped with talking about different topics at interviews.
Do you think that the programme impacted on your successful application?
T – Yes, 100%
M – Definitely. I’ve had lots of support that has been continuous from Year 12.
Any other comments
M – I am really grateful to the college.
Cowley’s KS3 students will perform Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat on 25th and 26th May at 5pm in Cowley’s Emerald Theatre.
Students, please see Mr Watkins, Miss Radford, Mr Gerrard or Mr Westhead for more information on auditions and tickets to the event.
21st April 2023
Dear Parent/Carer
Re. Industrial Action
As you will be aware, the National Education Union (NEU) has announced it is to take further industrial action due to a national dispute between the unions and government over teachers’ pay and funding decisions for school. The next planned strike days are next Thursday, 27th April and the following week on Tuesday, 2nd May.
Due to the number of NEU members and health and safety implications, unfortunately, after careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision that the College cannot operate a standard day. I have outlined the plans below.
During these two days, the College will only be open to Sixth Form, Year 11 and a small group of identified Y7-10 students. Students of this Y7-10 identified group will attend College in full uniform from 8.30am to 3.05pm and parents/carers will receive a personal communication in the next few days. The scheduled Year 10 Geography field trip will go ahead as planned on Thursday 27th April.
Sixth Form students will follow their normal timetable. If their teacher is not in College, they will complete independent study in the Sixth Form Study Area.
Year 11 students will have GCSE revision master classes delivered by the Senior Management Team and some students will complete their scheduled GCSE language speaking exams. Master classes are standard revision activities that we run every year when students benefit from this time to be taught specific areas that will be on their exams. Year 11 students will arrive at 8.30am, in full uniform with their standard learning equipment, and finish College at 1.15pm. The afternoon session should be used to complete exam study at home. If Year 11 students require school transport at the end of the school day, we will supervise them during lunchtime and period 5. Please inform the Year 11 team if your child requires this provision by Wednesday 26th April to enable us to make appropriate arrangements.
Year 10 Geography students who are attending their mandatory GCSE field work on Thursday, 27th April will follow the guidance communicated with parents from Mrs Francis. The students will arrive at 8.30am, in clothes suitable for the field work, and will be dismissed from College on their return from Formby at approximately 1.15pm.
All Year 7 – 10 students not attending on these two days will be provided with appropriate independent study to complete at home. Miss Barry, Vice Principal, will be providing more details about this and adding information to our website early next week.
As most students entitled to Free School Meals won’t be in school on the two strike days, Mrs Callaghan, Business Manager, has once again arranged for £2.50 to be credited to their ParentPay meal account which won’t expire until spent. We understand that times are tough for families and it is important that no student goes hungry, therefore, if you prefer, a packed lunch can be collected or delivered on the day. Please let Mrs Callaghan know by noon on Monday 24th April via email to enquiries@cowleysthelens.org.uk and she will arrange for this to happen.
I am sorry that you will have to make alternative arrangements for your child, and for the disruption to their education. I have prioritised the exam year groups to ensure this strike does not interrupt their exam preparation. I very much hope this situation can be swiftly resolved so we can continue to deliver high quality education and opportunities for our students. I am in regular contact with LA and Union representatives and will keep you informed of any progress or change.
College will be re-open to all students on Friday, 28th April and Wednesday 3rd May, and it is a requirement that all students attend.
If you have any questions, please contact the college via email.
Yours sincerely,
Mr R Cormack
Principal
Dear Parent/Carer,
We hope you are having a lovely Easter Holiday. We are excited about students returning and the start of the exam season.
So students have a strong and calm start to the new term, we would appreciate your support with these key points:
- All students are required to attend from Monday 17th April at 8:30am
- Preparation is vital. Please ‘set up for success’ over the weekend. We do not want any panics on before College on Monday while your child is trying to get ready for College.
- Please ensure your child has full uniform and all the required equipment Uniform, Footwear and Essential Equipment – Cowley International College – St Helens
- Please ensure there are no issues with piercings, jewellery or hair colour.
Many thanks,
Cowley International College
There have been some changes to the school bus services which operate to and from Cowley International College which come into effect from Monday 17th April 2023.
One afternoon 706 journey is re-numbered as 757 and now runs to Desford Avenue, replacing the 757 operated by Cumfybus. One am and one pm 716 journey are renumbered 726, and are now operated by Stagecoach. There are some operator changes and minor timing changes.
The changes can be outlined in the chart below:
| Operator | Service | From | Dep Time | To | Arr Time |
| Stagecoach | 726 | Lowfield Lane | 0748 | Cowley International College | 0815 |
| Stagecoach | 706 | Jackson Street / McCulloch Street | 0745 | Cowley International College | 0808 |
| Peoples | 716 | Sherdley Road/Elton Head Road | 0750 | Cowley International College | 0815 |
| Peoples | 706 | Longridge Avenue | 0751 | Cowley International College | 0809 |
| Hattons | 757 | Town Centre/Alfred Street | 0758 | Cowley International College | 0810 |
| Hattons | 760 | Clinkham Wood | 0758 | Cowley International College | 0815 |
| Peoples | 716 | Cowley International College | 1515 | Sherdley Road/Elton Head Road | 1539 |
| Stagecoach | 726 | Cowley International College | 1515 | Sherdley Road/Elton Head Road | 1541 |
| Peoples | 706 | Cowley International College | 1530 | Merton Bank | 1550 |
| Stagecoach | 757 | Cowley International College | 1515 | Desford Avenue, Coalville Road | 1530 |
| Stagecoach | 760 | Cowley International College | 1515 | Clinkham Wood | 1533 |
The full timetable can be found in the document below:
With an important few weeks ahead for students in Years 11, 12 and 13 with exam season just around the corner, we are putting on some useful revision classes over the Easter holidays for students to attend.
In the past, students have found these sessions really useful in their preparations for the exams. Please find the timetables below.
Year 11
Sixth Form
A number of music students from Cowley Sixth Form College are organising an event to showcase different genres and styles of music from local students, with acts including bands and solo artists performing from the St. Helens area.
The event is aimed at bringing music lovers and the people of St. Helens together in one place for one night only. The event is titled: Upcoming!
The concert will be held on Friday 5th May 2023. Visitors can enjoy a range of music for the price of £7, the price includes tickets to the venue, and a raffle ticket, with prizes including a signed Saints rugby ball. The venue has a licensed bar
The night was created to bring local musicians and bands from local colleges together, giving students a platform to showcase their abilities to a live audience.
The event will be held at the Tunza Centre. The night will be themed as an outdoor festival, that is indoors, creating a fun lively feel.
We would like to send our appreciation to the Tunza team and its owner Ian Smith, who has been a great help in organising the event and letting us use their space for our concert.
On the event Ian said: “It’s a great privilege to work with the staff and students at Cowley on their music event. Each year the students work hard to not only organise the event but to take part in it as well. There’s always a tremendous atmosphere and there are some very talented musicians on show. The Tunza Centre is a beacon for young people to thrive, express their creativity and perform, in many cases, to a packed audience for the first time. I’m sure this year’s “Revolution” event will be a great success.”
Mr Watkins, Head of Performing Arts at Cowley added: “I am extremely proud of the music students devising this wonderful concept giving young music artists with the St Helens area a platform to showcase their skills. This really is a night not to miss out on. Book your tickets for ‘Upcoming’ soon!”
Please contact the Sixth Form College on 01744 678 030 (option 2) to purchase tickets.
Funded by the Department for Education, the FREE holiday activities and food (HAF) programme provides healthy food and enriching activities for primary and secondary school-aged children eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
Take a look at all the local Easter holiday activities and food programme events that are taking place by visiting this St Helens Council webpage:
Holiday activities and food programme – St Helens Borough Council
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to you to invite you to stand for election as a parent governor or to nominate another parent to do so.
The Governing Body, with the Principal, have overall responsibility for the running of the college. Governing Bodies have three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding the Principal to account for the educational performance of the college and its students.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the college and making sure its money is well spent.
No special qualifications are required and the most important thing is to have a keen interest in the college and be prepared to play an active part in the governing body’s work. However, we would particularly welcome nominations from parents with skills and experiences in Human Resources. Training is available for all governors and this governing body has an expectation that those new to being a Governor attend free induction training.
The attached sheet (see below) summarises the circumstances under which someone cannot serve as a Governor. In addition, parents/carers who have paid employment in the college for 500 or more hours per academic year or who are elected members of the Local Authority are not eligible to stand in these elections. Nominations must be from parents or carers with children at the college on the day that nominations close.
If you would like to stand for election, please complete the nomination form by following this link https://forms.office.com/e/x67r15BmVp, or via the form embedded below, no later than Tuesday, 18th April 2023. You may also include a short personal statement to support your nomination, which should be no longer than 250 words. Self-nominations will be accepted, but if you are nominating another parent/carer please seek their prior consent.
If there are more nominations than vacancies the election will be by secret ballot. If that is necessary, voting papers will be sent to all parents together with details of the ballot procedure.
Yours sincerely,
Mr R Cormack
Principal
Qualifications And Disqualifications To Serve As A School Governor
