SIXTH FORM PASTORAL HANDBOOK 2026/2027 CONTENTS P02 P04 P05 P06
BSAK’s Purpose and Values Assistant Head Welcome Wellbeing One Stop Shop Meet Your Head of Year
Student Staff Agreement Safeguarding Term Dates and Timings Nursing Handbook Parking and Traffic Communications - Social Media Inclusion Mobile Phones
Mental Health and Wellbeing House System Uniform Transport Communications - Parent Portal Library University and Careers
WELCOME FROM THE ASSISTANT HEAD Dear Parents, I am always immensely proud of our Sixth Form students as they walk through a staff guard of honour on their last day of Year 13. The growth we see in them throughout their two year journey is often immeasurable. It’s not just their white shirts that make them stand out, their academic achievements are excellent and our Sixth Form students are outstanding role models to younger students who see them as sources of inspiration in the way they purposefully conduct themselves with good manners, decorum and empathy.
Mr Steve Oakes HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
Our Sixth Form facilities outside of the classroom are a place of learning but also an environment in which students thrive personally and socially. The staff-student relationships, which are characterised by a friendly, humorous and relaxed atmosphere, contribute to the success of the Sixth Form experience. The staff at BSAK welcome into our Sixth Form both those who have not previously studied here as well as those applying from our own Year 11 cohort. The Learning Curve and Common Room are areas that enable all students to integrate quickly into the life of the Sixth Form. Whilst we have high expectations of our Sixth Form Students, which are all outlined in the Sixth Form agreement, we also trust them with privileges not available to younger students. We provide an exceptional platform upon which every student can grow, and develop to exceed their own expectations. This handbook aims to provide our new families with important information to successfully begin their journey in the BSAK Sixth Form. Mr Steve Oakes Assistant Head soakes@britishschool.sch.ae
WELLBEING PADLET ONE STOP SHOP A few years ago BSAK launched a Wellbeing One Stop Shop which is accessible on the parent portal. Each month we add new materials associated with Wellbeing, Inclusion, or Digital Safety. We will be continuing to do this so please keep an eye out on our Social Media channels to see what's new each month. Below you can find examples of content already there. Please take some time to look through, it is a resource for parents so if you have any suggestions on topics you want including contact me on ncooper@britishschool.sch.ae Inclusion
A spotlight on Neurodiversity with a focus on Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism A spotlight on anxiety, depression, OCD and ODD How to support your child with trauma or bereavement
Digital Safety
Back to school online safety tips Guidance on how to monitor and restrict internet usage at home Digital Safety Information booklet for parents with guidance on apps Guidance surrounding AI Online Gaming Safety Tips and ESports Parent Guide
Wellbeing
Strategies to help your tween or teen identify and process emotions How to boost your child's self esteem How to help your child develop resilience and prevent exams anxiety How to manage conflict with your tween or teen
MEET YOUR HEADS OF YEAR Dear Parents, It is a real pleasure to welcome the new Year 12 students into our Sixth Form. We are genuinely excited to see each student arrive in their new white shirts and for us to “hit the ground running.”
Mrs Jane Roughley HEAD OF Y13
Miss Louise Mell HEAD OF Y12
The beginning of Sixth Form is a new start for everyone, and a chance for our students to reflect on what has gone before and to look forward with renewed optimism and enthusiasm to what will come in the next two years, and beyond. The students will be in new tutor groups, with some students who are new to BSAK. School life will change and our new students will notice significant differences between this and your previous studies. They will be focussing on a very narrow band of subjects, which have been chosen based on their abilities and enjoyment. Each student should throw themselves wholeheartedly into this new adventure. This means working as hard as they can (even in study periods), joining our academic enrichment clubs, and maintaining their contributions outside of the classroom. Within a few weeks of starting their Sixth Form journey, the new Year 12 class will be afforded the opportunity to apply for a Prefect position. Not only is this a chance to really give back to our community and support the school, it is the first step towards being a Senior Prefect. Each student is blessed with a fantastic support network. Our tutors, Mrs Haweel, Mrs Hutchinson and Mr Oakes will all work with us to provide the best chance of success and to ensure these are the best two years of their school life. We live in the office beside the common room and the door is always open. We ask a lot of our students and high standards are the norm. We are an example to the rest of the school and we will be their biggest champions, but also a critical friend when required. Being a Head of Year in our Sixth Form is a real privilege, as we get to work with magnificent people during the most important period of their school life. It is not something taken lightly, but it is something we enjoy hugely, and from what I already know about our “Class of 2027”, we can’t wait for you to get started. Good Luck! Mrs Jane Roughley
Miss Louise Mell
Head of Year 13 jroughley@britishschool.sch.ae
Head of Year 12 lmell@britishschool.sch.ae