The Philip Morant College

As the only comprehensive school with its own sixth form in the town of Colchester, Philip Morant is well placed to offer a very distinct college experience. The emphasis is on high quality teaching in small groups, together with very well established systems for monitoring and target setting. The aim of the College is to enable students to achieve their highest academic aspirations, while also being able to enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Above all the College endeavours to prepare students for their next step. Many progress to higher education while others move directly into employment. The majority of our students move into the College from the main school. A significant number of students also join each year from a range of schools in Colchester and further afield. All students quickly become part of the friendly College community.

To find out more about the courses we offer, download a copy of our prospectus.

Application Form

College Application Form

College Application Form

Accommodation

The College is housed in purpose-built accommodation separate from the main school. The College Café provides an informal environment where students can relax or work. It is open early in the morning before College starts and continues to serve food and drinks until mid-afternoon. The College Library has excellent resources and includes an adjacent room for study and laptop use. In the library students can be assured of a calm working environment, staffed by trained librarians to advise on reading and research. Most College lessons take place in the recently built College and Mathematics, Technology and Science accommodation. This has been designed for Sixth Form teaching and provides a high quality learning environment.
 

Academic and Pastoral Guidance

A crucial part of our success lies in the care and attention that the size of the College enables us to provide. There is a very positive working relationship between staff and students in the College. Staff-student ratios in teaching groups are beneficial to high quality learning. Each student has a personal tutor who plays a pivotal role in academic monitoring and guidance. The College prides itself on the quality of its communication with parents. There is a parent’s information evening at the start of the Autumn term in Year 12 and a Staff/Student/Parent Consultation Evening later in the term. Students and parents will also receive regular reports on progress.

The Resource Base

Higher Education and Careers

Considerable emphasis is placed on students and parents being well informed about higher education options. Students will receive a great deal of support from their personal tutor and outside speakers will provide detailed information on the range of opportunities available, the application process and financial arrangements.

Each year the College holds a higher education and employment conference. Visiting speakers from universities, employers and gap year organisations, provide a wide range of information. The conference also includes a higher education evening for parents with talks on a range of issues concerning higher education. Students are able to have individual appointments with an experienced careers advisor from Essex Connexions (website).

The Extra-Curricular Programme

There will be many opportunities for students to involve themselves in activities outside the academic curriculum. These should be seen as an important part of preparation for university or a career. University admission tutors welcome students who are likely to play a full part in university life and students should use their time in the college to develop a broad range of skills and interests. The College magazine (Phimco) offers a creative outlet to students as well as enabling them to obtain first hand experience of the various aspects of planning and producing a publication.

Philip Morant has an enviable reputation for Drama and Music and each year stages a number of productions. Some of these only include College students such as the production of “Love on the Dole”, while others involve the whole school. The dramatic scope offered by a school-based Sixth Form is evident from the success of recent productions such as “Return to the Forbidden Planet” and “Little Shop of Horrors”.

All students in the College follow an Enrichment programme. Enrichment is a name for all those activities run by and encouraged by the College which lie outside a student’s elected programme of study. Activities include university and careers preparation and visiting speakers, together with the student’s choice of enrichment activity.

Sport

All students are encouraged to be involved in some kind of physical activity either in College or off-site. Sport is available as an Enrichment Activity. Team games are offered and a wide range of other sports according to individual interest. Our College teams compete against other schools and colleges and are an important part of College life.

Trips

Since its inception Philip Morant College has promoted overseas links and trips. Every two years College students have taken part in a World Challenge Expedition to an exciting part of the world. Students spend at least a year fundraising as a team and the trips involve community work as well as expeditions and other opportunities to develop personal skills. In 2004 students visited Borneo and in 2006, Mongolia.

Departments arrange trips for their students, such as Biology and Geography field trips and the History Department trip to America. College students also join students from the school for trips such as the annual ski trip.

The College Association

The College Association plays a vital role in the running of the College and ensures good communication between students and staff. The Association is an elected group of students who meet regularly with the Head of College and Assistant Head of College.

The Association holds its own budget and is responsible for many aspects of College life including charity and social events. It provides an ideal opportunity for students to develop leadership, management and communication skills. Year 12 students are elected to posts at the start of the new term in September.