Sixth Form Applications

A teenager’s sixth form (or Key Stage five) education is a very important time. These final two years of secondary schooling are optional, and are an opportunity for students aged 16 to 18 to make serious and important decisions about their future plans.

Normally sixth formers work on their preparation for qualifications such as A Level exams, although increasing numbers of schools and sixth form colleges are opting for alternative qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate and vocational subjects such as GNVQs. Teaching quality and facilities have a significant impact on the nature of qualifications that students receive, and these obviously will really play a part in students’ future plans. So it’s really important that parents and students think carefully about selecting a sixth form learning institution.

The Options

Most UK students either stay on at school to study for in a school’s sixth form, which may be split up into 'Lower Sixth' and 'Upper Sixth' at some schools, or attend 'sixth form colleges' also known as 'further education colleges'.

How to Decide

The first question to consider is what your child wants to study. Obviously the factors include a look at the subjects that he or she is best at, and enjoys most, but also what subjects are required for the more long-term life plans. Wannabe doctors, for example, will have to do science A Levels.

Consider what kind of teaching structure works best - colleges, for example, will usually teach in larger scales than small sixth form classes at private schools. Look at whether your school or college options provide the academic qualifications that you need, be they AS or A levels, or BTECs, City and Guilds or OCR Nationals. Some colleges also offer the new Diploma qualification for 14 to 19 year olds, so look into what is available.

Further Education Colleges - More Information

At a further education college, the whole curriculum is geared around older students. Your classmates may include older adults as well as young people, and the college may specialise in a specific sector - such as art and design, or sport. There may be more social activities organised for people of your age, but equally some further education colleges might only focus on providing an education and ignore the extra curricular activities that are routinely provided as a matter of course at many sixth forms within secondary schools. As these colleges are usually larger scale, they may be further from your house. Consider whether a longer daily commute is worth the benefits.

When to Apply

Most colleges and sixth forms within schools will start to open their application process in the autumn term of Year 11. This is the time when you and your child should be visiting colleges and schools, going to open days, talking to former and current students and finding out more about the studying options available. Note, however, that normally it is not necessary to submit an application if you want to remain at your current school’s own sixth form.