Which are the best sixth form schools nearby?

Want to know which nearby sixth form schools are in the top 6th form league tables? What their A-level results are?

Which are the best 6th Form schools near me?

2024 Sunday Times Sixth Form League Tables

Top tips of what to look for in a good sixth form school

Our sixth form school tip one – School Principal who greets pupils at the school gate

When choosing a secondary school, look for signs of a strong school community. A headteacher who personally greets students demonstrates their commitment to the school’s well-being.

On open days, pay attention to the overall vibe. Are staff and students relaxed and engaged? High anxiety schools may be easy to spot in how staff behave when the headteacher is present. A great head creates a positive school climate and culture. Listen to how they talk about their role. Do they focus solely on academic achievements or also prioritize student well-being and non-academic progress?

Sixth form school tip two – pupils’ mental health is taken seriously

Mental health is a growing concern among young people. One in five children aged 8 to 16 experiences a probable mental health disorder. Finding a school that can identify and support struggling students is crucial. Ask parents and students about the school’s approach to mental health. Does it proactively teach emotional coping skills, or is it reactive, only intervening when problems become severe?

Look for schools with mental health training for staff, including nurses, heads of year, and tutors. Ask students if they feel listened to and supported by adults when they have concerns.

Sixth form school tip three – Top SEN Provision

Many children have special educational needs (SEN) and may require additional support. Look for schools where inclusivity is woven into the teaching, not just an afterthought. Be wary of any negativity towards SEN students.

Instead of relying solely on the school prospectus, schedule a meeting with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Listen closely to how they describe the children and the school’s approach to supporting different needs.

Here are some indicators of a good fit:

• Does the school offer a variety of learning styles and methods?
• Are there programs or resources specifically for SEN students?
• Is the staff trained to support children with different needs?
• Are there flexible arrangements, such as alternative uniform options for students with sensory sensitivities?

Sixth form school tip four – school pupils show you around

When visiting a school, observe if students are involved in showing visitors around. This can be a positive sign. Feel free to ask students about their experiences, how they feel valued, and what they like about the school. Their insights can be valuable.

Students can often provide honest feedback on open days. Ask about extracurricular activities, rewards, disciplinary procedures, and exam preparation.

Common signs of a bad sixth form school to look out for

Our 6th form school tip five – school toilets are locked between primary school lessons

Schools often showcase their best classrooms for visitors. However, pay attention to the overall condition of the school.Are the buildings and grounds well-maintained? The restrooms, library, and dining hall can provide valuable insights.

If restrooms are locked between classes, inquire about the reason. This could indicate bullying, truancy, or vaping issues.The cleanliness and upkeep of school facilities reflect the school’s commitment to student well-being.

6th form school tip six – be wary if all the walls’ artwork is too perfect

Pay attention to the school’s artwork and noticeboards. They can reveal the school’s values and priorities. Even the arrangement of tables can provide clues about the learning environment. Look for evidence of a vibrant school life, with events like concerts, plays, and clubs. Avoid schools that rely heavily on rules and timetables.

The artwork on display should represent a diverse range of students, showcasing individual abilities and personalities.Avoid schools that only display ‘perfect’ examples of high achievers. This can be a sign of a less inclusive environment.

Sixth form school tip seven – there are few, if any, after school clubs

If your child has a talent for art, music, or sports, look for a school that supports these interests. Developing these skills can boost confidence and positively impact other areas of school life.

Extracurricular activities are essential for nurturing these talents. Consider visiting a school during after-school hours to observe the level of teacher involvement. A school with few teachers staying late may indicate limited extracurricular opportunities.

6th form school tip eight – under-performing pupils are eased out to improve school league table results

When choosing a secondary school, look for signs of a strong school community. A headteacher who personally greets students demonstrates their commitment to the school’s well-being.

For primary schools, consider visiting during drop-off or pick-up. Observe the atmosphere and interactions between staff and children. A happy school often has happy teachers, which can lead to happier pupils.

On open days, pay attention to the overall vibe. Are staff and students relaxed and engaged? High anxiety schools may be easy to spot in how staff behave when the headteacher is present. A great head creates a positive school climate and culture. Listen to how they talk about their role. Do they focus solely on academic achievements or also prioritize student well-being and non-academic progress?

Top Sunday Times 6 form league table 2023

1 King’s Maths School, London
2 Exeter Maths School, Exeter
3 London Academy of Excellence Stratford, London
4 Newham Collegiate Sixth Form Centre, London
5 Harris Westminster Sixth Form, London
6 Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge
7 Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, Norwich
8 Woodhouse College, London
9 Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC), Hove
10 Greenhead College, Huddersfield
11 St Dominic’s Sixth Form College, Harrow-on-the-Hill
12 Harington School, Oakham
13 Peter Symonds College, Winchester
14 London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham, London
15 Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College, Northwich
16 The College of Richard Collyer, Horsham
17 Winstanley College, Wigan
18 Chapeltown Academy, Sheffield
19 The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Farnborough
20 Callywith College, Bodmin

Who are School Entrance Tests?

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Our FREE 6th Form A-level resources

• When is A-Level Results Day?
• How are AQA A-Level grade boundaries calculated and What does each A-level grade boundary mean?
• Which London sixth forms are nearby?
• 16+ exam papers practice Year 11.
• A-level papers for revision. and private London sixth form entrance guide.

The private school entry exam market is constantly shifting across multiple providers; GL Assessment, ISEB and CEM Select are the main three exam publishers.

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We recommend parents and 16+ tutors follow these steps to build a child’s 16+ entry exam skills and to gain a 16 Plus pass.

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4. As you become more 16+ exam experienced, then you should focus your 16 plus revision on those 16+ exam section and 16+ question types that you find most challenging.
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What do sixth form school league tables mean?

Sixth Form league table rankings are based on a national comparison of each school’s A-Level results with the national average. Non-exam based criteria are also used to determine the rankings.

Where can I find sixth form school league tables?

The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph websites allow you to add filters to their published league tables. You can pull out those sixth form schools for which you are in the catchment area. Then compare only those sixth forms you are most interested in.

Sixth Form ofsted Reports

Check the latest Ofsted report too for each sixth form you are interested in applying to.

To search you put in the name of any school. You then can access its history of Ofsted inspections and their associated scores, percentage of Progress 8 success, etc.

More refined searches are then recommended. So, for primary schools, we advise checking the percentage of students meeting the expected standards. The national standard is 65%, so if the school you are checking exceeded that in its latest inspection?

How best to shortlist sixth form schools

If so, shortlist it as one option.

Doing this for all the sixth form schools in your catchment area.

You hopefully now have a relatively short list. You should visit each sixth form on your short-list.

Sample the sixth form’s general atmosphere and check that the school’s studying and well-being ethos are a good fit for your child.

There is a huge range of Independent Sixth Forms spread out over Great Britain, which is why we focus here on private sixth form colleges in London.

When are my local sixth form open days?

check the next sixth form open days here to find out when you can visit each sixth form.

Top London Private Sixth Forms 

In England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Common Wealth countries a Sixth Form refers to the last 1-3 years of schooling. This is usually between the ages of 16 and 18. A Sixth Form education is to prepare for A-level exams, at the end of Year 13. Although most Sixth Forms form part of a Secondary school, they can also be independent. Independent Sixth Forms Colleges imitate learning in a more informal manner, closer to University.

Best sixth form schools near me

You may find that Sixth Form colleges are different from those attached to secondary schools on the following:

• No uniform
• Meeting new people as learners all come from different schools
• More independence preparing learners for after school
• A wider range of subjects including BTEC and vocational courses

For most schools, Sixth Form, therefore, consists of Year 12 (Lower Sixth) and Year 13 (Upper Sixth).

Although most English Private Secondary schools have a Sixth Form as part of the school, these can also be independent.

The Department of Education has not made attending Sixth Form compulsory in England. However, children of that age need to still be in formal education. There are therefore a few choices after writing GCSE’s at the end of Year 11:

• Attend Sixth Form in preparation of University/Academic qualification
• Vocational training
• Advanced Apprenticeship

Which top Sixth Forms are near me?

Which are my top local 6 form Colleges?

What are my local 6th form Colleges like?

The sixth form covers the last 2 years that includes Year 12 as well as Year 13 of Secondary Education.

Hence between 16-18 years of age.

It can be abbreviated to U6 and L6. In other words, the upper sixth and lower sixth.

Sixth form pupils prepare for either the International Baccalaureate or A-level exams.

Changes and deadlines for Sixth Forms applications

Changes are taking place in the main event. The deadline for the sixth form application is on 29 January where the application for the course will start from September. Students should fill up the application within the deadline and late applicants will be placed on the waiting list.

London Sixth Form Open Days

Sixth Form open days are more popular than ever due to the live presentations and opportunities to chat with students and staff, which is a virtual campus tour. It is observed that this virtual open day is a packed day that usually starts from the month of November and can be explored by the change is taking place.

Top London sixth forms

A-Level Study Skills

Going to school, college or University isn’t just about learning facts in a particular subject. It’s about developing a set of general study skills. These will help you throughout life, whatever the situation.

But what are study skills and how do you learn them? Rather than referring to one particular technique, the name is a really a catch-all for a set of study strategies. These are strategies that will help you in either the classroom or work environment.

For example, study skills or study strategies typically include efficient note-taking, concentration techniques, planning, effective reading and the use of mnemonics (memory techniques) to retain information.

However, it could also be used to refer to any skill that can boost your ability to study. So it could also include time management skills and motivational techniques.

Once mastered, study skills will benefit you throughout your life. For example, organisational skills, time management, learning how to analyse information and problem-solving are all skills employers are crying out for.

Top London sixth forms

A-Level Maths Tuition Tips

What to look for in a top A-level Maths Tutor

• Live tutorials
• Recorded videos of previous lessons
• Homework with feedback from the tutor
• Offering IB Diploma and Foundation Mathematics as a more bespoke tutoring service.
• All accessible via PC or tablet or phone.
• Offering Edexcel, OCR and AQA A-Level specific tuition
• Focussing on providing a holistic appreciation of the A Level subject.
• Aiming for cross-sectional A-Level  knowledge.
• Working in line with each respective examining body, focusing on specifics of what examiners are looking for.
• Drawing parallels between different topics which helps to gain a more holistic understanding.
• Recognising the importance of establishing a great working relationship between tutor and student.
• Strong two-way Communication needs to be strong so that A-Level students are comfortable asking questions.

What to expect during an A-Level tuition lesson

1. Plenty of opportunities to ask the tutor questions.
2. In group tuition lessons, to collaborate with other A-Level students in small, like-minded groups.
3. Participating in polls.
4. Weekly lesson reviews.
5. Spending a lot of time on examples, helping students to recognise and answer different types of A-Level essay question.

CAT4 Year 11 entry test video explanation, Applying CAT4 results at your school

FREE School Entrance Tests Sixth Form resources

We can help you to identify your;

• Best local sixth form colleges,
• Sixth form near me and best sixth form schools near me
• Best sixth form colleges nearby
• A Level schools near me and 6th forms near me.
• Good London sixth forms near me and 6th form colleges near me.