Sixth Form

"One of the best things about school is the links it’s established in the local community and more widely. From lectures and workshops to community action schemes, we are given opportunities to help others and learn more about themselves." - Year 12 pupil, James Allen's Girls' School.

The sixth form educates 17- and 18-year-olds, and is a crucially important time in education. Pupils will be taking important exams – many with a view to university courses - be they AS/A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, Pre-U or more vocational qualifications such as the GNVQ.

At the same time pupils have the chance to take on more senior positions within the school itself, often becoming team or society captains, prefects, editing the school magazine, or even becoming head boy or girl. Many schools have committees made up of sixth-formers which meet regularly with the head teacher and other staff to get involved with school policy and running the sixth-form communal areas.

Many sixth-formers are also involved in a “buddy system”, where those new to the senior school are paired up with someone who knows it well and is more experienced, offering their experience and wisdom in getting to grips with independent education.

To search for a sixth form try our school search

School Age Ranges
Pre-Prep School (age 3-7)
Prep School (Junior School) (age 7-11 or 7-13)
Senior School (age 11-16 or 13-16)
Sixth Form (age 16-18)
School structure (state vs independent schools)

Blogs
Pre-preparatory, prep, junior,senior and sixth-form, what do they all mean?