Building community and supporting success: How our Sixth Form College helps students achieve their goals

Students from our Sixth Form College share their experiences of college life and talk about their next steps.

A Level Results Day 2024 at our Sixth Form College was an emotional time for all concerned – but what the day marked for many was the end of their time at the college and the beginning of the next phase in their lives.

We spoke to a number of students to get their take on college life and hear about their exciting plans following their A Level studies.

Eva

One of this year’s top-performing students was Eva, who got an A in Graphic Communication, an A* in Fine Art and a B in Media Studies.

What are you hoping to do next?

I’m hoping to continue Graphic Design, maybe at the University of Leeds – but I haven’t decided yet.

What has your experience of college been like?

I never really liked school, but with college, I never woke up and didn’t want to go. I just really enjoyed it, everyone’s really nice. The teachers are nice, you can ask them for anything and they’ll attend to you immediately.

What will you remember most about your time here?

Making friends. It was really nice going out and eating together, having fun and making memories.

Indiana

Indiana, studied Sociology, English Literature and Drama and Theatre, achieving a B and two Ds.

What’s next for you?

I’m going on to study Media and Communications at West London University. I’ve always wanted to do anything to do with media, news reporting specifically. 

What has your experience of college been like?

I came by myself and I didn’t know anybody, so it was really nice to come out of my comfort zone, make some new friends and get to know people. It thought it was great and I would happily do it again – it was lovely. I kind of miss it now that it’s done but I’m happy to move on to the future.

What will you remember most about your time at college?

One of my teachers was amazing – Freya. She reminded me of a teacher I had in secondary school. I failed 99% of my mocks for Sociology – and that’s the one I got a B in. That was her, she just kept pushing me, encouraging me, telling me that I could do it, and I did. That’s the one that I focussed on the most and I’m happy that I got that grade. And just the people I’ve met, I made some great friends.

Thamida

Thamida studied Media Studies, Politics and Economics – achieving an A* and two A grades.

What are you going to do now? 

I’m going to take a gap here, work on myself and get some money. I’m so glad I got the grades because I can use that as a safety net to apply to Russell Group unis next year. 

Who supported you?

My parents, my family, my Econ teacher Imran, my friends, just everyone, really and most importantly, myself. I think my hard work really paid off.

Nur

Nur achieved A*s in English Literature and EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) as well as A’s in Philosophy and Mathematics.

How are you feeling? 

I didn’t get into my firm, which was PPE [Philosophy, Politics and Economics] at LSE, but rejection is redirection, and I’m overall really happy with my grades. I’m looking forward to taking a gap year.

I was so worried that my hard work wouldn’t pay off, but it always pays off, and that’s all that matters. I’m just immensely grateful for my support system and all the hardships that made me grow into who I am today – I’m so happy. 

Who’s supported you?

My family and my friends and also my teachers. I’m definitely just so lucky I have so many wonderful people in my life. I know it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I’m happy with the way it came out and I’m sure something will work out in the end.

Malakhi

Malakhi achieved a B in Philosophy, a D in Spanish and a D in English Literature.

How did you feel your exams went?

I think my exams went well. I was really worried about the setup because it’s something new, it’s not the same as GCSEs. You hear about the transitions but you don’t know about the actual pressure until you go inside and sit the exam, but I feel like I controlled the nerves and in the actual exam I applied what I learnt, so I’m happy.

How has the college supported you in getting those grades?

It’s half-half, isn’t it? They do as much as they can but at the end of the day, it’s down to you. It’s about the effort that you put in, and the revision that you do. The resources that you invest in, finding what works for you. The teachers do their part, what they can do. The other half is down to you.

What’s next for you?

I’m taking a gap year but plan to study dance in 2025 at university. 

What will you remember most about your time at college?

Probably the people that I met.

Dina

Dina achieved a B in Media Studies, a C in Spanish and a D in Music.

How do you feel about your results?

I was quite shocked when I saw my Media result because it’s a very tough subject – but overall I’m really happy.

What’s next for you?

I’m hoping to get an apprenticeship with the BBC. Now I’ve got my results, hopefully, it should slide through.

How has the college supported you in the last couple of years?

Especially my language and media teachers – I can’t thank them enough, they were so supportive. Whenever I needed them they were first on board to help me – endless lunchtimes, after hours we were spending together. They were really good teachers.

Were there any particular challenges over the last couple of years?

Well, it was me and my two little sisters all taking exams. One was taking their GCSEs, and one was taking their SATS, so it was hectic in the household trying to revise – but you’ve just got to push through it.

What will you remember most?

My friends. I’ve made lifelong friends now and that’s what motivated me to come to school, knowing that my friends were there.

Farah

Farah achieved two A* grades in English Language and Literature and Art: Critical and Contextual Studies.

How are you feeling?

I’m very happy. It was definitely hard. I had to cut down to two instead of three. But it was, it was the right choice for me, and I’m going to do the next one (Geography) next year and I’m aiming for A* again.

What’s in store for you next year?

I’m doing a gap year and I’m going to work. I really love learning, so I’m hoping to do lots of little courses in things that I really like, photography and classics, things like that.

What do you want to do next?

I’m not entirely sure what I want to do next. […] For me, I feel that if I don’t know what course I want to do, and I don’t know where I want my life to go, it can be really expensive to go to uni, so I’d rather do an apprenticeship. They’ve got lots more coming out because you’re getting work and education.

How has the college supported you?

Mike, my Geography teacher, was incredible. He helped me through it all, and he was so understanding and a great teacher. School’s hard for everyone, and it’s nice to know that someone is rooting for you even when you’re not doing your best.

Karen

Karen achieved a B in Geography, a C in Art and a D in Physics.

What’s next for you?

I’m going to university, to study Architecture at London South Bank.

How has the college supported you?

All of my teachers were very supportive – and so was the careers team. I was very involved with them and I had a lot of internship opportunities. I had the opportunity to go to a different country as well. It was supported by the college and I went to Korea on the Turing Scheme. 

Evelyn

Evelyn achieved an A* in Graphic Communication, a B in Fine Art and a C in Geography.

What are you going to do next?

I’m going to take a gap year and then go to Oxford Brookes for Graphic Design.

How has the college supported you?

My teachers were very supportive. I was very lucky to have them. I came to this college because when I went to the open days, I just fell in love with the teaching and the support that it looked like they were going to give, and I was completely right so it was amazing. I did struggle with tests, so I got the college to help me set up extra time, and that helped so much.

For many students, completing A Levels at our Sixth Form College wasn’t just about getting the best grades available to them. Their time at college gave them a sense of community, providing a comprehensive and supportive learning environment in which they could work towards personal goals.

We offer a wide variety of A Level courses with courses based at our King’s Cross Centre and Sixth Form College.

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