What are sixth form colleges and how do they differ from school?

Leaving school this summer? Here’s why you may want to consider going to a sixth form college after your GCSEs.

As students approach the end of their compulsory school education, they have several options for continuing their studies.

One popular choice is to attend a sixth form college or a school sixth form. While both options provide students with a pathway to higher education, they differ in a number of ways.

A sixth form college focus solely on educating students aged 16-18. These colleges are often larger than school sixth forms and often offer a wider range of courses including technical and vocational qualifications. In contrast, a school sixth form is typically an extension of a secondary school with students continuing their studies at the same location.

Capital City College Group (CCCG) includes City and Islington College (CANDI), which has a designated sixth form college offering more than 30 A Levels from traditional subjects such as English, Maths, History and Chemistry to less common subjects like Fine Art, Politics, Music Technology and Criminology.

Being larger institutions, sixth form colleges have a much larger and more diverse population of students. This can provide students with a greater sense of independence and can also offer opportunities for socialising and making new friends.

Furthermore, sixth form colleges often have more extensive resources than school sixth forms, including state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. This can be particularly relevant for students studying technical or scientific subjects who may need access to specialised equipment and resources to complete their coursework.

CANDI Sixth Form College is purely focused on A Levels but being part of a wider further education college can open the door to other technical and vocational courses and apprenticeships. It also has access to a huge network of universities and employers to help students find the right career path and gain internships and work placements to develop their skills and experience.

Being part of the wider CANDI community, means students have access to all college libraries and support services. Students also have the opportunity to gain further experience by attending enrichment activities such as career workshops and mentoring programmes. They’re also able to join the college gym and many clubs and societies and events throughout their studies.

Find out more about and apply for A Levels at CANDI Sixth Form College and across CCCG here.

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