personal statement for sixth form uk

Sixth Form Personal Statement Examples and Guide

Coming to the end of secondary school but thinking of finishing somewhere new?

Sixth form colleges can be fiercely competitive – and most admissions personnel expect a personal statement.

An excellent personal statement can make all the difference to your chances, you need to know:

• what to include, 
• the best structure to use, and 
• how to stand out against all those other applicants. 

Let’s break it down, step by step.

If you want this guide and template in a PDF, grab it by clicking the button below .

• 1.1 Introduce Yourself 🌟
• 1.2 Share Your Achievements 🏆
• 1.3 Future Forward 🔮
• 1.4 Quick School Tips to Keep in Mind:
• 1.5 How long should my sixth form personal statement be?
• 1.6 Still stumped? 
• 2 Sixth Form Personal Statement Structure
• 3 Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out
• 4 Year 11 Personal Statement Examples
• 5.1 Useful Sentence Starters
• 5.2 Skill Examples
• 5.3 Personal Qualities to reference
• 6 Sixth Form Application Template

How to write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form College

Introduce yourself 🌟.

Your personal statement is your canvas.

Paint a picture of who you are. Keep it authentic and positive.

What qualities make you unique?

Maybe you’re fiercely independent or the most dependable friend someone can have.

Let your true colours shine!

Share Your Achievements 🏆

Both inside and outside the classroom, your experiences matter.

If you’ve done work experience that’s shaped your career or course choices, highlight it.

And hey, if you’ve got that Certificate of Commendation, flaunt it!

Future Forward 🔮

Where do you see yourself going?

Maybe you have your eyes set on a specific college or apprenticeship.

While it’s okay to keep it general, don’t shy away from sharing your future career plans.

Show them you’ve got vision!

Quick School Tips to Keep in Mind:

• Honesty is the Best Policy: No need to exaggerate or be someone you’re not.
• Stay Positive: Talk about what you love, not what you dislike.
• First Draft: Start on paper, get feedback, and then finalize your statement.
• Back It Up: Always keep a backup of your statement. You never know when you might want to tweak it.

How long should my sixth form personal statement be?

This varies from college to college, so make sure to check their website. Most however want a single page.

The prestigious Hill’s Road college in Cambridge says it should be no longer than a side of A4.

Need inspiration? 

Remember, every student has their own journey. 

From the student who relishes in the joy of reading in their spare time, to the one who’s passionate about Business Studies because they see the real-life applications. 

Or even the one who’s had work experience that transformed their outlook.

Use their stories to inspire your own narrative.

Still stumped? 

No worries. 

Download our template to guide your thoughts.

In less than 30 minutes you can piece together your story, achievements, and aspirations and have your final draft ready.

As you write, envision the future you want and bridge the gap between where you stand today and where you want to be.  

Your journey is unique, and your personal statement should reflect that.

Happy writing, and here’s to the next chapter of your educational journey! 📘🌱

Sixth Form Personal Statement Structure

This isn’t set in stone, but it does make sense to begin with personal qualities and end with future aspirations. 

Don’t get stuck on the structure, well written content is much more important!

Everyone should cover these core topics:

• Personal Qualities
• Academic Achievements
• Extracurricular Activities
• Part-time work
• Work Experience Reflection
• Immediate and Long Term Future Aspirations

Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out

In the sea of applications, a standout personal statement can be your ticket to catching the attention of admissions.

Yes the basics, such as showcasing your academic achievements and explaining your passion for your chosen courses, are essential.

But there are several strategies to give your statement that extra edge:

Tell a Story: Everyone loves a good story.

Instead of just listing your achievements, weave them into a narrative.

Did a particular event in your life steer you towards a subject? Maybe a family trip ignited your passion for geography, or a community service project made you realize the value of teamwork and leadership. Sharing these stories provides context and makes your statement more memorable.

Be Authentic: It’s tempting to write what you think admissions officers want to hear, but they can spot inauthenticity. Speak your truth. If you’re passionate about something unconventional or have a hobby that’s out of the ordinary, share it! It might just be the thing that sets you apart.

Use Vivid Imagery: While you shouldn’t be overly verbose, using descriptive language can paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Instead of saying, “I love history,” you might write, “I’m captivated by the tapestry of events, people, and decisions that have shaped our world, like the intricate dance of diplomacy during the Renaissance.” Don’t write fluff for the sake of it, give some real detail!

Quick Impact Techniques: If you feel your statement might still blend into the crowd, consider starting with a powerful, thought-provoking question related to your chosen field of study to engage the reader immediately.

Seek Feedback: Sometimes, we’re too close to our own writing to see its strengths and weaknesses.

Have a teacher, mentor, or parent review your statement. They might offer insights or perspectives you hadn’t considered.

Remember, your personal statement is a reflection of who you are and your journey thus far. While it’s essential to stand out, ensure that you’re doing so in a way that remains true to yourself and your experiences.

Year 11 Personal Statement Examples

Starter sentences, skills and qualities, useful sentence starters, skill examples, personal qualities to reference, sixth form application template.

Download this guide using the button above or grab a pen and paper and make your first draft using the points below.

Course Choices:

• First Choice: _________________________________
• Second Choice: _______________________________
• Third Choice: ________________________________

Personal Qualities:

• I describe myself as: _____________________________________________. [Examples: proactive, innovative, a team player, empathetic, analytical, resilient]
• Passions and Interests: I have a keen interest in _____________________________ and also enjoy _________________________. [Examples: exploring diverse cultures, performing arts, engaging in community service, technology trends, reading historical novels]

Academic Pursuits:

• My favourite subjects at school are: ____________________________________ Reasons: (Provide depth about why these subjects resonate with you.)
• Achievements this Year: This academic year, I’ve made it a priority to ____________________________________________________________. [Examples: expand my reading beyond the curriculum, lead group projects, engage in peer tutoring, delve into practical applications of my subjects]
• Recognitions/Awards: Mention any accolades here and provide context if necessary. For instance: ___________________________________________

Extracurricular Activities and Part-time Work:

• Outside School: In my free time, I’m actively involved in ___________________________________________________________. [Examples: a leadership role in a youth community group, volunteering at the local animal shelter, tutoring peers in maths]
• Work Experience: I undertook my work placement at __________________________________ Role and Responsibilities: During my time there, I ______________________________ [Discuss the skills you acquired, challenges faced, and your accomplishments]

Reflections on Work Experience:

• Personal Growth: My experience at _______________________ allowed me to ___________________________________________. [Examples: understand the intricacies of the corporate world, develop my problem-solving skills, understand the value of customer service]
• Career Insights: My time there made me realise that I’m inclined towards _______________________ or alternatively made me reconsider and think about ________________________________________________.

Future Aspirations:

• Academic/Career Pathway: I aim to study ___________________________ at college or consider an apprenticeship in ___________________.
• Long-term Vision: Post my academic journey, I envision myself working as _____________________/engaging in ____________________ because __________________________. [Examples: I want to make a difference in environmental policies, the dynamics of financial markets intrigue me, I wish to explore innovative solutions in software development]

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How to Write a Personal Statement for Sixth Form

Need some tips on how to write a personal statement for sixth form? Read our guide for helpful advice on what to include in yours - and how to submit your most successful application possible.

by Katie Broadbent · 13 min read

Starting to think about where you want to study for sixth form? Perhaps you’ve already narrowed down your selection and are looking for further guidance on how to write a personal statement for sixth form. 

As part of your application for a sixth form place at a college or boarding school, you may be asked to submit a personal statement. The purpose of this is for the school to understand your motivations, interests and future ambitions, but it’s also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your successes and strongest attributes - highlighting to the college why they should offer you a place.  

Personal statements can be quite a daunting task at first, especially if you’ve never had to write about yourself before. But they don’t have to be. To help you get started with writing yours, read our guidance on writing a personal statement for sixth form - and make sure you submit the best application possible.

What is a personal statement?

Essentially, your personal statement is written information about you, your experiences and future aspirations. It summarises your skills, experiences and attributes that are relevant to the subjects and sixth form are applying to - illustrating to prospective admissions officers why you are a perfect fit for their college. 

Most importantly, your personal statement should be professional and always written in your own words. This is your first chance to introduce yourself to the sixth form you want to study at, who only have a very short snippet of writing to make their initial assessments. 

Admissions staff are curious, they want to know who you are and why you want to study the subjects and courses that they are offering. You want to always link back to why your personal attributes and achievements make you the ideal student for them, and what you can contribute in terms of academic ability, confidence and interests. 

How to start a personal statement for sixth form

Often, the most difficult part of writing your personal statement for sixth form is knowing how and where to start. How do you begin introducing yourself in a way that isn’t too generic or overly confident? 

If we’re being totally honest, there isn’t a right or wrong way to start a personal statement. As long as it’s effective at capturing the attention of the admissions officer reading through your application, it’ll do perfectly.

Some students like to begin by introducing themselves, where they study, and their ambitions for the future; some like to introduce themselves by talking about what personal qualities they have; while others like to start with a quote that has inspired them throughout their education. 

The way you choose to introduce yourself to the reader will ultimately fall down on you as an individual - the way you write, the way you like to interact with others, and how you want to set the tone for the remainder of your personal statement. It’s best to just try writing a selection of sentences that introduce you in different ways, and then choose the one you think best reflects you and your personality. 

And if you’re really stuck on how to start your personal statement, we recommend writing the main body of text to help you get into the headspace of writing in this way. Once you’ve finished talking about yourself, your achievements, interests and goals, you’ll have set the overarching tone for your personal statement, making it easier to return to the start and have another go at writing your introduction. 

How to write a personal statement: 5 essential elements to include

Personal statements offer a great opportunity to talk about your various achievements and aspirations. They are an open platform with which you can talk about all the reasons as to why you’re an ideal fit for that particular sixth form.

With that being said, there are still certain things that you should remember to include. Let’s dive into these in a little more detail.

1. Why do you want to attend that specific college or sixth form?

One of the big questions that admissions officers will have about your application revolves around why you want to attend their specific college or sixth form. Therefore, it’s important you dedicate at least part of your statement to talking about your reasons for wanting to study there.

Before submitting your application for sixth form, it’s highly likely that you have already conducted lots of research about the college, including the A-Level subjects it offers, the facilities it has, as well as its previous performance reports. 

Use this research as an opportunity to talk about all the things at the sixth form which captured your interest and made you want to study there. For example, if the college you are applying to is recognised for its science facilities, perhaps you could write something about how you believe their excellent science faculty - with all its resources and specialist equipment - will help you to excel in the future.

Of course, there are many aspects of a sixth form which you can include as part or all of your reason for studying there, including the following:

The schools’ ethos 

Facilities and equipment

Its academic specialism (if applicable) 

The teaching staff

The subjects it offers

Careers and university guidance support

The extracurricular activities on offer

2. What are your future aspirations?

Secondly, another key thing to talk about within your personal statement for sixth form is to talk about your goals for the future.

Sixth form colleges are passionate about making sure students are able to achieve their full potential, and they’ll want to understand your aspirations so they know whether they can offer you the support to make that happen. 

When writing your personal statement, remember to leave plenty of room to discuss what your plans for the future are, and why that sixth form can help you get there. Explain how the subjects you’ve applied for, as well as the college’s facilities, staff and students can help you achieve your goal.

Even if you’re not sure what you may want to pursue beyond sixth form, you should still talk about all the opportunities the sixth form could offer you. For example, does the college have a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities available, where you can build a portfolio of skills and experience? Or do they have a reputable careers and guidance service that can help you to narrow down your options?

3. What relevant experience do you have to support your future goals?

Your personal statement is an opportunity to really build a positive image of yourself, highlighting why you are the most dedicated, passionate student that the college could wish for. 

Therefore, when writing about your aspirations for the future, it’s important to try and include any relevant experience that proves your commitment to your chosen subjects and, (if decided on) career path. 

Here, try to illustrate how these experiences have given you new skills or made you think about your future plans. For example, has babysitting made you consider a career working with children as a teacher or child psychologist? Or has your paper round taught you how to manage time effectively, ensuring that you always get the job complete on time?

There really is no limit to the type of experience you can include in your personal statement. In fact, the more relevant experience you can add, the better it will be at helping to prove your commitment to pursuing a particular career path or subject in the future.

Just remember to only include relevant experience and link it back to your reasons for choosing the subjects and college you’re applying for. Personal statements usually have strict word or character limits, so you don’t want to waste words talking about experiences that won’t help to illustrate your dedication to a particular subject field.  

4. What are your personal qualities?

Another important aspect of your personal statement for sixth form needs to include some detail around your personal qualities and attributes, and how they can help you excel during your time at the sixth form college you’re applying to?

Now, this doesn’t mean you should simply write down every single good quality about yourself. Instead, it’s about selecting a few but well-descript qualities that you presume to be your best, as backed by solid evidence or experience. 

There’s no limit to what type of qualities you may want to include in your list. But a good place to start could be thinking about what type of qualities you think would shine well at the sixth form college you are applying to. 

Would you consider yourself to be a hard worker? Polite? Reliable? Well-organised with your time and tasks? You can even read through the sixth form college’s syllabus to see what type of  words they use to describe their students and ethos and then incorporate the ones you have into your personal statement. 

Remember to always back up your claims with specific examples. E.g., is it common for your teachers at school to call you a polite or hardworking student? Can your school mates depend on you during project work to complete your tasks ahead of deadlines? The more concrete evidence you have to support your points, the better - it gives more validity to everything you’re saying about yourself.

5. What extracurricular activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

Finally, another important element of your personal statement for sixth form is to talk about what you enjoy doing in your spare time, including any  hobbies or clubs you participate in. 

Sixth form colleges will be using your personal statement to gain insights about you as an individual - not just as a student at their college. Therefore, you should try and provide some details about what you do outside of school so they can gain a better understanding of you as a young person. 

What are some hobbies or activities you enjoy doing in your spare time and why? How often do you do it? After doing these activities, have you gone on to develop any skills? Are any of these skills transferable to the subjects you hope to study or your plans for the future?

It’s also important to include any that have gone on to earn you any certificates, medals or awards. For example, include any musical gradings you have obtained, any sports team awards you have won, or any extracurricular awards you have obtained, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award. 

The more information you can include to demonstrate your hard work, commitment and effort - the better. Sixth form colleges will be curious to learn more about your personality and see whether it fits nicely with their ethos and current student body. 

Lastly, some do’s and don’ts when writing your personal statement for sixth form

Although we’ve covered the five essential elements of a personal statement, it’s important to be aware of some additional do’s and don’ts when writing your personal statement - to make it the very best it can be. 

Write formally, using your best English: Be meticulous with your spelling and grammar checks to ensure there are no inaccuracies. Any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors may indicate that you’ve not taken the time to carefully proofread your work, which doesn’t present the best initial impression.

Show your enthusiasm: Include as much detail as possible about your dreams for the future and how the sixth form can help you achieve those dreams. The college will want to see that you are enthusiastic about studying with them, and will also look favourably on students who are passionate about learning, excelling themselves, and reaching their future goals.

Ask your friends and family to read your personal statement: It can be really beneficial to ask your friends, family, teachers and/or carers to read through drafts of your personal statement. Coming at it with a completely fresh view, they’ll be able to identify areas for improvement, highlight anything you may have missed, and ensure your spelling and grammar is perfect.

Leave it until the last minute: It’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time to plan out exactly what you want to write in your personal statement, have time to draft a couple of versions, give it to others for feedback, and have room for final spelling and grammar checks. Don’t put off writing your personal statement until it’s too late for you to be able to produce your best version.

Exaggerate any details: If you are invited to interview at the sixth form college, you may be asked to talk about what you have written in your personal statement. Here, anything you’ve exaggerated will become obvious, and the admissions team won’t look favourably on those who have twisted the truth to advance their application.  

Let your nerves get the better of you: Writing a personal statement for sixth form can be nerve-wracking, especially when sitting down to write your first draft. Don’t let your worry stop you from applying - most colleges and sixth forms base their decisions on a combination of requirements, including your grades, interview and school references - personal statements make up only a proportion of the decision.

Writing your personal statement for sixth form is an opportunity for you to share information about yourself, your goals and achievements, in the way that you want to be portrayed. 

Colleges and boarding schools want to know all about you - what you want to study and why, what you do alongside your academia, and what matters the most to you - it’s a chance for them to understand what makes you tick and where your passions lie, so they can be sure you’re the ideal student for their institution. 

When writing your personal statement, keep in mind the various points we’ve included in the article above, so you can be sure you’ve covered all aspects of the personal statement which are most important to the sixth form college or boarding school. 

As daunting as it may sound, your personal statement really is a chance to help sell yourself to the school - so use it as a ground with which you can show off everything that’s so great about you. Your application is made up of several other factors, and your personal statement is only one part of that overarching submission.

Just remember, as long as you plan far enough in advance for you to be able to write a few drafts and obtain feedback from friends and family, you can take comfort in the fact that you’ve submitted your best possible statement. Keep calm, draft it out, and most importantly - good luck!   

Add an online learning experience to your personal statement

Looking to add some practical experiences to your personal statement? Want to demonstrate your commitment to your subject or to your passion for learning in general? Discover our collection of online learning programmes to start building a competitive edge over other applicants.

With a range of university-style subjects available, gain clarity over your future pursuits, explore the subjects that you find most interesting, and get ahead for the future.

You can even choose how you want to learn; study one-to-one with an expert tutor through scheduled Tutorials , or learn amongst a small group of students, online, with our 2-week Academic Online Courses .

The power of connection makes for endless opportunities. Study with some of the world’s very best tutors in the world, from the comfort of your own home. Study with Melio .

Submit an application to study with us or book a call with our admissions team for further information. 

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How To Write A Personal Statement For Sixth Form

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

At this stage in your education you might not have made a solid decision about your chosen career path. This is completely fine and not uncommon. Your choice to delve into higher education demonstrates that you want to better yourself, gain qualifications and explore your options further with a range of subjects. 

On the flip side, if you have a clear path ahead for your future plans and know what career you’d like to pursue, then it’s important to include this in your personal statement and why your chosen course will help you fulfil this dream. Some forms will ask about your career aspirations or university wishes, so be prepared to think this through thoroughly and put down an honest answer.

THE FINER DETAILS

A personal statement isn’t just a few paragraphs about yourself. It’s also an opportunity to show that you can conduct yourself well in writing. Therefore it’s important that you check the spelling and grammar carefully, as a misplacement of ‘you’re’ or ‘your’ could put off the reader as it shows lack of care and attention. 

Another point is to not stretch the truth. It’s easy nowadays to do an online search of candidates and more often than not, you’ll be asked questions about your specific skill set and history. This not only puts you in an uncomfortable position but also puts you in a bad light if you are caught out. 

Finally, do exactly what the form asks. It sounds simple but answering all the bullet points correctly and filling out the right boxes demonstrates your attention to detail and delivering what they are asking for.

IMPORTANT STEPS BEFORE SUBMITTING

• Just before sending off your personal statement and awaiting sixth form/college offers to come in, there’s a few things to double check before you hit send. if there is a limited word count have you fulfilled this? 
• Also, get your peers, teachers or family to read your personal statement to have a second eye over the content to double check that there are no mistakes. It’s likely that you would have spent much time reading it over and over that you’re oblivious to any parts which might be wrong. They may also suggest a few additions to make. 
• As people who know you well, it’s good to get an outsider's view on your character and may put a different spin on how you can present yourself. Alternatively they may read it and think that some sections are too ‘waffly’ and can help amend it to make it read better. 
• Lastly, don’t leave it to the last minute. A deadline is set for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you have to submit your personal statement on the last day. By sending early, not only is this a weight off your shoulders it also shows that you are good at time management and keen to enrol with your chosen sixth form or college. 

Whilst writing your first personal statement can be tough, it’s also a great experience to officially write down your strengths and educational background - whilst looking ahead to the prospects of an exciting future. This is your opportunity to project your potential and put you on track to success with your sixth form or college education.

TOP TIPS FOR WRITING YOUR SIXTH FORM PERSONAL STATEMENT

• Speak From the Heart: Infuse your personal statement with genuine enthusiasm, highlighting your passions and showcasing why you're an ideal fit for your chosen sixth form or college.
• Quality Over Quantity: Focus on impactful details rather than overwhelming with information. Ensure every word serves a purpose, making your personal statement concise and compelling.
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Demonstrate your skills and accomplishments through vivid examples. Whether it's your dedication to extracurriculars or your work history, let your experiences shine.
• Tailor to Perfection: Personalise your statement for each sixth form or college. Emphasise why their specific courses and offerings align with your aspirations, showcasing meticulous research and genuine interest.
• Embrace Constructive Critique: Don't shy away from feedback. Seek input from others to refine your statement. A fresh perspective can uncover blind spots and elevate the overall impact of your personal statement.

VISIT RENDCOMB COLLEGE

Throughout the academic year, we hold a number of events for those looking to join our day and boarding sixth form. Our Sixth Form Information Evening offers attendees the opportunity to meet our subject teachers, Heads of Department, Houseparents, pastoral team and current Sixth Form students. It is the ideal insight into life at Rendcomb College Sixth Form, and we hope that you will be able to develop a better understanding of the exceptional environment that we have here.

To attend our Sixth Form Information Evening, please contact our Admissions Team on [email protected] or 01285 705 952 , and they will be delighted to put the arrangements in place for you.

If you’d like to find out more about our sixth form, please do not hesitate to get in touch - our team should be delighted to answer your questions. Please drop us an email at [email protected] or give us a call on 01285 708 171 . Alternatively, you can visit us on one of our open days throughout the academic year.

For UK Admissions enquiries, please call the above number or email   [email protected] .

For International Admissions enquiries, please call the above number or email [email protected] .

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What (Actually) is a Sixth Form College in the UK?

In A-Level , General by Think Student Editor January 28, 2022 Leave a Comment

In the UK, “sixth form” and “college” are both extensively used terms in conversation with teachers, parents, and exam-age students. Pupils often ask what a sixth form college actually is. Particularly being in Year 11, it is vitally important to understand what the term means and how sixth form college can differ from the other options available to you for the final two years of your education. 

In the simplest terms possible, a sixth form college is an institute of education devoted to giving students between the ages of 16 and 19 qualifications to allow them to go to higher education at university. Sixth form is classed as further education, which is compulsory in the England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In this article, you can read about the differences between the two types of sixth form, the best-suited personalities to college, the courses offered and how going to college can affect your future.  

Table of Contents

What is a Sixth Form College in the UK?

As mentioned previously, sixth form colleges provide education to students in Years 12 and 13, so that they can gain the qualifications needed to take them on to the next stages of their career.   

College can mean different things in different countries, such as in the United States where college is the equivalent to our university. In the UK, a sixth form college is set up in a comparable way to British universities, only the teaching is of an A-Level or equivalent standard.  

Whilst previously, a handful of teenagers would have dropped out of school at age 16, a change in the law as of 2013 means all students now must stay in some form of education until the end of Year 13. You can click  here  to read about what happens if you don’t.  

There are three options after a student finishes secondary school. These are to stay in school sixth form, go to a sixth form college or take on an under-18s apprenticeship with a company in your desired career path. Although the third is a workable possibility, it cuts your future work choice down into a very slim field,  so most students choose to either attend school sixth form or college.   

What Do You Learn at Sixth Form College?

As a student attending college, you have several choices as to the style of learning you wish to have, as some colleges offer three distinct types of qualification.  One of your options is taking three or four A-Level courses,   just like in a school,  so that you can learn about subjects which have previously been visited during GCSE, but in more detail.  

Some sixth form colleges may also offer BTEC courses, which are very similar in structure to the education offered at university.  They are similar in that students can choose one broad area of study rather than studying many subjects they don’t care about like at school.  

Your final option, which isn’t offered by as many sixth form colleges, is following the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.  To complete the course, you must study six subjects, and take an exam for each, write an extended research essay, and form an oral presentation about how society absorbs and utilises knowledge , as well as contributing to the creativity, activity, service section.  

Click  here  if you would like to find out more about how the IB Diploma works.  

What are the Differences Between a School Sixth Form and Sixth Form College?

There is a big step up from GCSE to A-Level work, and this jump becomes even bigger if you choose to move to sixth form college. However, each different education environment suits some people better than others.  Therefore,   it is important to know what the differences between school sixth form and college are,  as finding the right place for you will make the transition more comfortable.  

Sixth form colleges give students more freedom.  At a school sixth form, you are obviously given more independence than younger year groups. However, there is still a large focus on making sure you turn up to classes, complete homework, and finish A-Levels with a decent grade. At college, there is less guidance, so if the work isn’t done, they won’t chase it up.  

The courses offered at sixth form colleges are often less well-known, more precise and there is a wider variety.  Compared to school, where there may be thirty subjects offered as A-Level courses. Colleges also provide BTECs, which can be vastly different from anything students have ever experienced before, just like in university.  

Sixth Form College

Colleges lean towards a university teaching style, while schools stick to the same methods.  Because there are bigger classes, life at college is basically the same as at university, only the work is easier and there is no need to find any accommodation.    

There is less opportunity for extra-curricular activities to help boost university applications.  There are no younger year groups to mix with, so schemes such as peer mentoring and leadership do not exist, which can be useful for applications.  

College gives you looser restrictions, so there are no strict dress codes, and a shorter amount of time is spent in lessons.  However, if you are prone to forgetting homework and don’t have the motivation for independent work, school will give you the extra push to make sure those grades are as good as possible.  

How Should You Choose the Right Sixth Form College for You?

If you have decided that sixth form college is the right path for you to take, it is time to decide where you actually want to go.  There are several factors to consider when choosing the correct sixth form college for you:

• The range of subjects available and the availability of each.  This will take some research time, but one of the most important things to get right when moving to a sixth form college is getting all of your first or second choice subjects.  
• One of the greatest things about moving to sixth form college is how many more subjects are available, so don’t waste the opportunity!  If a college can’t fit all your first-choice subjects into a timetable, then it’s always worth looking at some other institutions too.   
• The facilities available for use.  Particularly if you’re looking at arts, sciences, or other practical subjects, make sure to check out the facilities available at the school. For example, if your passion is photography and the department doesn’t have any photographic film or a dark room, there is a limited media you could use in your projects, so you may wish to search elsewhere.  
• How well built is the college community.  Lots of students who have attended college in the past say the trickiest thing to cope with is loneliness and lack of support. The atmosphere completely changes between school and college, so looking for one with a good support system and a range of activities outside lessons is vital to cope with the jump.

Click here to read about all the factors you may want to consider before choosing your sixth form college.

How Should You Approach the Application to Sixth Form College?  

Once you’ve found a suitable college and are happy with the courses available, it’s time to start the application process.  The first and most important thing to remember is giving yourself enough time to complete the forms before the deadline.    

When Should You Start Applying for Sixth Form College?

There are several steps involved in the process of college applications, detailed below, and  your statements will sound much more confident and academic if you’ve had the time to carefully consider what you write , rather than hurrying through the chore the night before.   

Applications can start as early as the autumn of Year 11 and are usually closed before the New Year, so you’ll need to have visited open days and done your research during the summer between Years 10 and 11 (or earlier!). 

You can click  here  to find out more information about the best time to start applying for sixth form college.  

What Information Should be Included in the Application?

Then, you need to start thinking about the main contents of your application.  It should consist of your personal details, such as name and address, a personal statement, and your predicted grades   from the last set of mock exams you took.    

The personal statement is the most important thing to get right.  You can  click  here to view a detailed article full of top tips on how to write a personal statement specifically for sixth form college.  In the statement, you should include information about your personality, work ethic and any other good qualities you have.  

You can then move on to speaking about your achievements, both academic and extra-curricular, and any skills you’ve gained through experience, such as leadership with children in younger year groups.   

You should try to link anything added back to the course you wish to apply for (which should be listed somewhere previously in the application).   And that’s it. You’re done!

Is it Better to Do A-Levels or a BTEC Course?

One thing lots of students worry about when applying to college is whether they will be accepted at universities if they take a BTEC course rather than three A-Levels. Whilst an A-Level proves that you have academic capabilities. BTEC qualifications show that a person has real life skills and will use them effectively in the workplace, which lots of universities appreciate.  

So, most of them will accept you even if you have a BTEC rather than A-Levels, but this depends on the university you’re looking at.  

You have to be careful about checking the admissions requirements for some of the top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. They say that if you have the right grades, they are willing to consider a BTEC student,  so long as they also have one or two A-Level qualifications in addition.  

When the time comes to consider whether you’re better off taking a BTEC course or A-Levels,  you need to think carefully about what your future ambitions are and do some research into the requirements for your chosen university.  It is possible that just taking BTECs with no other qualifications may hinder your future employment progress.  

To find out more about which universities accept BTECs and why, click  here and read this article.

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Progress Tutor

16 days remaining to apply, job start date.

19 August 2024

Closing date

23 June 2024 at 12pm (midday)

Date listed

4 June 2024

Job details

• Learning support or cover supervisor
• Pastoral, health and welfare

Visa sponsorship

Working pattern, contract type, full-time equivalent salary, what skills and experience we're looking for.

• GCSE Maths and GCSE English at Grade C or above or equivalent at Level 2.
• Good standard of general education to at least Level 3 or equivalent
• Willing to undertake relevant training in Safeguarding (College will provide training as needed)

What the school offers its staff

• Free onsite parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Health and Wellbeing programme

Further details about the role

Key purpose of role:

The postholder will be required to work with the Progress Manager in all matters relating to student attendance, behaviour and welfare in order to encourage the highest levels of support for students at College. Liaising closely with the Progress Manager and other key members of staff the postholder will provide structured support, and referral to appropriate further services, for students with complex personal support needs.

The postholder will also have responsibility for a number of Progress Groups across the College, delivering core content and having a particular remit for undertaking the above duties with those students. They will also participate in planning and preparing where appropriate.

The postholder will also act as a Safeguarding Officer and will work closely with the Student Welfare and Safeguarding Lead to fulfill that role.

Commitment to safeguarding

East Norfolk Sixth Form College is committed to the principle that it is always unacceptable for a learner to experience abuse of any kind, and recognises that it has a responsibility to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of all learners. It will do so through commitment to safe practices and the creation of a ‘supportive culture which includes respect, openness and honesty, and which recognises and champions diversity and individual need’. This statement applies to all staff, including senior managers and Governors; paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers; agency staff; students and contractors.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

About East Norfolk Sixth Form College

East Norfolk Sixth Form College is the outstanding choice for over 1500 students because of its 39-year reputation for success.

The College offers an unrivalled curriculum with over 80 A Level, BTEC Level 3 and Level 2 subjects and consistently features among the Top UK colleges and currently has a 99% A Level pass rate. It is also the Ofsted ‘Good’ college for Greater Yarmouth and Waveney.

EN is the top college locally for progression with 56% of students that progress to Russell Group universities achieving a First Class degree. This is over 20% higher than the national average for all other Sixth Form Colleges, State and Independent schools and places EN at the forefront of HE success nationally. Ten students received offers at Oxford and Cambridge for 2019 and more than 25% progress directly to employment and more than 10% go on to apprenticeships. In addition, more students study STEM subjects at EN than any other college outside of Cambridge.

School location

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