Sixth Form
At Highfields, we take great pride in the achievements of our students. Our ethos is one of high expectations and aspiration within a supportive environment. We have a reputation for providing an outstanding curriculum which enables all our students to reach their full potential and progress onto a diverse range of future career pathways. We firmly believe that Highfields Sixth Form is a vibrant, challenging and friendly place to learn, with the best interests of our students at the heart of everything we do.
“97% of students who start at Highfields Sixth Form, leave us at the end of Year 13.”
“89% of students progress to a high quality
post-18 destination”
In joining Highfields Sixth Form, you will benefit from a broad and engaging curriculum, high levels of support and challenge, and a warm and welcoming school community.
We see our core purpose as helping students to become well-rounded individuals who possess the necessary knowledge, skills and qualities to be successful on whatever pathway they choose to follow. We have a fundamental belief that every individual has the potential to achieve, and we work in partnership with students and their families to ensure that every one of our students fulfils their potential.
Students who join Highfields can be confident that they will be well supported in making the step up from GCSE to A Level. Through our extensive programme of structured independence, our students will develop the confidence and resilience needed to meet the challenges of today’s society.
Below you can hear from our Head of Sixth Form, Head Girl and Head Boy about what life at Highfields is like.
Introduction to Sixth Form Miss Smith - Head of Sixth Form
Sam C. Head Boy 24/25
Khushi K. Head Girl 24/25
One of the things that makes Highfields so special is the culture of excellence that is the foundation of all that we do. We make no apologies for expecting the absolute best from everyone we work with, and in return our students can be confident that they will receive the absolute best support from us. To help foster and sustain this culture of excellence, we focus our Sixth Form provision on five key areas, which represent the essential ingredients that students will need to be successful during their time in Sixth Form.
The teaching and learning experience at Highfields is second to none. The breadth of experience and expertise amongst our staff enables us to deliver high quality provision across a wide range of A Level and Level 3 Applied subjects.
We plan for an ambitious curriculum that encourages students to be aspirational in everything they do. Work is conducted in a calm and focused manner, high expectations are the norm, and individuals expect the very best of themselves and others. We want students to follow programmes of study that they are passionate about, engaged by, and will give them the best possible chance of success.
Maths
Mathematics | Mathematics (Further)
Science
Applied Science | Biology | Chemistry | Physics
Innovations
Art & Design - Fine Art | Business | Computer Science| Economics | Applied Heath and Social Care Applied ICT | Product Design
Communications
English Literature | Film Studies | Spanish
Humanities
Applied Criminology | Extended Project Qualification | Geography| History | Law | Psychology Religious Education | Sociology
PE and Performing Arts
Music | Physical Education | Applied Sport
Subject Combinations and Related Career Pathways
If you are struggling to know what subjects to take, have a look at this document.
One of our greatest strengths at Highfields is the quality of pastoral support that students and their families can access. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community where every person, no matter their background, feels happy, safe and able to perform to their best.
We have a dedicated Sixth Form pastoral team whose sole focus is on helping students overcome any challenges they face and ensuring that there are no barriers to them achieving their full potential. We also have a brilliant safeguarding team who have lots of experience in working with Sixth Form students, as well as access to a broad range of support through our wider school Inclusion Team.
At Highfields, students are provided with a wide range of enrichment opportunities throughout their time in Sixth Form. We want to ensure that all students leave Highfields with the skills and qualities that will help them to be successful in the future, and having access to a variety of different experiences forms a key part of this development.
With this in mind, all Sixth Form students will participate in a broad range of activities across our four strands of enrichment.
Academic Enrichment
Alongside the engaging curriculum and high-quality teaching and learning that students will experience at Highfields, we place a real emphasis on academic enrichment. These opportunities are a fantastic way for students to demonstrate their expertise and enthusiasm in relation to a particular subject or future career pathway.
Preparation for the Future
Preparation for the future forms a key part of the Sixth Form programme at Highfields. We recognise that supporting students with their career choices is integral to their long-term success. The majority of our students progress on to their first choice university course; others will go on to study an apprenticeship or move straight into employment. We work closely with all students to ensure they embark upon a pathway that is appropriate for them.
Community Contribution
The success of Highfields Sixth Form is built upon a strong sense of community that is shared by everyone in school. The contribution that Sixth Form students make to school life and the wider community is invaluable. They act as role models to younger students, consistently demonstrating the high standards of academic and personal conduct that is expected of all students.
Personal Development
Personal development is a fundamental aspect of life at Highfields. We pride ourselves on helping young people grow into well rounded individuals who have the confidence, independence and resilience to be successful.
Highfields Sixth Form students are able to demonstrate that they possess the skills and qualities that are so highly sought after by universities, apprenticeship providers and employers.
We are incredibly proud of our Sixth Form students and all that they achieve, not only during their time with us at Highfields but in their future careers as well.
We have a strong record of progression to a wide range of high-quality pathways that puts us well above the national average for post-18 destinations. Students who attend Highfields can be confident that their time in Sixth Form will lay the foundations for success in whatever they aspire to do in the future.
Toby Macdonald Head Boy 23/24
Pavan Gohani Head Girl 23/24
We hope you find the information on this page useful. If Highfields sounds like the right option for you, take a look at our Subject Specific Entry Requirements for a full list of entry requirements for each subject, then please complete our online application below.
If you are an External Applicant, please watch the following video from our Head of Sixth Form for further details about the application process.
External Applicant deadline is 24 February 2025.
Internal Applicant deadline is 24 January 2025.
Sixth Form Dress Code - Students who enter the Sixth Form as young adults within the school community are expected to be well-presented and smartly dressed. They set an example to the rest of the school, whilst enjoying the privilege of expressing themselves more independently.
Post-16 Bursary Support - We understand that the decision to remain in education Post-16 can involve consideration of financial support in the home. To support with this, students may be eligible for a bursary payment to support with paying for academic trips, textbooks, or travel to and from school. Our Bursary Policy outlines the eligibility criteria and other information. It can accessed here: Bursary Policy 24-25
For current students, you can apply for the bursary directly via the application form available here. Any questions, please contact the Sixth Form Team