In the Sixth Form, our students experience a variety of exciting opportunities to challenge themselves and develop as individuals as well as intellectually.
On entry to SFC1, new and existing students are put into new tutor groups, with a dedicated and specialist Sixth Form Tutor. The Tutor provides guidance and mentoring, and with the support of the Professional Guidance Centre, gives advice on careers, work experience and Higher Education. The wellbeing and academic progress of our Sixth Formers is overseen by our Head of Sixth Form College.
Interested in visiting our Sixth Form? See our latest opens days on our Visits & Open Days page - or book a private 1:1 tour.
We pride ourselves on offering choice. To that end, we offer two routes of study in the Sixth Form; traditional A Levels and the increasingly popular International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Within these two pathways, we are able to accommodate a wide range of options.
Outside lessons, there is an enriching array of co-curricular activities, including our Community Links programme, the Young Enterprise contest, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
For their final two years in College, all students move into one of the Sixth Form houses. Whether day or boarding, these provide a stepping stone to university life, and a chance to develop increasing independence in preparation for adulthood.
To find out more, please take a look at our SFC Courses Booklet 2024-2026.
College's size and success mean that we are able to offer a wide range of courses.
A Level candidates usually undertake three or four A Level subjects, with the optimum number varying depending on the student to find the right balance between academic rigour and co-curricular interests. A Levels are taken as a linear course with examinations in all subjects at the end of the second year. In the first term, all A Level students take a Skills for Academic Learning course to equip them with the skills essential for academic study, such as research, discursive writing, critical thinking, presentation and numerical reasoning.
Typically at A Level we offer: Fine Art (Art and Design), Biology, Chemistry, Classics (Greek & Latin), Computer Science, Drama and Theatre, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, German, History, History of Art, Italian, Mandarin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics (AS Level also usually available), Music, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Spanish. To find out more, please visit our Department Pages.
Many students also undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which enables independent study in an area of personal interest.
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course of studies that suits well-motivated students with a breadth of interests. It is a rigorous qualification that is recognised by universities in the UK and across the world.
There is an emphasis on the development of research and critical reflection, and on the importance of individual commitment to creativity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and service to others. The global awareness and cultural understanding that is inherent in the IB is particularly well-suited to the values of College.
The IB has a university-style approach to teaching and learning and prepares students for university life and beyond with an emphasis on key transferable skills identified in the IB Learner Profile. The range of assessment within the programme develops excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
The curriculum is made up of the Diploma Programme core and six subject groups.
The core components are central to the Diploma Programme and it embodies the philosophy of the IB. The core must be successfully completed in order to be awarded the Diploma. It consists of:
The Extended Essay (EE): This is a piece of academic research chosen from any one of the subjects in the six groups. It develops research skills, enables the student to practise the thesis approach to writing required at university and to experience the excitement of intellectual challenge and discovery. |
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): This programme of study enables students to make connections between different areas of knowledge and encourages them to consider the cultural, social and moral aspects of knowledge. |
Creativity, Action & Service (CAS): IB students are required to be involved in activities in each of the three CAS areas - meeting personal aims, challenges and working with others. Over the two years of the IB Diploma Programme, CAS will contribute a minimum of 150 hours. |
IB students also choose six subjects. Three of the subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL), one from each of the six groups and they study them for two years (five terms). The groups are as follows:
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature - most girls will study English Literature. |
Group 2: Language Acquisition - the study of a second language. |
Group 3: Individuals and Societies - the Humanities. |
Group 4: Sciences. |
Group 5: Mathematics. |
Group 6: The Arts – this group also contains the elective, allowing students to choose another subject from Groups 2-4. |
For more information, please visit the IB website.
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