Places in the Sixth Form are in high demand, not least due to the School’s reputation in helping its pupils gain places at top universities in the UK and elsewhere.
As a result, academic expectations are high and students will find themselves stretched and challenged, whatever combination of subjects they take.
In general, we require internal and external applicants to have at least 3 grades 7s and three grade 6s at GCSE (or the equivalent for overseas candidates). Individual departments may also have their own minimum entry requirements, which can be found in the Sixth Form Curriculum Book.
In all cases the Head Master will review each pupil’s application on an individual basis and admission into the Sixth Form will be at his discretion.
Academic Enrichment & Scholarship
Clifton offers a wide range of academic societies in the Sixth Form which seek to enrich and develop students’ breadth and depth of understanding outside of timetabled lessons. There is also an extensive academic scholarship programme, incorporating a range of events and activities, such as national competitions (e.g. the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge), College competitions (e.g. the Stanley-Steadman Essay Prize) and a programme of visiting speakers. Additionally, The Pippard Society, which helps prepare students for application to the most competitive universities, offers short courses to develop key skills, such as on critical thinking and problem solving. Faculty-based sessions are also run from the latter part of Year 12 to help students prepare for specific university entrance tests they may need to sit in Year 13. While there is an expectation that academic scholars will participate in Pippard Society and the wider enrichment activities, they are open to all who wish to join.
Applying to university
Preparation for life beyond Clifton underpins much of what is done at Sixth Form level. Although some students move directly into the world of work, each year about 95% of Cliftonians choose to study at university. There is a wealth of support and guidance available for all students throughout the university application process, involving the Head of Sixth Form, the Head of Careers, Senior Tutors, Housemasters/mistresses and Sixth Form tutors. Weekly ‘Meet the University’ sessions are laid on throughout the autumn term, giving students an opportunity to hear directly from admissions staff at leading universities.
We make extensive use of the Unifrog platform, which allows students to select courses based on their interests and aptitude, and advises them which institutions would be a good fit. Unifrog also provides a wealth of resources, such as webinars, on all aspects of the university application process, both for UK universities and overseas universities.
For students seeking to apply to universities in North America, Europe, Australasia and Asia, we have a specialist International Universities Coordinator based in the Higher Education and Careers Hub. They can provide all the necessary advice and support required, in conjunction with external experts and various international university workshops run throughout the year.
Applying for a degree apprenticeship with a leading global firm, such as PwC or Jaguar Land Rover is becoming an increasingly attractive, though highly competitive, option for Cliftonians. We have experience within the Careers department to guide students through the application process. All students are provided with plenty of information about degree apprenticeships via the Clifton Futures programme, and targeted support can be provided by the Head of Careers.
Clifton Futures Programme
The Clifton Futures programme aims to help provide Sixth Form students with the skills, strategies and attributes to leave school as informed young adults, better able to navigate the challenges of higher education, the world of work, and life in general. As such, the programme aims to supplement students’ academic studies and co-curricular activities, covering a wide range of topics from the global to the personal and from the practical to the theoretical.
At the heart of the Futures programme lie the four themes of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, Living in the Wider World and Informed Citizen. As the Sixth Form marks a crucial transition point as students prepare to leave school, there is considerable emphasis on preparation for higher education and the world of work, drawing on the considerable resources of our Careers and Higher Education team. Sessions are delivered on a weekly basis, either in class groups or as year-group presentations from relevant experts.
Work Experience
In the Sixth Form, we aim not just to prepare students to access university; we aim to set them on their chosen path to a successful career. There is a well-resourced Careers and Higher Education Hub adjacent to the Library that is accessible to all students. One-to-one guidance meetings are available to all Sixth Form students with our own highly-qualified careers adviser, along with regular ‘meet the employer’ sessions. We facilitate work experience opportunities for students throughout the year, both through our excellent links with the Old Cliftonian Society, as well as with local employers. All Year 12 students take part in work experience week at the end of the summer term.
Monday Enrichment Programme
On Monday afternoons, Sixth Form students have the opportunity to participate in activities aimed at developing their wider skills and attributes. There is the option of working with the wider community, such as supporting the learning of primary school children in a local school. Alternatively, students might choose to take part in one of the many student-led enrichment activities, such as writing for the school newspaper or running the school’s charity committee. It is also possible for students to join the Combined Cadet Force, made up of army, navy and airforce sections, through which they will develop their leadership skills and get the chance to take part in a wide range of opportunities on land, at sea and in the air!
