How to Choose the Right Sixth Form for your Child

Choosing a Sixth Form is a big moment for both you and your child. It’s the stepping stone between school and university or the world of work, where students grow in independence and start to shape their futures.

With such a daunting decision, it’s important to find a school that will not only stretch them academically but also support them to truly thrive. Through our enrichment opportunities, students learn academic but also personal development skills to ensure they feel confident in whatever path in life they choose after A Levels.

At Lingfield College Sixth Form, we understand just how significant this choice is. If you’re just starting to look or narrowing down your options, here are some key things to consider.

Academic Excellence and Results

The academic reputation and results of a Sixth Form should be your primary consideration. But look beyond league tables to understand how well a school helps students progress from their starting points.

A value-added score is a measurement used in education to demonstrate how well the school develops students from their starting points by comparing each student’s actual results to the grades they were statistically expected to achieve based on national data. 

Value-added scores can be a particularly useful indicator of the impact good teaching and pastoral support can have on outcomes. At Lingfield College, we are happy to announce that we are in the UK’s Top 2.5% for Academic Progress (Value Added Ranking) at A Level.

It’s also crucial to check that the school offers the A Level subjects (or BTECs) your child needs to pursue their next steps. At Lingfield, our subject breadth of 23 A Levels and 4 BTECS enables students to explore areas they’re passionate about or explore an interest or skill that they wish to develop further.

Alongside A Levels, we also run an EPQ programme, which Year 12 students participate in during a dedicated lesson period a week. During this lesson, they receive knowledgeable support and guidance from a staff member. 

University Preparation and Guidance

From crafting compelling personal statements to choosing the right course, Sixth Form should be a place where your child is expertly supported through every stage of the UCAS process.

At Lingfield, students benefit from tailored guidance from our dedicated UCAS Coordinators and our Careers advisor, Mrs Mortleman.

With this support, students are guided on their chosen pathway, whether to a top university, an overseas university or progressing to a prestigious degree apprenticeship or creative school.

Throughout the year, we invite multiple guest speakers from a variety of job sectors to discuss and detail their careers and the individual paths they took to get there. This allows our students to see the diverse routes to success and better understand the real-world applications of their education.

Individual Support and Wellbeing

Wellbeing and support should be a key factor in the life of any student or young adult. That’s why the best sixth forms provide more than just excellent teaching. At Lingfield, our small class sizes and strong tutor system mean students are known and nurtured as individuals. Alongside this system, we have a Sixth Form Welfare Officer who is on hand throughout the school day for both drop-in and organised sessions for any support required, as well as two quiet rooms for anyone’s use.

Academically, there is always someone on hand to help them balance their studies, whether this be one of our designated study supervisors or subject teachers. However, throughout the students' time in our Sixth Form, we ensure that they grow independently so that learning support can become more specialised and collaborative, tailoring it to their needs.

In the Sixth Form, support doesn’t stop at the individual student. As part of our initiative to develop students academically and personally, they are encouraged to take on leadership roles, such as joining our Mentor Programme. Students meet weekly with a younger pupil to allow the mentee to talk to someone who has already been through their learning stage and can offer them meaningful advice.

Enrichment and Opportunities Beyond the Classroom

Employers and universities look for more than just grades; sixth formers must develop leadership, communication skills and resilience.

Enrichment opportunities include the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, competitive sports, music and drama, volunteering for the local community, the annual Projects Abroad Trip to Tanzania, our student mentor programme and student leadership roles. Lingfield offers a wide range of enrichment opportunities that help young people stand out and grow confident in their skills for the future.

Culture, Values and Atmosphere

Every school has its own feel, and it’s important to find one that fits. Is it welcoming? Inclusive? Will your child feel comfortable being themselves?

At Lingfield College, we’re proud of our warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our Sixth Formers are treated as young adults with trust and respect. We celebrate individuality while providing the structure and inspiration students need to succeed.

Location and Practical Considerations

It’s easy to overlook the critical details when focusing on academics and opportunities, but location, transport, and day-to-day logistics matter too. Whether your child is travelling independently or you’re managing multiple school runs, consider how the school fits into your routine.

Lingfield College’s location is set within 40 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside, offering a calm, green setting which borders Kent and Sussex, well connected through school buses to the local and wider area and direct trains to London.

Many of our families value this balance between accessibility and environment.

Admissions Process

The admissions process itself provides valuable insights into the school's values and approach to education.

From the first enquiry to your offer, the admissions journey tells you a lot about a school. Are the staff approachable? Do open events feel genuine and informative? At Lingfield, we encourage families to visit us not just for our Open Day, but for tours, a chat or even an informal discussion where you and your child can get to know the environment better. We believe the best way to understand what makes our Sixth Form special is to experience it firsthand: meet our students, experience the classroom environment, and feel the buzz of our community.

Making the Right Choice

Ultimately, the best Sixth Form is the one where your child will feel confident, supported, and excited about what’s next. Help them be part of the decision-making process.

At Lingfield College Sixth Form, we are passionate about helping every student reach their potential. With excellent teaching, strong results, and a nurturing ethos, we prepare students not just for exams but for exciting futures.

We would love to welcome you to one of our upcoming Sixth Form events.