Frequently asked Questions

How many girls join College in SFC1?

In an average year between 40-45 girls join College; unsurprisingly competition for these places is fierce.

How many girls leave College after GCSE?

Not many: usually up to around a dozen. This might be for a variety of reasons.

How easy is it for girls to settle in?

In the Sixth Form settling in is made easier by the fact that all current students move from Junior Houses to Senior Houses at the start of Sixth Form; in this way, established House friendship groups change and develop in the Sixth From as everyone is starting in a new House with new staff and housemates.

Should I (or should my daughter) do IB or A Level?

This is question that is asked frequently and there is no simple answer. First of all, universities understand and respect both qualifications – there is no advantage in doing one over the other and our university offers bear this out.

Essentially it comes down to whether the individual likes the breadth of the IB and the global perspective which it offers or whether they wish to specialise in a specific area of interest in the Sixth Form. Both qualifications are excellent preparation for a wide range of vocational and non-vocational courses after College. It really needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Who makes a good IB student?

Typically a good IB student is interested and open minded in their outlook and would prefer a more holistic approach to their Sixth Form study. It helps if they are well-organised and self-disciplined as there is an emphasis on independent study. They should also be interested in gaining a global perspective through their studies.

What do students do if they don’t know what they want to study at university or do for a career?

Fortunately at College we have an excellent Professional Guidance Centre (PGC) which, besides its Head who advises on all aspects of post-College opportunities, has a staff who specialise in higher education, careers, work experience, US and international applications and a dedicated member of staff who supports girls with interview technique. Through these advisers all our students benefit from individual tailored advice on higher education and careers based on their interests and abilities.

What support are students given regarding university applications?

Approximately halfway through their time in Sixth Form, students are given subject mentors who advise them on their personal statements in conjunction with their tutors and advise on wide reading. Departments run University Classes, helping students to broaden their subject knowledge beyond the confines of the syllabus and to prepare those expecting interviews through suggested wider reading.

The PGC offers an Interview Preparation Club and students who expect to be interviewed also have mock interviews conducted by external interviewers. Support and advice is given on personal statements by tutors, subject mentors and the Head of Sixth Form.

How is the Sixth Form different to Lower College and Upper College?

Our senior (Sixth Form) Houses are very different to the junior houses. You are allowed more freedom, and the very vast majority of boarding sixth-formers have their own rooms, which offers them the challenge of managing their time and workload effectively. You are allowed into town on either Friday or Saturday nights and are at liberty to take ‘floating exeats’ at weekends, allowing the flexibility to visit friends or return home after Saturday school. Lessons are different too, with more emphasis placed on discussion and independent research.

Unlike lower down the College, Sixth Formers will find they have more periods during the day where they don’t have a timetabled lesson: these study periods offer the opportunity to work independently in the Library or to undertake research for lessons. Most students who have attended College from eleven or thirteen find the Sixth Form a very different and refreshing environment, providing a bridge between the structure and discipline of school life and the independence of university life.