Embarking on their sixth form studies is an exciting time for all our students as they select the subjects they wish to take beyond GCSE. Students at City typically select four A levels subjects to study at the start, although they also have the opportunity to drop down to three during year 12. The timetable is built around the students’ selections, so there is no expectation to choose a set combination of subjects. In addition to the subjects studied at GCSE, we also offer government and politics, economics and classical civilisation as new subjects. Towards the end of the autumn term of year 12, students also can embark on the extended project qualification (EPQ).
Outside of the classroom, the sixth form provides students with many exciting co-curricular opportunities. City+, our weekly enrichment programme with our brother school, City of London School, offers a wide variety of four week courses for students, from print making to excelling at Excel to learning how to wire a house. These courses are delivered in seminar-style sessions across both school sites. As part of City+ and PSHCE, students hear from a range of eminent speakers, such as journalists, lawyers, scientists and authors, to name but a few. Many of our speakers are alumnae and it is always a pleasure to hear about their lives and careers since leaving City. A number of our sixth formers mentor younger students, both at City and in our local partner schools. Students also have the opportunity to establish their own clubs and societies and put on plays, conferences and charity events. The students in the sixth form act as superb role models for the rest of the school, undertaking a huge range of leadership roles.
A significant part of the sixth form experience is the UCAS programme designed to support and guide students with their university applications. It is run by our Futures department and their team of higher education coordinators (HECs). It launches in the January of year 12 with a higher education evening and weekly, subject specific enrichment lessons. The programme continues with regular UCAS afternoons for all students, opportunities to meet with alumnae, visit universities, frequent meetings with HECs and an interview package in the autumn term of year 13. Support is offered for students who need to sit university tests as part of their application. Students wishing to apply to the US are supported via our own in-house US college counsellor and support is also given to students applying to universities in other countries too.
Many students comment on the fact the sixth form feels like a very different experience from the lower and senior schools. The sixth form centre in the Museum of London (MoL), which gives the students their own dedicated space to learn, study and socialise, plays a large part in this. However, smaller classes, free periods, own clothes, greater independence and responsibility (and the MoL café!) all contribute too. From September 2028, the sixth form will be moving to a new bespoke centre which will be shared with City of London School, allowing for even greater opportunity for co-educational experiences, while still maintaining the key positive aspects of single sex education.
We welcome approximately twenty new students to the sixth form. Induction days held at the end of year 11 and the start of year 12, accompanied by our buddy system, help to make this transition as smooth as possible for students joining City at sixth form level.
There is extensive and varied pastoral support available for sixth form students at City, from form tutors and heads of year to school counsellors, our wellbeing advisor, coaching staff, the study centre and the Futures department. We take our responsibility towards looking after each young person and their needs very seriously. The sixth form team works closely with students, their families and school staff to ensure each student receives the individualised care they need.
The opportunities available to students in the sixth form aim to equip them with the intellectual curiosity and confidence for university life and beyond. City students never cease to amaze me with all they do and all they achieve. Most importantly, however, they really care – about each other, their wider community and the world they are about to step out into – and all of the staff at City aim to support them in pursuing their interests and passions.
Our City Sixth Booklet further explores the countless opportunities that sixth form at City can offer.
To discover more about the curriculum in the sixth form, please visit this page.
Agniete Geras
Director of Sixth Form
