Your Sixth Form experience should be some of the best times of your life.

It’ll be challenging, yes, but it should also be the place where you really work out where you want to go and who you want to be. Your choice of Sixth Form should support your ambitions and provide a springboard to the next exciting stage of your life.

But how do you know whether one Sixth Form is right for you over another? We’ve pulled together a few things for you to consider when deciding what to do next.

Subjects – does the Sixth Form have the right type and mix of subjects for you? Are you looking for a more academic pathway, such as A Levels or maybe a more vocational pathway such as BTecs? Will three A Levels be enough for your chosen pathway, rather than four? Can you do optional extras such as the EPQ or a life skill course such as Cooking for University?

Results – getting all A*s is not necessarily the be-all-and-end-all. You need to get the grades that your chosen university or apprenticeship requires, and you may be surprised at the offers other students have received. Yes, getting on to a Medical degree or into Oxbridge will require top grades, but other universities and courses may require a combination of As and Bs, and sometimes even Cs, depending on their popularity. Make sure you speak to your chosen Sixth Form’s Academic Lead and Careers Specialist about your options and their expectations.

Facilities and Teaching – is the Sixth Form equipped with specialist spaces such as science labs and art studios, and more importantly staffed with teachers who are specialists in their field? Whatever you are studying at Sixth Form, it’s vital to have teachers who have experience and qualifications in your chosen subject for you to do as well as possible and for you to build a relationship with. Good teachers are essential to your Sixth Form experience so take time to get to know them, and let them get to know you, so they can support you throughout your Sixth Form journey.

Careers – do they have a dedicated Careers Advisor? Ideally someone with the correct post-grad qualifications and extensive experience helping students with UCAS applications and support for wherever you want to go next. Careers Advisors should also be well networked, have relationships with local businesses, and school alumni who can support your chosen career path.

Onward Destinations – where do their students typically go after school? Are they going to Russell Group Universities, well regarded Drama schools or Conservatoires? Or are they going to work for household name companies through apprenticeships?

Support Networks – apart from a Careers Specialist, what additional support is offered? How is pastoral care embedded across the Sixth Form? Do they provide opportunities to speak with alumni? What about the expertise to help you with interview practice and writing the perfect UCAS form or LinkedIn profile?

A Holistic Education – what enrichment opportunities are also available? A good Sixth Form will offer leadership opportunities which are essential for UCAS applications, such as leading societies, developing entrepreneurial and business skills, continuing with sports and the creative arts outside of the classroom, and getting involved in the local community through the Duke of Edinburgh programme, volunteering or other work experience.

Here at Nottingham Girls’ Sixth Form, we provide a unique girls-only experience, combining academic challenge and success with the best pastoral care and leadership opportunities, making it the perfect springboard to future success.

Read more about Nottingham Girls’ Sixth Form

To book a tour of our Sixth Form, or to visit us on an Experience Day, contact admissions@not.gdst.net