Learning

Below are links to several local colleges and sixth forms that Bluecoat Wollaton students have previously gone on to attend. Using the links provided, you can find information about the courses on offer, the dates of upcoming open days/evenings and how to apply for the college of your choice.

Taking a look at these post-16 options can really help with:

Why not take this interactive quiz by NCN to help you decide what type of course might suit you for life after GCSEs?

What is Sixth Form like?

Why not take a look at this presentation from Bluecoat Sixth Form, which shows what a typical week looks like.

A week in the life of a Bluecoat Sixth Former

Apprenticeships vs A-levels

For students undecided on whether to go to Sixth Form/ College or start in the world of work as an apprentice, they can read a blog from RateMyApprenticeship on the pros and cons of apprenticeships vs A-levels here!

To make it a little more fun, why not take their quiz to decide which path to take?

For more information on Apprenticeships, select the Apprenticeships link on the menu.

The Parents’ Guide to T Levels

T Levels are an exciting new option in sixth form education that provide a recognized qualification tailored to industry needs and skills. It’s a great choice for students that want to learn practical skills relevant to certain jobs, regardless of whether they want to go on to study for a degree, take alternative further education or go straight into the workplace after sixth form.

Introduced in 2020, T Levels are a vocational alternative to A levels (because they focus on industry) and include practical study as well as classroom learning.

If you (or your child) are considering whether to take one, download a free parent guide to help make the right choice!

Local Colleges & Sixth Forms

Bluecoat Sixth Form

“Bluecoat Sixth Form is a diverse and comprehensive Sixth Form situated in the city of Nottingham, with over 450 students on roll. Our values are underpinned by our Christian faith and inclusion is at the heart of all that we do. We pride ourselves on our broad range of qualifications, offering level 2 and level 3 academic and vocational courses, including over 25 A level subjects, as well as a full time course for Foundation Learners

We have a strong reputation across the city for delivering high quality teaching to our students, the majority of whom go on to study either at university or for a degree apprenticeship. 

As well as offering a broad curriculum and the chance for academic success, we also ensure students have access to a varied diet of enrichment and super-curricular activities. Opportunities available include working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award, attempting the Three Peak Challenge, being part of the Social Committee, discussing recent medical advancements at our MedSoc and many, many more!”

Click here to learn more.

Bilborough College

“Bilborough Sixth Form College caters for students aged 16 to 19 years old, wanting to study A-levels and BTECs in an academic, supportive and sociable environment. Ours is also an environment fully equipped for learning: in 2005 we took residence in our purpose-built building, complete with specialist teaching facilities and the latest technologies.

We’re glad to be able to meet most of your requests for subject combinations, no matter how unusual. We also provide you with excellent careers advice. College careers and guidance counsellors are on site five days a week, helping you take the smartest possible route to achieving your dreams.

Although we’re larger than a school sixth form, our modest size enables us to educate you as an individual. Help is always available from our dedicated Student Support Team. You will be assigned a personal tutor whose role is dedicated to supporting you. You and your fellow tutees will have regular once a week tutorials, and you’ll have opportunities throughout the year to meet one to one with them and review your academic progress.”

Click here to learn more.

Bramcote College Sixth Form

“Bramcote College Sixth Form is part of the White Hills Park Trust. We offer a full range of A Level subjects as well as Level 3 applied and vocational options across multiple subject areas to meet the learning needs of a variety of student profiles. We pride ourselves in knowing every student as an individual as well as the importance we place on inclusion through our robust pastoral system.

A large proportion of Year 11 students from both Alderman White School and Bramcote College opt to stay with us for their post-16 education, and a large number of students join us in Year 12 from other schools.

We are exceptionally proud of the BC6F results, not just this year, but over the past four years, which have put us in the top 25% of 6th Forms in Nottinghamshire. Since 2018 our average grade has risen from a C- to a grade B.

We pride ourselves on our destination successes, with 87% of our 2021 cohort going on to their first-choice destinations or courses after 6th Form, including Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Warwick and Birmingham to study subjects including Architecture, Biomedical Sciences, Geography, Business, Photography and Art, to name just a few.. We maintain strong links with local and national apprenticeship schemes, too, with students going on to accept places at Rolls Royce, Boots and the police. Enrichment is also a key focus with our KS5 students and we run a full variety of extra-curricular opportunities. We are proud of the efforts of our staff and students who make BC6F a fantastic place to be part of.”

Click here to learn more.

Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies

“We’re a specialist creative industry institute part of Nottingham Trent University and our Creative Quarter campus is home to the very best technology, studios and equipment, industry-connected tutors and over 2000 passionate and committed students. Our graduates go on to careers in music, gaming, TV, film, live events, graphic design and many more.

At Confetti, we offer courses at varying levels to suit a range of academic abilities, but what unites all our students and tutors is their passion for creative technology. We then use our skills, experience and industry links to help turn that passion into real job options. Find out more by discovering our range of college coursesfoundation and three-year honours degrees, and postgraduate degrees or coming along to an open day.”

Click here to learn more.

Djanogly City Academy Sixth Form

“At Djanogly City Academy Sixth Form, we believe every scholar that enters this important stage in their education deserves the opportunity to encounter the highest quality teaching, pastoral care and wider enrichment to ensure they can achieve their full potential. Our Sixth Form teachers are hardworking, enthusiastic and all academic specialists in their subject areas.

The culture at DCA is one of teachers and pastoral staff working closely with their Sixth Form scholars, being generous with their time to support and develop each individual. Sixth Form lessons are calm and purposeful; scholars are encouraged to be inquisitive and are supported with exploring wider learning both within the curriculum and beyond.

We offer a wide range of A-level subjects with smaller classroom sizes to enable our scholars to excel in their academic studies and grow in their character and personal development, ensuring we continue our schools commitment of ‘Everyone Graduates’. We have a culture of high expectations and support our scholars in applying for the most ambitious University and Apprenticeship courses across the UK and internationally.

To further complement our academic focus, we offer extensive careers guidance and support whether applying to university, for an apprenticeship, or for employment. Each scholar is provided with personalised opportunities and advice to ensure that they obtain the best academic profile and the necessary transferable skills to pursue successful careers after Sixth Form.

We firmly believe that ‘Every Scholar Matters’ and developing the whole individual is a core focus of our wider curriculum. Scholars have the opportunity to take part in a range of extra-curricular and super-curricular activities including a scholar leadership team, peer mentoring, wellbeing clubs, a charity sky dive and group trips to bowling, ice skating and the cinema. Scholars will receive a free gym membership and our partnership with Nottingham Forest Football Club demonstrates our commitment to ensuring every scholar is challenged and supported within a high quality educational environment.

In September 2022 we open our brand new, state of the art Sixth Form facility and look forward to welcoming you then.”

Click here to learn more.

George Spencer Sixth Form

Students come first at George Spencer. We provide an extensive range of courses for you to select your own learning package plus many activities and opportunities to make up your unique Sixth Form experience.

Our flexible learning opportunities allow a broad range of subject combinations for maximum choice. We also continue to develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving, which are essential for lifelong learning and employment.

Life in the Sixth Form is very different to life in the main school. The atmosphere is more relaxed and you are expected to take more responsibility for the organisation of your time and work. You will be allocated a Personal Learning Manager who will monitor your progress and support your learning.

At George Spencer there is a friendly and caring atmosphere. Staff and students are very approachable, so if you are coming from another school be assured of a very warm welcome and support which will enable you to settle in quickly.”

Click here to learn more.

Nottingham College

Nottingham College is one of the largest further education and higher education colleges in the United Kingdom. Based in the city of Nottingham in England, it provides education and training from pre-entry through to university-degree level at its 10 centres in and around the city.

The college is a general further and higher education college and offers a range of courses.

  • Vocational Courses
  • Apprenticeships
  • A-Levels
  • Access Courses
  • Higher Apprenticeships
  • Foundation Degrees (Higher Education) (level 5) and top-up degrees (level 6)

Click here to learn more.

The Nottingham Emmanuel Sixth Form

“At The Nottingham Emmanuel School our strong sense of community and high level of aspiration allow all students who study here to achieve their full potential. Smaller classroom sizes and a commitment to the very best pastoral care enable students to excel in their academic studies and to grow in their character and personal development.

We are tremendously proud of our continued academic success and each year the number of students achieving the ultimate A* grade continues to rise. Consequently, a significant number of our students have secured places at the most ambitious national and international university destinations; from Cambridge in the UK to Rhodes College, an Ivy League university in the USA.

To complement their academic commitments, our Sixth Form students take part in a wide range of enrichment programmes which include the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, EPQ, volunteering as mentors, Sixth Form football and netball teams, student cooking, debating society, Christian Union, Young Leaders project, volunteering to serve on international projects in Ghana and undertaking career experiences with leading businesses. In addition to this, Sixth Form students at The Nottingham Emmanuel School are encouraged to take a position of responsibility in the wider school community, whether through working with the chaplaincy team or by becoming prefects or being elected to serve as Head Boy or Head Girl.

Alongside our academic and enrichment programme, we offer extensive careers guidance and support whether applying to university, for an apprenticeship, or for employment. Each student is provided with personalised opportunities and advice to ensure that they obtain the best academic portfolio and the necessary transferable skills in order for them to pursue successful careers beyond their A level studies.”

Click here to learn more.

Nottingham Girls’ Academy Sixth Form

“NGA Sixth Form has been established since 2012 and has gone from strength to strength. In Summer 2019 the Sixth Form achieved 100% Pass rate on both A Level and Vocational courses.

For the 8th year running 100% of Sixth Formers have successfully applied to university, apprenticeships or employment.  Notable successes include students gaining entry to The Rolls Royce Degree Apprenticeship and the ever competitive medicine pathway at university.

Sixth Formers have been involved in ‘Creative Sparks’ for Chemistry and the national annual competition, ‘The Big Bang’.

During your time with us you can expect teaching excellence, small classes and a flexible approach to study. We understand the importance of transition to Sixth Form and in addition to your 3 subjects you will be able to access both study enrichment lessons and time offsite to support your learning and independence.

Sixth Form lessons take place in the dedicated Sixth Form area and students have their own base which is available for use during private study time and at break and lunchtime. In the quiet study area students have access to a number of desktops and laptop computers which can be used to complete homework, research and coursework. There is also a communal common room with food and beverage facilities.”

Click here to learn more.

Nottingham Girls’ High School Sixth Form

“From day one, NGHS girls are inspired to nurture their curiosity and to learn with passion. A selective school, we teach to a high standard, and enable girls to go above and beyond expectations.

An education free from stereotypes, in an environment where girls learn without limits, complemented by unparalleled leadership opportunities, means our girls go on to excellent Higher Education establishments including Oxbridge and the Russell Group universities. They pursue exciting careers or adventurous gap years, confident in whatever they choose to do.

We are experts in how girls learn, using research led teaching techniques and proven methodologies to ensure girls learn deeply, understand the relevance of what they’re learning, and collaborate to cement that learning in a way they understand, remember and enjoy. This paves the way to achieving excellent results in their exams and beyond school life. These skills ensure an academic rigour that sets our girls apart when they enter Higher Education and the working world. It also instills an excellent attitude to learning throughout their lives, meaning they continue to grow and succeed in everything they do, bringing extraordinary success in whatever they choose.

We are proud of all our girls, and delight in the wide ranging opportunities they go on to after they leave NGHS. Our latest results can be found HERE and reflect the systems adopted during the disrupted COVID years.

We had 15% of our girls going on to study medicine or dentistry in 2020 after receiving excellent grades in 2019, alongside many other subjects at top universities. Girls here gain excellent results and therefore achieve places at the very best universities for their chosen paths. The future is an incredibly exciting place. There are so many fascinating careers out there, some of which didn’t even exist a short time ago. At NGHS girls know that they can do whatever they want to do. By empowering them to play to their strengths and learn without limits or stereotypes, the sky really is the limit.”

Click here to learn more.

Nottingham High School Sixth Form

“Opportunity is everywhere in the Sixth Form at Nottingham High School; students have the chance to succeed here as part of a driven and positive academic environment where mutual respect is central.

Academically students will want to leave us with excellent A level results and a place to study their preferred course at their chosen University. More broadly speaking, they will aspire to become so much more than the sum of their grades: to experience as much as possible beyond the classroom; to learn from the responsibility of leading others; to develop skills and interests that will serve them at university and in the workplace; and to build friendships that will last for a lifetime.

 Students here benefit from our expertise in every aspect of school life. Our focus is on supporting students as individuals, whether to help them make the transition into Sixth Form, to help guide their academic progress, or to provide support in making university and career choices. Learning extends far beyond the classroom here, and students can experience a range of opportunities that will open their eyes to life after A Levels.

Click here to learn more.

NTU Brackenhurst

“Study your college course at a university. Brackenhurst is set in stunning countryside just a bus ride away from Nottingham city centre. We are part of Nottingham Trent University and offer college-level courses alongside our degree courses. If you’re looking to study an animal, land or science-based subject, you’ll find it here. We’re a leading provider of Level 2, Level 3 and Access to Higher Education courses.

Our courses are a chance to learn beyond the classroom – qualifications that build the confidence, independence and knowledge that employers and universities will want to see. Our college courses can lead straight into our degree courses. You’ll get a taste for the life here, which prepares you for higher education — if that’s the route that interests you.

From the stunning countryside to the variety of animals that call Brackenhurst home, this is a campus with a difference. Its home to our School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences and if you’re pursuing your passion to work in the fields of wildlife, conservation, animal care or agriculture, Brackenhurst is your ultimate outdoor classroom and your new home from home.

You’ll find us nestled in the middle of the beautiful countryside roughly 14 miles north-east of Nottingham city centre. The charming town of Southwell is just a short walk away, and regular bus services link Brackenhurst, Nottingham, and Southwell throughout the week.”

Currently, Brackenhurst College offer the following courses:

  • Level 2 Technical Diploma in Animal Care
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Animal Management
  • Level 2 Diploma in Agriculture
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Agriculture
  • Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Equine Management
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Countryside Management and Wildlife Conservation
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma in Animal Science

Click here to learn more.

NUAST Sixth Form

Studying at NUAST sixth form is just a little bit different from the regular post-16 experience.

NUAST offers some of the very best facilities for Science, Engineering and ICT in Nottingham, because we believe that the young people of this county deserve the chance to excel in STEM subjects by accessing the very best equipment available.

The fantastic building, facilities and equipment are only a small part of what NUAST has to offer.

Specialist and expert teachers in every subject will instil in you the passion and commitment they feel for their subjects, while expertly leading you through the examination requirements and beyond. At NUAST, we believe in achievement, but we also believe that learning does not end with the requirements of the examination board. Our teachers will prepare you for a future career in industry by teaching the skills that employers want to see.

Our small academy allows personalised learning that breeds dedication and will transform you into a professional student who any university or employer would be proud to take on.

Our close links with both local universities, as well as local employers and national companies will ensure that you leave NUAST well connected with an exceptional awareness of how to succeed in your chosen field.”

Click here to learn more.

Rushcliffe Spencer Academy

“The core values of Rushcliffe Spencer Academy drive everything we do in the sixth form. We believe that everyone should have the chance ‘to shine brightly’ and the values below guide us to enable pupils to achieve their best academically. We also believe that during sixth form students should be given the chance to develop into young adults ready for challenges that lie ahead, whether that is going to university, taking a gap year, embarking on an apprenticeship or moving into the world of work.

We try our best

Students receive quality teaching and excellent pastoral support that leads to them to achieve their potential and gain excellent exam results.

We support each other

We have an inclusive ethos and endeavour to provide personalised pathways for students. Our Heads of Year, Tutors and Support staff all work together to ensure students receive the support they need to be successful.

We listen to different opinions

Our students have been key to many decisions made in the organisation of the sixth form including student committees and charity events. Students’ views on teaching and learning have also allowed us to develop our practice.

We keep each other informed

We pride ourselves on the information given to parents and pupils. Progress reviews, parents’ evenings, letters, e-mails and the use of social media all ensure relevant information about progress, careers and other opportunities to enhance learning are fully exploited.

We are proud to be part of the school

As a result of the above, our students never cease to amaze. We are truly proud of the achievements they accomplish not just academically but also personally. The opportunities given to young people during their time here are fully exploited by them. They are proud of their school and we are proud of the young adults they become.”

Click here to learn more.

The Becket Sixth

“The Becket Sixth is an outstanding sixth form, achieving the best results in the County (state schools) year on year and appears in The Times top 200 schools list each year.  We are a caring and tolerant community in which staff and students work together. Well motivated students are welcomed and share a common aim with teachers: that of ensuring that these years are well spent and have a successful outcome.

For many students the Sixth Form represents two short but very special years of their lives. It is a crucial time which can place considerable pressures on the student; it can also be a time to discover the true satisfaction of learning, a time to make new friends and to find new interests and pursuits. Our first aim is to enable our students to fulfil their academic potential. But while we emphasise the importance of academic achievement, we see this as only one aspect of the development of the whole person.

For these reasons it is essential that the place of your choice should be one which holds out the best prospect for your academic success, but also one in which you will feel sufficiently happy and ‘at home’ to be able to work steadily towards your personal goals.”

Click here to learn more.

The Long Eaton School

“Our 16+ community is a vibrant, dynamic and happy place that welcomes Long Eaton School students and students from other schools to undertake their 16+ studies. It is a place where students feel safe and aspire to great things. We are an integral part of the school, and we pride ourselves on the pastoral care and support for students that give them a social and academic environment where they can really enjoy their time in the sixth form.

We offer students a wide range of academic and vocational Level 3 courses that prepare them for the demands of further education. Small class sizes are very common, and we have seen improvement in the educational outcomes of students improve every year for the last 7 years. More ‘learners than ever are achieving higher grades and going on to top universities’ (Ofsted 2016), as well as higher apprenticeship destinations both in the East Midlands and afar.

Behind our academic work, we deliver a diverse enrichment and pastoral program that is centred on student wellbeing. Social and charitable activities, a strong student leadership program and various trips and events around career planning and student health, mean that our students leave us happy and ready to take the next steps on their own individual pathway. Throughout, our students have the continued support of their own tutor whom they meet with many times a week.

Our sixth form is a busy place, and we hope you will see this through our website, our facebook and our twitter feeds, as well as by following the link below to our student magazine or to our prospectus. If you would like to visit us at The Long Eaton School, please contact us to arrange a visit at a time that is convenient to you.”

Click here to learn more.

The Redhill Academy Sixth Form

“At Redhill Sixth Form, we seek to offer all our students an outstanding sixth form education characterised by academic excellence, outstanding learning experiences and extensive enrichment opportunities.

High expectations combined with the dedicated support of specialist tutors, teachers and careers advisers ensure that students, whatever their individual needs, can develop self-confidence, fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

They leave us ready to assume their responsibilities as young adults and willing to take advantage of further exciting opportunities.”

Click here to learn more.

The Trinity Catholic School Sixth Form

“The Trinity Sixth Form is a centre for achievement and opportunity, distinguished by the care given to students and by the commitment of its teachers.

The Trinity Sixth Form is committed to setting the highest standards in all aspects of learning. Students are encouraged to aim high and to work hard so that they can meet their own personal goals and ambitions.

The Sixth Form is an integral part of the whole school, and the pastoral team and subject teachers are dedicated to supporting and encouraging true personal and academic growth. The Sixth Form is a place where dreams and aspirations can be turned into reality. It is alive with enthusiasm, energy and purposefulness; it is a stimulating and lively place for young people to develop, as they become independent learners and mature citizens.”

Click here to learn more.

The West Bridgford School Sixth Form

“The Post-16 years are amongst the most exciting, inspiring and rewarding of any student’s academic life. These three adjectives are also the words that I would use to describe The West Bridgford School Sixth Form. We firmly believe that we have something to offer students that is vibrant and different, a moveable feast that will pay dividends to them for the rest of their lives.”

  • The vast majority of our students go on to university or other higher education.
  • We have a high success rate in entry to highly selective universities.
  • In 2020/21, we sent 4 students to Oxford and Cambridge and 7 to study Medicine.
  • We offer extensive and very experienced support for university entrance.
  • We are big enough to ensure a wide curriculum and the opportunity to make new friends.
  • We are small enough to know you very well and take good care of you.
  • Our teachers are very well qualified and experienced and they are easily available to talk to you when you need support.
  • We will set you demanding targets and support you to achieve them.
  • You will be allocated a tutor and based in a purpose-built Post-16 building adjacent to the main school.

Click here to learn more.

Trent College Sixth Form

Be part of a vibrant, close-knit community of aspirational young people aged sixteen to eighteen. We provide our students with exceptional breadth of opportunity, from subject choices to diverse activities beyond the classroom.

In our Sixth Form, structure and support are balanced with freedom and independence; academic goals are balanced with pursuits outside the classroom. Through balance our students achieve great exam results and much more. They leave with the skills, outlook and confidence to achieve their full potential.

Through small class sizes and dedicated tutor support, we give each student individual attention, encouragement and guidance. This is how we maintain our reputation for helping students achieve their best.

Last year the Department of Education recognised Trent College as a national leader in student progress by placing us in the top 17% of schools for academic progress from GCSE to A Level.

Choice is at the heart of our Sixth Form education. With a broad and flexible range of options, our specialist teachers help every student to build a timetable that suits their unique needs.”

Click here to learn more.

Contact Us

Bluecoat Wollaton Academy
Sutton Passeys Crescent
Wollaton Park
Nottingham
NG8 1EA

E-mail: office@bluecoatwollaton.co.uk
Tel: 0115 900 72 10

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