Cardiff Sixth Form College has a reputation for academic excellence and the results of the College at both GCSE and A Level certainly speak for themselves.
Most students will study four A Levels, some study more, however we aim to extend our students knowledge of their subjects often beyond the curriculum through extension projects, research, Ted Talks, online courses and podcasts to fuel a passion for their subjects. We want students to be able to think for themselves, to understand and enjoy their subjects at a deeper level and to be encouraged to explore areas of individual interest.
All Cardiff students have the opportunity to undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) which enables students to research, write and present a research project on a subject of their choice and is worth half an A Level in UCAS points. Well regarded by universities the EPQ gives our students valuable skills in independent study, research and communication and often results in universities giving lower grade offers to those who undertake this type of research.
Critical thinking skills are becoming increasingly important and so Cardiff students have weekly critical thinking skills whereby they analyse facts to form judgements. Many of the top universities including Oxford and Cambridge require students to think critically at interview and to be able to analyse and discuss areas beyond the curriculum.
Those wishing to study subjects such as architecture or engineering may develop an art portfolio of work at the college in addition to their A Levels, which is a requirement for some university courses. This will not be necessary if you are studying A Level Art.
Around 85% of students full board at Cardiff Sixth Form College and live in purpose-built, modern boarding houses all of which are a short walk from the main academic buildings.
There are three different room types: cluster rooms, apartments and studio flats. Cluster room are shared by four to six students with single bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms in addition to a shared kitchen and lounge. Apartments feature two single bedrooms and have a shared bathroom, kitchen and lounge whilst studio flats feature a single room with an ensuite bathroom and a kitchen but do not include a lounge and are allocated on a first come first served basis.
All students have access to large communal common rooms, laundry facilities, music practice rooms and art rooms as well as on-site medical centres.
We take great pride in our multi-cultural community here at Cardiff Sixth Form College which gives our students a unique opportunity to mix with young people from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds. Our students are encouraged to respect one another, be tolerant and work together to create a happy, safe home where they can make friends and be sociable but also enjoy quiet times to work and reflect.
Students are looked after by our very experienced boarding staff who create a warm and supportive home-from-home environment with excellent pastoral care and our boarders live as part of a true family community. The staff are always there to share our pupils’ successes, help them with any issues that may arise, arrange events and liaise with parents and there is no doubt that the pupils enjoy a close relationship with the staff that live on-site to look after them.
There is a wide range of weekend activities and cultural events organised to make everyone’s leisure time enjoyable and enriching. Students take part in extra-curricular clubs and activities with their peers, join sports teams, undertake charity work and work placements locally and are welcome to go shopping and visit the many cafes and parks in Cardiff at weekends.
Cardiff Sixth Form College runs an extensive university preparation programme, designed to give students best chance to achieve their potential and gain access to some of the top universities worldwide.
Starting in the first week students join us, the programme covers every aspect of the university admissions process and runs for the full three years of GCSE and Sixth Form.
At Cardiff Sixth Form College, our Year 11 students will be provided with a life-time log on to Morrisby, an online diagnostic examination which helps students in their career and university decision making process based upon their skills, preferences and learning styles. Students can use their profile to conduct research into different pathways to their future professions, including labour market information about the viability and need of this career in the future, and the different degree and training options to help them get there.
Our Year 12 and 13 students will be able to access BridgeU, a fantastic online resource which offers world-class and leading careers and university information to supplement the advice and guidance we offer. Students will be able to explore thousands of university courses around the world, begin shortlisting universities and collate experiences to support them in writing personal statements. Students can also benefit from sitting diagnostic tests to support them in their self-exploration of personality types, learning styles and multiple intelligences.
