Sixth Form

Ready to be independent?

Moving into the Sixth Form is a defining moment. At Read, we offer an altogether different, mature experience designed as the ideal preparation for university and beyond. With greater independence, specialised academic study, and fresh opportunities, it marks the start of a brand new chapter.

Pupils display high levels of self-confidence, self-understanding and maturity for their age and make an outstanding contribution to the school and the wider community.

Read School ISI Inspection

A Dedicated Space for Independent Growth

Our York Sixth Form Centre is designed around the needs of modern, driven young adults. Light-filled, flexible, and purpose-built, it provides the perfect balance between serious academic focus and social connection- offering our most senior students a mature, university-style environment where they can study, collaborate, and unwind.

Facilities Built for Senior Success

Designed as a bridge between school and higher education or the workplace, the Sixth Form Centre gives students the autonomy and space they deserve:

Tailored Workspaces: Dedicated personal workstations for each student equipped for silent research, daily study, and independent learning.
Higher Education & Careers Hub: Direct access to university prospectuses, career tools, and guidance resources right at your fingertips.
Modern Social & Kitchen Space: A relaxed lounge area featuring a fully equipped kitchenette for making hot drinks and preparing light meals during non-teaching time.
Quiet Reflection in the Library: Continuous daily access to the historic Memorial Library for uninterrupted, deep focus and research.

Here, Sixth Formers enjoy a distinct status within our school family- combining the independence of college life with the close-knit support and community Read School is known for.

Academic Excellence & A Mature Environment

Life in the Sixth Form at Read School marks an exciting shift. Here, students step into a more adult, university-style dynamic—combining personal freedom and professional standards with dedicated, world-class academic backing.

Professional Dress & Collaborative Learning

Smart Business Attire: Replacing traditional uniform, our Sixth Formers dress in smart businesswear, setting a professional tone for independent study and acting as role models across the school.
Adult, Respectful Relationships: Relationships with teachers naturally evolve into a supportive partnership where open dialogue, mutual respect, and collaborative learning thrive.
Small Class Sizes: Exceptionally small teaching groups mean students receive an incredible level of individual attention, regular feedback, and tailored academic support.

Flexible Qualifications & Bespoke Timetables

Our curriculum focuses on rigorous, globally recognised qualifications designed to open doors to top universities and modern careers:

A-Levels & BTECs: A rich mix of traditional A-Level options and applied BTEC qualifications, fully recognised by universities and leading employers alike.
Student-Centred Timetabling: We construct our subject options around student choices each year whenever possible, giving you the flexibility to build a subject combination tailored to your strengths and aspirations.
Academic Mentoring: Our teaching staff work closely with students to advise on subject combinations, ensure smooth transitions from GCSE, and offer stretch and extension activities.

Expert University & Career Preparation

Planning your next steps is a collaborative, expert-led journey at Read School:

In-House Higher Education Mentoring: Led directly by the Head of Sixth Form and senior academic staff, students receive personalised, step-by-step guidance through UCAS applications, personal statements, and apprenticeship routes.
University Visits & Masterclasses: Students attend major university open days, higher education fairs, and academic extension seminars hosted by top universities.

Leadership, Responsibility & Role Models

Being a Sixth Former at Read School is about more than academic success- it is about stepping up as a leader, making your mark on school life, and developing the confidence that sets you apart in university and job interviews.

Our senior students define the tone and spirit of our community. As natural role models, Sixth Formers inspire younger pupils while gaining real-world leadership experience that builds character, resilience, and initiative.

Ways to Lead & Get Involved

We actively encourage every Sixth Former to take on meaningful roles of responsibility tailored to their strengths and interests:

Senior Prefects & Student Leaders: Representing the student body, organising school events, and working directly with senior leadership to shape the student experience.
Mentoring & Classroom Assistance: Supporting younger pupils in our Prep and Senior Schools- whether helping with reading, assisting in subject lessons, or acting as a friendly peer mentor.
Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Officers: Taking on senior rank and leadership roles within our CCF unit, developing teamwork, fieldcraft, and command skills.
Sports Captains: Leading school teams, coaching younger athletes, and driving sportsmanship and house pride across campus.

Through these rich leadership opportunities, our Sixth Formers leave Read School not only with strong academic qualifications, but as confident, articulate, and compassionate young adults ready to lead in the wider world.

Joining Our Sixth Form Community

Whether you have grown up at Read School or are looking for a fresh, inspiring environment for your post-16 studies, our Sixth Form offers a warm and ambitious home.

We proudly welcome applications from our own Year 11 pupils, local day students, and boarding students from across the UK and around the world. This diverse, close-knit mix of backgrounds creates a vibrant, globally minded community where every individual is known and valued.

Scholarships & Support

We are committed to recognising talent and potential. A range of Sixth Form Scholarships- including Academic, Sports, Music, and Art awards—are available to support outstanding students joining our Sixth Form. (Please contact our Admissions Team for application details and key dates.)

A Foundation for Life

These two years are a transformative period of personal growth, maturing independence, and academic discovery. At Read School, we ensure your Sixth Form journey is enjoyable, intellectually rigorous, and warmly supported every step of the way.

The Read Sixth Form is more than just a place to study- it is where confidence is built, lifelong friendships are formed, and bright futures begin.

University

The majority of Read School Sixth Formers go onto take up university place with nearly all achieving their first choice destination although the option of degree apprenticeships is becoming increasingly popular.

I've been throwing myself into my new life as an Oxford student - although I definitely haven't been spending as much time in the library as my tutors would like!

Jasmine Wells-Dean (Former Student)

The Sixth Form tutor team aims to provide tutorial support, but also to assist in maximising the potential for that all-important university application, with a great deal of time spent on developing personal statements (Upper Sixth students); the resumé of achievements and input into society thus far. It is in this part of the university application or CV that celebrates all of the achievements and responsibilities gained from enrichment. In addition to monitoring the work and progress of individual students, tutors will also discuss with students their career and university plans and help them to find the appropriate information at the right time.

Many new Sixth Formers have little idea of what they would like to do in their career, or what they might study at university. Therefore, investigating possibilities as soon as possible is the best way to ensure the right choice is made. Recent Lower Sixth Formers have completed the Progression Module in partnership with Leeds Beckett University. This has given added structure to individual research into appropriate careers, courses and universities. Completing the Progression Module has enabled many pupils to make more efficient applications in the future.

Visits to open days at local universities are also encouraged and documented, so that students quickly get a feel for what kind of university they want to study at: campus or city centre based. These tend to happen during the summer term of the Lower Sixth and the autumn term of the Upper. It is also a good idea to take a little time to visit likely universities during the Easter holidays during the Lower Sixth year. Here at Read, we aim to have most UCAS forms completed before Christmas, prior to the January deadline. Many degree subjects do not lead directly into a career; medicine, engineering and law (though not always) are exceptions. Most degrees are simply a starting point for careers for ‘graduates in any discipline’: i.e. non-vocational. With a degree qualification, many more career opportunities are available. It is, therefore, important to choose a subject that particularly interests you and that you enjoy.

Former Read School Sixth Form students have gone on to study at Oxford and Cambridge and we offer a programme of support with prospective applications, including regular talks with university representatives and visits to individual colleges and faculties.

Applications have to be received by 15 October of the Upper Sixth year, and should have been well researched beforehand. Applicants should have a GCSE profile with a considerable number of A*/A grades in it and have the potential to achieve three A grades or better at A Level. Any student interested should discuss this with tutors or with the Head of Sixth Form early in the Lower Sixth year. Visits to the universities and the individual colleges are recommended.

Enrichment

Sixth Formers at Read are able to participate in a wide variety of events and experiences aimed at providing an enrichment to life as a student. Being a Sixth Former at Read is about so much more than study and offers opportunities not always available in other Sixth Form colleges and schools.

Opportunities on offer to our students include:

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – with the opportunity to achieve success at all levels; bronze, silver and gold. The Award shows no sign of losing its place in the minds of employers and universities as one of the most sought after qualifications in any prospective student or employee
CSA (Classroom Support Assistant) programme. This is a system of allowing Sixth Formers into the classroom for a subject they are proficient in to assist the learning of younger pupils, often allowing them to work alongside a team of teachers and teaching assistants
Students are encouraged to be part of one of the first team squads and to participate in sport at a competitive level. The first teams and their members are setting the standards and providing the role models for aspiring sports stars lower down the school. Sport in the Sixth Form is also about passing on skills to the younger pupils of the school and those with an aptitude for sport are encouraged to be Assistant Coaches with the junior teams
Evening Lectures – in addition to the examination subjects offered, there are a number of evening lectures and social events scheduled over the year. These Wider Knowledge and Skills Evenings are designed to promote a greater awareness of the world at large. A diverse range of topics is covered, the ethos being that they should be useful and fun! They take place in various venues around the school and utilise expertise from speakers both external and internal to engage the students.

Building on skills learnt, the school has offered Sixth Formers (and other senior students) the opportunity to participate in expeditions overseas. Recent trips have included Iceland, Germany, Barcelona, a Marbella Sports Tour and many more. These trips are perfect for Sixth Form students who want to experience first-hand a completely different culture, akin to the type of activity that many students would get involved in as a Gap Year, prior to going to university.

Our Sixth Formers also involve themselves in school life: as officers in the CCF (Combined Cadet Force); taking part in musical performances or drama productions; being senior prefects; and taking on the role of guides to visitors to the school on Open Days and at other public events.