Sixth Form – with a difference

At Abingdon, we believe equally in the importance of two things:

  • Your academic interests and achievement
  • Your broader education and preparing you for life beyond school

Benefitting from superb facilities our Sixth Form Centre has a university feel to it with an excellent relationship between students and teachers and a dynamic approach to the curriculum. We thought you might want to hear from one of our sixth formers about sixth form life at Abingdon – the inside story!

 

Academic

We offer a wide range of diverse subjects to study at A Level; there are usually around 25 to choose from. We also do everything we can to make sure you can choose the combination of subjects that you want to. As far as is possible we will adapt the school timetable to fit in with what you want to study.

We encourage students to take on the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to help them develop university research skills and either deepen academic knowledge or perhaps pursue quite different interests. The topic is entirely the student’s choice.

The academic curriculum is complemented by a varied enrichment programme including lectures, discussion groups and practical workshops, plus wide-ranging trips, tours and expeditions in the UK and abroad.

As part of our commitment to achieving the best outcome in both of these areas, we have a specialist team to advise our sixth formers. The specialist team covers UCAS and further education, career guidance and academic support.

Watch the subject overview videos

Extra-curricular – the Other Half

Students are encouraged to take up leadership opportunities, both within school and through activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and CCF.

Those with an interest in drama can take part in major Senior School productions, or develop animation, film and documentary skills through our renowned Film Unit. Musicians have numerous orchestras, ensembles, choirs and bands to choose from.

Sport plays a big part in sixth form life, whether it’s a mixed year group team playing a competitive fixture list against some of the best players in the country, or the iconic football 5th XI. We also have a wide range of other more recreational sports and activities, such as climbing and the well-equipped gym.

Thoughts from our sixth formers

Further information:

View the sixth form prospectus online

download the PDF sixth form prospectus

After Abingdon

 

We have a dedicated team of specialists to assist with all university applications and the majority of students are offered places at their first or second choice of university, mostly Russell Group institutions, with 10-15% receiving offers from Oxford and Cambridge each year. The range of subjects boys study reflects the diverse nature of our Sixth Form and the boys within it.

The School is able to support overseas applications (mostly from the USA) and, in recent years, up to five students per year have taken up this option.

We have specialist career advisors and a wide range of initiatives to help you decide what the next few years will involve, whether it is a gap year or even a move straight into employment.

Abingdon has a thriving alumni association (the OA Club) which works closely with the Sixth Form providing advice and networking opportunities in a range of careers, as well as funding for travel and workplace internships.

Our sixth formers are encouraged to take on responsibility, to think for themselves and to develop as independent learners in preparation for moving on. We appreciate that this doesn’t happen overnight, and some boys take longer than others, so we manage the process, giving increased responsibility and freedom to students as they earn it through their lower sixth year.

Head of Sixth Form

Simon James

Oxford Physicist and Golf Blue, Mr James leapt at the chance to return to Oxfordshire and teach at Abingdon in 2011 having started his career at Bedford School. In his early days he worked in the UCAS Office and as a boarding house tutor. He continued a strong involvement in the pastoral life of the school as a Day Head of House for 7 years, before becoming Head of Sixth Form. He is an advocate of physical activity, and in previous incarnations has been a county golfer and sub-3 hour marathon runner. He enjoys imparting a passion for sport through coaching cross-country, golf and football. Mr James describes himself as: a knitted tie obsessive, coffee snob and FPL addict! He is a proud father of two.

Mr James can be contacted by emailing [email protected].