What Should You Look for in a Sixth Form in Surrey?
Choosing where to study A-levels is one of the most significant decisions a young person will make. The right sixth form does more than deliver strong exam results — it shapes how a student thinks, what they discover about themselves, and how prepared they are for university and life beyond it. For families across Surrey and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the options are varied, and knowing what to prioritise makes all the difference.
The best sixth forms in Surrey tend to share a set of common qualities:
- A broad and genuinely challenging A-level curriculum
- Small teaching groups that allow for real dialogue and depth
- Strong university guidance, including Oxbridge and Russell Group support
- A rich programme of enrichment, leadership and co-curricular opportunity
- Pastoral care that treats students as the individuals they are becoming
- A track record of placing students at top universities
Why Is the Sixth Form Years Such a Distinct Stage?
Sixth form is not simply the final chapter of school. It is a transition — from being a pupil to becoming an independent thinker. The best independent sixth forms in Surrey understand this and design their provision accordingly. Students are given more autonomy, more responsibility, and more support in making the choices that will define their next decade.
At Surbiton High School, our Sixth Form has been built around exactly this understanding. From the moment a student enters Year 12, they are treated as an individual with their own academic ambitions, interests and potential. Our approach to A-level study is rigorous but personal, and our results reflect that.
What A-Level Subjects Are Available at Surbiton High Sixth Form?
One of the things that sets Surbiton High apart as one of the leading sixth forms in Surrey is the breadth of A-level subjects on offer. Students can choose from over 30 subjects, including:
- Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Sport Science
- Mathematics and Further Mathematics
- Humanities: History of Art, Geography, Politics, Classical Civilisation, Classical Greek, Latin
- Arts: Art and Design, Dance, Drama, Music, Photography
- Languages: French, German, Spanish
- English Language and English Literature
- Business, Computer Science, Design Technology (Textiles and Product Design), Sociology
This breadth means students are not forced into narrow pathways early. Whatever a student’s ambitions — medicine, the arts, law, engineering — there is a combination of subjects here to support them.
How Does Surbiton High Prepare Students for University?
University preparation at Surbiton High goes well beyond writing a personal statement. Our dedicated Oxbridge Programme supports students with the aptitude and ambition to apply to the most competitive universities in the world. We also offer:
- A bespoke independent project in Year 12
- Careers and subject guidance throughout the Sixth Form
- A tailored admissions service using Morrisby Profiling to help students choose the right A-level combination
Nine of our Year 13 students received Oxbridge offers in a recent admissions cycle — a result that reflects the quality of teaching and the ambition we nurture here.
Can External Students Join Surbiton High Sixth Form?
Yes. While the majority of our Sixth Form students have been with us from Year 7, we warmly welcome external applicants from both local state and independent schools, as well as students relocating from overseas. New students are integrated thoughtfully, with form groups clustered by subject choices and a buddy system for those who would find that helpful.
Sixth form scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available, including the Green and Silver Award for students who have been at the School since Year 7 and need financial support to continue into the Sixth Form.
How Do I Find Out More About Studying A-Levels at Surbiton High?
If you are exploring the best sixth forms in Surrey for your child,, we would love to hear from you. Come along to one of our Sixth Form open events, speak to our admissions team, or explore the full range of opportunities available in our Sixth Form.
Visit our Sixth Form pages or contact admissions on 020 8546 5245 to find out more.
