What are the Benefits of Attending a Private Sixth Form?
Taunton School is a leading co-educational boarding school in the South West of England. Operating for more than 175 years, Taunton School offers a variety of academic and co-curricular activities to help students find their exceptional.
Private Sixth Forms, often referred to as independent Sixth Forms or Sixth Form colleges, offer a variety of benefits not found in the state education system. The two crucial years spent at Sixth Form can greatly influence a student’s future, impacting both their academic journey and personal growth, so it’s important to make the right choice for you. Let’s take a look at the 7 benefits of selecting a private sixth form…
1. Smaller Class Sizes
A significant benefit of private Sixth Forms is the smaller class sizes they offer and at Taunton School, the typical class size for Sixth Formers is only eight students. This nurturing setting promotes greater interaction and comprehension, stimulates critical thinking, inspires students to explore new ideas and perspectives, and offers them the confidence to take an active part in their lessons.
What are the academic benefits of smaller class sizes?
Additionally, smaller classes allow teachers to focus more on the individual needs of each student, providing personalised support that enriches the learning journey. This tailored approach not only enhances academic performance but also contributes to a more fulfilling educational experience overall.
2. Facilities
Private Sixth Forms tend to provide outstanding facilities right there on their campus. Such facilities help to enhance the overall learning experience by making their studies more interactive, enjoyable and coherent.
The facilities at Taunton School include a Gothic main school building, a contemporary Dining Hall recently opened by Princess Anne, a brand-new Sixth Form Centre with social spaces and study booths, a modernised library, up-to-date classrooms, a re-developed outdoor space known as the Green Heart, and outstanding sports facilities such as two large sports halls with equipment for a variety of sports plus a climbing wall, AstroTurf pitches, two swimming pools, and a golf simulator.
Explore the Taunton School Campus >
3. Experienced and Dedicated Teachers
Many independent Sixth Forms have a team of highly skilled and experienced educators who are experts in their respective fields. These dedicated teachers offer valuable insights, support, and tailored assistance, ensuring that their students are well-equipped to reach their academic aspirations.
The teachers at Taunton School are no exception and deliver a curriculum that can be personalised for each of our students no matter which subjects they choose across our four unique pathways to higher education, A-Level, BTEC, International Baccalaureate (IB).
4. Futures Department
Independent Sixth Forms prioritise career development by offering tailored support to their students, typically providing specialised higher education and career advice and access to essential resources. This enables students to make educated choices regarding their futures and feel supported during the applications process.
At Taunton School, we are proud of our exceptional Futures department. Our committed team delivers a personalised service aimed at fulfilling the educational and career goals of each student, emphasising their unique strengths and interests to ensure they choose what’s best for them.
Through a comprehensive approach that includes PSHEE discussions, engaging assemblies, career fairs, and visits from industry experts, the Futures team provides outstanding support and guidance, ensuring that every student has the information they need to make informed decisions about their future.
Learn more about the Futures programme at Taunton School >
5. Fun Social Events
We believe it’s important for Sixth Formers to have plenty of time to socialise with their friends during breaktimes and outside of school. This is why we make sure to organise an extensive calendar of events and activities throughout the year to help our students to relax, make new friends, and feel rewarded for all of their hard work.
6. Exceptional Co-Curricular Provision
At Taunton School, we firmly believe that having a strong co-curricular programme is vital to ensure each student truly gets the best out of their time with us. With more than 150 co-curricular activities and clubs on offer, students can try their hand at a plethora of different things to help them discover where their talents and interests lie.
Our recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection noted our co-curricular offering as a “significant strength”, noting that it “makes a major contribution to the development of pupils’ emotional, social, creative and physical skills.”
Discover Taunton School’s extensive co-curricular opportunities >
7. Networking & Alumni Connections
Another benefit of Private Sixth Forms, and one that is often underappreciated or lesser known, is that they often have strong connections with universities, employers, and alumni, providing students with crucial networking opportunities, internships, and relationships that can enhance their career prospects.
Taunton School’s Old Tauntonian Association is a thriving alumni network consisting of more than 10,000 Old Tauntonians across more than 120 countries. They stay in touch through regular updates and a variety of events organised throughout the year by our Foundation team.
Private Sixth Form Boarding Experience at Taunton School
At Taunton School, we believe in nurturing not just the academic but the personal development of each student. Our dedicated staff are committed to providing a supportive environment where every student is known, valued, and encouraged to excel. Whether you’re aiming for top universities, exploring creative pursuits, or seeking to make a difference in the community, we are here to support your journey.
Discover more about what makes our Sixth Form exceptional and view our prospectus here: Taunton School Sixth Form.
Come along to one of our upcoming our open days to see our campus for yourself and meet our fantastic teachers.