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WHAT SHOULD SIXTH FORM BE FOR?
WHAT SHOULD THE FINAL YEARS OF SCHOOL BE FOR? EXAMINATION PREPARATION? CERTAINLY. SECURING A PLACE AT THE UNIVERSITY COURSE OF YOUR CHOICE? UNDOUBTEDLY. YET, AT THE KING’ S SCHOOL CANTERBURY, THE SIXTH FORM IS BUILT AROUND A BROADER AMBITION: TO GIVE PUPILS THE FREEDOMS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTELLECTUAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE.
Through our‘ Super-Curriculum’, tailored subject pathways and opportunities to move beyond exam specifications, King’ s creates a learning environment that cultivates curiosity: independent research, intellectual risk-taking and the confidence to pursue ideas for their own sake. It is this philosophy that prompted children’ s author and former King’ s pupil Michael Morpurgo to describe the school as‘ a university for young people’. Rather than simply preparing pupils for university, King’ s gives them the opportunity to experience an intellectual life more often associated with it.
Central to this philosophy is the King’ s Sixth Form Enrichment Programme. As a‘ launchpad for intellectual adventure’, it allows pupils to choose a pathway that matches their interests while supplementing their main subjects with extension and enrichment options. On a typical Wednesday afternoon, one Sixth Former might be learning Japanese while another researches the ethics of artificial intelligence for an Extended Project Qualification( EPQ). At a time when many Sixth Forms are becoming increasingly examination-focused, King’ s deliberately carves out time for intellectual exploration.
The breadth of opportunities is striking. With more than 32 post-16 courses on offer, pupils encounter an academic choice more commonly associated with university. Structured teaching and independent research are complemented by over 100 clubs and societies, each organising events and lectures throughout the year.
More than 650 music lessons are delivered each week by over 50 specialist teachers, while 25 ensembles rehearse regularly. Last year, 18 productions were staged in the purpose-built Malthouse Theatre, and pupils could choose from over 20 sports, including cricket, fencing, rowing and sailing.
Pupils also benefit from the King’ s Oxbridge Plus seminars, combining academic stretch with lively small-group discussion, alongside personalised guidance from the Futures Team. The diversity of our city campus further reinforces this open intellectual culture. Each year group includes more than 200 pupils, with around 70 joining from other schools and representing 39 nationalities.
Perhaps that is what Michael Morpurgo meant by a university for young people: not a place that guides pupils down a narrow academic path, but one that gives them the knowledge, freedom and perspectives to discover what they want to become.
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