Welcome to Sixth Form

A recent episode of Fake or Fortune was trying to establish whether a sculpture was a Henry Moore, worth millions, or an imitation worth very little. Using a range of experts from the Royal Collection in London to specialists in New York, the disagreement was eventually settled by the analysis of a former Highfields student who went into forensic metallurgy as a degree apprentice. Watching the progress of our students means a lot to us, and we have developed a library of videos with former students who are now engineers, physiotherapists, vets, midwives, IT consultants and more; helping to inspire our current sixth formers. We even managed a trip to Downing Street this year, to see one of our students who is now second-in-command of the Prime Minister’s delivery unit.

For many years the supportive academic ethos created by our students and experienced staff team has led to excellent exam results. Try to find a school in Derbyshire with better A Level results (an average of 39.83 in 2023). While national A level results returned to pre-pandemic levels, with A* and A grades falling to 26%, ours didn’t; and at over 38%, remained not far from their 2021 peak. Students coming from other schools to Highfields sixth form have also flourished – going to both Oxford and Cambridge in recent years.

Equally important to us however, is building a community where generosity and fun help to create the resilience needed for A level study and its challenges. Hosting Christmas parties in care homes, visiting the elderly each week and reading in primary schools keeps us connected to our local community. Social events are organised by students each term, and there is a wide leadership programme where our students help to develop those in younger years. As well as taking a dip in the waters of Rother Valley Aqua park each year, we even found ourselves on a camping trip this summer, which was how a group of Year 13 students wanted to round off their time at Highfields.

We hope you will come to visit us at our Open Evening on Thursday 16 November, where you can talk with students and staff about studying and enjoying all the other experiences that make up our sixth form. If you cannot make that, then do get in touch and we will help you to look round at another time.

Martin Flett

Director of Sixth Form