| Sixth form colleges were introduced in the 1960s, and | | | | grades and achieve a place at a top university. Year |
| run by each local education authority, in order to | | | | 12 is the first of two years of study. Students sit AS |
| improve the standard of education post-16 in England. | | | | examinations in year 12, and A Level (A2) exams at |
| State sixth form colleges are now monitored by the | | | | the end of year 13 to complete their A Levels. |
| Learning and Skills Council. A sixth form college is an | | | | After final A Level results at the end of year 13, |
| education establishment for children generally aged | | | | students can go on to university if they have been |
| 16-19 in the UK (school years 12-13 in England). The | | | | offered a place based on their A Level results, or look |
| colleges prepare students for various qualifications, | | | | for other paths. The best sixth form colleges, |
| most commonly GCSEs and A Levels. | | | | particularly the top private colleges, produce strong to |
| The colleges takes students after students finish their | | | | outstanding examination results in the A Level league |
| compulsory school attendance at year 11. Therefore | | | | tables. However, it has been argued that the |
| attendance at a college sixth form is entirely | | | | excessive focus on examination results, as prompted |
| non-compulsory. Students face three choices if they | | | | by the excessive publishing of examination league |
| wish to continue studying after year 11 and GCSEs: | | | | tables, does not produce the correct behaviour and |
| either stay at their school if it has an attached sixth | | | | teaching principles at schools. |
| form college, transfer to a local sixth form college, or | | | | The education system operates slightly differently in |
| attend vocational education centres. | | | | Wales and Scotland compared to England. There are |
| The vast majority of private schools will have a sixth | | | | generally no sixth form colleges in Scotland. Instead, |
| form within the school, although this may be closed to | | | | most students simply stay at school right through until |
| entrants at year 12 except for a limited number of | | | | the end of Advanced Higher examinations at the age |
| places. There are a number of specialist private sixth | | | | of 18. Students then go on to do four year degrees in |
| form colleges which fill the need for students to find | | | | Scotland as standard, whereas degrees in England are |
| top colleges in order to get good A Level exam | | | | generally three years. |