Hinchingbrooke School

We are an ambitious Sixth Form, benefitting from outstanding facilities and a unique setting. We expect everyone who studies and works here to strive for excellence in everything they do. This high standard creates a buzzing sixth form environment where our students are able to flourish and grow their confidence, so that they are ready to take their place in the world.

We pride ourselves in offering high quality teaching and learning in a wide range of subjects. We offer all the traditional A level subjects you would expect from a large Sixth Form, but our offer also includes subjects which are not available at other local institutions; you can study French and Spanish at A level, as well as Computer Science, Music, Music Technology, Drama and Dance.

Your lessons will be fast-paced and challenging, delivered by teachers who enthuse about their subjects and benefit from first class facilities; we have a Performing Arts Centre, Music technology suite and cutting-edge IT facilities both in the House and across the school. Aside from your subject choices you also have the opportunity to enhance your wider skills through our extensive Enrichment programme, which is designed to enhance your skills for life and confidence. We are proud of our Student Leadership team who underpin our community and student life. It is important to us that our Sixth Formers are busy and feel part of a community; not only will this enhance an application to higher education or employment, it also builds esteem and improves wellbeing.

Applicants will only be considered once all the application information has been completed including predicted and/or actual grades and references. 

Applicants with non-UK qualifications, for example, overseas qualifications, will be required to have the equivalence of their qualifications verified by UK ENIC (the wider European title for national recognition agencies www.enic.org.uk) who will charge the you a fee for providing this ‘Statement of Comparability’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          If you are unable to gain a Statement of Comparability, we reserve the right to withdraw your application due to the lack of comparable grade evidence.                                                                                                                                                  We are required to ensure that students are eligible for ESFA funding, which is guaranteed if they are living with a parent who:                                                                                                                                                                                        Has British citizenship and/or;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Has a right of abode/leave to enter the UK and/or;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Has a relevant work permit/visa and/or;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Is a foreign diplomat.

Please provide any outstanding documentary evidence in relation to the above. Applications from students who are not eligible for ESFA funding will have their application withdrawn by the school.                                                                              The school does not hold a licence to support applicants with Home Office Tier 4 Student Visa status.

Our standard of excellence extends to the support we provide to all of our Sixth Formers. Unlike other institutions, everyone will get a specialist Sixth Form tutor, whose primary role is to oversee your progress and wellbeing, and to help you move on to university or an apprenticeship. This team of tutors is led by a Head of Year and a wellbeing specialist. We also have a Oxbridge/Russell Group mentor, a Post-16 Careers Advisor and specialist support for our disadvantaged students. Coupled with your subject specialist, this network of professionals will ensure that you will be happy, safe and successful whilst you are with us.

We are living in challenging times but you can be confident that our Sixth Form will be a great place for you to complete your final years of formal education. 

Your happiness and wellbeing are important to us and we believe that what sets us apart from many larger institutions is the individual care we provide to our students. You will have a Head of Year and Student Support Officer who are responsible for your wellbeing and progress. Throughout your two years, you will have a dedicated Sixth Form tutor whose role is to provide daily contact and support. In the first six weeks of term, you will be attending daily morning tutorials so that you can complete your Induction Programme and manage the step up from GCSE to Sixth Form. Throughout the year, you will have personalised one-to-one meetings with your tutor and a certain times in the year, they will be involved in our intervention programme to make sure that you are on track to succeed. Your tutor will support and guide you through all aspects of your Sixth Form life, including your transition to higher education, an apprenticeship or employment. More specialist and personalised support is available through the Sixth Form Safeguarding Officer, SEND, our School Counsellor and a School Nurse, who are here to co-ordinate interventions wherever needed. 

Careers, Advice, Information, and Guidance (CAIEG)

We offer a comprehensive programme of support to help you plan your next steps after Sixth Form. This begins in January of Year 12 with our annual Careers Fair, where we welcome over 50 universities and apprenticeship providers from across the country. This event gives you the opportunity to meet representatives, explore pathways, and discover the wide range of opportunities available. You’ll also hear from former students who have taken gap years and can share their experiences.

In the second term of Year 12, all students undertake work experience. This is a valuable chance to develop transferable skills for any workplace, or to gain insight into a specific sector that interests you.

We are proud to have a dedicated Post-16 Careers Specialist, who provides bespoke advice to students applying for apprenticeships or internships. A growing number of our students are choosing the apprenticeship pathway, and thanks to the strong links our Careers Specialist, Mr Butler, has developed with local businesses, you’ll have a head start in finding the right placement.

We’re delighted that you’re considering Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form for your post-16 education. As the largest Sixth Form in Huntingdonshire, we welcome students from a wide range of local schools, alongside the majority of our own Year 11 cohort.

Students choose Hinchingbrooke for many reasons. We are proud to offer high-quality teaching and learning across a broad and diverse curriculum. In addition to the traditional A Level subjects you’d expect from a large Sixth Form, we offer specialist subjects not typically available at smaller institutions — including French, Spanish, Computer Science, Music, Music Technology, Drama, and Dance. We also provide one-year courses to enrich your programme of study, such as the Extended Project Qualification and Mathematical Studies.

Our facilities are truly exceptional. The Sixth Form is based in the historic Hinchingbrooke House — a beautiful stately home once owned by the Montagu family. It offers a unique and inspiring environment for study, with dedicated spaces for private learning and tranquil gardens to enjoy. As a Sixth Form student, you’ll also benefit from the wider school’s outstanding resources, including a gym and swimming pool, all-weather sports pitches, a performing arts centre, and state-of-the-art IT facilities.

Your curriculum extends beyond academic subjects. In Year 12, you’ll take part in our Enrichment Programme every Wednesday afternoon — a chance to develop new skills through activities such as Sports Leadership, cookery, debating, and first aid training. You’ll also receive fortnightly Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE), covering topics from financial literacy to healthy relationships.

We encourage all students to contribute to the Hinchingbrooke community. Many of our Year 12 and 13 students volunteer to support younger learners, and our well-established House system offers numerous leadership opportunities. You could join the editorial team of Open House, our Sixth Form magazine, or audition for our annual school production.

Every student is supported by a dedicated Sixth Form tutor, whose role is to oversee your academic progress and wellbeing, and guide you towards university, employment, or apprenticeships. This team is led by a Head of Year and a Student Support Officer. We also offer specialist support, including an Oxbridge/Russell Group mentor, an award-winning Post-16 Careers Counsellor, and tailored assistance for disadvantaged students. Together with your subject teachers, this network ensures you are happy, safe, and successful throughout your time with us.

Most of our students come from the Hinchingbrooke School catchment area. However 30% of our students come from other institutions and we work hard to ensure they settle in quickly. If you intend to catch the train to join us, for example from St Neots, Biggleswade and Peterborough, we will buy your 16 to 17 Railcard in Year 12. This means your train fare will be half price! The train station is a 5 min walk from the School. 

There are frequent buses from Huntingdon to the surrounding towns and villages, including St Ives, Cambourne and Sawtry. There are bus stops outside the school and a central bus station a short walk from the school.

Programme of Study – Your Additional Curriculum

In addition to your core subjects, all Sixth Form students take part in our Enrichment Programme every Wednesday afternoon. This is designed to help you develop key interpersonal skills, build mental resilience, and support your overall wellbeing.

This year, students can choose from a wide range of enrichment activities, including:

• Sports Leadership

• Netball

• Boxercise

• Competitive Football

• Badminton

• Fitness Suite

• Mentoring

• British Sign Language

• Amnesty International

• 2D Game Designing

• Performing Arts

• Music

• Aikido

• German for Beginners

Hinchingbrooke has a strong reputation for sport, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to represent the school in competitions against other schools or take part in friendly matches with fellow sixth formers.

To support the transition to Sixth Form study, all Year 12 students are timetabled for supervised Private Study sessions. You’ll receive guidance on how to make the most of your independent study time, along with access to resources that will help you succeed.

All sixth formers also receive Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) for one hour every fortnight. These sessions cover important topics such as Healthy Relationships, Safety, and Wellbeing.

We offer a wide range of student leadership opportunities, allowing you to take an active role in shaping Sixth Form life and contributing to the wider school community. In Year 12, you can apply to become a House Ambassador, supporting House Captains in leading school-wide competitions. In Year 13, we encourage you to apply for the prestigious Head Student roles, where you’ll work closely with senior staff to help improve the Sixth Form and the school. We are proud of the work of our Head Students who leave a lasting legacy through their work.