Why Choose Us?

Your sixth form experience is about more than your studies – it’s about your next chapter.

At Cowes Sixth Form we want to further your passion to learn, and encourage your desire to explore and develop in a learning community that is vibrant, challenging and caring. 

We believe that the Isle of Wight produces exceptional talent and ability and are committed to helping our young people achieve the highest possible academic and career aspirations. We are supported by the superb opportunities fostered by our links with nationwide Ormiston Academies and the Sutton Trust.

We believe in equal chances for all and aim to provide the highest level of enrichment to our amazing students. Our close sixth form family allows us to provide a unique level of individual focus and personalised attention to each student’s needs, with every student receiving personalised application support.

Our university and apprenticeship preparation programme has an outstanding proven track record in supporting students to achieve the most aspirational apprenticeships and degree courses, working closely with employers such as BAE and GKN to support careers. Our specialised charter programme gives our students the edge in applying for competitive courses and universities, with our highly experienced advisors offering 1:1 tuition and coaching.   

We specialise in entry to professional careers such as medicine, law and engineering, helping hone and craft the successful applications of future doctors, vets, lawyers and engineers every year. We currently have former students studying at Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and numerous Russell Group universities, as well as in the USA on scholarships! We are closely linked with Homerton College Cambridge, Southampton University, and the IW NHS Youth Council in providing our students with the best possible opportunities. 

Cowes Sixth Form enjoys particularly close links with Russell Group universities and the Sutton Trust to enable students to successfully gain places at highly competitive summer schools at the end of year 12 and then progress to aspirational degree courses. Our university and apprenticeship preparation programme has a proven track record in supporting students to achieve the most aspirational apprenticeships and degree courses. The vast majority of our students who apply to university gain their first choice. Our recent work with the Sutton Trust US has led to two former students gaining a paid scholarship to study in America – you could be the next! 

We also focus on applications to competitive degree apprenticeships and work to help students develop the strong qualifications and professional skills these competitive routes require. Dedicated guidance as part of our AspireApprenticeship programme as well as partnerships with employers, universities, and armed forces outreach teams provide real insight through talks, mentoring, and work‑experience opportunities, as well as our highly trained academic staff supporting the application process. 

Oxford and Cambridge: Our nationwide OAT Scholars programme offers specialized tuition to our Oxbridge candidates with an incredible success rate. 

Aspire is our dedicated Oxbridge preparation programme designed to provide essential information and support for Oxbridge applicants and to offer expert guidance and tailored feedback to help you throughout the application process. The Aspire programme will prepare you for the pre-entrance exams and interviews through rigorous mock interviews and specialist one to one support from our alumni currently studying at Oxbridge colleges and our highly experienced head of sixth form who is a Cambridge graduate.

We now have students placed at Oxford or Cambridge every year and our students are successful in their summer school applications. We are also delighted to welcome previous students, now at Oxbridge, as visiting mentors. 

Our recent pairing with Homerton College, Cambridge, was fostered by our students there and we are excited for the workshops, masterclasses and residential stays there in our future.

  

We specialise in support for students aspiring to study medicine, with a superb record in supporting and placing students to become our future doctors every year. Our former students, now doctors and medical students, offer tuition and support as well as practical sessions, UCAT training and interview practice, as well as a specialised MMI support session.  

AspireMed is our specialist medicine preparation programme which provides you with expert, bespoke information, advice and guidance to enable you to succeed in your application to medical school.

We specialise in ensuring you have access to the very best medical work placements through our partnership with St. Mary’s Hospital. Our medicine alumni and specialist university application team provide support and lead you thorough the varied interview process. We provide rigorous mock exam and interview experience and access to the elite medicine summer schools to ensure your successful application.   

We also provide a dedicated programme of support for a range of healthcare careers, with many students going on to successful careers as paramedics, pharmacists, optometrists, midwives, and physiotherapists. All of these return to mentor our future students and enhance their learning. 

Our students benefit from talks, debates and tuition from lawyers and judges, leading to an aspirational Law Society which has recently visited Parliament, talked to a top civil servant and undertaken a programme of further reading.

We have been consistently placed in the top two schools for the Crown Court’s Mock Trial competition for the past 6 years. 

AspireLaw is our expert support programme for law degree preparation which provides the information and experiences required to make a successful application to a law degree. Our specialist university support package will assist your preparation for the LNAT and provide mock interviews and exam support.

You will have access to our alumni currently reading law degrees to provide you with information, advice and guidance about the intricacies of the law application process. 

Our Academic Journal club provides a challenging opportunity for STEM students to discuss, present and evaluate the latest research.  

Our annual Science Festival and links with industry enable our students to go on to a wide range of STEM studies at university.