Sixth Form at Campbell College Belfast

“Having experienced life in a different school, I can honestly say that there is no school like Campbell College. The culture and diversity behind the college is like no other. I have gained lifelong friends, received incredible support and fulfilled the ‘school boy dream’ of lifting the Ulster Schools’ Cup! Moving to Campbell was the best decision I’ve ever made.” - Conor Rankin, Year 14.

We are delighted that you have chosen to find out more about Sixth Form study at Campbell College, Belfast. We are very proud of our Sixth Form provision which combines the opportunity for studying a broad and flexible range of subjects with an extensive and diverse extracurricular offer, including many leadership and enrichment opportunities. All of our academic programmes, whether studying three or four subjects to A level, three BTEC Level 3 qualifications, or combining the study of A levels with BTEC qualifications, offer excellent pathways into study at university or into higher education or training.

Click the drop down options below for more information. We hope that you enjoy finding out more about what Campbell College has to offer.

Why Campbell College for Sixth Form study?

At Campbell we will challenge you to reach your full potential, and we offer a high level of support and guidance from dedicated staff, through which you can maximise future examination success and opportunities.

We believe that our pupils' experience in Sixth Form should be different to that of their GCSE study. As boys mature into young men we seek to encourage them in self-discipline by giving them increased responsibility for their own education and raising their expectations. To become more human, to receive a rounded education, how much richer the sixth form school experience is when it is in the company of pupils from very different backgrounds to one’s own; as you journey across your sixth form career alongside boys from all over the World.

The Sixth Form Experience

In recent years, the College has invested significantly in enhancing the Sixth Form experience: The Sixth Form Centre, Sixth Form Study Hall and the Careers Department have been united in the heart of the original building to striking effect.

You will be able to enjoy our Sixth Form facilities in the main building of the beautiful Campbell campus, including a Study Hall, Sixth Form Centre, dedicated Sixth Form canteen and a Sixth Form section of the College library. Our sports pitches are all conveniently located within the grounds, and Sixth Form students may spend some of their recreational periods in the College gym. All of these facilities enhance the student experience at Campbell.

Most of all, you will receive a warm welcome within the Sixth Form community at Campbell from staff and students alike, building lifelong friendships and experiencing the special and unique character of the College.

The Academic Experience

One of the defining characteristics of Campbell College is ‘breadth’. At Sixth Form, this is demonstrated through the broad range of students it caters for, whether that be in terms of their nationality, their academic background, their interests or their career ambitions. That range within the student body is catered for through the provision of one of the broadest Sixth Form curricula in Northern Ireland. All the traditional A Level subjects are offered and the most able students will go on to achieve top grades in three, four or, just occasionally, five A Levels. In 2017, for example, three students achieved 4 A* Grades. At the same time, we offer a range of vocational BTEC Subjects, including Business, Hospitality and Sport. These can be taken on their own or as part of a mixed diet of A Levels and BTECs. All needs and abilities are catered for.

A second defining characteristic of Campbell College, not least its Sixth Form, is the care and attention which is afforded to each individual student. Students and parents, past and present, will attest to this. This year, the average class size in Year 13 is 11 students. This enables teachers to know each student’s strengths and needs and to tailor their teaching and support accordingly. Support extends outside normal lessons with teachers always willing to provide extra tuition and help when needed, whether in the form of organised revision classes during the period of study leave leading up to exams, or more informal one-to-one guidance.

The quality of A Level and BTEC teaching at Campbell College is excellent. Teachers are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects. They provide comprehensive and tailored resources which suit boys’ learning needs. They build open and positive relationships with students, getting to know them as individuals and ensuring that, ultimately, they achieve their potential and are able to move on into higher education and into their chosen careers.

Careers Guidance

The College invests significantly in the Sixth Form CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) programme. In particular, early and effective engagement in Post-18 planning is fundamental to Sixth Form success, ensuring that students are able to progress to suitable Post-18 pathways which offer good future opportunities.

Most of our students progress from Sixth Form to university study at institutions across the UK, Ireland, Europe, USA and Hong Kong. In recent years we have also been pleased to see some students opt for Higher Level Apprenticeships which offer the chance to combine on-the-job training with degree level study. Our most popular areas for students to pursue in tertiary level study are Business and Engineering and we outperform other local grammar schools (according to UCAS statistics) in these key areas. However, students are accepted to a wide range of degree programmes including Computer Science, Law, Medicine and Creative Arts. Our UCAS offer and acceptance rates are also higher than other local grammar schools.

We offer the following Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance provision in the Sixth Form at Campbell:

• Timetabled Careers Lessons

• Work experience

• Centigrade Higher Education profiling

• Interview skills training and mock ‘assessment centre’

• Taster and insight days; visits to university departments, conferences, lectures, symposia

• Programme of university and other career- related presentations

• One-to-one guidance interviews and transition planning meetings

• UCAS and other applications

• Parents’ information evenings

• Oxbridge trip

• Local university open days

• Information sessions on finance, responding to offers, procedures for results and securing university places

• Careers software accounts and subscriptions

• Consultations and guidance following examination results

• Ongoing Careers and labour market information.

The Careers Department is based in the main College building, close to the Sixth Form centre and study hall. It consists of a Careers library with paper and ICT resources, and several interview rooms.

Pastoral Care

Campbell College places a high priority on the pastoral care of each student in our community. We believe that boys flourish when they are known individually and feel valued within a supportive, encouraging ethos. To this end, our structures of Personal Tutors working alongside Heads of Year, Heads of Key Stage and Housemasters are designed to ensure boys are closely supported in all aspects of pastoral welfare, academic progress and across the co-curriculum. Smaller tutor groups at sixth form (on average 12 boys) help to create a sense of belonging that not only enables boys to feel secure but also gives parents a first point of contact with a Personal Tutor who understands their son’s needs and values them as individuals.

We believe in providing personalised and effective support, both academically and socially to each student so that they not only perform to the best of their academic ability but also will develop the skills needed to thrive in the next phase of their university and working life.

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