SHIRLEY HIGH SIXTH FORM – GREAT RESULTS YEAR ON YEAR

‘The sixth form is very effective and students reach high levels of attainment’. 

‘Students leave with good grades, which enable them to secure places at sought-after universities and employers’. OFSTED

2024

2025 Shirley High Sixth Form results:

44% of our students gained grades A*- B

100% pass rate on all BTECH qualifications 

Both our Head Students were among many to gain top University places. Claire and Eszter gained a place at Queen Mary's London and Birmingham University to study Law. 

Thank you for your interest in the Shirley High Sixth Form. We are proud of our reputation as a caring Sixth Form which consistently provides high quality Post-16 education and produces excellent outcomes for students.

At Shirley High School, our vision is to create an environment which joins pastoral care and academic outcomes hand in hand to ensure all students leave the Sixth Form making empowered, informed and ambitious choices about their future:

Empowered: You will be fully prepared and confident to take on ‘The Real World’ after Sixth Form regardless of your chosen destination.

Informed: You will understand all the available options for your life after Sixth Form and you will have made the best choice for you.  

Ambitious: You will be challenged to ensure you are pushing yourself to be the best version of you. 

Our most recent years have seen a consistent increase of students applying and successfully securing places at Oxbridge and Russell group Universities. In the last 2 years we have seen our first Shirley High School student achieve a place at Cambridge University and another of our students made history in being the first Shirley High student to secure a place studying medicine at Queen Mary’s London, one of the most competitive fields within the country. In 2025 both our Head Girls gained places at Russell Group Universities to study Law. It is our aim to increase this year on year and support students towards successful applications to the best Post 18 establishments across the country.

With a purpose built Sixth Form block, provision at Post-16 offers an extensive range of A Levels (including Sciences and Humanities) alongside an exciting range of BTEC level three extended diplomas.  As a centre for excellence in the Arts we offer first rate performing arts facilities and a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities. These include boxing, fitness, debating, sports coaching, music production/recording and work experience or voluntary work. There are numerous leadership roles available, including Student Mentor; Subject Ambassador; Prefect/Senior Prefect; House Captain; Anti-bullying Ambassador and School Council Representative. 

We offer a range of pathways that run alongside our academic studies which are funded for students to enrich, grow and develop in that field. These include a Performing Arts Scholarship, an academic Scholarship and several Sports Academies. 

We offer students support at every stage of their journey. Our pastoral and well-being provision aims to support all Post-16 students as they deal with the challenges that life can present. Students have access to on-site counselling should they need it. We also have a full-time Learning Mentor as well as an Assistant Head of Year who provide both pastoral and academic support, whilst we have an array of extra tuition opportunities available for students in need.

Every student has the opportunity for 1:1 independent careers advice with a careers' advisor who works on site as part of the Sixth Form team. As well as personalised support with UCAS and apprenticeship applications; if a student has an interest in Oxbridge and Russell group pathways, they will be able to access our personalised support program with specialist teachers that have experienced that journey themselves. This range of support leads students to successfully make the transition to university, apprenticeship or work.

Mrs S Brown – Assistant Principal (KS5)

Head Student – Millie Pierce – November 2025

I am a Year 13 student studying Business, Psychology and Sociology, subjects that I believe will help me achieve my ambition of becoming a sustainable entrepreneur through studying a business-related course at university.

At Shirley High, the staff create a supportive and forward-thinking environment that encourages every student to reach their full potential. Having been part of the school community for several years, I’ve really valued the opportunities to grow both academically and personally. As a member of the Oxbridge pathway, I feel supported in striving for academic excellence and taking on new challenges that will prepare me for university and beyond.

As a Head Girl, I aim to motivate students to make the most of the opportunities available, from leadership roles to enrichment activities, and to ensure every student feels confident about their future after Sixth Form. I also hope to be someone my peers can rely on, representing their ideas and helping to maintain a community built on respect, ambition and inclusivity.

Head Student – Summer Elliott – November 2025

I am a current Year 13, studying Biology, Maths and Psychology, and through the subjects I've taken here for A Level, I have been able to gain a combination of skills which I believe lend themselves transferable into helping me take the next step in my education and pursue a Biology degree at University.

Having been at Shirley since Year 7, I’ve always felt supported and encouraged by my teachers. They’ve consistently pushed me to aim high, offering guidance and creating an environment where I’ve been able to thrive both academically and personally. Shirley has truly shaped me into who I am today and given me the confidence to take on new challenges.

During my time in our Sixth Form, I have received immense support from my teachers, and felt their care for our students, as they truly want us to succeed. Whilst not only offering us interventions and extra support, our Sixth Form runs enrichments to allow us to gain necessary skills for adulthood (some examples include cooking, driving theory, MOOCs and The Oxbridge pathway, which helps students in all years to prepare for applying to the most prestigious Russell Group Universities). 

Serving the privilege of being Head Girl at Shirley High is a true honour, and I strive to constantly uphold the Shirley values, being a role model for students to look up to, whilst also always being willing and available to help any of my peers with anything they need. I hope to be a figure students feel comfortable confiding in, and hope to bring forward the students' voices, so our school continues to be an environment that feels so welcoming, as it has felt for me.