St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College (From Croydon Guardian)

St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College

3:03pm Friday 9th September 2011 in Profiles

Setting the Standard for Sixth Form Colleges in South London

(London Borough of Wandsworth)

Sixth Form College

Students aged 16 – 19

• A wide range of AS/A Levels, BTEC Extended Diplomas and the International Baccalaureate
• Consistently good examination results (98% pass rate at A Level in June 2011)
• A sixth form tutorial system
• Teaching by subject specialists at sixth form level
• An outstanding record of student progression to top universities

Sixth Form Colleges, specialist colleges for 16-19 year-olds, are a relatively new concept in the UK education system and there are only about 90 in the country, with just three in central London. St Francis Xavier College was the first and was established in 1985.

As a Sixth Form College we at SFX can offer a very large range and variety of combinations of A-Level subjects as well as BTEC courses in 8 specialist areas. We have tutors who specialise in working with A-Level students wishing to progress to top universities and have over 450 successful applicants every year, including 40 to Oxford and Cambridge over the last 10 years.

Although there is a strong push on academic achievement at SFX we have strong support networks for our students based on the personal tutor system, so students know where to turn for help if they encounter difficulties during their studies. Classes are still relatively small and our staff are employed as teachers rather than lecturers therefore students don’t need to fear their teachers won’t know them at SFX.

A £5.5 million building programme at SFX has provided our learners with a wonderful new library and Learning Resources Centre; we have a state-of-the art fitness suite for all students and staff to use and a commitment to provide excellence for all who wish to continue their education in a supportive Christian environment.

We also have a thriving Community Education department which runs day and evening classes for adults in a variety of practical, leisure, recreational and academic areas.

David Bell, formerly Chief Inspector for UK schools and colleges, once commented “the consistent success of sixth form colleges is one of the glories of the education system,” and it is our mission at SFX to keep that tradition firmly alive for the young people of South London.

OPEN DAY

Saturday 12th November 2011, 10.00am-2.30pm
Prospective students must be accompanied by parents/guardians.
Parking for disabled drivers only.

St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College
10 Malwood Road
LONDON SW12 8EN
Tel 020 8772 6072
enquiries@sfx.ac.uk
www.sfx.ac.uk

Student Profiles

Alex Rose will be President of the Students’ Union at the London University of the Arts from September 2011. After leaving SFX he made a name for himself with his “S.T.O.P” campaign against gun and knife crime, which took him all the way to number 10 Downing Street. He looks back with happiness on his time at SFX - “I came to SFX with a lot of baggage and it was divine intervention that I came to SFX and got myself sorted out.” He sees his future in advertising – with an ethical/social slant.

Sara Defreitas came to SFX from Notre Dame High School and now works for Delta Airlines at Heathrow. She plans to apply for a cabin crew role. She did qualify to study at university, having obtained good grades in her A Levels and BTEC National Travel & Tourism course – “I really like working with people and love the buzz of working at the airport. It was important to me to get some good qualifications and I’m glad I did that at SFX, but I have always wanted to be an air stewardess. By the time my friends qualify from university I’ll be up in the skies!”