Sixth Life

Parkside Sixth is an inclusive, individual and supportive environment in which active learners thrive.

We are very proud to offer the IB Diploma Programme and our three BTEC courses. We are also excited to be a candidate school for the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), a course which offers the best of the BTEC and IBDP courses. We will be undergoing authorisation for the IBCP in Summer 2018.

Parkside Sixth is part of an Outstanding school, meaning that we offer a rich and varied experience, where you can play to your strengths while maintaining a balance of subjects which will stand you in good stead for your future. Whether your passion lies in the arts, the sciences, business, humanities, languages, or a mix – our courses give you flexibility to choose.

We have deliberately maintained a human-scale environment, where every student is known. We pride ourselves both on our pastoral support and on our rigorous approach, offering challenging,
well-respected courses.

With campuses in the very centre of Cambridge, Parkside Sixth gives you access to all the possibilities that the city offers, and our partnerships with organisations like the Arts Picturehouse mean that you can work with expert professionals alongside your studies.

As a member of Parkside Sixth, you have access to a global community of learners through membership of the International Baccalaureate Organisation. If you take an IB course, you will have a qualification that opens up university study the world over. Our BTEC students also achieve excellent results – an average of a ‘distinction’ level – and have gained access to a wide range of universities including UCL and York University.

In fact, at Parkside Sixth, the proportion of our students who are successful in gaining their University places is higher than the national average. While the vast majority of our students choose to attend University after Year 13, we also have students – both IB and BTEC graduates – who have gone onto gain placements as both Apprentices and employees at prestigious organisations.

As Parkside Sixth is a newer centre, we have state of the art facilities, such as our performing arts centre (J6) and excellent sports facilities. The location of the Eden Centre, near the Grafton Centre, Midsummer Common and the Grand Arcade, means that all of the city centre’s amenities are close by.

Your teachers at Parkside Sixth will provide you with outstanding teaching, while you will form a close partnership with your personal tutor, who will be a critical friend to support and challenge you during your time with us, knowing and helping you as an individual.

You will develop your leadership through the opportunities on offer, taking a lead in your CAS programme (Creativity, Activity, Service), co-ordinating extra-curricular
activities both for the sixth form and the wider Parkside Federation Academies community, and through the Work Experience programme.

We hope that you are interested in finding out more about Parkside Sixth and look forward to meeting you at our next Open Evening.

Jess Moore
Head of Sixth Form