Our Walters Sixth Form Centre is a modern, purpose-built environment that offers up to 140 students the space to develop their academic studies, individual skills and talents in preparation for life beyond Clifton High School.
Mr Tom Appleby - Head of Sixth Form
SIXTH FORM LIFE
Life in the Sixth Form is intentionally curated to provide students with a distinct sense of progression that differs from a Senior School environment. While their timetables offer greater flexibility, including increased periods of independent study, they are encouraged to take responsibility for planning and managing their own School day. They benefit from a range of privileges that reflect this independence, including freedom to walk into Clifton Village at lunchtime, arrange driving lessons around their academic commitments, and wear smart Sixth Form attire.
The Walters Sixth Form Centre
Opened in 2023, our Sixth Form Centre is a dedicated space for our Sixth Form community, accessed through its own entrance to grant students more independence and flexibility based on individual timetables. It accommodates not only multiple tutor rooms and quiet workspaces but also an in-house café, student kitchen and a light and open common room in which students can socialise. Named after former Head of School, Mrs Joyce Walters, the Walters Sixth Form Centre was designed to provide a welcoming and spacious hub. Combining quintessential Victorian architecture with a modern build, it provides a mature space that is tailored to the life of a Sixth Former. Lifelong friendships and special memories are built here which continue as students retain the value of these friendships long into the future.
Sixth Form Roles, Responsibilities & Opportunities
Sixth Form students serve as role models and ambassadors for the School and are respected members of our wider community. Students can take on positions of responsibility as Head Prefects, House Captains, Sports Captains and ambassadors for causes that matter to them. Opportunities to lead on Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental Change and Sustainability, Peer Support, Charity and Outreach enable students to make a meaningful contribution to the wider community. Many also give their time to support younger pupils through our Hive swimming lessons, Infant reading sessions, Junior School Adventure Programme and many other peer-led activities.
We offer numerous opportunities for students to challenge themselves, discover new interests and make a difference. It may be from School initiatives and events, often led by our Foundation Team or enrolling in Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, Debating Club through to the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, Bristol Education Partnership, Bristol Water Youth Board and Avon Schools Eco-Network.
Our Holistic Approach
Pastoral care is integral to an education at Clifton High School. We believe our young people are happier when they feel safe, valued, understood and genuinely part of a community that builds cultural values. To support this ethos, our well-established pastoral structures, alongside robust safeguarding measures, provide the foundations for our Sixth Form students to develop with a strong sense of self.
‘Realising Individual Brilliance’ is central to our core pastoral approach whereby teachers know and understand every student as an individual: their character, interests, strengths and aspirations. This allows them to build long-lasting, trusting relationships that support both personal and academic development.
Our students have access to a dedicated team of School Nurses, a Mental Health Lead and Wellbeing Counsellor, alongside specialist support from our Enhanced Learning Department (ELD) where additional academic guidance is required. They are encouraged to talk openly about their feelings, relationships and experiences, knowing that asking for help is an important part of their wellbeing.
Pastoral care is woven throughout the curriculum A level timetable with weekly Health and Wellbeing lessons and supported by tutor groups that do not exceed a 1:10 ratio.
Our Community
The Sixth Form experience extends well beyond academic study. Students are encouraged to be active members of our School community and to continue showing and sharing the values of curiosity, empathy, love and direction that have been instilled in them throughout their time at Clifton High School.
We place strong emphasis on Sixth Form students within our community framework, which also extends to their families. Both are considered integral partners in our culture and encouraged to be active contributors in whole School events and celebrations.
Our community is built on relationships, many of which are long-term and the School actively nurtures alumni connections, drawing support from former pupils (Rosarians) and their families for generations to come.
Rosarian Community
As students prepare to embark upon the next stage of their life journey at the end of Year 13, we welcome them to become Clifton Rosarians, and have cause for celebration. Through a series of formal occasions, including our formal Rose Day Service at Bristol Cathedral, a farewell Rose Drinks Reception on the School Lawn and the black-tie, themed Rose Ball, held at an off-site venue, these special events provide an opportunity to recognise the impact each student has made during their time at Clifton High School.
Once officially a Rosarian, the network is designed to keep alumni engaged with the School and with one another through events, mentoring, careers support, reunions and communications. To read more, turn to Page 86.
We very much look forward to meeting you during a personal tour or at one of our Sixth Form Open Days.
