FAQs
We’re to help with any questions you may have.
Choosing where to study after Year 11 is a big decision, and it’s natural to have plenty of questions along the way. Whether you’re wondering about courses, college life, or what it’s really like to study here, we’re here to help.
You’ll find answers to some of the most common questions below, but please do get in touch if you have any others. We’d love to hear from you.
You arrive as you are, and you’re celebrated for it. You leave ready to take on the world.
— Sixth Form student
College Life
Absolutely! We are a welcoming community, and everyone is welcome to be part of St Paul’s. Our Catholic values are lived out through kindness, generosity, and care for others. We value every individual, whatever your beliefs or background, and we come together in reflection and prayer to pause, give thanks, and find meaning in the world around us.
We want our students to think deeply, explore widely, and become independent learners and compassionate leaders. At St Paul’s, you’ll be encouraged to be yourself, to find purpose, flourish, and be happy.
We believe in the importance of building strong, trusted relationships. You’ll be known and loved, supported, and encouraged as a whole person, not just as a set of grades. Faith, community, and care shape everything we do.
No, Sixth Form students do not wear uniform. We do have a dress code to ensure students are comfortably dressed in a way that is appropriate for learning, but you are free to dress in a way that reflects who you are. We trust you to make good choices and feel comfortable and confident in how you present yourself.
The College day runs from 8.30am to 3pm, with lessons starting at 9am.
Students are expected to attend all timetabled lessons and study periods but are free to leave campus during break or lunch if they have no other commitments.
Sixth Form students attend tutor time or assembly at 8.30am; an important time for reflection, community, and connection, and mentoring.
Don’t worry, you’ll settle in quickly. You’ll receive your own personalised timetable showing your lessons, rooms, and teachers via EduLink, an online platform.
The college layout is straightforward, with departments generally grouped together. You’ll also receive a map and a full induction during taster days, so you’ll know exactly where to go before term begins.
Our modern, purpose-built campus has excellent facilities designed for learning, creativity, and wellbeing.
You’ll find high-tech science labs, practical technology areas, adaptable classrooms, and a bright Sixth Form wing with its own café and large, airy common room. The chapel offers a calm space for prayer or reflection whenever you need a moment of quiet.
Our sports facilities are excellent: a full-size FA-approved 3G pitch, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a large indoor sports hall.
Across the road, the Triangle Leisure Centre (linked safely by an underpass) offers extra opportunities for swimming, fitness, and recreation.
View Our Campus page to find out more
Courses/Applying
Lessons are 50 minutes long, with up to six lessons a day depending on your timetable. Also built into your day will be independent study periods.
Most classes have fewer than 15 students, allowing plenty of individual attention and support. Class sizes vary depending on the subject, but we always aim to keep them small so that every student is known and supported. The maximum class size is around 24.
Our online application form makes it easy. You’ll find the link on our website.
Just complete the form with your current and chosen subjects by Friday 19th December. After applying, you’ll be invited to an informal interview in the spring term to discuss your choices and help us ensure your pathway is right for you.
Find out more on our Applying page
Yes, many students choose a mix of A Levels and BTECs. As long as you meet the entry requirements (five GCSEs at grades 9–4 and an average point score of 5.3 or higher), you can create a combination that suits your strengths, interests, and ambitions. We’ll guide you through the options to make sure they fit your future plans.
Yes! We warmly welcome visitors at our Sixth Form Open Evening, or you can contact us to arrange a visit during the school day. Seeing the college in person is the best way to get a feel for our community.
Please don’t worry. We understand that results day can be unpredictable, and we’ll do our best to find a pathway that works for you.
You may need to adjust your subject choices, but we’ll support you to continue your learning and succeed. If you don’t achieve a grade 4 in English or Maths, you’ll be required to resit those qualifications alongside your other courses, and we’ll help you every step of the way.
If things do not go as well as hoped with GCSE results, we may still offer a place at St Paul’s to all students. However, their course choice may be limited. If a student does not obtain a grade 4 or better in English Language and/ or Maths GCSE, there is a legal requirement that students retake these qualifications.
Safety/Wellbeing
Yes. The whole site is accessible for wheelchair users and those with additional needs. We have lifts, accessible toilets, ramps, and designated parking. Our Learning Support team is always on hand to ensure every student can fully participate in Sixth Form life.
You’re not alone; we all face challenges sometimes. Your first port of call is your tutor, who can offer advice or connect you with extra support. You can also speak to any member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team, who are experienced and ready to listen.
We also have:
- Senior Prefects who offer peer support.
- Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) for any wellbeing or safety concerns.
- A College counsellor for confidential professional support.
- A Chaplaincy team, always available for a friendly chat or quiet reflection in the chapel.
- Learning Support staff who can assist with academic or additional needs.
At St Paul’s, help is never far away. We genuinely mean it when we say you’ll never be left to struggle alone.
Travel
Yes, there’s on-site parking available for Sixth Form students. Please register your car at the main office to be given a parking permit. There’s also additional parking across the road at the Triangle Leisure Centre.
Several bus routes stop right outside the college, including the 35A/35C student buses and the 100 route, which runs throughout the day. Burgess Hill and Wivelsfield train stations are both around a 30-minute walk away, offering regular trains to London, Brighton, and Lewes.
Find out more on our Contact Us page
