History/Background

Sixth Form Colleges, specialist colleges for 16-19 year-olds, are a relatively new concept in the UK education system and there are only 94 in the country, with just three in central London, St Francis Xavier having been the first, established in 1985.

At St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College we can offer a very large range and combinations of A level subjects as well as BTEC courses in 8 specialist areas. We have specialist tutors who only work with A level students wishing to progress to university and have over 350 successful applicants every year, including 40 to Oxford and Cambridge over the last 10 years. About 40 of our students went to the colleges of London University in 2010

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 is employed as teachers rather than lecturers so students don’t need to fear their teachers won’t know them at SFX.

The £5.5 million building programme at SFX 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.

Along with academic studies at SFX is the Enrichment programme, where students can choose from a wide variety of extra-curricular activities.  These currently include volunteer work in the local community, a range of sports from team sports to individual fitness programmes, IT, languages, films, discussion groups, project groups, music, dance and performing arts along with about 50 other courses which students can choose twice a year.

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.

Click on the picture below to view a large panorama view of SFX College