Sixth form college
We offer a huge selection of Level 3 (A-level equivalent) courses for 16- to 18-year-olds, ranging from Sports Studies, Building Services, and Health & Social Care, to Business Studies and Digital Games Development.
In any year we have around 750 full-time students enrolled in our Sixth Form College: this equates to around 42-45% of all local students in further education.
The college is a fantastic place to learn with dual-qualified* and enthusiastic staff, and students who are motivated and positive about their courses and their learning. We pride ourselves on a 98% pass rate for full-time students.
Although technically non-selective, our Level 3 courses do have minimum entry requirements, details of which are outlined in the courses section of our website.
We do however understand that not all students will leave their secondary school having attained these minimum entry requirements and so in addition to our Level 3 courses, we have a range of other options available that are designed as progression routes onto Level 3.
*All our teaching staff are specialists in their field and also hold teaching qualifications.
Curriculum
We place equal importance on helping you to become personally and socially more confident, on developing your employability skills, as well as achieving recognised qualifications. The aim of our curriculum is to prepare students for their next steps, whether this be to university or the workplace.
Based on research done by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), we have introduced learning and teaching frameworks that are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values required in the 21st Century workplace, such as: complex problem solving; people management; negotiation; service orientation and emotional intelligence. All courses at Highlands College incorporate the development of these skills which are taught through tutor-led sessions and an online learning platform. Additionally, you’ll get to research employment options and receive support to prepare you for that all important job, including CV writing, covering letters and mock interviews. We also have a dedicated online jobs board, which is updated daily. Head to our Careers, Employability & Work Experience section for more info.
Competency in Maths and English are the skills most valued and requested by employers and are often required for access to higher education courses. If you haven’t achieved a grade 4 or higher at GCSE, you’ll work towards them with our dedicated Maths and English tutors and drop-in clinics. If you already have the grades, we’ll help you to strengthen and develop these valued skills.
We also deliver a robust P.S.H.E (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education programme
Whichever path you choose to follow, university or employment, our curriculum will help to ensure that you develop a range of skills for the future.
Industry partners
We have developed great industry partnerships with over 170 local businesses.
As a result we are able to offer relevant work placements as standard to our Sixth Form students, allowing them to gain valuable insight into their chosen subject and also the opportunity to network.
Many of our industry partners support us further by delivering masterclasses to our students.
Enrichment, Health & Wellbeing
Our friendly Student Life team is dedicated to supporting students throughout their time with us; they are always on hand to offer information or support you with a range of issues.
The Student Enrichment programme broadens personal horizons, develops new skills and contributes to personal and social development. Activities include volunteering, sport, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and team building challenges.
You could become a Student Ambassador and represent the college at a variety of exciting events such as the Pride of Jersey Awards and the IoD Debate, or join the Rights Respecting Steering Group and help the college to achieve UNICEF’s Rights Respecting Schools Gold Award.
Students can also sign up to our annual trip to Nepal in association with the Jersey Overseas Aid and the Gurkha Welfare Trust Jersey. On this trip, students are responsible for planning and delivering English lessons in a local school, as well as implementing a wellbeing programme, with the support of staff. They will be expected to complete a TEFL course prior to departure.
Nepal trip
After 6th form
9 out of 10 students progress on to further study (including university) or full-time employment within a month of completing their Sixth Form studies.
Around 50% of our students choose to study further at university level.
Several of our courses have direct learning pathways into University College Jersey (UCJ), but regardless of whether students choose to attend UCJ, or whether they go further afield, we support them fully as they take this next step.