Carmel is an 11 to 18 RC Technology College. Our sixth form offers unique opportunities for students wishing to continue their post-16 studies. We also welcome applications from those who have successfully completed their compulsory education elsewhere.

Carmel prides itself on the personal touch. Small teaching groups with regular monitoring and guidance ensure a high quality of academic, vocational and social education. We offer a wide variety of courses from the traditional to the modern, including AS and A levels, Vocational A levels, GNVQ and re-sit GCSEs in Maths, English and Science.

All Sixth Formers participate in our philosophy of religious education course, which helps to broaden experiences as well as offering the opportunity of an additional AS level qualification. In addition to unlocking the academic potential of all of our students, our aim is to develop the whole person by focusing on the talents of individuals.

As well as the academic, we are able to offer an extensive range of extra-curricular courses such as CSLA, A+, Microsoft, Cisco and Young Enterprise - details of which you can find on our website www.carmel.org.uk or in our prospectus.

We also offer opportunities for Work Experience (here and abroad), links with industry, community involvement, voluntary work and residential experiences.

Sixth form students have a personal tutor who will ensure that they make the most of all the opportunities open to them. Tutors provide valuable help and support, especially during the process of Higher Education applications and when seeking employment.

On-going careers guidance and support is given to students who have access to an extensive careers' library with every university/college prospectus in the country, as well as to databases of Higher Education information. Each year a significantly high percentage of our students go on to study at the higher educational establishment of their choice.

Excellent facilities for use by the sixth form are housed in the recently-built all-purpose Sixth Form Centre with its own Common Room, Computer Suite and teaching/study areas.

Sixth form issues are discussed by the Sixth Form Council, which meets regularly. The Council takes responsibility, amongst other things, for the year book and for arranging social events and activities.

Opportunities to take part  in and/or help with sporting activities and events are open to those who wish to take advantage of them.

Many students contribute to the life of the college in general and their contributions are well documented in references for jobs and higher education.

Whilst recognising the importance of achieving academic potential, we also feel that the students should take advantage of the wide range of opportunities that will enable them to stand out when applying for university and jobs. We encourage our students not only to take advantage of the many extra curricular activities we offer but also to contribute to the life of the college and the local community in general.

Admissions:

All admissions are determined by the Governing Body, which reserves the right to consider each application on its individual merits.

Applications are welcomed from all students who have completed their compulsory education either at Carmel or elsewhere and who would benefit from our courses and our distinctive Christian ethos.

Once an offer has been made to undertake an advanced level course, then the student must achieve at least a grade C (or the equivalent) in 5 GCSE subjects including Maths and English. Some subjects may require grades above grade C. This information can be find in the prospectus and on our website www.carmel.org.uk.

Admissions and continuance on a course of study is dependent on the student's commitment to the ethos of the college as set out in the College Mission Statement.

Applications:

If you already attend Carmel College you can obtain an application form from your form tutor, the Head of Post 16 or the main office.

If you are applying from elsewhere then you should ask your careers' advisor/head of year who should have forms. Alternatively, you can contact the College in writing or by telephone. Your present school will be asked to provide a reference.

All applicants will be interviewed. Students who have not received their main college education at Carmel should be accompanied by their parents. A conditional offer of a place will be made to successful candidates in writing.

All applications must be received before the end of February. Places are limited and late applications will only be considered at our discretion.

Do you have to be Catholic to go to Carmel Sixth Form? No, but we do expect our students to uphold the Christian ethos of the college.

Do you have to wear a uniform? We prefer to call it a dress code. The Sixth Form colours are black and white (lower school pupils wear navy blue and grey). We do ask out students to be well presented. Within the colour scheme we do allow for individuality - but not extremes.

Do you have to stay in college all day? Your timetable will dictate the times you have to be in college. Basically, if you do not have a timetabled session, then you are free to leave. We do prefer that students use their non-contact time wisely, so you will be encouraged to use the study facilities within the college.

Do you do General Studies? We offer students the opportunity to sit AS/A2 General Studies it they wish, but it is not a compulsary subject here.

Is ICT compulsary? As a Technology College, we do ask every student in the sixth form to do some kind of ICT course. However, this can range from AVCE to computer animation, depending upon student ability and needs.

Are Sixth formers really treated differently? Sixth Form students are there because they want to be and are studying subjects they have chosen so generally there is no need for discipline. Additionally, they have their own area in the college where you'll find the common room, the bistro and IT6, the computer suite used almost exclusively by sixth formers.