SIXTH FORM

38% of grades at A* – A
62% of grades at A*– B
87% of grades at A*- C

“The Sixth Form at Battle Abbey is a vibrant and diverse community that welcomes students each year from both local schools and further afield. At the heart of all we do is a commitment to helping every student fulfil their academic potential. A Levels are offered alongside BTECs, and we continually seek new subjects to reflect the demands of our ever-changing world. We take great pride in our students’ progress and achievements. Each year, our leavers secure places at a wide range of destinations — from leading universities, including Oxbridge, to art foundation courses and apprenticeships. Our aim is simple: to enable every student to achieve their personal best and to open doors to their chosen careers.

Beyond the classroom, our enrichment programme broadens horizons and builds essential life skills. It includes visiting speakers, subject-specific trips, and sessions designed to prepare students for life beyond school. Our Head of Careers provides personalised guidance, while our UCAS Lead supports students throughout the university application process.

Sixth Form students enjoy their own dedicated space in Martlet House, complete with a café, gym, common room, study areas, and teaching rooms. They are also integral members of the wider school community, with an additional common room and kitchen at the main Abbey site. We place great value on traditional principles, believing they foster a sense of belonging and the confidence to aim high. To this end, participation is at the heart of the Battle Abbey experience. Our Sixth Formers play an active role in school life — running clubs, mentoring younger pupils, and assisting with daily responsibilities. Leadership opportunities such as School Guardian, Head of House, and Bronze positions celebrate our proud heritage while equipping students with the skills and confidence to thrive beyond the Abbey walls”.

Ms Jo Simson and Mrs Nicola Gatward Head of Year 12 and 13

“Battle Abbey Sixth Form is an immensely welcoming and friendly community. This stage in a young person’s life is incredibly important for development and character building, and Battle Abbey provides the opportunity for independence and the development of vital life skill, all whilst supplying a safe and nurturing environment. Whether it’s hanging out in the common room socially, studying independently in the silent study rooms, or having your lunch in the café with our amazing catering staff, Battle Abbey will always supply you with the necessary space to thrive.

Battle Abbey School is a nurturing environment with a strong support system, and the well-being, growth and development of each individual is key. The academic staff also enable pupils to further their ability in all subjects as they are committed to providing an excellent education, with extra support sessions always being available if students are struggling.

One of the things we value most is the independence we’re given in Sixth Form. You’re treated with maturity and respect but never left without support. The staff here are incredibly knowledgeable and are genuinely passionate about helping you succeed not only in the classroom but beyond it. Whether you’re aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or something completely different, the guidance here is both personal and purposeful. We also want to highlight our incredible welfare and safeguarding team. Sixth Form can come with pressure academically and emotionally and having a space where you’re listened to, where your well-being matters, makes all the difference. Their support is constant, confidential, and completely without judgment.

Additionally, one aspect of the Sixth Form is that the Battle Abbey chefs are truly second to none! Whether you need a quick sugar boost or just a little pick-me-up, there are always biscuits and treats at the ready. At Martlet House, Annie, our brilliant chef, makes every day brighter with her endless array of sweet and savoury treats—cakes, biscuits, and even cheese paninis—perfect for keeping you fuelled while you study, she’s an amazing and uplifting spirit for the whole Sixth Form community.

Battle Abbey Sixth Form offers students the perfect balance between embracing individuality and experiencing a genuine sense of belonging. During House Time, Sixth Formers have the opportunity to connect with younger students in their house, fostering meaningful relationships and building a true family spirit. This strong ethos, also emphasised by the staff, ensures that every student feels supported and cared for, with someone always there to look out for them.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Abbey soon and hope that your time here will be every bit as enjoyable and rewarding as ours has been.”

Battle Abbey School Guardians 2025/2026

Our Sixth Form curriculum is designed to challenge, inspire, and prepare students for life beyond the Abbey. Whether our students aim for university, apprenticeships, or the world of work, our curriculum supports each student’s unique pathway. Academic excellence and exceptional pastoral care are at the core of our provision. Subjects are taught by passionate specialists who bring depth and expertise to their teaching, encouraging critical thinking, independent learning, and intellectual curiosity. Small class sizes mean students receive personalised attention and meaningful support, ensuring they reach their full potential. Beyond academic study, our Sixth Form programme includes enrichment opportunities such as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), leadership roles, and community service. These experiences develop key skills in research, communication, and teamwork—essential for success in higher education and the workplace. Our Sixth Formers also benefit from a dedicated careers and university guidance programme, helping them navigate applications, prepare for interviews, and make informed decisions about their future. With high expectations, individual support, and a forward-thinking curriculum, our Sixth Form provides the perfect environment for students to grow into confident, capable young adults ready for their next chapter.

Martlet House, our dedicated Sixth Form Centre, situated just a stone’s throw from the Abbey Gatehouse, offers a vibrant, quirky environment with spaces where students can relax, work, and study. Designed to reflect the transition from school to adulthood, it provides a more mature, university-style setting that encourages independence, self-motivation, and responsibility.

Within Martlet House, students enjoy access to study areas, a common room, a cafe with outside decking and garden, and break out rooms and lecture spaces. All tailored to the needs of Sixth Form life. Whether collaborating on projects, attending workshops, or relaxing between lessons, Martlet House supports both focused learning and the community spirit that makes our Sixth Form such a unique proposition.

The Centre also serves as a hub for careers guidance, leadership development, and enrichment opportunities, with regular careers talks, mentoring, and university preparation sessions taking place throughout the year.

Martlet House empowers students to take ownership of their learning while preparing confidently for the next stage of their education or career journey.

The unique location of our school on Battle High Street offers a wealth of benefits to our Sixth Form students, with access to shops, coffee shops, and other High Street amenities, including a direct trainline to Hastings and London. Being part of the town’s daily life fosters strong community connections. Pupils develop a sense of civic responsibility and pride through participation in local events, volunteering opportunities, and partnerships with nearby businesses and organisations. Parents also benefit from the convenience of our central location, with easy access to shops, cafés, and transport links. This accessibility encourages regular engagement between home and school, strengthening the supportive network around each child. Our High Street presence reinforces our role as a dynamic, inclusive school that is both academically ambitious and firmly rooted in its local community.

The social side of Sixth Form at Battle Abbey School is exciting, inclusive, and an essential part of the student experience. Life beyond the classroom is enriched with a calendar full of events, trips, and activities that help students relax, build friendships, and enjoy their final years at school.

Regular social events, such as Sixth Form dinners, themed evenings, and the highly anticipated leavers’ ball, create lasting memories and a strong sense of community. Students also enjoy more informal time together in Martlet House, our dedicated Sixth Form Centre, where they can socialise, study, and collaborate in a relaxed, mature environment, whilst opportunities for cultural enrichment, team-building, leadership roles, pupil mentoring and community outreach ensure the Sixth Form remains fully integrated in the school.

The majority of our Year 11 transfer to our Sixth Form for Year 12, where our supportive, friendly atmosphere ensures all Sixth Formers feel connected and many make lifelong friends.

Our Sixth Form consistently achieves very strong academic outcomes, reflecting the dedication of our students and the expertise of our teaching staff. With a broad range of A Level subjects on offer, students are supported to pursue areas they are passionate about, with many achieving results that exceed national averages.

Small class sizes and specialist teaching ensure that every student receives personalised attention, helping them to reach their full potential. Regular progress tracking, one-to-one guidance, and tailored academic support allow us to respond quickly to individual needs and ambitions.

On any given year around 30% of our cohort go on to Russel Group Universities, whilst around 10% reach Oxford and Cambridge. Our students go on to secure places at top universities in the UK and abroad, as well as competitive apprenticeships and specialist training programmes. Our academic success is not only measured by grades, but also by the confidence, independence, and intellectual curiosity our students develop—preparing them exceptionally well for the demands of higher education and the wider world.

Recent University Destinations include: Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Warwick, Exeter, Lancaster, Reading, Durham, Southampton, Bath, Leeds, Manchester, St Martins, Edinburgh, Royal Holloway, Kings College London, The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Courtauld Institute of Art among others.

Recent courses students went on to study: Architecture, International Relations, Costume and Performance Design, Law, Ancient History, Anthropology, Cyber Security, Urban Planning, Psychology, Economics, Midwifery, Aeronautical Engineering, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience, French & German, Marine Biology, Physiotherapy, Environmental Geology, Medicine, Forensic Science and Astro-Physics, among others.

At Battle Abbey School, Sixth Form students are encouraged to take on meaningful leadership roles that help them grow into confident, responsible young adults. These opportunities are a vital part of Sixth Form life, allowing students to develop key skills in communication, teamwork, and decision-making.

The School Guardian positions, which are effectively Head Boy and Head Girl roles, are hotly contested in the summer term of Year 12 with the four positions seeing anywhere between 8 and 10 candidates= applications on any give year. The Guardians are ably supported by a selection of other roles of responsibility including Heads of House, subject Bronzes as well as positions on the school values team.

Battle Abbey School Sixth Form students lead by example, represent the school at events, and support younger pupils throughout the school community. Sixth Formers also contribute through mentoring schemes, helping younger students with academic work or offering pastoral support. Leadership extends beyond formal roles. Students lead clubs and societies, organise charity initiatives, and represent the school in debates, conferences, and community outreach. These experiences promote independence, initiative, and a sense of service.

By offering a wide range of leadership opportunities, we prepare our Sixth Formers not just for academic success, but for confident, active participation in the wider world.