Choosing a Sixth Form is an important decision. The right environment should help you feel supported, challenged and inspired throughout these two formative years.
A Sixth Form Open Evening is one of the best opportunities to look beyond a school’s prospectus and discover what school life is really like. You can meet teachers, speak to current students, explore the facilities and begin to understand whether the school feels like the right fit for you.
At Luckley House School, we believe that success looks different for every young person. Strong academic outcomes matter, alongside confidence, independence, personal development and being properly prepared for whatever comes next.
To make the most of your visit, here are ten useful questions to ask at any Sixth Form Open Evening.
Learn More1. What A Level subjects can I study?
Your subject choices will shape much of your Sixth Form experience, so begin by finding out exactly what is available.
Ask about the subjects you are already considering, but be open to exploring others too. You may discover an A Level that you have not studied previously or a combination of subjects that opens up new possibilities.
It is also worth asking how students are supported when making their choices. At Luckley Sixth Form, students can choose from more than 20 A Level subjects and discuss their proposed programme with the Head of Sixth Form. Most students follow a three A Level programme alongside the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
The right choices should reflect your academic strengths, interests and ambitions, as well as any future plans you may already be considering. If you have a particular degree in mind, it is also worth checking whether there are specific A Level subjects you will need to study.
2. What are the class sizes like?
Class size can have a significant effect on your Sixth Form experience.
Smaller class sizes can provide more opportunities to ask questions, contribute to discussions and receive individual feedback. They can also allow teachers to understand how you learn and recognise when you need additional support or greater challenge.
At Luckley House, specialist small-group teaching is an important part of Sixth Form life. Students are known as individuals, helping to create strong working relationships between teachers and students.
When visiting a school, ask current students how accessible their teachers are and whether they feel comfortable approaching them for help.
3. How will I be supported academically?
Sixth Form study requires a greater degree of independence than GCSEs, but independence should not mean being left to manage everything alone.
Ask what happens if you begin to struggle with a topic, how your progress will be monitored and what additional academic support is available.
At Luckley House School, personalised academic support is central to the Sixth Form experience. Teachers and tutors get to know each student’s strengths and potential, enabling them to provide appropriate encouragement, guidance and challenge throughout Years 12 and 13.
4. What pastoral support is available?
Academic success is only one part of Sixth Form life.
The transition from GCSEs to A Levels can be exciting, but it also brings new responsibilities, greater independence and decisions about the future. A strong pastoral care system can make an enormous difference.
Ask who you would speak to if you had a concern, how regularly you meet your tutor and how the school supports students’ wellbeing and personal development.
A close-knit community can be particularly valuable during Sixth Form. At Luckley House, Sixth Form students are assigned a Form Tutor who monitors their progress and provides ongoing support throughout Years 12 and 13.
5. What is Sixth Form life actually like?
One of the most useful things you can do at an Open Evening is speak to current students.
Ask them what a typical day looks like, what they enjoy most and what surprised them when they first joined the Sixth Form. You could also ask how independent study is structured, what the workload is like and which aspects of Sixth Form life they have found most valuable.
Their answers can give you an insight into the atmosphere that no prospectus can fully capture.
Luckley Sixth Form has its own dedicated Sixth Form Centre, separate from the main school, with areas for purposeful study as well as spaces where students can relax and socialise. It gives students greater independence while allowing them to remain part of the wider school community.
6. What opportunities are there beyond the curriculum?
Some of the most valuable experiences in Sixth Form happen outside the classroom.
Ask about clubs, trips, sport, music, drama, leadership opportunities, volunteering and other co-curricular activities. Sixth Form should give you opportunities to continue existing interests while perhaps discovering entirely new ones.
At Luckley House, academic study is complemented by a broad programme of co-curricular activities and experiences. Departments organise lectures, conferences, theatre visits and residential trips, while opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Combined Cadet Force allow students to develop practical skills, resilience and leadership.
Co-curricular activities can strengthen a university application while also helping young people grow in confidence, develop new skills and discover more about themselves.
7. What facilities will I be able to use?
You are likely to spend a considerable amount of time at school over the next two years, so take time to explore the spaces where you will study, work independently and relax.
Make sure to see subject-specific facilities as well as the Sixth Form study areas. If you are considering boarding, it is also worth finding out what accommodation and communal spaces are available, and how flexible boarding works in practice.
Luckley House students have access to the dedicated Sixth Form Centre alongside facilities across the wider school, including science laboratories, a music centre, performing arts theatre, Sixth Form art studio and sports facilities incorporating an All-Weather Pitch, fitness suite and climbing wall.
8. How will the school prepare me for university?
For many students, Sixth Form is an important stepping stone to university, so ask what support is available throughout the application process.
Find out how the school helps students choose suitable universities and courses, prepare personal statements and applications, and get ready for interviews where required. If you are considering a particularly competitive course or university, it is also worth asking what additional guidance is available.
At Luckley House, students receive support from their Form Tutor with university applications and future choices, alongside guidance from the School’s specialist careers coordinator.
9. How much independence will I have?
Sixth Form is an important transition towards greater independence. You should expect more responsibility for managing your time, organising your workload and completing independent study, so it is worth asking how this works in practice.
How are study periods structured? What level of independence are students given? What support is available if someone finds time management difficult?
At Luckley House School, students are encouraged to stretch themselves academically while learning to use their time responsibly. This helps them develop the habits and independence they will need for university, further education or the workplace, while still benefiting from the support of teachers and tutors.
10. What learning support is available?
The right support can make a significant difference to a student’s confidence, independence and academic progress, so it is worth finding out what provision is available at Sixth Form.
Ask how learning support works in practice, whether students can access help with study skills and organisation, and what support is available for neurodiverse learners. If relevant, you may also want to ask about assistive technology and Access Arrangements for examinations.
At Luckley House, the Learning Support Department provides specialist support for students with learning differences, with an emphasis on developing independence and self-belief. Tailored Study Skills courses are also available for A Level students, helping them develop effective approaches to revision and exam preparation.
A Sixth Form Open Evening gives you the opportunity to see what a school is really like and whether you can picture yourself thriving there.
Can you imagine yourself studying there? Do teachers seem genuinely interested in their students? Are current Sixth Formers happy to talk about their experiences? Does the school understand what you want to achieve while giving you the confidence to aim higher?
Luckley House School is a coeducational independent school in Wokingham, Berkshire. Our Sixth Form combines a distinctly academic education with personalised support and a broad curriculum that values academic achievement alongside sport, the arts and wider personal development.
Our Sixth Form Open Evening takes place during the autumn term and provides an opportunity to meet specialist A Level teachers, explore subject options, tour the School and hear directly from current Sixth Form students.
We would be delighted to welcome you and give you the opportunity to discover for yourself what makes Luckley House Sixth Form special.
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