Life as a Sixth Former at Dean Close School holds a huge variety of opportunities. The world of choice opens up not only in academic terms, but also in the breadth of clubs, societies, roles of responsibility, entitlements and facilities solely for the Sixth Form.
Wide-ranging academic possibilities are offered through 23 different AS/A2 level subjects including Politics, Greek, Classical Civilisation, Philosophy & Ethics, Psychology and Theatre Studies. A level results are well above the national average and the majority of Sixth Formers gain a place at their first choice university. A*/A grades are fully achievable, with 48% of all exams taken in 2011 resulting in those grades, aided by the average class size of around 10-12 pupils. The Headmaster sits down individually with every sixth form pupil to assist with their UCAS form and a careers department is on hand for university and careers advice, counselling, testing, contacts and practical assistance.
In the last three years, leavers' destinations have included Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, Exeter, Imperial, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, St Andrew's, Trinity Dublin, UCL, Warwick.
The social life a of sixth former is a high priority with a well-equipped sixth form social centre, an annual university style ball and regular opportunities to meet and sometimes dine with high profile visitors, most recently being Sir Steve Redgrave, Andrew Marr, Nathaniel Parker, Nigel Havers, Simon Singh, Raymond Blanc, William Hague and Sir Geoff Hurst.