Colchester Sixth Form College

History

The college is located on the former site of the Gilberd School. Recently constructed parts of the building were designed by local architects Martin Wilesmith and Bob Ward of the Roff Marsh Partnership.

In 1994 Blur played a show at the college – three out of four members of Blur have links with Colchester, with drummer Dave Rowntree having attended the Gilberd School.

In 2013, the college served as the backdrop for a submission in the official Brian May and Kerry Ellis crowdsourced music video for "The Kissing Me Song". A portion of the submission can be seen in the subsequent concert release "The Candlelight Concerts: Live in Montreux 2013".

Courses

The college offers courses and qualifications to more than 3100 students – including a large range of A-Levels and also a smaller number of GCSEs.

Departments

• Art and Design
  • Art
  • Photography
  • History of Art
  • Sculpture
• Biology
  • Biology
• Business Studies and Economics
  • Accounting
  • Business Studies
  • Applied Business
  • Economics
• Chemistry
  • Chemistry
• Computing
  • Computer Science
  • ICT
• English
  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • English Language & Literature
• Geography
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Environmental Science
• History
  • Classical Civilisation
  • History – Modern
  • History – Early Modern
  • History – Medieval
  • Politics
  • Ancient History
• Law
  • Law
  • Applied Law
• Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Further Mathematics
  • Statistics
• Media and Film Studies
  • Media
  • Film
• Modern Languages
  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
• Performing Arts
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Music Technology
  • Performance Studies
• Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Philosophy, Religion and Ethics
• Physical Education
  • Sport
  • Applied Sport
• Physics
  • Physics
  • Electronics
• Psychology
  • Psychology
  • Criminology
• Sociology
  • Sociology
• Technology
  • Graphics
  • Technology (Product Design)
  • Textiles

Student initiatives

Committees and representation

The Sixth Form College, Colchester has a College Council which is made up of tutor group representatives, generally one per tutor group. The Chair and the Vice-Chair sit on the College Governing Body.

College magazine

The college produces a magazine,, in which all of the articles are written by students.

Student radio

The college has run its own radio station (Storm Radio) since 1995. The shows are presented by students from both years and make use of mixed genres of music, while the station itself functions and is treated by the music industry as any other commercial radio station. The station can be received on 999AM/999MW in the college area and across the IT network in most classroom locations. It can also be picked up in certain areas around Colchester Town Centre. It usually broadcasts for 2 and a half hours a day, although for a one-off special in 2002 it broadcast for 24 consecutive hours.

Ofsted

The college was assessed as 'Outstanding' by OFSTED in 2024, including 'outstanding' assessments in all inspection categories.

Academic results

A-Levels

In 2017, the average A-Level grade was C−, and the progress score was −0.12, which is below the average progress score for schools and colleges in England.

Notable alumni

• Charlie Dobson - athlete
• Jamie Lidell – musician
• Dermot O'Leary – television and radio presenter
• Luke Wright – poet

References

References

1. "The Sixth Form College, Colchester – College History".
2. (12 January 2019). "College Student Council".
3. (12 January 2019). "Governing Body Information".
4. (30 November 2021). "Who Said that Journalism Is Dead?- By Joseph Mansbridge, Colchester Sixth Form".
5. (November 2007). "College inspection report". Ofsted.
6. "The Sixth Form College Colchester - GOV.UK - Find and compare schools in England".
7. Waldron, Jonathan. (25 January 2018). "Colchester Harriers sprinter Charlie Dobson says England debut will be a proud moment". Daily Gazette.
8. "Why Should I Study A Level Music Technology?". Colchester Sixth Form College.
9. Joseph, Anne. (26 October 2018). "My Best Teacher: Mr Kelly by Dermot O'Leary". [[TES (magazine)]].
10. (3 January 2012). "Kulcha". lukewright.co.uk.