In his opening address to Form 5 pupils, Mr James Bamforth, Head of Sixth Form, said that he hoped that by the end of a Pangbourne education, which included two years in the Sixth Form studying A Levels or BTECs, all those present would be individuals who could ‘talk with crowds and keep their virtue’ and ‘walk with kings nor lose the common touch’ (from Rudjard Kipling’s poem ‘If’).  

The entry requirements for Sixth Form are in ‘A Guide to Choosing Subjects at Sixth Form 2021-2’ and pupils were advised to choose subjects about which they are passionate. Mr Bamforth suggested that they choose subjects which complement each other well and which, possibly, enable them to pursue certain careers, if they are aware now of what they would like eventually to do after their degree.

At Pangbourne College, the class sizes in the Sixth Form are smaller than at GCSE level, which fosters less formal and more collaborative pupil-teacher relationships. This is the aspect of the Sixth Form which those new to it notice the most. There are leadership opportunities across the school and in Division (House). 

In the Lower Sixth, there is a specially designed course for all pupils which teaches peer mentoring, gives guidance on applications to university, especially British universities through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), and reinforces the benefits of the flag values the College encourages.

The College has a breadth of co-curricular opportunities in the Sixth Form, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award’s scheme, sports teams, music ensembles and drama productions, and in these areas individuals can choose to participate, as well as become experts in their field and also exercise leadership roles. 

Joining the Sixth Form, pupils at Pangbourne are given careers advice through our network of parents, Old Pangbournians and Parents of Old Pangbournians, run by Mr Andy Sumner, Head of Careers.

In his conclusion, Mr Bamforth said that what he wished most for pupils at Pangbourne was to grow ‘roots and wings’, to develop confidence, not arrogance, and also aspirations. Following his address, all Form 5 pupils were given opportunities to sample different A Level lessons, including five subjects which are not offered at GCSE: Classics, Economics, Film Studies, Politics and Psychology.