AW6 is Akeley Wood School's dedicated Sixth Form for students aged 16 to 18. Based at Tile House Mansion in Lillingstone Dayrell, AW6 gives students a more independent setting for A Level study, Future Ready enrichment and preparation for university, apprenticeships, careers or work.
Students join a stand-alone Sixth Form culture where they are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and progress. They have greater freedom, specialist academic support and the guidance of tutors, mentors and careers staff who help them stay on track through Year 12 and Year 13, every school week.
A LEVEL PATHWAYS
Academic pathways and subject choices
AW6 offers a broad A Level curriculum, with option blocks reviewed each year to reflect the interests and needs of the students joining us. Students generally have more than 20 subjects to choose from, helping them build a pathway around their strengths, interests and future plans.
Subject choices can include Art, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Physics, Psychology and a range of creative, technical and BTEC options. Music, Music Technology, Textiles Art, Design Technology, Business BTEC, Media Studies BTEC and Physical Education BTEC are also listed within the AW6 subject offer. The exact offer is shaped each year, so families should speak with admissions or AW6 staff about current availability.
Alongside A Levels, students can take part in opportunities such as the Extended Project Qualification, Cyber EPQ, English Speaking Board Qualification, MOOCs and Young Enterprise. These experiences help students extend their thinking, practise independent research and build confidence beyond their chosen subjects. They also give students evidence of curiosity, commitment and initiative when they are preparing applications or interviews.
STUDY & WELLBEING
Support for study and wellbeing
Sixth Form study brings more choice, more responsibility and higher expectations. At AW6, students have personal tutors and mentors who support their academic progress, help them reflect on their learning and encourage them to use independent study time well.
The timetable includes lessons, lectures, one-to-one tutorials, Future Ready enrichment sessions and free periods. Free periods give students space to manage their own work, whether they study on campus, use the learning zones or make careful use of time at the beginning or end of the day.
Support also includes understanding how each student learns. CAT4 assessments help create a rounded profile, showing learning styles and hidden potential so teachers can guide students with more clarity. This gives academic conversations a practical focus, because students can see where they are strong and where a different habit or strategy may help.
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral care in the sixth form
Older students still need adults who know them well. AW6 students are supported by teaching and pastoral staff who understand the pressure of post-16 study and the importance of having trusted people to talk to.
Senior School and AW6 students benefit from wellbeing check-ins, reflection journals, student ambassadors, access to a school counsellor and resources through The Wellbeing Hub. Character Education, assemblies and the Life Learning curriculum help students think about relationships, choices and responsibility.
Akeley Wood values Kindness, Respect, Charity and Community, alongside Learner Habits of Aspiration, Resilience, Responsibility, Integrity and Courage. These ideas give students a shared language for the way they learn, lead and contribute during Sixth Form. They also help older students understand that independence is about judgement, care for others and thoughtful decision making.
Next Steps
Join us for an Open Event
From whole school open mornings to an Akeley Breakfast and Tour, there are opportunities throughout the year to visit us onsite and discover what an Akeley education has to offer.
FUTURE READY
Independence, leadership and enrichment
Independence is a clear part of AW6 life. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning in a way that reflects university study or the first steps into work, while still having staff nearby to guide, question and encourage them.
The Future Ready enrichment curriculum runs across the week and gives students time to develop wider skills. Activities can include debating, mentoring, sport, academic enrichment, networking breakfasts, industry visits, university and careers events, and national initiatives such as Young Enterprise.
Leadership also has a practical place in the Sixth Form. AW6 Student Leadership Teams sit on committees linked to school values, including environment, community, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, helping students make a meaningful contribution to school life. Recent enrichment activity has included fundraising and community-facing events, giving students chances to turn ideas into action.
SIXTH FORM CAMPUS
Life at Tile House Mansion
AW6 life is shaped by the facilities at Tile House Mansion. Following a refurbishment, students have access to an onsite cafe, two common rooms, social spaces, study pods, a university-style seminar room and specialist teaching spaces.
The campus includes a Creative Arts Studio with spaces for photography, textiles, ceramics and fine art, a Media Suite with 14 Macs, a Music Technology area, a recording studio and a science laboratory. Modernised classrooms include smartboard technology and furniture designed for collaborative learning.
These spaces support the balance of study, social time and independence that students need in Sixth Form. They can work quietly, meet friends, take part in Future Ready sessions or use specialist rooms that reflect the subjects and interests they are developing. Student parking is also available onsite for those who want to drive to and from AW6.