Hills Road Sixth Form College

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Starting sixth form is an exciting step, but we recognise that moving from GCSEs to A levels can also be challenging. At Hills Road, students have access to dedicated academic, practical and wellbeing support throughout their time with us.

Every student is allocated a Progress and Support Tutor, who acts as a key point of contact for the student and their parents or carers. Our wider support provision includes Student Services, wellbeing support, counselling, Study Skills and SEND support, subject-specific support and progress reviews.

Students can also access financial support through the College Bursary Fund where eligible.

Preparing for what comes after Hills Road is an important part of the sixth form experience. Our qualified and experienced Careers Advisers support students considering university, apprenticeships, employment, gap years and other destinations. Careers support includes one-to-one guidance, university and employer talks, application support, mock interviews, CV workshops, work experience support and dedicated activities for students considering particular career pathways.

Our Future Ready Programme further supports students' personal and social development, covering areas including health and wellbeing, community, life skills, study skills and future progression.

Our focus is sixth form education. Students can choose from 36 A level subjects and build a programme suited to their interests and future plans.

Outstanding education

Hills Road was rated Outstanding in all key judgements by Ofsted following its inspection in April 2025.

More than A levels

Every Year 12 student's programme extends beyond their chosen subjects through Future Ready, the Extended Project Qualification and Enrichment.

A culture of independence

Independent Learning periods are built into students' programmes, giving them dedicated time for study, research and extension work and helping them develop the independence required for university, apprenticeships and employment.

Enrichment as part of the College experience

All Year 12 students take part in Enrichment. It provides opportunities to try something new, develop existing interests, build transferable skills and meet students beyond their subject groups. College sports teams, Gold Duke of Edinburgh and auditioned music can also form part of Enrichment.

More than 40 clubs and societies

Students can get involved in a wide range of activities outside their academic programme, providing further opportunities to pursue interests, meet people and contribute to College life.

Support for your next step

Our Careers team provides extensive support for progression, whether students are considering higher education, apprenticeships, employment, a gap year or another route.

A Cambridge location

Our campus is close to Cambridge railway station, Cambridge Leisure Park and the city centre, giving students access to the opportunities and amenities of Cambridge alongside their College experience.

Hills Road Sixth Form College is located on Hills Road in Cambridge and is accessible by train, bus, bicycle and on foot.

Train

Cambridge railway station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the College, providing rail connections from locations across Cambridgeshire and the wider region.

Bus

The Guided Busway connects Cambridge with locations across the county, with the nearest stop at Cambridge Central railway station. A number of other bus services stop close to the College.

Young people under 25 may also be eligible for discounted bus travel through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Tiger Pass.

Cycling

We encourage sustainable travel and provide cycle parking on campus, including a student cycle park at the rear of the College and bicycle parking facilities on the secured campus site.

Walking

The College is within walking distance of Cambridge railway station, Cambridge Leisure Park and Cambridge city centre.

Financial support for travel

Eligible students may be able to use the College Bursary Fund towards the cost of travelling to and from College. Some public transport operators also offer discounted student travel.

Students and families are encouraged to check current routes, fares and eligibility with the relevant transport provider when planning their journey.

At Hills Road, no two students take exactly the same path. From the lessons you take to the friends you make, the spaces you study in and the opportunities you choose, you can build your experience to make it as unique as you!

Explore a few different real student journeys below and imagine how you might build your version of a day at Hills Road...

• Sofia studies Biology, Politics and Maths. Her favourite subject is Politics and she plans to pursue it at university after Hills. She's participated in College life in lots of ways - everything from Model United Nations Conferences to travelling nationally for sport. "I do it all: essays and problem-solving!"

• Jacob takes Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A level. Hear how he tackles the challenge of STEM, makes the most of study spaces and extracurriculars. He enjoys working as part of a team - both in his subjects and on the basketball court! "I love the challenge my subjects provide me."

• Ziren studies Art, Photography and History of Art here at Hills. She shares how taking Photography at A level has opened up new creative pathways for her, and how her role on the Student Council has seen her grow in confidence. "We have cool things, and a lot of room to experiment."
  
  
• Isabella chose a diverse range of A level subjects: English Language & Literature, Maths and Psychology. She values the mix of disciplines and explains how joining - and now leading - Law Society supported her ambition to pursue a future career in law. In between lessons, you'll find her in the library or in the Café, overlooking the Quad.  "The fun thing about sixth form: there is no typical day!"
  
  
• Patrick takes History, Politics and Psychology and is interested in how relevant they are to current affairs. He enjoys the freedom to shape his day at Hills: spending time with friends on and off campus in between lessons and independent learning. "Favourite element of my subjects? The debate they spark."