Paston Sixth Form College

Welcome and thank you for considering Paston Sixth Form College for your next step. Our College has everything you need to achieve and succeed. We offer a fantastic learning experience and great support to help you reach your chosen destination.

It’s a great time to come to Paston. Located in North Walsham, our College continues to offer excellent A Level and vocational teaching in an inspirational environment. This sees our students progress to leading university courses and other outstanding destinations.

Paston Sixth Form College has a long-established reputation for academic excellence and a superb all-round student experience. Our college offers great student support, exciting extra-curricular opportunities and brilliant course trips and events,

As a Paston Sixth Form College student, you get all of this and more. There’s a wider range of courses to choose from and your very own NUS-affiliated Students’ Union. You have even more opportunities to add learning and work-related experiences to your CV or UCAS personal statement. This will truly make you stand out from the crowd.

Whatever your ambition, everything at Paston Sixth Form College is set up to help you reach your goal. We have expert staff who are fantastic and enthusiastic teachers, bringing a wealth of subject knowledge to all our courses. Your learning will take place in a superb learning environment. You will find a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and all the support you need to succeed.

The majority of Paston Sixth Form College students go on to university, with around 25% accepted to leading universities every year. Our students also have a great record of progressing to high quality apprenticeships and jobs.

Step 1: Apply 

Step 2: An account will be set up for you by us, on our Learner Hub portal. You will receive a message and link via Help You Choose when this is ready for you to access.

Step 3: On our Learner Hub portal, set your first choice course (ie 'A Level Programme', 'Early Years Practitioner Level 2', 'Creative Media Level 3') and book your interview from the choices displayed

Step 4: Interview (Course discussion) You will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.

Step 5: Offer Offers are given verbally at interview but you will also receive an email confirmation. All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is an entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your written offer. Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 4: Enrolment Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course. We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.

NB Our main communication with our applicants is via their personal email addresses - please remember to check your inbox for messages from us!

Personal Tutors

All students have both a personal form tutor and personal development coach who will help you settle in and support you throughout your time at College. Tutors are a vital part of your College experience and you will see them both in group sessions and on a one to one basis.

Their roles are to support your progress towards your own personal targets. They will provide you with personal development opportunities and help you on your journey to university level study, apprenticeships or employment.

Wellbeing

Our wellbeing team is here to help you fulfil your potential and maximise your physical and mental wellbeing. The team offers support with any health or wellbeing problem.

The Advice Shop

If you have any questions or need support then our friendly team in the Advice Shop offer expert advice on everything from careers and finance, to travel and wellbeing. The Advice Shop is open to all students and you can drop-in or book an appointment.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Paston Sixth Form College is passionate about supporting students with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities. We offer a range of support services to help you while you are studying with us. Whether you have any specialist needs, or you would just like some help with your work.

Our specialist staff will ensure that effective and appropriate support provision is allocated to students requiring assistance with accessing their academic studies.

• Specific Learning Disability team (SpLD)
• Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT)
• Assistive Technology (A full list can be provided)
• On-course and/or off-course support
• Education Health and Care Plan

If you have an Education Health Care Plan, please share this with us to help plan your support needs. You can email this to SEN@ccn.ac.uk or bring it to either reception or the Advice Shop for the Inclusion Services team. All special educational support is dependent on assessment criteria and funding conditions being met.

16-19 Bursary Fund

If you are under 19 when you start your course and your household income is under the set threshold then you may be eligible for support from the 16-19 Bursary Fund.

The aim of the fund is to help cover some of the financial costs of coming to college such as travel, equipment, & DBS fees. 

Payments from the general 16-19 Bursary Fund vary from about £240-£814 per year depending on income, course and circumstances.

Students' Union

The Students' Union are here to support you throughout your time at college and are dedicated to making sure that your voice is heard and that you experience is as rewarding and fulfilling as possible!

We understand that you want to enjoy your time at College. Coming to our College is very different to being at school. You will be treated as an adult and given real independence and responsibility for your learning.

Our College has an active Students’ Union and great facilities to socialise in. We also provide a range of sporting and other extra-curricular activities. This gives you lots of opportunities to make new friends and have fun!

Transport

Getting to Paston Sixth Form College is both easy and affordable. North Walsham is well served by both bus routes and train services.

North Walsham Train Station

North Walsham train station is just 5 minutes walk from Paston Sixth Form College. It connects services from Norwich to Cromer, Sheringham and West Runton on the coast.

Student Travel Discounts

Students can make use of the Norfolk County Council Post-16 Transport Scheme if travelling to Paston Sixth Form College by bus.

Students can access reduced rail fares through Greater Anglia’s 16+ Scholar ticket. Rail fares through may be cheaper than the Norfolk County Council subsidised rate, particularly from stations on the Norwich to Sheringham line. 

Got a question about student travel?

If you need advice on travelling to Paston Sixth Form College or have a question about anything below get in touch with our travel adviser on 01603 773607 or email: citytravel@ccn.ac.uk 

Paston Sixth Form College is a unique and interesting place to study with a mixture of historic and modern buildings.

Paston Sixth Form College is based in the heart of the historic market town of North Walsham. The college campus is spread across two sites that are a short walk away from each other.

The Griffons Site

The Griffons site is based on Grammar School Road and is home to our newly refurbished Griffons Studio and the Griffons Theatre.

It is also the original Paston Free School site which dates back to 1606 and is home to the historic Nelson Room where Lord Nelson studied before he joined the Royal Navy in 1771.

The Lawns Site

Based around the corner from The Griffons site on Park Lane, The Lawns site is home to our newly refurbished Scarburgh Science Centre, Study Hub and Advice Shop, IT Support Centre, Gym and Paston Café.

If you need a space for some quiet study and to access resources, our library and Study Hub have everything you need. There are also lots of other study areas and computer rooms located around our campus where you can get on with your work outside of the classroom.