Fiducia TogetherSixth form or college
The choice at 16, and the differences that actually matter.
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.
What it is
Post-16 options include a school sixth form, a sixth form college, a further education college, an apprenticeship or a training provider.
Where it applies
Anyone finishing year 11.
How it works
Sixth forms tend to be smaller, more structured and mostly academic. FE colleges are larger, offer a much wider range including vocational and technical courses, and treat students more like adults.
Entry requirements, subject combinations and support for SEND differ significantly, and a college may offer a course a sixth form cannot fill.
What you can ask for
Visit both. The difference in atmosphere is real and it matters more than the prospectus.
Ask specifically about SEND support post-16 — colleges have duties and their systems are different from schools'. If there is an EHCP, the setting must be named in Section I and consulted.
Ask about the actual timetable. Independent study time is a large change and some students thrive on it while others need the structure.
Where to get help
The National Careers Service, open days, and SENDIASS where there is an EHCP.
Where to read more
Last reviewed 2026-08-28 by Fiducia Together · Next review due 2027-08-28
Please note: This page explains a word or a process in education. It is general information about the system, the law and the guidance in England — not advice about your child, your school or your exam. If a decision is going against you, get advice from one of the free services we link to before you agree to anything or miss a deadline. If you are revising, check your own exam board's specification: boards word things differently and yours is the one that marks you.