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Welcome to Shirley High School Performing Arts College

Thank you for your interest in the Shirley High sixth form. We are proud of our reputation as a caring sixth form which consistently provides high quality Post-16 education and produces excellent outcomes for students.At Shirley High School, our vision is to create a scholarly and professional environment to ensure all students leave the sixth form making empowered, informed and ambitious choices about their future:Empowered: You will be fully prepared and confident to take on ‘The Real World’ after Sixth Form regardless of your chosen destination.Informed: You will understand all the available options for your for life after sixth Form and have made the best choice for you. Ambitious: You will be challenged to ensure you are pushing yourself to be the best version of you. Our staff ‘possess excellent subject knowledge’ (OFSTED 2019) and are all scholars in their fields. This enables students to reach the best possible standards of achievement in both academic and personal development. This year, 65% of university applications were to Russell group universities. It is our aim to increase this year on year and support students towards successful applications to Oxbridge in the future.With a purpose built sixth form block, provision at Post-16 offers an extensive range of A-levels (including the Sciences and Humanities) alongside an exciting range of BTEC level three extended diplomas. As a centre for excellence in the Arts we offer first rate performing arts facilities and a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities. These include boxing, fitness, futsal, debating, sports coaching, music production/recording and work experience or voluntary work. There are numerous leadership roles available, including Student Mentor; Subject Ambassador; Prefect/Senior Prefect; House Captain; Anti-bullying Ambassador and School Council Representative.We offer students support at every stage of their journey. Our pastoral and well-being provision aims to support all Post-16 students as they deal with the challenges faced over the past couple of years. Students have access to on-site counselling should they need it. We also have two full-time learning mentors who provide both pastoral and academic support, whilst we have an array of extra tuition opportunities available for students in need.We offer good quality, independent careers advice, as well as personalised support with UCAS and apprenticeship applications; this supports students to successfully make the transition to university, apprenticeship or work.We look forward to welcoming you to our sixth form in the future. Please feel free to contact me on sbrown@shirley.croydon.sch.uk if you would like any further information.Mrs S BrownAssistant Principal (KS5)

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Boarding Type

No Boarder

School Type

Suitable Ages

11 to 19

Gender

Mixed

No. of Students

785 Total

No. of Boys

345 (43.9%)

No. of Girls

440 (56.1%)


Academic Excellence

GCSE Results

Latest Examination

7.4%

Students achieving A*/A grades (9/8/7)

A-Level Results

Sixth Form Performance

A* grades

2.0%

A*/A grades

14.0%


Leavers' Destinations

Destinations after GCSEs

Staying in education

88%

School

79%

England

Apprenticeships

0%

School

3%

England

Further education

School:39%
England:51%

School sixth form

School:48%
England:19%

Sixth form college

School:1%
England:7%

Other education destinations

School:0%
England:2%

Destinations after A-Levels

UK higher education

57%

School

1%

England

Apprenticeships

3%

School

19%

England

Higher education or training

School:84%
England:63%

Further education

School:1%
England:4%

Employment

School:21%
England:35%

Not sustained in education/employment

School:16%
England:26%

Exciting Updates Ahead!

We're currently gearing up to offer you a full list of our courses. Stay tuned — amazing learning opportunities are on their way very soon. Thank you for your interest and enthusiasm!


Exciting Events Ahead!

A detailed admissions process on ApplicaaOne is coming soon.

Please see our website for more information on our admissions process.


Admissions Process

Go to School Website

Key Dates & Deadlines

Jan 15, 2026

Sixth Form Open Evening


Term Dates & Half-Term Holidays

Planning ahead for school holidays? Below are the term dates and half-term dates for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Autumn

2 terms

Half Term 1

Sep 1 - Oct 24

Half Term 2

Nov 3 - Dec 19

Spring

2 terms

Half Term 1

Jan 5 - Feb 13

Half Term 2

Feb 23 - Mar 27

Summer

2 terms

Half Term 1

Apr 13 - May 22

Half Term 2

Jun 1 - Jul 20

Half-Term & Holiday Dates

Autumn Half Term

Oct 27 - Oct 31

Christmas and New Year holiday

Dec 22 - Jan 2

Spring Half Term

Feb 16 - Feb 20

Easter holiday

Mar 30 - Apr 10

Spring Half Term

May 25 - May 29


Alumni Stories

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Updates Coming Soon!

We’ll be sharing information about the destinations of our alumni here soon.


Enrichment Activities

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As a centre for excellence in the Arts we offer first rate performing arts facilities and a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities.

Work Experience
Subject Ambassador
Student Mentor

About School

RegionLondon
Local AuthorityCroydon
Ofsted RatingGood
Gender TypeMixed