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Welcome to Samuel Whitbread Academy

The Samuel Whitbread Sixth Form ethos can best be summarised in four words: Believe – Achieve – Succeed - Exceed. In the Sixth Form at Samuel Whitbread Academy we strive to develop healthy, resilient and independent learners, who read confidently for both learning and pleasure, and who participate in culturally enriching and diverse experiences.

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Boarding Type

No Boarder

School Type

Academies

Suitable Ages

13 to 18

Gender

Mixed

No. of Students

1,660 Total

No. of Boys

888 (53.5%)

No. of Girls

772 (46.5%)


Academic Excellence

GCSE Results

Latest Examination

7.5%

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

A-Level Results

Sixth Form Performance

A* grades

4.55%

A*/A grades

20.78%


Leavers' Destinations

Destinations after GCSEs

Staying in education

86%

School

79%

England

Apprenticeships

4%

School

3%

England

Further education

School:31%
England:51%

School sixth form

School:54%
England:19%

Sixth form college

School:0%
England:7%

Other education destinations

School:1%
England:2%

Destinations after A-Levels

UK higher education

47%

School

1%

England

Apprenticeships

12%

School

19%

England

Higher education or training

School:89%
England:63%

Further education

School:N/A
England:4%

Employment

School:29%
England:35%

Not sustained in education/employment

School:8%
England:26%


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

Start Application

Key Dates & Deadlines

Nov 13, 2025

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 4

Half Term 2

May 25 - Jul 20

Half-Term & Holiday Dates

Autumn Half Term

Oct 27 - Oct 31

Christmas Holidays

Dec 20 - Jan 2

Spring Half Term

Feb 16 - Feb 20

Easter Holidays

Mar 28 - Apr 12

May Bank Holiday

May 4 - May 4

Spring Bank Holiday

May 25 - May 25


Alumni Stories

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Robyn Fraser

September 2021

University

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Alex Smith

September 2021

Apprenticeship

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Rosy Lyon

September 2021

University

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Enrichment Activities

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At Samuel Whitbread, we believe that it is vital for all students to have the opportunity to extend their studies through Enrichment. Some of this is in the shape of timetabled lessons and some of it happens after school.

The Extended Project Qualification
The EPQ is available to students with an APS of 6.7 or above. It allows students to investigate one area of their own interest in much further depth and involves choosing a topic and carrying out research into a defined area of study, supported in small groups by a supervisor.This is then backed up with a programme of taught skills sessions to enable successful completion of the project.There is no exam but students produce either a dissertation-type essay or physical product together with a shorter report and is handed in at the end of Year 12
The Society
Over recent years, Samuel Whitbread has enjoyed considerable success with applications to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities with students consistently being offered interviews. This year we had successful students taking places at Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities. For some of our most academically able students, an application to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities is the right choice to help them deepen and enrich their intellectual study.We take our responsibility to help prepare all our students for entry to University seriously and this includes our specific provision for those who wish to make an application to Oxbridge. It is worth emphasising that our provision is inclusive, and those even remotely considering application should take advantage of what is on offer since it will help strengthen their application to other, highly competitive institutions. The outline below gives a flavour of the extent of our provision.
Massive Open Online Courses
MOOC’s are delivered by many universities from the UK and abroad. Students can study a MOOC in any subject area where they have an interest. Samuel Whitbread’s Sixth Form prides itself on offering our students opportunities to study and enrich their academic portfolio by taking part in these initiatives. A MOOC is a fantastic opportunity to enhance current A level studies and also to provide students with the opportunity of being taught by leading university lecturers and research professors from the UK and around the world who can provide them with the most up to date knowledge.
Teachers for Tomorrow
In the Teachers for Tomorrow programme (T4T) you will be working alongside a teacher to specifically help individuals with their learning. You would have to work with them to see where you have free lessons available so that you can get some regular time in with a particular class.This is a great opportunity for anyone thinking of entering the world of teaching, to see both the joys and the trials of getting ideas across to younger minds!
Gold DofE
You can carry out the Gold D of E at SWA even if you have not carried out the previous levels, it may just take you a little longer.The expeditions take place in June/ July in Year 12. If you enrol during Year 11 and you do NCS you can use this as the residential section of the award. For the past seven decades, the Charity has inspired and transformed the lives of millions of young people from all walks of life. From volunteering to physical activities, life skills to expeditions, achieving a DofE Award is a passport to a brighter future, valued by employers and universities.

About School

RegionEast of England
Local AuthorityCentral Bedfordshire
Ofsted RatingGood
Gender TypeMixed