Key Sixth Form Information

Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form – Mr J. Swanston

Assistant Head of Sixth Form (Year 13) – Mrs J. Conlan

Assistant Head of Sixth Form (Year 12) – Miss B Logan (from September 2026)

Early Entry Co-ordinator – Ms L. Hobson

Sixth Form Pastoral Administrator – Miss E. Whittingham

Contact us: sixthform@suttcold.bham.sch.uk

Aim of the Sixth Form dress code:

As senior members of the school community, Sixth Form students are expected to lead by example. Our dress code is designed to reflect the values of professional standards and academic focus while allowing students some personal choice in how they present themselves.

Staff are not expected to debate what is or is not acceptable. However, they are happy to offer guidance if a student is unsure whether any aspect of their dress meets the dress code requirements below.

Required for smart and business-like wear: 

School lanyard with house badge (provided by the school on entry to the Sixth Form) 

Jacket: smart and no longer than hip-length. With either: 

Skirt or dress 

• No more than 10cm above the top of the knee
• No longer than ankle length 

Or

Trousers: smart and business-like.
No leggings/jeggings, cargo trousers, jeans or tracksuit bottoms (or shorts). Leg warmers are not permitted.  

With:

Blouse or top: smart and business-like. Blouses and tops must not be see-through or revealing.
No vest tops, crop tops, strappy or hooded tops. No logos, graphics or writing on tops.

Shoes: smart black, grey or navy shoes. Smart boots are allowed.
Footwear: No trainers, canvas material, sandals, mules, flip-flops, Ugg boots or similar.

Tights or socks: Black, grey, navy or natural.

Cardigans and jumpers: an optional additional item which can be worn under a jacket, in black, grey or navy.

Jewellery, make-up and nail varnish: smart, modest and appropriate for a formal environment. The only piercings allowed are for earrings and clear nose studs.

Scarves: dress scarves are allowed to be worn inside (consider safety in practical lessons).

Hair colour should be on the natural hair colour spectrum, i.e. bright or vivid colours and contrast are not.

If headscarves are worn, they should be smart.

Coats are not to be worn during the day around school.

Items which are not allowed: clothing made from lacy material, denim or leather (or material that resembles leather)

Our minimum expectation is professional wear, so other items may be deemed inappropriate.

Form Tutors will check students’ attire regularly and if it is not in accordance with the above will refer the issue to the Sixth Form Team. Infringement of the dress code will lead to a sanction, which may include written warnings, being loaned appropriate items of clothing from school, loss of Sixth Form Privileges and being sent home to rectify the issue. The Assistant Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form’s decision is final.

Rationale: Sixth Form students are preparing for adulthood, and earning privileges helps them develop responsibility and accountability. When privileges are linked to progress, attendance, and behaviours, this demonstrates that respect and trust is built through positive actions and where expectations are being met.

The privileges available to Sixth Form students include:

• Access to Sixth Form Common Rooms
• Flexible working options for independent study periods
• Option of digital working in lessons
• Permission to leave the school site for the lunch hour (12.30-13.30)
• Departure from School at 14.30 if a student has no commitments during the final period of the day (from the start of the Autumn Term for Year 13, and the start of the Spring Term for Year 12)

The school will review the awarding of, and can pause access to Sixth Form privileges if there are concerns surrounding:

• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Not making expected progress
• Number of negatives or sanctions

Reviews of privileges will be linked to assessment points throughout the year, alongside additional data to take a holistic, positive and proactive approach to the Sixth Form journey.

All Year 12 students will be expected to be on the school site for the full day during the Autumn Term. From the start of Spring Term, Year 12 students will be able to sign-out and leave site at 14.30, if they have no academic commitments, and there are no concerns surrounding their attendance, punctuality, or they are not making expected progress or accrued sanctions.

Year 13 students will be able to leave site at 14.30 from the start of the Autumn Term if there are no concerns surrounding the areas outlined above at the end of Year 12.

Students in the Sixth Form and their parents/carers will be notified of their privilege status by a member of the Sixth Form Team. All communications will come via email to both students and parents/carers.

The Assistant Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form may authorise alternative arrangements due to individual exceptional circumstances. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, where the Assistant Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form’s decision is final.

At our school, we believe that mental health matters – for every member of our community.

Just like physical health, our mental health can shift and change depending on our experiences and circumstances. We’re not simply “well” or “unwell”; we’re all on a journey, and how we feel can vary day to day.

We foster a love of learning and encourage all our students to embrace a growth mindset. We talk about the power of yet – "I can’t do it yet" – because we believe in each young person’s potential to grow, adapt, and overcome challenges with the right support.

More information available here