Hills Road Sixth Form College
Encyclopedia
Hills Road Sixth Form College (commonly HRSFC) is a state funded co-educational sixth form college
in Cambridge
, England
, providing full-time AS and A-level courses for approximately 1,800 sixth form student
s from the surrounding area and a wide variety of courses to around 4,000 part-time students of all ages in the adult education
programme, held as daytime and evening classes.
, when education in Cambridgeshire was reorganised on a comprehensive basis, and grammar schools and secondary moderns were replaced by a system of (mainly) 11-16 comprensive schools and sixth form colleges.
Since then, the college has expanded from its original single building, with the addition of the Sports and Tennis Centre in 1995; the Colin Greenhalgh building, which houses most arts subjects such as English, Modern Languages and History; The Rob Wilkinson building housing the Physics, Chemistry, and PE departments was developed in 2004; in 2005 the Margaret Ingram Guidance Centre provided specialist tutorial accommodation.
Although the College previously had ambitious plans for a major redesign between 2010 and 2013, the economic crisis reduced the scope of the plans: in 2010 the College administrative areas were redesigned, more classrooms added in the Physical Sciences, Psychology and Art departments, the staffroom enlarged and relocated, the library partially refurbished, an extra resource area built to compensate for the space used to build new classrooms and the student social area rebuilt.
In the early 1990s, responsibility for further education was removed from local authorities (as part of reforms aimed at reducing the level of the council tax), and Hills Road like other colleges moved to direct funding from central Government.
Hills Road had been building up a reputation for academic excellence, mainly through a standard set by the old Grammar School, but this developed under Colin Greenhalgh, who led the College to obtain the Queens Anniversary Prize in Education and become the first institution nationally to become "Designated Outstanding" and thus win freedom from OFSTED.
s in the surrounding areas are the main feeder schools to the centre, although it attracts students come from all over the county and further due to its strong reputation. Currently, about 98% of students come from the school's catchment area, and 87% of students are from state maintained schools. Hills Road is permanently over-subscribed. The college typically requires candidates to achieve a B (sometimes A) grade in a related GCSE to study an A-Level course, whereas the nearby Long Road Sixth Form College typically requires a C grade for entry to AS courses.
Priority for places is given to those who have attended a school in the catchment area. However, due to its reputation, the college also attracts students from out of area establishments, although such applications are only considered after places have been offered to all qualifying applicants in the Cambridge area. The College runs a relative admissions program, meaning that the grades which got you in one year may not get you in the next, as all applicants are judged relative to all the others who apply.
About 90% of Hills Road students go onto higher education following their time at the college, for 40% this is after a gap year. About 5% of students enter full-time employment. Over the last five years, half of students have gone onto attend one of just fifteen universities (Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, East Anglia, Leeds, Loughborough, Manchester, Oxford, Nottingham, Sheffield, Sussex, Southampton, UCL and Warwick). In 2006, fifty-two Hills Road students gained places at Oxbridge
; this was a larger number than at any other state "school" and represents one in every sixteen students. Hills Road was recently ranked third in a list of the schools with highest levels of Oxbridge
entry, after Westminster School
and Eton College
.
At its most recent OFSTED
inspection, teaching and learning was judged to be 'Outstanding', the top grade, in the eleven departments inspected. Leadership and management was also reported as 'Outstanding'. It therefore became the first centre in the country to receive 'designated outstanding' status, meaning it is no longer subject to routine inspections, but is liable to be 'spot checked' at any time to ensure standards are kept high.
The College has a wide variety of resources to help students with learning needs. Staff from the College's Study Skills Centre are qualified to carry out assessments, to diagnose specific learning difficulties and then to offer appropriate support; they have extensive experience of supporting students with specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and other conditions within the autistic spectrum. The emphasis placed on ensuring that students are correctly assessed and reviewed throughout their course is evident in both the last Ofsted report and in the published prospectus.
However there have been claims from former students that the needs of pupils not intent on applying for university, or indeed simply not interested in applying for Oxbridge, are over looked. For example the college actively encourages all students who do not receive an A or A* to retake their exams. Because of this fame for high pressure and high grades Hills Road has been dubbed the 'Exam Factory' where pupils truly are 'Another Brick in the Wall'
Hills Road Sixth Form College
The management of the college is split into five areas of responsibility (Teaching & Learning, Support & Guidance, Planning & Quality, Resources, Staff Development & Lifelong Learning), each of which is assigned to a member of the CST.
Current CST Structure
Previous Principals
Sixth form college
A sixth form college is an educational institution in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belize, Hong Kong or Malta where students aged 16 to 18 typically study for advanced school-level qualifications, such as A-levels, or school-level qualifications such as GCSEs. In Singapore and India, this is...
in Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, providing full-time AS and A-level courses for approximately 1,800 sixth form student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
s from the surrounding area and a wide variety of courses to around 4,000 part-time students of all ages in the adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
programme, held as daytime and evening classes.
History
Hills Road Sixth Form College was established in September 1974 on the site of the former Cambridgeshire High School for BoysCambridgeshire High School for Boys
The Cambridgeshire High School for Boys was founded as the Cambridge and County School for Boys in Cambridge, England, in 1900.-History:...
, when education in Cambridgeshire was reorganised on a comprehensive basis, and grammar schools and secondary moderns were replaced by a system of (mainly) 11-16 comprensive schools and sixth form colleges.
Since then, the college has expanded from its original single building, with the addition of the Sports and Tennis Centre in 1995; the Colin Greenhalgh building, which houses most arts subjects such as English, Modern Languages and History; The Rob Wilkinson building housing the Physics, Chemistry, and PE departments was developed in 2004; in 2005 the Margaret Ingram Guidance Centre provided specialist tutorial accommodation.
Although the College previously had ambitious plans for a major redesign between 2010 and 2013, the economic crisis reduced the scope of the plans: in 2010 the College administrative areas were redesigned, more classrooms added in the Physical Sciences, Psychology and Art departments, the staffroom enlarged and relocated, the library partially refurbished, an extra resource area built to compensate for the space used to build new classrooms and the student social area rebuilt.
In the early 1990s, responsibility for further education was removed from local authorities (as part of reforms aimed at reducing the level of the council tax), and Hills Road like other colleges moved to direct funding from central Government.
Hills Road had been building up a reputation for academic excellence, mainly through a standard set by the old Grammar School, but this developed under Colin Greenhalgh, who led the College to obtain the Queens Anniversary Prize in Education and become the first institution nationally to become "Designated Outstanding" and thus win freedom from OFSTED.
Admissions and destinations
Hills Road is one of seven post-16 centres in the Cambridge Area 14-19 Partnership. The state-maintained secondary schools in the city and Village CollegeVillage College
The village college is an institution specific to Cambridgeshire, England . It caters for the education of 11 to 16 year olds during the day,...
s in the surrounding areas are the main feeder schools to the centre, although it attracts students come from all over the county and further due to its strong reputation. Currently, about 98% of students come from the school's catchment area, and 87% of students are from state maintained schools. Hills Road is permanently over-subscribed. The college typically requires candidates to achieve a B (sometimes A) grade in a related GCSE to study an A-Level course, whereas the nearby Long Road Sixth Form College typically requires a C grade for entry to AS courses.
Priority for places is given to those who have attended a school in the catchment area. However, due to its reputation, the college also attracts students from out of area establishments, although such applications are only considered after places have been offered to all qualifying applicants in the Cambridge area. The College runs a relative admissions program, meaning that the grades which got you in one year may not get you in the next, as all applicants are judged relative to all the others who apply.
About 90% of Hills Road students go onto higher education following their time at the college, for 40% this is after a gap year. About 5% of students enter full-time employment. Over the last five years, half of students have gone onto attend one of just fifteen universities (Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Durham, East Anglia, Leeds, Loughborough, Manchester, Oxford, Nottingham, Sheffield, Sussex, Southampton, UCL and Warwick). In 2006, fifty-two Hills Road students gained places at Oxbridge
Oxbridge
Oxbridge is a portmanteau of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England, and the term is now used to refer to them collectively, often with implications of perceived superior social status...
; this was a larger number than at any other state "school" and represents one in every sixteen students. Hills Road was recently ranked third in a list of the schools with highest levels of Oxbridge
Oxbridge
Oxbridge is a portmanteau of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England, and the term is now used to refer to them collectively, often with implications of perceived superior social status...
entry, after Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
.
Results and reputation
The College has consistently ranked among the top three state sixth form colleges, with an average of 404 A-level points per student (equivalent to, among others, 3 A grades at A-level and a B for an AS) in 2005. In 2010, the College had an A-Level pass rate of 99.7%, 52% of which were A* or A. It is currently fifth on the Sunday Times list of the best Further Education centres in the country. National measures also place the College in or around the top decile amongst all types of institution for added-value: students of all abilities achieve better results in GCE AS/A levels than expected from their starting points. For example, the 2009 Alps Report places the College third in the sixth form college performance table and in the top 1% for all institutions. On the most recent edition of the BBC league tables, Hills Road Sixth Form College achieved a contextual value added score of 1009.1.At its most recent OFSTED
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
inspection, teaching and learning was judged to be 'Outstanding', the top grade, in the eleven departments inspected. Leadership and management was also reported as 'Outstanding'. It therefore became the first centre in the country to receive 'designated outstanding' status, meaning it is no longer subject to routine inspections, but is liable to be 'spot checked' at any time to ensure standards are kept high.
Student newspaper
Founded in 2008, The Phoenix is the only regular (but unofficial) Hills Road Student Newspaper.Pastoral care
Attention has been drawn by Ofsted to the quality of the College's caring support and guidance: "the appointment of specialist tutors has been successful in providing students with effective academic and personal support …. Students receive very effective tutorial support both through their regular meeting with one of the team of specialist tutors and through the high levels of less formal support they receive outside of lessons from their teachers. Students enjoy coming to college and feel that they are recognised and respected as individuals" (Ofsted).The College has a wide variety of resources to help students with learning needs. Staff from the College's Study Skills Centre are qualified to carry out assessments, to diagnose specific learning difficulties and then to offer appropriate support; they have extensive experience of supporting students with specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and other conditions within the autistic spectrum. The emphasis placed on ensuring that students are correctly assessed and reviewed throughout their course is evident in both the last Ofsted report and in the published prospectus.
However there have been claims from former students that the needs of pupils not intent on applying for university, or indeed simply not interested in applying for Oxbridge, are over looked. For example the college actively encourages all students who do not receive an A or A* to retake their exams. Because of this fame for high pressure and high grades Hills Road has been dubbed the 'Exam Factory' where pupils truly are 'Another Brick in the Wall'
Notable alumni
Cambridgeshire High School for Boys- Martin AmisMartin AmisMartin Louis Amis is a British novelist, the author of many novels including Money and London Fields . He is currently Professor of Creative Writing at the Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester, but will step down at the end of the 2010/11 academic year...
- novelist and son of Sir Kingsley AmisKingsley AmisSir Kingsley William Amis, CBE was an English novelist, poet, critic, and teacher. He wrote more than 20 novels, six volumes of poetry, a memoir, various short stories, radio and television scripts, along with works of social and literary criticism... - Syd BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
and Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
of the rock band Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
; there is a suggestion that the song Another Brick in the Wall Part IIAnother Brick in the Wall"Another Brick in the Wall" is the title of three songs set to variations of the same basic theme, on Pink Floyd's 1979 rock opera, The Wall, subtitled Part 1 , Part 2 , and Part 3...
, written by Waters, which includes the famous lyrics "we don't need no education", bears reference to Waters' miserable stint endured whilst at the County High School for Boys - Bob KloseBob KloseRado 'Bob' Klose is an English musician and photographer. He was one of the earliest members of the rock band Pink Floyd, playing lead guitar, but left the band before they recorded their first released single, "Arnold Layne".- Abdabs :"The Abdabs" , with Roger Waters , Richard Wright Rado 'Bob'...
- an early member of Pink Floyd - Storm ThorgersonStorm ThorgersonStorm Thorgerson is an English graphic designer, known for his work for rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, 10cc, Dream Theater, The Mars Volta, Muse, The Cranberries, and Biffy Clyro.-Biography:...
- co-founder of the Hipgnosis partnership, who designed record covers for artists including Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Led ZeppelinLed ZeppelinLed Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
, GenesisGenesis (band)Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
and MuseMuse (band)Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
Hills Road Sixth Form College
- Katie Rowley JonesKatie Rowley JonesKatie Rowley Jones is a musical theatre actress best known for her portrayal of Nessarose in Wicked.-Early life and education:...
- West End actress who starred as 'Nessarose' in Wicked (musical)Wicked (musical)Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
and originated the role of 'Sister Mary Robert' in the Original London Production of Sister Act (musical). - Nicholas Astbury - Ambassador to Eritrea from 2006-8
- Alison BalsomAlison BalsomAlison Louise Balsom is an English trumpet soloist.-Early life:Balsom was born in Hertfordshire. She attended the Tannery Drift Primary School, then the Greneway Middle School and the Meridian School, all in Royston, Hertfordshire...
- trumpeter signed with EMI ClassicsEMI ClassicsEMI Classics is a record label of EMI, formed in 1990 in order to reduce the need to create country-specific packaging and catalogs for internationally distributed classical music releases.... - Christian Howes, musician
- Conor O'Neill - Essex Cricket captain
- John Bradfield (scientist)John Bradfield (scientist)John Bradfield is a British biologist and entrepreneur, most famous for his role as the founder of Cambridge Science Park, the first Science Park in Europe.-Education:Dr John Bradfield CBE is a Fellow of Trinity College since 1947...
- Founder of Cambridge Science Park, the first Science Park in Europe. - Ben ThapaBen ThapaBen Vishala Thapa is a tenor, formerly in the group G4.Ben started singing lessons at 14 and sang in his local church choir. He played the clarinet in an orchestra while at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge...
- member of male singing quartet G4G4 (band)G4 were a four-piece British vocal troupe who first came to prominence when they finished second in ITV's talent show The X Factor in 2004. The members met at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which the name G4, standing for "Guildhall 4", derives.-The X Factor:G4 auditioned for the... - Mark PettiniMark PettiniMark Lewis Pettini is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman. He can also bowl right-arm medium-pace bowler and has also acted as Essex's wicket-keeper, but not for a number of years. Nicknamed "Swamps" by his Essex team mates.-Playing Style:Mark Pettini is an aggressive batsman who...
, Essex CountyEssex County Cricket ClubEssex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
cricketer (and former captain). Former member of England Under-19English U-19 cricket teamThe English Under-19 cricket team have been playing official Under-19 test matches since 1974. Prior to 1991/92 they were known as England Young Cricketers....
team. - Tom WestleyTom WestleyThomas Westley, or more commonly known asTom Westley, is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm offbreak bowler who has played first-class cricket for Essex since 2006...
, Essex CountyEssex County Cricket ClubEssex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Essex. Its limited overs team is called the Essex Eagles, their team colours this season are blue.The club plays most of its home games...
cricketer and captain of England Under-19English U-19 cricket teamThe English Under-19 cricket team have been playing official Under-19 test matches since 1974. Prior to 1991/92 they were known as England Young Cricketers....
at the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup2008 U/19 Cricket World CupThe 2008 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup was held in Malaysia from February 17, 2008 to March 2, 2008. The opening ceremony took place on February 15, 2008. The final was played between India and South Africa, which India won by 12 runs by D/L Method.... - Tom Findlay - Musician, half of Groove ArmadaGroove ArmadaGroove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
- Max Rushden - Presenter, Soccer AM
- Robert Harris - the Cambridge academic and author
- The Arrangement including Jono Miles, Tom Curran, Nathan Rasdall, Joe Chivers, Hannah Godfrey, Amy Dickens, Lara Le Court De Billot and Ellie Davies
- Alex Thomas - World Billiards Champion 2008
Principalship
The College is managed by the College Strategy Team, consisting of the Principal, the Deputy Principal and four Assistant Principals.The management of the college is split into five areas of responsibility (Teaching & Learning, Support & Guidance, Planning & Quality, Resources, Staff Development & Lifelong Learning), each of which is assigned to a member of the CST.
Current CST Structure
| Role | Name | Area of Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Principal | Linda Sinclair | |
| Deputy Principal | Jo Trump | Teaching & Learning |
| Assistant Principal | Nigel Taylor | Support & Guidance |
| Assistant Principal | Dave Jones | Planning & Quality |
| Assistant Principal | Jill Aberdour | Resources |
| Assistant Principal | John McCann | Staff Development & Lifelong Learning |
Previous Principals
- Colin Hill (1974–1984)
- Colin Greenhalgh (1984–2002)
- Rob Wilkinson (2002–2008)
- Linda Sinclair (2008–present)