Cirencester College: The Cotswolds' Largest Sixth Form Provider

Set on the edge of the historic market town of Cirencester, this state-funded sixth form college offers one of the widest choices of post-16 subjects in the South West. The Fosse Way Campus adjoins the early eighteenth-century Cirencester Park, creating a green, spacious feel that distinguishes it from urban alternatives. Established in 1991 and gaining designated sixth form college status in 2011, Cirencester College serves around 2,900 students aged 16 to 18, plus adult learners and apprentices. Students travel from across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon, Oxfordshire, and South Gloucestershire, drawn by nearly 50 A-level subjects, T-levels, and vocational pathways.

The campus sits half a mile from Cirencester town centre, surrounded by playing fields and mature trees. A 20-minute walk through Cirencester Park connects students to the town's shops and cafes. The setting feels distinctly rural, a world away from cramped urban colleges, yet the location offers practical accessibility via the nearby A419 and the historic Fosse Way.

Matt Reynolds became Principal and Chief Executive on 1 January 2024, having served at the college for 18 years. He began as an Archaeology lecturer, progressed to Vice Principal, and led the introduction of T-levels at the college. Reynolds has taught over 20 different subjects from entry level to degree level across his 30-year career in education. His appointment followed a competitive national search involving staff, students, and external panel members. Chair of Governors Fiona Galbraith described the appointment as reflecting the high reputation the college now enjoys.

The college has invested heavily in its physical infrastructure. Recent developments include the Gloucestershire Digital Skills Centre, opened in 2022, which provides state-of-the-art technology for all learners. The T-level building opened in February 2023, offering specialist accommodation for students in engineering, health, construction, finance, early years, accounting, and business. The college won the People's Choice Award at the Constructing Excellence South West Awards 2025.

Students describe an atmosphere that balances academic seriousness with practical support. The tutorial programme provides structured guidance, and pastoral care is available throughout. At enrolment, staff work with students to ensure their course choices align with future aspirations and fit within a workable timetable.

The March 2024 Ofsted inspection rated Cirencester College as Requires Improvement overall. The specific judgements were: Quality of Education (Requires Improvement), Behaviour and Attitudes (Good), Personal Development (Requires Improvement), Leadership and Management (Requires Improvement), Education Programmes for Young People (Requires Improvement), Adult Learning Programmes (Good), Apprenticeships (Good), and Provision for Learners with High Needs (Requires Improvement). A monitoring visit in May 2025 followed to assess progress.

The A-level results tell a more nuanced story. In the 2024 examinations, 2.9% of grades were A*, 11.5% were A, and 26.4% were B. The combined A*-B rate of 40.8% sits below the England average of 47.2%. The college ranks 1,716th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking based on official data), placing it in the bottom 40% of sixth form providers. Locally, the college ranks 2nd among institutions in the Cotswold area.

The 2025 results showed improvement. Principal Matt Reynolds reported that arts courses achieved up to 85% A*-B rates, while humanities and science subjects recorded 100% pass rates in several cases. Over 80% of students secured places at their first-choice university.

The college is the largest provider of A-levels in Gloucestershire and the region. Nearly 50 A-level subjects are available, including less common options such as Astronomy, Ancient History, Electronics, and Geology. Sciences, mathematics, psychology, and English remain popular choices. Entry requirements for A-levels typically require a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above from core subjects, with specific subjects often requiring grade 5 or 6 in relevant disciplines.

Teaching follows a specialist model. Staff teach within their subject areas, bringing depth and enthusiasm to their disciplines. The college emphasises the difference between school and further education settings, where students are expected to take greater responsibility for independent learning.

The curriculum extends beyond traditional A-levels. T-levels, developed in partnership with the Department for Education, represent a flagship offering. In 2025, 35 students achieved top grades in T-level qualifications. The college was one of the first institutions to pioneer this qualification pathway.

Class sizes vary by subject, but the college maintains a focus on accessible teaching. The newly refurbished library provides a staffed and supervised independent learning environment. Media and music students benefit from a fully equipped music studio, music technology suite, TV studio, and editing suite. Science teaching takes place in modern laboratories designed for practical work and discovery.

For students requiring additional support, the college offers the Transition programme at Level 2, preparing learners for progression to T-level or Level 3 vocational programmes. Students not achieving grade 4 in English Language and Maths can work towards these qualifications alongside their main programme.

Destination data from the 2023/24 cohort shows 32% of leavers progressing to university. A further 41% entered employment directly, 7% began apprenticeships, and 3% continued to further education. The cohort numbered 1,335 students.

The college demonstrates particular strength in Oxbridge applications. In the measurement period, 25 students applied to Oxford and Cambridge, receiving 7 offers. Six students ultimately secured places, representing an acceptance rate of 86% among those receiving offers. Oxford applications proved especially successful, with 17 applications yielding 6 offers and 5 acceptances. The college ranks 190th in England for combined Oxbridge outcomes and 95th specifically for Oxford success.

In 2025, four students secured Oxbridge places, and nine gained entry to veterinary and medical schools across the country. Over 80% of students secured their first-choice university destination.

The college positions itself as a bridge between school and university, apprenticeships, or employment. The varied destination profile reflects this mission, with students moving into diverse pathways rather than a singular focus on higher education.

Cirencester College operates an open admissions policy for students aged 16 and over. Applications for September 2026 entry are now open and will close on 30 June 2026. Late applications remain possible but are subject to course availability.

The application process begins with online registration, followed by an Advice and Guidance interview. These interviews may be conducted by telephone, video call, or in person. Staff check that course choices match future aspirations and discuss any support needs. Conditional offers follow, with places contingent on achieving required GCSE grades.

Entry requirements for A-levels typically require five GCSEs at grade 4 or above from core subjects. Some A-levels require higher grades in specific subjects. For example, Biology A-level requires grade 6 in Biology or 6-6 in Combined Science, plus grade 5 in Maths and English. Psychology requires grade 5 in Maths.

Open events provide opportunities to explore the campus and meet staff. The next Open Day takes place on Saturday 14 March 2026 from 09:30 to 15:30, with booking opening on 19 January 2026. An Open Evening is scheduled for Thursday 25 June 2026 from 17:00 to 20:00, with booking from 9 April 2026.

The college serves a wide catchment spanning Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon, Oxfordshire, and South Gloucestershire. There is no formal catchment boundary; entry depends on meeting course requirements and application timing.

The tutor programme provides structured support throughout a student's time at college. Each student has an assigned tutor who monitors academic progress and personal development. Academic support is available for those struggling with specific subjects, and financial support exists for students from lower-income households.

The college offers a Vulnerable Learning Bursary and a Discretionary Bursary for households with incomes below £45,000 per year. This support can cover transport costs, equipment, and other expenses that might otherwise create barriers to participation.

The Ofsted inspection rated Behaviour and Attitudes as Good, noting positive engagement among students. Personal Development was rated Requires Improvement, indicating an area the college is actively addressing. At the time of the March 2024 inspection, around 50 learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities were studying on academic or vocational programmes, receiving support through the high needs funding pathway.

Sport and Fitness

The college operates extensive sporting facilities including a dedicated Sports Centre opened in recent years. The Fitness Suite contains spin bikes, treadmills, cross trainers, exercise bikes, weights equipment, and rowing machines.

The Men's Football Academy provides a high-quality training and games programme in partnership with Cirencester Town FC. The programme includes two weekly training sessions, weekly fixtures, match analysis, and strength and conditioning sessions, delivered by a current semi-professional footballer. Any student on any programme can join the Academy, with sessions integrated into the timetable.

Sport Development Squads extend opportunities in basketball, volleyball, badminton, netball, futsal, and indoor cricket. The extensive enrichment programme ensures all students can participate in physical activity regardless of prior experience or ability.

Enrichment and Extracurricular

The enrichment programme aims to make students the stand-out candidate for universities and future employers. When students join, they build a bespoke package around their learning programme, selecting from activities that develop employability skills and others purely for enjoyment. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates, offering Bronze, Silver, and Gold pathways.

Health, fitness, and wellbeing programmes support physical and mental health. The college recognises that positive wellbeing underpins academic success.

Creative and Performing Arts

The Sundial Theatre is a fully functional professional venue used by Drama and Performing Arts students. Productions staged here provide real-world experience of theatrical performance. Music facilities include the Music Studio and Music Technology Suite, supporting both performance and production work.

STEM

The STEM Building, opened in recent years, provides purpose-built accommodation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teaching. The Gloucestershire Digital Skills Centre enhances technology provision across all courses. An Animal Centre opened in September 2019, supporting students studying animal-related subjects.

The college day runs according to individual timetables, with most teaching taking place between 09:00 and 16:00. Students build their own programmes around core subjects, enrichment activities, and tutorial time.

Transport options are extensive. The college subsidises bus travel through a partnership with Go South Coast, and students can use passes on Swindon's Bus Company and Pulhams Coaches services throughout their validity period, including evenings and weekends. Routes connect the campus to communities across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon, Oxfordshire, and South Gloucestershire.

Kemble railway station, approximately 6km away, provides train connections to Cheltenham, Gloucester, Swindon, and London Paddington via Great Western Railway. Bus 882 connects Kemble station to Cirencester town centre, running every 2-3 hours on weekdays and Saturdays.

The college prefers students to walk, cycle, or use public transport rather than drive. On-site parking is available for students living outside bus routes, requiring purchase of a parking permit through the online payment system or from the Student Journey Cashier. Walking from the town centre takes approximately 20 minutes, with the option of walking through Cirencester Park. Cycling is straightforward from Stratton, Siddington, and Preston, with separate cycle and pedestrian entrances and secure storage.

Recent inspection outcome. The March 2024 Ofsted judgement of Requires Improvement reflects genuine concerns about quality of education and personal development. A monitoring visit followed in May 2025. Families should review the full inspection report and assess whether the college's improvement trajectory aligns with their expectations.

A-level results context. The 40.8% A*-B rate sits below the England average. While 2025 showed improvement, with arts courses reaching 85% A*-B, prospective students should consider whether this performance profile matches their academic goals.

Distance from the nearest railway station. Students relying on train travel face a 6km gap between Kemble station and the campus, requiring a connecting bus or taxi. This adds complexity for those commuting from areas without direct bus routes.

Large cohort environment. With around 2,900 students aged 16-18, this is a substantially larger environment than most school sixth forms. Students who thrive with closer pastoral oversight may find the transition challenging.

Cirencester College offers the widest subject choice in the region, set on an attractive campus with modern facilities and strong transport links across a wide catchment. The Oxbridge success rate is notable, and destinations spread across university, employment, and apprenticeship pathways. Recent inspection concerns and below-average A-level results mean families should examine current performance carefully. Best suited to students seeking breadth of choice and independence in a larger college environment, who can manage their own learning effectively. Parents comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view these results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.