Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College Review 2026: Two-site sixth form with strong progression support

A sixth form that works at two speeds. On one side sits a long-established academic offer with a wide A-level menu; on the other is a practical, progression-focused layer built around employability, high-needs support, and clear next steps. That dual identity comes through in the most recent external review, which confirms a continuing Good judgement and highlights a culture where students feel safe and well guided.

For families, the headline decision is less about fees (this is a state-funded provider with no tuition fees for 16 to 19 study programmes) and more about fit. If your teenager wants a broad subject choice, structured tutorial support, and a clear route into university, an apprenticeship, or employment, this college is designed to support that transition.

The strongest signal about day-to-day culture is the emphasis on safety, maturity, and preparation for adult life. The most recent inspection notes that students feel safe on site and on their journey to and from college, and that staff explicitly teach strategies for staying safe and for seeking help promptly.

Leadership is layered. The wider trust is led by Dr Nichole Munro (Chief Executive Officer of Atomix Educational Trust), while the college has heads of centre for its campuses, including Olivia Wytcherley (Prior Pursglove) and Michael Mackin (Stockton). This matters because it can shape how consistent the experience feels across sites, especially for support services, enrichment, and tutorial provision.

Place and setting also play a role in identity. The Guisborough site sits in a historic educational setting whose origins are marked locally by the well-known “Founded … 1561” inscription on the older grammar school building, and Historic England records the associated Grade II listing for the former school and Master’s House. For some students, that sense of continuity is motivating; for others, what counts is the practical feel of modern facilities and clear routines.

This is a sixth form provider, so the most relevant performance picture is post-16 outcomes.

On A-level outcomes, the college ranks 1,619th in England (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This sits below England average overall, placing it within the bottom 40% of A-level providers nationally (25th to 60th percentile would be “middle”, this sits beyond that).

The grade profile reinforces that picture. A* grades account for 5.05% of entries, A grades 13.36%, and A* to B combined 39.45%. The England averages used for comparison are 23.6% at A* to A and 47.2% at A* to B.

None of this means students cannot do very well here. It does mean outcomes can vary by subject and cohort, and families should treat course choice, attendance, and independent study as decisive factors, particularly for A-level routes with higher entry expectations.

The most recent inspection describes curriculum planning that builds knowledge over time, with subject sequencing designed to help students understand concepts before applying them later. A-level Biology is used as a specific example of careful sequencing from foundational ideas to more complex application.

Teaching style also appears deliberately exam-aware. The inspection notes frequent use of practice questions and structured review of answers, including encouraging students to self-check work against assessment criteria. That approach will suit students who like clear performance feedback and iterative improvement. Students who prefer a looser, discussion-led model may need to adjust, although enrichment and independent projects can broaden the experience.

Entry expectations are transparent. For A-level and National Diploma routes, the college indicates a typical requirement of five GCSE passes at grades 4 to 5 or above, with some subjects requiring higher grades or specific subject profiles.

Destination data indicates a mixed but broadly positive set of routes. For the 2023 to 2024 leavers cohort, 48% progressed to university, 9% to apprenticeships, and 18% into employment, with a smaller proportion recorded in further education.

The most academically stretching pathway is also present. Across the latest recorded cycle, 20 students applied to Oxford or Cambridge, and 8 ultimately secured places. This sits alongside an England rank of 136 for combined Oxford and Cambridge outcomes (FindMySchool ranking).

What makes this meaningful for families is not just the number, but the existence of a structured pipeline. The High Flyers Programme explicitly references support for competitive applications, including Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), academic competitions, and visits and speaker inputs linked to Oxford and Cambridge admissions.

Admissions are direct to the college rather than local authority coordinated. The “apply early” message is explicit, with the college stating that earlier applications improve the likelihood of a guaranteed place.

For September 2026 entry, open events are already published. The college lists Open Evenings on Thursday 12 February 2026 (5:00pm to 7:00pm) and Tuesday 28 April 2026 (5:00pm to 7:00pm), with booking. For many families, that timing works well: it allows Year 11 students to compare course content and entry requirements early enough to make realistic subject choices.

Preview Day is positioned as a bridge between application and starting. The college describes it as an in-person day running 9am to 4pm, where students trial three subjects and use college transport; invitations are normally sent around April to applicants.

Enrolment is typically aligned to GCSE results season. For the 2025 intake, published enrolment dates fell in late August with multiple daytime slots, which indicates the shape of the process even when exact future dates vary.

Pastoral support is framed as multi-layered rather than reactive. The college describes named pathway leadership, regular check-ins, and structured review points through the year, alongside specialist learning support for students with specific needs such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, sensory impairment, or English as an additional language.

Mental health support is unusually well signposted for a sixth form setting. The college publishes a therapy service offer that includes drop-ins as well as short and longer-term counselling and psychotherapy, plus signposting to specialist services where needed.

This is complemented by a tutorial programme that, according to the latest inspection, covers topics such as radicalisation risk, substance misuse, and relationships and sexual health, taught in a way students find relevant and age-appropriate.

The latest Ofsted report (published 29 January 2025, following inspection dates 10 and 11 December 2024) confirms the college continues to be Good and that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Enrichment is not presented as an optional extra bolted on at the end of the day. The college frames it as open to all students, free, and flexible, with no stated cap on participation.

What makes the offer feel concrete is the specificity of examples. Published materials reference activities as varied as Pie and Cheese Club, driving theory support, book club, and Dungeons and Dragons, alongside a Students’ Union and structured events that help new students find their place.

There are also credible routes for students aiming higher academically. The High Flyers Programme points to Maths Challenge, Royal Society of Chemistry Olympiad, Biology Olympiad, and targeted support for competitive admissions and summer schools.

A final strand worth noting is student-led sustainability. The college reports an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Merit and describes an Eco-Committee of 15 student volunteers working on biodiversity activity and wider awareness work.

Timetables are structured into five periods per day, with a 45-minute lunch, 12:15pm to 1:00pm Monday to Thursday, and 12:45pm to 1:30pm Friday.

Transport and access are practical strengths. The college notes public transport links plus special bus routes across the area, and confirms that students cannot park cars on campus during the day (public car parks are nearby). Motorbike and bicycle parking is free on site.

For costs, there are no tuition fees for the core 16 to 19 study programme, but families should still budget for course-specific extras. For example, an English Literature guide indicates set texts are expected to cost no more than £25 per year, and trips can be optional extras.

• A-level outcomes are mixed. The overall A-level grade profile and England rank indicate below-average outcomes compared with England averages. Students who thrive here typically combine the right subject choices with strong attendance and disciplined independent study.

• Functional skills consistency. The most recent inspection flags that functional skills English and maths teaching is not always precisely matched to students’ starting points, which can slow progress for some learners.

• Two-site experience. Provision operates across two sites, which can be an advantage for choice and scale, but families should verify how a student’s specific course and support package will be delivered day to day.

• Apply early and plan the timeline. Applications are encouraged as early as possible, with key events such as open evenings and preview day shaping decision-making. If a student is undecided, that timeline can feel tight without proactive planning.

Prior Pursglove and Stockton Sixth Form College is a broad, structured sixth form provider with clear tutorial scaffolding and visible investment in student support, including a published therapy offer. It suits students who want a sizeable course menu, practical help with next steps, and a setting that treats sixth form as preparation for adult life. The key caveat is that A-level outcomes sit below England averages overall, so families should match course choice to the student’s strengths and confirm subject-level support before committing.