Cardinal Basil Hume laid the foundation stone in March 1978, a moment memorialised on a plaque outside the Hume building, marking the college's transition from an independent grammar school to the Catholic post-16 institution it remains today. Now nearly fifty years later, St Dominic's has become one of England's most selective sixth form colleges, consistently delivering outcomes that place it among the highest-performing state-funded post-16 providers in the country.
The college is a 16 to 18 co-educational institution situated on Harrow-on-the-Hill in north-west London, a location steeped in educational heritage. As a state college, it charges no tuition fees, making it exceptionally accessible to families across London. The most recent Ofsted inspection, conducted in January 2025, awarded Outstanding ratings across all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, education programmes for young people, and provision for learners with high needs. This represents continuity of excellence from the previous inspection in 2022.
Academically, St Dominic's ranks 601st in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of sixth form colleges. With 62% of A-level grades falling into the A*-B range, compared to the England average of 47%, the college demonstrates a consistent culture of high achievement across its cohort.
The campus reveals a college confident in its Catholic identity whilst welcoming to students of all faiths and none. The distinctive campus layout, with buildings named after theological figures, Thomas Aquinas, Saint Catherine of Siena, and Cardinal Basil Hume, signals an institution unapologetically rooted in Christian tradition. Yet beyond the gates, what strikes you is not exclusivity but genuine diversity. The student population reflects contemporary London, with large numbers of Hindu, Muslim, and other faith students choosing to study here alongside Catholics.
The college occupies the grounds of the former Dominican convent school, a single-sex girls' institution dating to 1878. When the boarding school closed in 1948, and eventually the school itself became unsustainable in the 1970s, Cardinal Basil Hume's vision of a Catholic sixth form college gave the site new purpose. That continuity of place, the same buildings, the same chapel, creates something rare in modern education: a sense of belonging to something with genuine history.
Mr Andrew Parkin leads the college as principal, overseeing a teaching staff noted for their subject expertise and passion. The 2025 Ofsted report highlighted that teachers "convey their passion for their subjects to students" and "plan lessons carefully and effectively to maximise opportunities for students to recap on and apply prior learning." This translates into lessons that move at pace, with substantive content and genuine intellectual challenge.
The atmosphere is studious without being oppressive. Students begin at Year 12, which means 95% arrive as newcomers, creating a level playing field free of entrenched secondary friendship groups. This shared beginning fosters genuine community. Most students have self-selected to attend, they travelled to interviews, researched the college, and chose it deliberately. That intentionality permeates the environment.
St Dominic's delivered A-level results in 2024 that place the college among England's top performers. 62% of all grades achieved A*-B, substantially exceeding the England average of 47%. At the highest tier, 10% of entries reached A*, while a further 22% achieved A. These figures represent consistent, broad-based success rather than narrow specialisation in a handful of subjects.
The college offers 29 A-level subjects, spanning sciences, humanities, languages, creative subjects, and mathematics. Strong performance extends across all areas. Sciences are particularly strong, with rigorous separate teaching in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics alongside Further Mathematics for those pursuing quantitative study. Humanities departments, History, Politics, Law, and Geography, are academically regarded and serve as springboards to competitive university courses in medicine, law, international relations, and policy.
Mathematics holds particular prominence, with the college designated as the Maths Hub for the local authority and providing specialist support to secondary schools. This reflects serious mathematical provision at A-level, drawing students from across London. English and Modern Foreign Languages are recognised as Facilitating Subjects, those that universities particularly value in applications to competitive degrees.
The college permits some flexibility in subject selection. Uniquely, students cannot take both Philosophy and Religious Studies, reflecting intentional curriculum design rather than timetabling convenience. This signals academic rigour in subject construction.
In the 2024 cohort, 77% of leavers progressed directly to university, with a further 1% to further education, 3% to apprenticeships, and 9% to employment. This progression rate reflects the college's alignment with university pathways, though it also demonstrates responsiveness to diverse post-18 options.
Oxbridge remains a significant pathway, with 7 students securing places at Oxford and Cambridge in the measurement period (ranking 154th in England for combined Oxbridge success; FindMySchool ranking). Beyond Oxbridge, students regularly progress to Russell Group universities including Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick, and University College London. Popular destinations include medical schools (the Humanities department highlights 18 medical school places in recent cohorts), law schools requiring LNAT preparation, and high-ranking universities across all subject areas.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
61.96%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
The college specialises exclusively in post-16 education, which shapes its entire approach to pedagogy. Teachers are not juggling secondary and sixth form demands; they are experts in sixth form teaching specifically. This specialisation contributes to what the 2025 Ofsted report describes as a "well-structured" curriculum ensuring students "build their knowledge and skills over time with many opportunities to revisit and recap foundation knowledge as they progress on to more complex content."
Lessons follow a pattern of careful structuring. The college day comprises 65-minute lessons (longer than typical secondary periods), allowing deeper engagement with material. Most subjects are taught by two different teachers, providing students with varied pedagogical approaches and ensuring comprehensive subject coverage. This structure demands high engagement from students but enables more sophisticated teaching.
Assessment practices are deliberate and regular. Teachers use formative assessment to identify starting points and monitor progress over time, providing "highly developmental and timely feedback on written and practical work," according to the inspection report. This commitment to feedback loops, rather than one-off summative testing, fosters genuine improvement rather than grade-chasing.
The college operates a biometric system for registration, scanning thumbprints at the start of each lesson, a practical measure that saves time whilst embedding accountability seamlessly into routine. Similarly, students use a college email system for receiving homework and stay informed about enrichment opportunities and college events.
Students have opportunities to undertake independent research through extended projects, offering intellectual depth beyond the A-level curriculum. This particularly suits those pursuing competitive university applications, allowing demonstration of genuine scholarly interest.
For those with ambitions toward Oxford or Cambridge, the college offers structured support. The Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance department provides specialist mentoring, application support, and interview preparation. The college's track record (7 places in the measurement period) demonstrates this support translates into genuine outcomes.
Enrichment at St Dominic's spans approximately 50 clubs, societies, and activities, intentionally balanced between subject-based provision, creative pursuits, sports, and leadership opportunities. The 14-week enrichment programme in Year 1 (Wednesday afternoons) encourages students to sample activities before committing more deeply in Year 2.
The college maintains active music provision centred on the Music department within the Aquinas building. Students pursue A-level Music and A-level Drama and Theatre Studies, both of which include practical performance components. The dramatic highlight of the college year is the annual college musical. In February 2026, the college will stage Chicago the Musical in the Siena Hall, with students having attended the immersive West End production at the Bridge Theatre to inform their rehearsals. Previously, Guys and Dolls received a full production, demonstrating the college's commitment to demanding, large-scale theatrical work.
Beyond the main production, drama students engage in ongoing performance exploration. The college holds Theatre suites within the Catherine building, providing dedicated space for both teaching and student-directed projects.
Music students benefit from input by experts. A recent highlight involved attending the BBC Symphony and Chorus performance of Mahler's Second Symphony at a London concert hall, bringing theoretical study alive through live performance exposure.
The Debating Society holds particular prominence, supported substantially by the Humanities department. This reflects the college's engagement with advocacy and argument. The debating society provides scaffolding for students pursuing Law (through LNAT preparation), but extends to all interested in rhetorical skill and critical thinking. Politics students undertake enrichment trips to Washington D.C. and New York; History students visit Paris; all Humanities students benefit from outings to Parliament, the Supreme Court, and local cultural venues.
English and Modern Foreign Languages departments run their own societies. The Advanced Literature Society, Writers Club, and World Cinema club provide space for students to extend beyond the syllabus. Poetry flash mobs for National Poetry Day, West End theatre trips, and British Library visits demonstrate that enrichment means genuine engagement with cultural life, not token add-ons.
Sport at St Dominic's has expanded significantly in recent years. The college fields six teams in the Association of College's competitive league (Wednesday afternoons), including football (women's and men's), basketball, netball, volleyball (mixed), and badminton (mixed). Cross-country running has emerged as a recent strength, with the team competing in regional championships. The Sports Hall (Siena Building) houses a gymnasium and primary venue for competitive fixtures.
Beyond competitive sport, the college offers broader recreational activity. Enrichment clubs have included Couch to 5K (structured running for fitness), Lacrosse, and casual fitness options, making physical activity accessible to those not seeking competitive pressure.
The college actively facilitates academic extension and interest-driven activity:
The Law Society represents a notable strength, run partly by students with high needs, serving as both subject enrichment and inclusive social platform for those with shared interests.
Medical Ethics and Science Club provide structured engagement for prospective medics and those interested in scientific inquiry beyond the syllabus.
STEM-oriented enrichment includes animation, technical drawing, and coding projects.
Creative subjects extend to photography, dance, art, and calligraphy.
Rock Band allows musicians to perform in contemporary genres.
Board games, chess, and puzzles cater to strategic thinking and quiet social engagement.
The college magazine (Veritas) involves students in media production and campus journalism, offering leadership experience and creative outlet.
Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme operates at gold level, allowing students to undertake sustained personal development and outdoor challenge.
The college sustains a robust charity and community engagement programme. Recent initiatives have included CAFOD Fast Day (supporting overseas development), the Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome, and a Chaplaincy Sponsored Sleepout supporting The Passage (homelessness charity). These structured charitable engagements reflect the Catholic mission, social justice as lived practice rather than abstract principle.
The Roses for Valentine's Day fundraiser (supporting the Bakhita House charity) and the Big Lent Walk during Lent continue this integration of religious practice with tangible community action.
St Dominic's is a state sixth form college with no tuition fees, making it free to attend. However, it remains selective. The college gives priority to students from its two partner secondary schools (Sacred Heart Language College and Salvatorian College), guaranteeing places to all sixth form candidates from those schools. Beyond partner schools, places are offered first to Catholic students from the local area, then to students of other faith backgrounds who wish to study in a Christian context.
Admissions criteria emphasise predicted grades rather than entrance examinations. Prospective students submit applications through ApplicaaOne, the college's admissions portal. Assessment considers predicted GCSE grades, with the college looking for evidence of academic capability and consistency across subjects. An academic reference from the candidate's current school supports the application.
The college conducts formal interviews with all shortlisted candidates. These are not high-pressure interrogations but genuine conversations exploring motivation, subject interests, and fit with the college's Catholic ethos. The college explicitly states that applicants "must support the ethos and mission of our college."
Open mornings run in October, held from 9:00am to 10:20am. Tours of the campus, departmental talks, and opportunities to meet staff and current students feature prominently. Parents and prospective students are invited to attend.
Most places open in Year 12 (age 16). The college also accepts external students into Year 13 (age 17), though these places are more limited. Year 12 entry is the standard pathway, creating cohort continuity.
St Dominic's is a confidently Catholic institution, though also genuinely welcoming to students of other faiths and none. The distinction between these claims matters. The college does not apologise for its Catholic character; Mass (attendance once or twice per year) features in college life. Compulsory Religious Education runs throughout, structured to provide information about diverse religions and an opportunity to discuss and debate moral and social issues.
The St Dominic's Chaplaincy, led by the Chaplain, exists to support students' spiritual development "in whatever way we can, wherever you are coming from." This language reflects genuine pastoral inclusion rather than coercive religiosity. The chaplaincy facilitates Friday chapel services with regular visiting speakers, providing intellectual and spiritual input. Students of all faiths and none report feeling welcomed and respected.
The college is explicitly clear: students uncomfortable with daily prayer, regular Masses, and Catholic teaching should reflect carefully before applying. However, for those seeking sixth form education in a Christian context but not necessarily as Catholics, the college has successfully integrated large numbers of Hindu, Muslim, and secular students, who report positive experiences. The college's own data showed increasing religious diversity over two decades, with roughly half the cohort Catholic and half from other backgrounds, demonstrating practical pluralism alongside theological confidence.
Each student is assigned a personal tutor who meets them regularly throughout their two years. These small group tutorials (typically 6-8 students) provide the primary pastoral oversight structure. Tutors know their students as individuals and monitor academic progress, wellbeing, and engagement.
The college maintains a dedicated team supporting students with additional needs. One-to-one support is available for students with learning needs, and dedicated cross-college teams offer study skills support and pastoral assistance throughout the college day.
The 2025 Ofsted report noted that "students feel safe and do not experience bullying, harassment or discrimination" and that they "fully trust that staff will take swift action if they report bullying." Students "know how to spot signs of extremism and how to keep themselves safe from risks associated with radicalisation," reflecting careful safeguarding training.
Mental health and wellbeing are explicit college priorities. The college has achieved the Wellbeing Award for Schools, signalling institutional commitment to student mental health alongside academic rigour. Mindfulness and mental health sessions feature in the enrichment programme. A counselling service is available to students needing support beyond the tutorial system.
The college day runs from 8:30am to 4:25pm, though students may finish earlier if they have a free period in the final slot. Wednesday afternoons include provision for enrichment activities and sport, with the college day structured differently on that day.
St Dominic's occupies Mount Park Avenue, Harrow-on-the-Hill, a 9-minute walk from South Harrow Tube station (Piccadilly Line). Harrow-on-the-Hill Railway Station is an 18-minute walk. Regular bus routes (92, H17, and others) serve the college. The location is accessible from across north London and beyond, though the college note that students increasingly travel from other London boroughs.
The college operates a main canteen in the Catherine building and a secondary café facility ("the Shack") providing additional options during busy service times.
Free WiFi is available to students. The college email system is used for homework submission, communication from teachers, and college announcements.
The campus comprises five main buildings: the Aquinas building (Science and Music), Catherine building (Library, Mathematics, Languages, IT, English, Theatre suites, Canteen), Hume building (Reception, Business Studies, Art, Humanities), Siena building (Psychology, Sports Hall, Siena Hall, the main multipurpose venue), and the Chapel. Outdoor facilities include a football pitch and field space for fieldwork. In 2006, covered outdoor seating areas were added to address canteen overcrowding.
Academic expectations are high. This college is not a softer alternative to traditional secondary education. Class sizes remain substantial, the curriculum is substantive, and independent study is essential. Students arriving from schools where they were consistently top will encounter a different peer group, possibly for the first time. This is healthy, but adjustment requires genuine engagement and realistic expectations about grades.
Catholic character is genuine. Families seeking a sixth form without religious content should look elsewhere. Conversely, for those wanting Catholic education within a genuinely pluralistic setting, this is distinctive and intentional. Non-Catholic students generally report positive experiences, but the college is not secular.
Entry is competitive. The college is selective, particularly for non-partner schools. Predicted grades matter. Simply having passed GCSEs is insufficient; strong predictions across most subjects, particularly in chosen A-level subjects, are essential. Plan applications strategically.
Space is limited. The college itself notes that "constraints on space have prevented the college from expanding further, despite high demand for places." This reflects both a strength (small, cohesive community) and a constraint (high competition for admission, limited space during peak hours).
St Dominic's Sixth Form College represents a rare combination: state-funded education charged free at the point of entry, coupled with academic standards and pastoral care typically associated with independent schools. Recent A-level results (62% A*-B, top 25% ) and consistent Ofsted Outstanding ratings demonstrate educational quality that rivals the best sixth form providers in England.
The college works particularly well for students seeking a Catholic education alongside high academic standards, those pursuing Humanities subjects to top universities, and self-directed learners ready for genuine intellectual challenge. It equally suits motivated students from other faith backgrounds or secular backgrounds seeking structured study within a values-based community.
The main challenge is securing entry, particularly from schools outside the partnership. Predicted grades must be strong, motivation transparent, and genuine engagement with the Catholic ethos evident. For those who gain places, the investment pays dividends.
Yes, St Dominic's is an exceptionally strong sixth form college. The January 2025 Ofsted inspection rated the college Outstanding across all areas, maintaining its status from the previous inspection in 2022. A-level results show 62% of grades at A*-B, compared to the England average of 47%, placing the college in the top 25% of sixth form colleges in England (FindMySchool ranking). The college ranks 601st for A-level performance in England. With 7 students securing Oxbridge places and 77% of leavers progressing to university, outcomes are consistently strong across the cohort.
St Dominic's is a state-funded sixth form college, so there are no tuition fees. Students pay nothing to attend. This makes it one of England's most accessible high-performing post-16 options, particularly valuable for families across London seeking excellent education without private school fees.
Entry is selective but not based on entrance examinations. The college prioritises predicted grades and your academic record at GCSE. Predicted grades should be strong across most subjects, particularly in your intended A-level subjects. The college gives guaranteed places to all sixth form students from its two partner secondary schools (Sacred Heart Language College and Salvatorian College), then offers remaining places to Catholic students from the local area, then to other faith backgrounds seeking education in a Christian context. Applicants must demonstrate support for the college's Catholic ethos and mission. Interviews are conducted with shortlisted candidates and are conversational in tone, exploring motivation and fit. Given consistent oversubscription, strong predictions and evident engagement with the college's values are essential.
The college offers 29 A-level subjects spanning sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics), humanities (English Literature, History, Politics, Law, Geography, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology), languages (French, Spanish), creative subjects (Drama and Theatre Studies, Art, Music), and technical subjects (Economics, Business, Psychology, Computer Science, Classics). This range allows students to pursue traditional specialist pathways or more eclectic combinations. Note that students cannot take both Philosophy and Religious Studies.
St Dominic's is genuinely and unapologetically Catholic in mission and ethos. The college requires compulsory Religious Education throughout, celebrates Mass (attendance expected once or twice per year), and operates a Chaplaincy providing spiritual support. However, the college is also genuinely welcoming to students of other faiths and secular backgrounds. Roughly half the student body is Catholic, and substantial populations of Hindu, Muslim, and other faith students study here successfully. The college explicitly states that students must support the college's ethos and mission, so applicants uncomfortable with a Christian environment should look elsewhere. For those seeking six form education in a values-based community with Christian foundations, this is distinctive and intentional.
Students with additional learning needs receive one-to-one support on subject and study skills. Cross-college support is available throughout the day. The 2025 Ofsted report highlighted Outstanding provision for learners with high needs, with inspectors noting that such students "develop excellent independence and personal skills" and are "highly involved in the community of the college." The college actively involves students with high needs in college life, the Law Society, for instance, is managed partly by students with high needs, combining academic enrichment with inclusive social engagement.
In 2024, 77% of leavers progressed to university. Beyond Oxbridge (7 places), students regularly secure places at Russell Group universities including Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick, and University College London. Medical schools are particularly popular destinations, with the college highlighting 18 medical school places in recent cohorts. Humanities subjects open pathways to law, journalism, international relations, and policy. The college's strong academic reputation and rigorous A-level preparation support competitive applications across all disciplines. The college provides structured Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance support throughout Years 12 and 13 to assist progression planning.
Applications are submitted through ApplicaaOne (the college's dedicated portal) and are typically processed in autumn of the year preceding entry. The college conducts Open Mornings in October from 9:00am to 10:20am, offering tours, departmental talks, and opportunities to meet staff and current students. Formal interviews follow for shortlisted candidates. The college seeks applications from September onwards, with a deadline typically in November/December for the following September entry. Check the college website for precise dates for your entry year. Year 12 entry is standard (age 16); a limited number of Year 13 places open for external candidates.
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