Christ The King Sixth Form College (CTK) Review 2026: A Collegiate Approach to Sixth Form

Christ The King Sixth Form College (CTK) operates as a collegiate structure across three distinct campuses in South London, serving a diverse community of students from Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley. While the administrative hub sits within the Aquinas campus in Brockley, the college functions as three semi-autonomous centres, each with a specific academic or vocational focus.

The college is a Catholic institution, and this faith-based ethos underpins daily life, regardless of a student's own background. It is a large provider, offering a bridge between the intimacy of a school sixth form and the independence of a further education college. The environment is purposeful and structured, designed to prepare students for university and professional careers.

The atmosphere at CTK is defined by its "three distinct but united" model. Each campus has a unique identity tailored to its curriculum offer, preventing the anonymity that can sometimes plague large sixth form colleges.

CTK Aquinas in Brockley serves as the college's selective A-level centre. Housed in a Grade II listed building that was formerly a convent, it retains a sense of academic tradition. The site feels scholarly, with a focus on traditional subjects and university preparation.

CTK St Mary's in Sidcup offers a broader mix of A-levels and vocational BTEC qualifications. The atmosphere here is modern and busy, with purpose-built facilities including a specialist Health Science wing and media suites. It serves as a community hub for students who want a wide range of options.

CTK Emmanuel in Blackheath focuses on professional excellence, specialising in high-level BTEC and T-Level qualifications. The mood is closer to a workplace, with facilities designed to mirror professional environments, such as engineering workshops and business hubs.

Presiding over all three is Executive Principal Shireen Razey OBE. The college's motto, Ut Vitam Habeant (That they may have life), is visible throughout the campuses. The Catholic character is genuine but inclusive; while there is a Chaplaincy team and Mass is celebrated, the college welcomes students of all faiths and none. The prevailing culture is one of respect and ambition, with a clear dress code and expectation of professional behaviour.

In 2024, the college's A-level performance reflected its inclusive intake and broad offer. The college ranks 2,304th in England and 8th in Lewisham for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This places performance in the national lower band, sitting below the England average.

At A-level, 24.97% of grades were A*-B. The proportion of top grades (A*-A) stood at 7.45%. While these raw attainment figures are below the national average for all schools, they should be viewed in the context of the college's high value-added mission. Many students arrive with varied GCSE profiles, and the college focuses on progress from starting points.

It is important to note that these figures aggregate performance across the college. Students at the selective Aquinas campus typically achieve higher raw grades than the college average, reflecting the higher entry requirements for that specific centre.

Teaching quality varies across the diverse curriculum but follows a structured, supportive model. Lessons are disciplined, with a strong emphasis on "The CTK Way", a set of expectations regarding attendance, punctuality, and engagement.

The curriculum offer is vast. At Aquinas, the focus is on facilitating subjects such as Mathematics, English Literature, and Sciences, taught in a linear A-level format. At St Mary's and Emmanuel, the teaching style adapts to vocational requirements. For example, Business and Media students engage in project-based learning that mimics industry briefs.

Staff are subject specialists rather than generalists, which is a key advantage over smaller school sixth forms. In Science, for instance, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are taught by distinct teams with access to university-standard laboratories. The college has invested significantly in digital learning, with resources accessible online to support independent study.

Progression is a core strength of the college. In 2024, 61% of leavers progressed to university. The college has a dedicated careers team that supports applications, and the "CTK Elevate" programme offers specific guidance for high achievers aiming for competitive courses.

The college maintains a steady, if modest, pipeline to elite institutions. In the most recent cycle, 3 students applied to Oxbridge, with 1 securing a place. This narrative of elite progression is most visible at the Aquinas campus, which runs a specialized scholarship programme for high-fliers.

For the 15% of students who entered employment directly, the vocational pathways at Emmanuel and St Mary's provide strong industry links. Students securing higher apprenticeships in engineering, digital media, and health sectors is a growing trend, supported by the college's partnerships with local employers.

Admission to Christ The King is via application directly to the college, typically made in the autumn or spring term of Year 11. The process is straightforward but varies by campus and course.

CTK Aquinas operates a selective admissions policy. Applicants are generally expected to have high GCSE grades, often requiring a minimum average point score and specific grades (typically 6s or 7s) in the subjects they wish to study.

CTK St Mary's and CTK Emmanuel have more flexible entry requirements, designed to be accessible to students with a range of GCSE profiles. Entry to Level 3 BTEC courses usually requires five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics.

The college is popular, and early application is recommended. Interviews are a standard part of the process, used to ensure students are matched to the right course and campus.

Pastoral care is structured around the tutorial system. Every student is assigned a Personal Tutor who monitors academic progress and wellbeing. This system ensures that despite the college's size, no student becomes invisible.

The Chaplaincy team plays a vital role in the pastoral life of the college. They provide a "listening ear" service and manage the prayer rooms available on each site. This support is non-denominational in practice, offering a quiet space for any student needing respite.

Safeguarding procedures are robust. ID lanyards must be worn at all times, and entry to campuses is controlled via turnstiles. This creates a secure environment that parents appreciate, though some students initially find it stricter than expected for a sixth form setting.

Extracurricular life is vibrant and structured, going beyond the typical "turn up and go home" culture of some colleges. The "CTK Extra" programme encourages students to develop skills outside the syllabus.

Sport is a major pillar. The college runs competitive teams in football, basketball, and netball, competing in local leagues. The facilities include fitness suites and sports halls that are well-used throughout the day.

Leadership opportunities are extensive. The Student Council is active on all three sites, and Student Ambassadors represent the college at open events. For those interested in law or debating, the Debating Society is a fixture, particularly at the Aquinas campus, where students regularly compete in external competitions.

Specific clubs cater to niche interests. The Eco-Committee works on sustainability initiatives across the campuses, while the Gospel Choir is a central part of college celebrations, performing at the annual carol service and community events.

The college operates across three sites:

CTK Aquinas

Belmont Grove, Brockley (SE13 5GE). Nearest station: Ladywell or Lewisham.

CTK St Mary's

Chislehurst Road, Sidcup (DA14 6BE). Nearest station: Sidcup.

CTK Emmanuel

Blackheath Lane, London (SE13 6UX). Nearest station: Lewisham or Blackheath.

The college day typically runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Students are expected to be on site for their timetabled lessons and tutorial sessions, though there is some flexibility for independent study. There are no tuition fees as this is a state-funded college.

Campus distinctions matter. The experience at Aquinas (selective A-level) is different from Emmanuel (vocational). Families should visit the specific campus relevant to their child's course interest, rather than assuming a "one college" experience.

Results profile. With A-level results in the national lower band, the college performs below the England average for raw attainment. Families of high-achieving students should investigate the specific track record of the Aquinas scholarship stream to ensure it matches their ambitions.

Catholic ethos. The faith character is explicit. While inclusive, students are expected to respect the Catholic values and participate in the community ethos. Families looking for a purely secular environment should be aware of this context.

Size and independence. This is a large institution. While the tutorial system provides support, students require a degree of self-motivation and maturity to thrive here compared to a small school sixth form.

Christ The King Sixth Form College offers a valuable "halfway house" between school and university, providing a mature, faith-based environment across its three sites. It excels at offering pathways for a wide range of abilities, from the selective academic route at Aquinas to professional training at Emmanuel. Best suited to students in South London who are ready for a fresh start in a structured, purposeful collegiate environment. The main challenge is choosing the right campus to match the student's academic profile and career goals.