Cardiff Sixth Form College

Sixth form college in Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff Sixth Form College

Address

1-3 Trinity Court, 21-27 Newport Road

Cardiff

CF24 0AA

Wales

Coordinates| 51°29′04″N 3°10′03″W﻿ / ﻿51.4844°N 3.1675°W﻿ / 51.4844; -3.1675
Information
Type| Sixth form college
Motto| Inspire, Reach and Achieve Academic Excellence[1]
Established| 2004 (2004)
Department for Education URN| 402394 Tables
Principal| Tom Arrand
Gender| Mixed
Age| 15 to 19
Website| www.ccoex.com

Cardiff Sixth Form College, colloquially abbreviated as CSFC, is a private boarding school with campuses in Cardiff and Cambridge. It is one of the UK's most selective schools and is considered to be the most academically prestigious British boarding school.[2] CSFC has ranked number one in league tables published by The Times and The Telegraph for four consecutive years,[3] and number one in the UK for A-level results for 12 out of the past 13 years.[4]

The college also has a history of success in NASA engineering competitions and a notable legacy within the UK's debate scene.[5]

## History

[edit]

97 Newport Road, Cardiff, the former Cardiff Sixth Form College

The college was established in 2004 as the Cardiff Centre of Excellence (CCOEX), and was originally intended as a private tutorial centre which met regularly in a local church. By 2008, it had become a private company limited by guarantee and had moved to a residential house on 97 Newport Road. In 2012, it was renamed the Cardiff Sixth Form College, and the college moved to its present site at Trinity Court.[6] In 2017,[7] the college was acquired by Dukes Education, becoming part of their group of schools.[8]

## New development

[edit]

Cardiff Bay Development

Cory's Building, 57 Bute Street

Merchant Place, 1 and 3 Bute Place

During construction of the Cardiff Sixth Form Boarding Hub for student accommodation

In 2021, the college revealed plans to redevelop Merchant Place in Bute Place and Cory's Building in Bute Street and a new building at the rear. Both Merchant Place and Cory's Building are Grade II listed buildings and form an L shape.

## Aims

[edit]

The college caters for students studying for their A Levels and uses the WJEC exam board for all subjects, but the main emphasis is on providing students with the relevant experiences and skills to enter the university of their choice.[9] It also offers summer school courses based at its UK campus in Cardiff.[10][11] The college has also made significant outreach efforts to recruit students from other countries and regions, most notably Botswana, Hong Kong, Malaysia and China.[12]

Since 2013, the college has come top amongst other independent schools in the UK in league tables.[13][14][15] It also has a long history in the NASA Space Settlement Design Competition and in local debate competitions.[16]

## Inspections

[edit]

The first inspection of the college by Care Inspectorate Wales took place in 2016. No areas were identified where the college exceeded National Minimum Standards. Twelve recommendations were made.[17]

In November 2023 the college received an inspection from Estyn. The report summarised that "Pupils at Cardiff Sixth Form College achieve exceptionally high public examination results." and "The school has strong leadership that oversees the implementation of an appropriate curriculum, highly effective teaching, and strong pastoral care". The report made 3 recommendations for improvements.[18]

In April 2025 the college's boarding accommodation was inspected by Care Inspectorate Wales. The report found "The arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare and well-being of children at Cardiff Sixth Form College are excellent."[19]

## Results

[edit]

In 2019, 90% of students achieved A*-A grades, whilst 99% of students achieved A*-B grades.[20]

Cardiff Sixth Form College has been ranked number one for A-Level results in league tables published by The Telegraph, The Times and best-schools.co.uk [21]

## Legal issues

[edit]

In November 2016, the former trustees of the college were the subject of an inquiry by the Charities Commission due to failure to submit their accounts on time. The Charity Commission has identified regulatory concerns about the charity's governance, financial management and significant related party transactions between the charity and some of its former trustees. An interim manager was appointed to oversee the running of the college over the course of the inquiry. South Wales Police were looking into potential fraud at the college by the former trustees.[22]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "Cardiff Sixth Form College". www.unipage.net. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
2. ^ "Cardiff Sixth Form College". Top School Guide. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
3. ^ "Cardiff Sixth Form College (CSFC), UK - Which Boarding School". Retrieved 23 January 2025.
4. ^ "Admissions Talk: Cardiff Sixth Form College". UK Education Specialist: British United Education Services. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
5. ^ "Competitions | Private School Wales | Cardiff Sixth Form College". www.ccoex.com. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
6. ^ "History". www.ccoex.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
7. ^ Wightwick, Abbie (7 June 2017). "Cardiff college once named 'Britain's Brainiest School' has been sold". Wales Online. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
8. ^ "Cardiff Sixth Form College". Dukes Education. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
9. ^ "University Destinations". www.ccoex.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
10. ^ "Summer school". www.ccoex.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
11. ^ "Oxbridge Prep Course: Hong Kong". www.ccoex.com. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
12. ^ "Open days and visits". www.ccoex.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
13. ^ "A-level results 2014: Independent schools results table". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
14. ^ "A-level results 2013: Independent schools results table". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
15. ^ "A Level Passes Grade A* and A". Education Advisers Ltd. Archived from the original on 31 October 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
16. ^ "Competitions | Private School Wales | Cardiff Sixth Form College". 12 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
17. ^ "Inspection Report: Cardiff Sixth Form College" (PDF). Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales. 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
18. ^ "Cardiff Sixth Form College". Estyn. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
19. ^ "Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru | Care Inspectorate Wales". digital.careinspectorate.wales. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
20. ^ "Cardiff Sixth Form College UK: Reviews, Fees And Results". Britannia StudyLink Malaysia: UK Study Expert. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
21. ^ "Top 100 Independent Schools by a Levels and Pre U".
22. ^ "New charity investigation: Cardiff Sixth Form College". Gov.uk. Retrieved 14 November 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Cardiff Sixth Form College at Wikimedia Commons
* Cardiff Sixth Form College website

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