Sixth Form
Welcome To The Sixth Form at Notre Dame
Notre Dame Sixth Form is known as ND6 and offers you the freedom to pursue subjects that really excite you in a dynamic, academic and supportive setting where hard work coexists with laughter and an authentic sense of belonging. Our ND6 students can choose between 27 A Level subjects, taught in small tutorial-style sessions by dynamic, future-focused specialists.
Sixth Form is only five terms long and are crucial formative years. At Notre Dame, we aim to understand each and every student and guide them to explore their new freedoms and responsibilities alongside the challenges, preoccupations and pressures of modern life. Ultimately, we want to offer all students every opportunity to explore who they want to be and what they would like to do next.
Life In ND6
We often say there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ ND6 student. All our students are valued for precisely who they are, which brings out unique qualities and we encourage personal journeys in pursuit of their own ambitions. We celebrate diversity and have a culture of respect and inclusion that runs authentically throughout the culture of our school.
Our 117 co-curricular clubs and activities are paramount to the opportunity at Notre Dame, whether that be Young Enterprise, The Peer Education Project, Model UN, sports teams, drama or music performances, there really is something for everyone.
Empowered Young Women: Exceptional Outcomes.
We are incredibly proud of our all-girls’ environment, where young women are encouraged to thrive academically, socially and personally. Experience shows that girls excel when they feel confident, empowered and fully supported within their own space — free to lead, to question and to succeed.
Girls’ schools provide an environment where ambition is nurtured, individuality is celebrated and academic potential is fully realised.
Research-Backed Success in Girls’ Education
Recent research released by the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA), analysing the latest Department for Education data (February 2026), clearly demonstrates the outstanding outcomes achieved by girls educated in single-sex environments.
The analysis highlights:
Higher academic attainment for girls in all-girls’ schools
Significantly stronger participation in STEM subjects
Exceptional representation at A‑Level compared with co-educational peers
Consistent Trends Over Time
STEM Subject Participation at A‑Level
Girls attending all-girls’ sixth forms are significantly more likely to pursue mathematics and science subjects at A‑Level than those in co-educational schools. They are:
2.9 times more likely to study Further Mathematics
2.2 times more likely to study Physics
2.1 times more likely to study Computer Science
Girls’ schools also see higher uptake across other STEM subjects:
Biology – 38% higher participation | Chemistry – 78% higher participation | Mathematics – 86% higher participation
These figures underline the powerful role girls-only environments play in breaking stereotypes and embedding confidence in traditionally male-dominated subjects. This strong STEM advantage is not new. Comparable findings from 2023–24 confirm sustained success:
Girls in all-girls’ schools were:
2.9 times more likely to study Further Mathematics
2.3 times more likely to study Physics
They were also more likely to study:
Biology – 38% higher | Chemistry – 83% higher | Computer Science – 79% higher
The consistency of these outcomes demonstrates the long-term impact of a girls-only education.
Academic Performance Excellence
Beyond subject choice, the GSA’s analysis confirms that girls in single-sex schools consistently outperform their peers at both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.
This academic advantage reflects:
High expectations and aspiration | Increased confidence in classroom participation | Strong female role models and leadership | A learning environment designed specifically for how girls learn best
Preparing Girls for the Future
An all-girls’ education does more than deliver strong results — it equips young women with the self-belief, resilience and intellectual curiosity they need to thrive in higher education, careers and life beyond school.
In an environment where every role is a leadership role and every voice is heard, girls are empowered to aim higher, think bigger and achieve more.
Scholarships
Candidates can apply for Year 12 (16+) academic, art, drama music and sports scholarships. The deadline for 16+ scholarships for 2026 has now passed.
Our next round of 16+ scholarship applications will be for September 2027 and will open during the Autumn term 2026.
Students currently in Notre Dame School will be invited separately to submit a scholarship registration form via SchoolPost.
External applicants will need to register on our online admissions portal (below) to apply for a scholarship.
Scholarships awarded in Year 12 are tenable until the end of Year 13.
Students may apply for more than one scholarship.
To find out what is involved in the 16+ academic, art, drama, music, and sport scholarships, please see the relevant information below or contact the Admissions Team, admissions@notredame.co.uk, 01932 869993.
Your A Level Choices
At Notre Dame, we want to inspire our students academically by offering a wide variety of opportunities. We offer 27 A Level subjects in small, tutorial-style sessions delivered by creative, engaging and highly specialist subject leads.
Our small class sizes offer students a personalised and tailored learning experience, with extensive opportunities for academic enrichment throughout the year.
All this comes together in exceptional performance in public examinations and we consistently outperform the national independent school average. We are proud that 40% of our students achieve grades A and A* at A Level and 88% of our students achieve, on average, grades A*-C and 79% achieve A*-B.Â
Careers & University
Advice
At Notre Dame, we have a strong careers and next-steps programme that all our students benefit from. We ensure individual guidance and support is offered so that every student can fulfil their aspirations and goals after leaving Notre Dame.
Our specialist future team are up-to-speed with all current universities, apprenticeships and the current and future world of work to assist our students on their own pathways.
Our extensive alumnae network plays a vital role in providing support, networking and work experience in order to guide students into their higher education choices.
For those girls who show an aptitude for and interest in applying for Oxford or Cambridge Universities or for studying Medicine or Veterinary Science, we provide specialised personalised support.
A Level Results &
Destinations
Our Congratulations go out to our 2025 A Level cohort who achieved excellent results. We are really proud of every student.
