The Key Questions Every Parent Should Ask at a Sixth Form Open Days and Open Evenings

Choosing the right sixth form college for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in their education. Whether they’re moving on from GCSEs or joining from another school, you’ll want to be sure they’re in an environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Open days and Open Evenings are the perfect opportunity to get a real sense of a college, but to make the most of them, it helps to go in with the right questions. Here are five things every parent should ask to help find the best fit for their child.

What Are the Actual Class Sizes?
Many schools promise “small classes”, but the reality can be quite different. Ask specifically how many students are in a typical class and how this shapes the learning experience.

At Ashbourne, most classes have fewer than ten students, compared to the 20–30 found in many schools. For your child, this means they can ask questions without hesitation, receive individual feedback, and build strong relationships with teachers.
Small groups ensure your child won’t be lost in a crowd, instead, they’ll be noticed, supported, and stretched to reach their potential.

How Do You Track Student Progress?
A strong sixth form will have clear systems to monitor learning and keep students exam-ready. Ask about assessments, feedback, and reporting. At Ashbourne, students take part in a mock week once per half term. These exam-style assessments highlight strengths and weaknesses early, so improvements can be made before the final exams. Notably, during every break, students will complete a report review of their own progress. These will then be discussed with their personal tutors.

This is one reason Ashbourne ranks in the top 2.5% of schools and colleges in the UK for Value Added. In practice, this means your child is far more likely to exceed their predicted grades, thanks to consistent and personalised progress tracking.

What Is the College Culture Like?
Every sixth form has its own character, some are highly formal, others more relaxed; some competitive, others collaborative. You’ll want to find a place where your child feels both supported and challenged.

Ashbourne offers an ambitious but friendly atmosphere. Students work hard, but teachers are approachable, and peers are supportive. Ofsted’s Outstanding rating praised the college’s teaching quality, its supportive community, and the exceptional outcomes achieved by students. In short, your child will be in an environment that pushes them forward while offering support when they need it.

What Opportunities Exist Beyond the Classroom?
A fulfilling sixth form experience should be about more than lessons. Ask about extracurricular opportunities, clubs, performances, trips, and enrichment activities.

At Ashbourne, students can get involved in everything from debating, chess, coding, and Model United Nations to art, drama, and the annual Revue. International trips and cultural activities broaden horizons, helping students build confidence, independence, and friendships. Additionally, there are a number of internal competition which students can take part in as well, such as the Playstation Fifa tournament. Alongside these activities, students also have the opportunity to take on an EPQ, which allows your child to explore an academic interest in real depth while developing valuable research and presentation skills that universities highly appreciate. Younger students can begin building these abilities through the GCSE mini-EPQ, giving them an excellent foundation for future study and helping them start to identify the subjects and ideas that genuinely inspire them.

How Will You Support University Applications?
A-levels are the launchpad for the future, so you’ll want to know exactly how the college helps with university preparation.
At Ashbourne, your child will benefit from personalised UCAS guidance, one-to-one meetings on personal statements, and specialist preparation for competitive pathways like Oxbridge, medicine, and law. Your child will also have a personal tutor who will guide them through the whole journey. Many students progress to top Russell Group universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial, and LSE. The aim is for your child to leave sixth form not only with excellent grades but also with clarity and confidence about their next steps.

To Summarise
Open days and open evenings are more than just tours, they are a chance to imagine your child’s future. By asking the right questions, you’ll see not just what a college offers but how it feels.

At Ashbourne, that feeling comes from small class sizes, a personalised approach, and a warm community that helps students aim high. It’s a place where your child can succeed academically, grow personally, and leave fully prepared for university and beyond.

1. What should parents ask at a sixth form open days and open evenings?
Parents should ask about class sizes, how student progress is tracked, the college’s culture, extracurricular opportunities, and support with university applications. These areas reveal how well the sixth form will meet their child’s needs.

2. Why do class sizes matter in sixth form?
Smaller class sizes mean more individual attention, tailored feedback, and stronger teacher-student relationships. This helps students feel supported and improves their academic performance.

3. How do sixth form colleges measure student progress?
Strong sixth forms use regular assessments, mock exams, and detailed progress reports. This ensures that students stay exam-ready and any gaps in learning are addressed early.

4. What role does college culture play in choosing a sixth form?
College culture affects how supported and motivated students feel. Parents should look for a balance between academic ambition and a supportive, friendly community.