St Leonard's

You don’t have to know anyone to belong here

Every year, students join St Leonard’s Sixth Form from schools across County Durham and beyond.
Some arrive with friends. Many arrive knowing nobody at all. 
By the end of the first week you’ll simply be another member of our Sixth Form community. 

Whether you’re moving because of our academic results, the subjects we offer or the welcoming atmosphere, we’ll make sure you feel part of the community from your very first day. 

You’re not the only new student

Many of our Year 12 students join us from other schools each year, and our Sixth Form is totally separate from our Lower School, so it is a completely fresh start for everyone. 

Everyone is in the same position. 

Everyone is making new friendships. 

Everyone is beginning a new chapter. 

That shared experience makes it much easier to settle in than many students expect. 

“I was worried everyone would already have friendship groups. Within a week I’d met loads of new people and felt completely at home.” 

We’ll help you settle in 

Starting somewhere new can feel daunting, which is why we put lots of support in place before September. 

You’ll have opportunities to: 

• Attend our Open Evening on 8th October and talk to current students. 

• Join taster mornings and afternoons just for external applicants. 

• Experience career themed events such as Pre-Law, Pre-Med and Oxbridge. 

• Meet teachers and future classmates  with a proper chance to chat at our Teachers’ Tea. 

• Visit the Sixth Form Centre to walk through exactly where everything is. 

• Ask as many questions as you like. 

By the time you start in September, you’ll already recognise familiar faces and know your way around. 

Tutor groups that help friendships grow 

When you join Year 12, you’ll become part of a dedicated tutor group based in the Sixth Form Centre. 

Better still, you’ll be able to choose three friends to join your tutor group if you’re applying with others or already know students starting. If you make friends once you are here, we are happy to let you switch tutor groups so you can start the day with familiar faces. 

Tutor Time gives you the opportunity to get to know your classmates through discussions, careers activities, current affairs and reading sessions, making it easy to build friendships naturally. 

List of tutors

Tutor Group	Tutor Group
12L	Mrs V Gerrens
12E	Mrs G Marr
12O	Mr A Bell
12N	Mr I Smith
12A	Mrs M Abela
12R	Mrs E Alderson
12D	Mrs R Reid

Tutor Group	Tutor
13L	Mr McMullan
13E	Miss V Storey
13O	Mrs L Maughan
13N	Mrs D Poole
13A	Mrs N Henderson
13R	Mrs S Hunter

A community where everyone belongs 

Our Sixth Form has a warm, friendly atmosphere where students from different schools quickly become one community. 

You’ll find students studying together in the Common Room, chatting over lunch in the Coffee Shop, leading societies, mentoring younger pupils and taking part in enrichment activities, so if you are feeling awkward at lunch or break there is always something to do and a way to meet people if you want to, as well as quiet spaces for reading, chess and card games: Monopoly and Uno are the most popular! 

Photos of common room/ drinks/ board games 

Because The Sixth Form is smaller than many colleges, staff know every student personally. 

That means you’ll always have someone to turn to if you need advice or support. 

More independence, with the support you need 

Joining The Sixth Form means enjoying greater independence while still having people around you who genuinely care about your success. 

You’ll experience: 

• Free study periods 

• University-style independent learning 

• Greater responsibility 

• Dedicated pastoral support 

• Teachers who know you as an individual 

• Clear guidance whenever you need it 

It’s the perfect bridge between school and university. 

Hear from students who joined us 

Freya “Coming to St Leonard’s is one of the best decisions I’ve made, I was welcomed instantly by everyone and immediately found my place in the school, thanks to the excellent support from staff. The community in this school is one of its best attributes as it branches across every student in every year group, me now included.  Coming from a smaller school where I was well known, I was wary about the level of academic attention I would receive, and these doubts were quickly proven to be unnecessary. I’m academically stretched and my goals and ambitions are supported by the outstanding teaching provision. Moving here was the best decision I made for my future goals”.  

 Harriet “Having joined St Leonard’s sixth from another school in Durham I found the pupils and staff were really welcoming and I felt part of the school very quickly. 

The sixth form facilities are great and have a good mix of study and social spaces.  The learning, enrichment and social opportunities given by the school are superb and really make a difference to academic progress and enjoying the fun side of sixth form.  On completion of my A- levels I wish to pursue a career in Law”.