St Leonard's

Sixth Form opens from 8:20am, giving you time to meet friends, enjoy breakfast in the Sixth Form Coffee Shop, prepare for lessons or study in the Common Room. 
 
Our Sixth Form Library also offers quiet study space, desktop computers and collaborative areas, while eligible students can receive a laptop through our bursary scheme. 
 
Daily tutor time starts at 8:50am.  It combines careers, current affairs, assemblies and wellbeing, ensuring every student is known and supported. At the start of Year 12 students can pick which  friends to join, in your tutor group of choice. 
 
Free periods develop the independence expected at university, while structured homework and teacher support ensure you always know what to do to improve. 

Lunch, snacks, drinks and fancy coffees are available at Lisa’s Coffee Shop whenever you want. With food produced by Ben, School Chef of the Year 2026, most students eat in the common room, or outside in the Sixth Form only picnic area, but you can also leave the site and go down into Durham for lunch.  

Top 5 drinks at Lisa’s Coffee Shop in News section with a nice Frappe photo! 

Students who demonstrate excellent attendance and progress can study off-site or manage your time as you wish during free afternoons, helping prepare for higher education and independence. 
 
Although the school day ends at 3.20pm, the Sixth Form Centre remains open until 4:30pm for quiet study and additional teacher support. 

Independence with support 

One of the biggest differences between school and Sixth Form is the opportunity to become more independent. 

Every day begins with Tutor Time, where you’ll explore a different theme each week, from current affairs and careers to wellbeing, assemblies and volunteering. It’s a chance to broaden your horizons, develop new skills and stay connected with your tutor group. 

At lunchtime, you’ll have the freedom to choose what suits you. You can enjoy freshly prepared food in the Sixth Form Coffee Shop, head into Durham with friends, visit a nearby café or, if you live locally, go home for lunch. Many students also spend lunchtime leading or taking part in enrichment activities, from debating and subject societies to mentoring younger pupils or running clubs such as our popular board games group. 

Learning to manage your own time 

Sixth Form is excellent preparation for university because it gives you the chance to take responsibility for your own learning. 

Free study periods allow you to revise, complete assignments, work with friends or simply recharge between lessons. You’ll quickly develop the organisational skills, independence and self-discipline that universities and employers value so highly. 

By October half-term, students who are meeting expectations for attendance and progress can choose to study off-site during free afternoons. Some work from home, others use local libraries or the University Library, while some choose to exercise or meet friends before returning for later lessons. It’s a level of trust that reflects the way you’ll study beyond Sixth Form. 

Support whenever you need it 

Although you’ll enjoy greater independence, you’ll never be left to cope on your own. 

Homework is carefully planned, with clear guidance, so you’ll always know what is expected. Our curriculum pages show exactly what you’ll study throughout each course, helping you stay organised and confident. 

Teachers are always available to provide extra help, and although the school day ends at 3.20pm, the Sixth Form Centre remains open until 4.30pm, giving you access to quiet study spaces, computers and additional support whenever you need it. 

At St Leonard’s, you’ll experience the independence of university within the reassurance of a close-knit community, where you’re trusted to grow, encouraged to aim high and supported every step of the way 

Intellectual Curiosity and University Links 

Education at St Leonard’s goes beyond examinations. 
 
Our teachers are passionate specialists who encourage students to ask questions, think critically and explore ideas beyond the specification. 
 
Subject reading lists, wider reading, tutor discussions, debates, super-curricular opportunities and access to online courses all help students become confident thinkers. Students who have completed induction can use the University Library with all its resources. 

We have a strong relationship with Durham University, the world-class university on our doorstep, with university students supporting enrichment here, mentoring study groups and hosting our students on visits. Academics visit us throughout the year and spend time talking with students, so you are familiar with the kind of discourse university requires. 
 
These experiences prepare students not only for university applications but for lifelong learning, helping them stand out through curiosity, confidence and intellectual independence.