Richard Huish College

Since 2020, Emma Fielding. An experienced advocate of the importance of post-16 education, Fielding has worked in this sector for over 20 years in a variety of roles from educational research assistant at the University of Cambridge to history and

The college has a wide range of courses available, including A levels, vocational courses, GCSE resits, apprenticeships and professional qualifications. For A levels, five GCSEs at grade 4 or above required, including maths and English language; some

Between 70 and 75 per cent of leavers head to university, around a third gaining Russell Group places. University destinations have a keen south-west favouritism with Cardiff, Bristol, Bath and Exeter topping the list. Strong focus placed on gaining

In 2025, 32 per cent A/A* at A level (62 per cent A*-B)

There is a vast and expansive course offering at Huish. Over 30 A levels, from the standard sciences, social sciences and humanities to the more unusual, such as geology, classical civilisation and German; the most popular courses include psychology,

The college is set up to offer support to any student qualifying to attend and has a robust learning support department with everything from quiet single study rooms, which pupils can use independently or for their additional one-to-one learning

Music is wow factor here. The state-of-the-art music building houses not one but two recording studios boasting ‘the same level of equipment as the Leeds Conservatoire’. When we visited, numerous bands were recording and rehearsing. The head of music

Huish is known as a sporty college and its roll call of winning teams is impressive. The performance coaching programme gives competitive sportspeople an extra 20 hours of training a week. Huish Tigers is the highly regarded training umbrella for

One of only a handful of state sixth form colleges in the UK offering boarding. The accommodation here is akin to top-end university halls but with a family home vibe right down to the ‘therapy hamster’ and staff on hand to oversee acceptable

Pastorally this is a college that fosters respect and views learning as a partnership between teaching staff and students rather than a one-way flow. Pupils spoke candidly of the mutually respectful relationships that they have with staff and of

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

‘Bespoke, confidence-inspiring and holistic’ is how parents sum up this college. Pulls academically ambitious pupils in from a vast catchment area from Glastonbury to Chard, Exmoor to Burnham on Sea. First choice for most of the Somerset secondary

Non-means-tested transport bursaries available for all students and full means-tested bursaries covering trips, food costs, transport and even boarding available to those in need of financial support.

This is a fantastic beacon of sixth form education. A wonderfully eclectic and positive mix of students working together within a state-of-the-art campus, brimming over with top-level, subject-specific teaching and staff who are keen to give them the