Boosting sixth forms with spaces that appeal to students

Dedicated sixth form spaces drive retention and recruitment 
One of the most effective ways to boost a sixth form is through clearly defined, dedicated sixth form spaces. These are no longer just common rooms with old furniture, but carefully planned environments that support study, socialising, wellbeing and independence. Common rooms, breakout areas, quiet study zones and collaborative spaces are now central to how sixth forms function and how they’re perceived, and this is something we always factor into our sixth form design concepts.

“There’s a real sense now that sixth form spaces should feel exclusive,” says Yasmin. “You’ve reached a certain age, you’ve earned it, and you get access to amenities and spaces you wouldn’t have had in the lower years. That feeling of being treated differently really matters.” 

Choice is key. Modern sixth form design recognises that students work in different ways and need environments that support that flexibility. “It’s about giving people autonomy,” Yasmin explains. “You might want to sit at a desk, or on a sofa, or in an acoustic pod, or at a collaborative table. Rather than telling students how to work, the space allows them to figure out how they work best.” 

This approach also reflects growing awareness around neurodiversity and inclusive design, where zoning, acoustics, furniture and lighting play a crucial role in student success.

Sixth form spaces must make a powerful first impression 
Research into UK post-16 choices shows that students make decisions based on a mix of practical, personal and aspirational factors. Independence and future identity all influence where students choose to study (UK Government research).

This means that sixth form spaces are often one of the first and most powerful impressions prospective students experience. “You can have a strong academic offer,” Yasmin says, “but if students walk into a cluttered, depressing or overly institutional space, it can undermine everything else.” This was an issue we encountered when reviewing an existing sixth form at Bancroft’s School in London, where outdated spaces were contributing to a drop in student retention. We created zones for the students - one for socialising and eating, a study zone and then, in the middle, a relaxing mindfulness zone, in muted, earthy tones with soft furnishings and a curved, slatted wooden screen for privacy. 

Conversely, a well-designed sixth form environment signals ambition, care and investment - all qualities that matter to both students and parents. Good sixth form design complements the character of a building and preserves a school’s identity. At Abingdon School, we designed a common room that preserved the historic architecture of the building whilst creating a modern, comfortable space with bespoke window seating that formed study nooks. We softened the space by layering textures and added contemporary touches.

When location lets you down, design can make up for it
While proximity to shops, cafés and transport can influence student preference, not all schools benefit from a central location. Increasingly, however, schools are recognising that design can bridge that gap.
“If a school isn’t near a town centre or high street, that doesn’t have to be a disadvantage,” says Yasmin. “You can create the experiences students want on site.”

An effective way to do this is with a dedicated sixth form café. These spaces are designed to replicate the cafés students naturally gravitate towards outside school - relaxed, sociable, informal and grown-up. “The key is that it shouldn’t feel like a school canteen at all,” Yasmin explains. “It should look and feel like a café with nicer finishes, better lighting, varied seating and a completely different atmosphere.”

For sixth formers, these cafés become places to work independently, collaborate, socialise and decompress during an academically demanding stage of life. For schools, they become powerful tools for retaining and attracting pupils.

Borrowing from hospitality design
Beyond cafés, successful sixth form spaces are increasingly influenced by ideas borrowed from workplace and hospitality design. Soft furnishings, mature colour palettes, layered lighting, acoustic solutions and biophilic elements all help create environments that feel welcoming rather than institutional. This approach is also reflected in our wider common room work at Wellington College.

“We try to create a ‘home from home’ feeling,” says Yasmin. “That might mean using rugs, lamps, wall lighting and bespoke furniture, things that stop the space feeling too office-like or sterile.”

There is also a growing desire for sixth-form spaces to feel closer to university environments. “A lot of briefs specifically say they want it to feel like a university,” Yasmin says. “That sense of preparing students for what comes next is really important.”

The ‘university’ feel is what we created with Elizabeth College’s sixth form spaces, designing a light, airy tea point, a common area with varied seating elements, study nooks and classroom spaces that look and feel grown-up.

Boosting sixth form with strategic design
To truly boost a sixth form, space must be treated as a strategic asset, not a decorative afterthought. The most successful environments support:

- Academic focus, through varied study settings and acoustics
- Wellbeing, through comfort, choice and thoughtful design
- Belonging and identity, through exclusive, aspirational spaces
- Recruitment and retention, through strong first impressions and student satisfaction

Yasmin says: “Sixth form spaces are no longer just somewhere students go, they’re somewhere students want to be."