Cadbury College
Here at Cadbury Sixth Form College we pride ourselves on offering young people an extensive range of over 50 advanced level subjects in an environment that is designed to exclusively meet the needs, interests and aspirations of the young adults we serve.
Our mission is to provide high quality education leading to excellent higher education and employment prospects for our diverse community of students. A high percentage of our students progress to university, whilst others go into careers in the workplace with aligned higher education training. Whatever their destination, our students leave prepared for their next steps: independent, adaptable and resilient.
Our learners travel from across Birmingham, Solihull, Hall Green, Bordesley, Sutton Coldfield & Redditch to experience our specialist Sixth Form College. We offer all 16-18 students FREE bus travel, so whether the college is local to you or not, we make it easier for you to get here.
Student Testimonials
“Whilst studying Religious Studies at Cadbury Sixth Form College I have developed a much clearer understanding and awareness of the world’s most popular religions. Religious Studies appeals to individuals who are inquisitive and willing to challenge their own attitudes and beliefs, as well as those of others.” Niyaz
“I studied Sociology with English Language and Psychology at Cadbury Sixth Form College, achieving AAC grades. I am now studying a degree in Sociology at the University of Liverpool.” Hannah
“Studying Sport & Exercise Science gives me the opportunity to work on individual and team skills, whilst also allowing me to develop my knowledge in Physiology so I can go on to University and study Physiotherapy.” Sheniqua
“It’s so much more coursework based than it is for GCSE. That sparks imagination and it’s a pretty amazing thing when teachers teach you practical skills and then just let you get on with it, and let your imagination carry you across your course.” Finn
“Doing this qualification has really pushed me ahead. I feel like the experience at Cadbury has been very inclusive. The students here are diverse and the teachers are very accepting.” Aqael
“It’s been a good experience as it’s different to how we used to do it in secondary school. This is where teamwork and communication skills come in.” Deborah
“You’ll be given a topic and you’ll find your own route and your own ideas and you build on them. So it goes from a massive scramble of everything to getting that one final piece.” Ciaran
“Pretty much on every module you’ll cover, you’ll do some kind of practical investigation. It’s really useful to see how the knowledge that you’ve learned can be applied in science and how you can learn about things like respiration and how it can be implemented in the real world. All the teachers are really helpful here.” Elliott
“So two days we do placement, and we watch the development of children and how they learn. Everything we learn in class we implement in a nursery setting. The teachers support you really well in your work so you can achieve the best grade, and if you are struggling with your grades, they’ll push you to get the best grades you can achieve.” Tanya
“I think it’s nice that you have that choice as in a lot of colleges you have to do certain topics. I could choose which topics I was more interested in. The teachers have been really helpful and are always around to help when you need them to be. Even when you’re not in college they’re really quick to respond on emails at any time of the day.” Zabrina
“If you think that you need GCSE experience – you don’t. You can completely start from scratch and it’s not daunting because you don’t jump straight into international trade and globalisation. You start from the local UK economics system and you build up on your knowledge as you’re going along. The Economics teachers are absolutely lovely. They give you information about work experience events that are happening locally, and because of that I managed to secure a Goldman Sachs and a Morgan Stanley insight week programme which was really good to go on the CV as well.” Asha
“American and British History has been super-interesting. We delve into our coursework and for that we went to the Slavery Museum in Liverpool. There’s just a lot of mutual respect from teacher to student.” Joe
“There’s tons of support from the staff and I do find lessons really fun. I’m really fortunate to do Maths as all of my other subjects are humanities based, but I also really love STEM subjects as well, and so coming here I’ve been able to do both and there’s been no problem, with no timetable clashes, as Cadbury made sure I was able to do everything that I wanted to do.” Ellie
“I moved from a sixth form and restarted here and it’s just been an overall better experience. Music is literally one of the best courses I could ever ask for. We’ve got such an amazing teacher. It’s very performance based which is what I thrive in. We do ensemble work as a group and we do solo work. There’s still a bit of theory in there and we put on gigs in the canteen every few weeks.” Emily
“This course is more workshop based and the second year is really practical. We have trips planned out and performances. This college is so inclusive in terms of anyone can join.” Tia
“The course is split into the UK and the US with two different teachers – both of them incredible. We do have a lot more freedom in this college and it’s nice because we can revise how we want and at any point in time we can go to our teachers and they’re always there to help us. They always make time for us.” Praveer
“It’s very different from GCSE in the sense that you’re not just focusing specifically on how people of a certain religion live their lives. These are huge almost incomprehensible ideas that do make their way into your mind. I think it’s now probably my favourite subject.” Thomas
“You get an insight into a different culture. One thing I really like is how dynamic it is so it’s not like secondary school where you have the teacher really far from the student. Here it’s more. I really like my teachers, they’re really supportive and they made the lessons really accessible with their own tactics, when sometimes the topics are hard. They also offer trips to Spain.” Omaima
“We look at the theory. We talk about issues and injuries. There are practical elements like how to do coaching, how to set up a coaching session, how to communicate. My teachers are great at communicating and we know what we’re doing when it comes to work. There’s great student feedback so you do feel part of the sporting area.” Jake
“It’s mostly go into the classroom and go straight ahead with our own work. We all have our own individual projects. Recently we’ve been to the Herbert Art Gallery for textiles to visit Daniel Lismore which is great and I think that organising all these gallery visits is so great for our research as well. We’ve been to London and Tate Liverpool. We have such great teachers. They’re really encouraging. The teaching style here and the friends I’ve made here are really great. I cherish the memories that I’ve made here.”
Course/Career Search
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Cadbury Career Pathways
Cadbury Sixth Form College has an excellent reputation for being one of the very best sixth form colleges in Birmingham, offering an innovative learning experience. The College offers a range of professional career pathway courses which include a combination of A Levels, BTEC Diplomas or Subsidiary Diplomas that can lead to employment or university.
Digital Media, Journalism and Marketing
A pathway designed for careers to express your creativity with digital influences.
Medicine and Life Sciences
A pathway designed for students with an aptitude for science and concerned about the welfare of others..
Health & Social Care
A pathway designed for careers focusing on empowering others and providing support.
Engineering and Design for Future Innovation
A pathway designed for careers with an analytical, technical and design focus, creating the solutions of tomorrow.
Computer Science
A pathway designed for careers in a rapidly developing sector with the latest technology trends and influences.
Business, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise
A pathway designed for careers in business management areas including sales and marketing.
Law and Criminology
A pathway designed for careers providing a deeper understanding of society and related issues.
Latest News & Events
Cadbury College Careers team is celebrating the culmination of three years’ hard work by clinching a prestigious award for its high-quality provision.
The Quality in Careers Standard recognises the team’s outstanding contribution to enhancing the employability of the college’s alumni, focusing on personal development, industry partnerships, and innovative career workshops.
Three years ago, the journey began when the team started working towards the quality award, creating a holistic careers programme that prepared and empowered students to pursue their passions and enter the job market with confidence as part of its strategy.
Schools and colleges are all strongly recommended to achieve and maintain the Quality in Careers Standard, which is the national quality award for careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) in secondary schools, colleges and work-based learning.
Careers Coordinator and Adviser for Cadbury Sixth Form College, Andrew Farthing, said: “For the past three years we have been collecting evidence about the quality of our Careers delivery and content, and students’ understanding.
“This included mapping what we do cross-site, cross-curriculum and within the careers team, against extensive criteria. Two external professional assessors spent the morning with students and staff after trawling through masses of documentary evidence submitted by the team.
“We are delighted to see that our perseverance and commitment to excellence have helped us gain the national standard.”
Assistant Principal for Student Services, Angela Tombs, said: “This award is something for us to be very proud of. This is not just a testament to the team’s hard work but also a beacon of inspiration for our current and future students.”
The Standard is fully aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance and fully complies with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance.
Learning providers must supply sufficient current evidence to demonstrate that they meet all national accreditation criteria in their overall careers provision to gain the national Standard.
Cadbury Sixth Form College has officially opened its new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre.
To mark the official launch of the £6.6 million STEM campus building, guests enjoyed an exclusive tour of the centre and its state-of-the-art facilities. The new sign was even unveiled by our robot dog Toto!
Due to the overwhelming demand for places at Cadbury, the new centre is focused on delivering a new technical curriculum, responding to a growing demand for specialist teaching facilities and learning for students. Funded by the Department for Education and the College, the 1,000 sqm, two-storey STEM centre supports the education of young people looking to enter careers in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and other critical sectors of the economy.
It houses dedicated suites for Digital Media, Health, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Employee Engagement. Digital learning labs and VR suites offer robotics and coding opportunities for new T Level and A Level courses, alongside a media suite, a practical healthcare learning space, extended classrooms and flexible study and social spaces. The project marks Phase 2 of our multi-year investment following the opening of our £3.5 million Science City facilities in 2021.
Lydia Maher, Campus Principal, said: “We’re incredibly proud to open the doors to our new STEM centre, which supports the growing need for specialist skills across the region, so we can continue to foster leading talent for advanced manufacturing, life sciences and other critical growth sectors of the economy. In line with our commitment to provide exceptional teaching standards, our new centre empowers students to capitalise on the hugely exciting career opportunities in STEM, with practical, hands-on experience in their chosen field that will equip them with the future-proof skills they need for their next step – whether it’s university, an apprenticeship, or their first job.
“Cadbury College celebrates 40 years of success this year, and we can now offer students the broadest choice of advanced courses, including A Levels, T Levels and vocational qualifications, across Birmingham, and the opportunity to study in industry-leading facilities.”
What can I tell you to make Cadbury Sixth Form College your best experience yet? Well here are my best tips for really making the most of your time and preparations for the big move!
3 TIPS FOR APPLYING TO COLLEGE (Trust me, you’re going to want to know the last one!)
Number 1: Do Your Research
Make sure you seek advice and visit open days to see the college for yourself.
Number 2: Apply Early
The earlier you apply, the sooner you can secure your place and concentrate on your exams. Makes sense right?
Not only that, you can take advantage of exclusive support available to offer holders.
Number 3: Pick Subjects That You Enjoy And That You’re Good At
Not everyone knows what they want to be when they’re older – and that’s fine!
Cadbury has one of the largest course offers in the region. And for that reason you don’t have to compromise what you enjoy.
5 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE
Number 1: Pick A Subject You Enjoy
The subjects you choose will be your primary focus for the next two years. Why don’t you make those next two years as enjoyable as possible?
Number 2: This Isn’t Like School
Say goodbye to assemblies, morning registration, and most importantly detention. You’ll be treated like an adult here.
Number 3: Time Management Is Super Important
Free periods aren’t always about catching up with your mates. They should be used to get ahead, whether that’s revising or studying certain subjects.
Number 4: Everybody’s Too Caught Up In Their Own Appearances To Worry About Yours
In College you finally get to wear your own clothes and express yourself. The last thing you want to be doing is worrying what other people think. Trust me!
Finally, Number 5: Take Care Of Yourself
College can be a big step from school and whilst it does involve a lot of study and work time, it’s really important that you take care of yourself and your wellbeing. And just enjoy it – you’ve got this guys!
DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CADBURY STUDENT
8am: I left the house – I’ll never get used to these dark mornings. I got on the bus with my free bus pass because Cadbury girlies do not pay for their transport 😊
9am: I headed to my first health class which I’m doing a T Level in. I’d love to be a nurse someday and this course is the first step to getting there.
11am: Ok, this is when my day got weird. Our college has a brand-new building and it’s kitted out with loads of hi-tec stuff, including VR. This was actually the most fun lesson ever. We even printed out Lego!
1pm: VR made me so hungry, so it was time for lunch. On the menu today was my favourite cheesy pasta bake with a cheeky bit of garlic bread.
2pm: I had a free period where I caught up with some coursework because I really do not want to be falling behind.
3pm: I headed over to music club which is always such a laugh. What a tune!
4pm: I grabbed a drink and headed home.
I BET YOUR COLLEGE DOESN’T HAVE THIS!
This is Cadbury College’s brand-new Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths centre – and I am loving it!
This huge centre supports students looking to enter careers in manufacturing, life sciences, digital media and loads more. And it even has digital learning labs and virtual reality suites which offer coding and robotics opportunities for T Levels and A Levels.
My favourite part has to be the flexible studying and social spaces – absolutely perfect for catching up with your mates. If you fancy having a look around, make sure to check our upcoming open days.
