At Hills Road we are strongly committed to providing our students with a broad sixth form education characterised by academic excellence, high quality learning experiences and extensive enrichment opportunities. Students are encouraged to achieve the highest standards not only in the classroom but also in a range of extra-curricular activities which help them to develop new skills, think independently and exercise their responsibilities as global citizens. We seek to promote a caring and supportive atmosphere with a strong sense of community in which all students are valued equally as individuals and treated as young adults.

From teaching and tutorial departments to administrative and support functions, Hills Road staff are deployed within specialist teams where their expertise, knowledge and skills may be used to best effect: each student has a specialist tutor with whom s/he meets regularly; subject departments offer lunchtime workshops where students can receive one-to-one support with homework queries or extension work; help with all aspects of learning, from essay writing to time management, is available from the specialist team in the Study Skills Department; and the Careers Department advises students on the world outside and beyond Hills Road, from work experience to UCAS applications. The Student Services Team respond to all manner of student need and ensures a qualified staff member is available throughout the College day to respond to student concerns in respect of wellbeing and mental health.

Specialisation brings considerable benefits to staff as well as to students: not only does it have a significant impact on the quality of teaching, support and guidance, but it also helps to enrich working relationships and to promote a culture of learning and continuous improvement. Teams are encouraged to work in creative and collaborative ways and to reflect on their own and each other’s performance.