Sixth-form colleges are not part of the schools sector but independent, autonomous institutions and an important part of the strong, coherent and diverse 16-19 provider base that forms the educational marketplace for young people and adults.
The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 inserted new provisions into the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 to make provision for a new legally distinct sixth-form college corporation sector. Schools regulations and legislation do not apply to sixth-form colleges.
Sixth-form colleges are represented by the Sixth Form Colleges’ Forum, the Association of Colleges and the Association of School and College Leaders.
