Dictionary

sixth form en · NOUN

Etymology

Earlier educational naming conventions in public schools termed every two years of education "forms" (itself sometimes said to be from form (“bench”), where students of certain ages would sit together, though disputed, or alternatively from form (“established method of expression or practice”)), where Years 12 and 13 (i.e. ages 16 to 18) was the "sixth" and final form. State schools adopted the term "sixth form" and retained it when the rest of the form structure was dropped.

Meanings

1. (countable, qualifier:UK except Scotland, uncountable) The final two years of secondary education, during which students of about 16 to 18 years of age prepare for their A-level examinations or equivalent qualifications.
   • Nathaniel: Maister, there is nobody to teach in the sixth form. Maister: What a thing is this? N: He is sick in bed. M: How do you know? N: One of the scholars in his house told me so. 1653, Corderius, Colloquia scholastica Anglo-Latina, […] 1653, page 220:
2. (countable, uncountable) a sixth form college.

Forms

Deriveds

sixth-former

Relateds

sixth form college · upper sixth · lower sixth · college

Translations (7)

de Sekundarstufe II (final two years of secondary schooling) · fi lukio (final two years of secondary schooling) · de Oberstufe (final two years of secondary schooling) · it quinta superiore (final two years of secondary schooling) · hu emelt szintű érettségire felkészítő (final two years of secondary schooling) · fr classes de première et terminale (final two years of secondary schooling) · zh 預科 /预科 (final two years of secondary schooling)