With university entrance ever more competitive many consider a move to an independent school sixth form.

Research demonstrates the competitive edge it gives in winning university places. The Sutton Trust charity found that students in the private sector are four times more likely to apply to a leading university than those from further education colleges and twice as likely as students from state comprehensive schools.

Aisha Hasan from Bromley joined Rochester Independent College after completing her GCSEs at a local state girls' school. Aisha says: "I wanted to be in a sixth form where everyone has a good work ethic and was aiming to do well. Since moving I feel a lot more positive about my studies. I'm studying English Literature, Biology, Sociology and Film at A level and am hoping to study Law at the University of East Anglia. I have a twenty minute train journey each morning from Bromley South but the difference in teaching makes the journey well worth the commute.

As well as small class sizes and high quality teaching independent school sixth forms also offer extra curricular opportunities in music, sport, and drama as well as programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and World Challenge.

A report issued in January this year from the Russell Group of top universities underlined the importance of students choosing subjects wisely as the fate of their applications will depend on it. Therefore, the real strength of any sixth form, independent or state, is its ability to match the right A level subjects to the right student.

Alistair Brownlow, Principal, Rochester Independent College.