Durham Sixth Form Centre

What Durham Sixth Form Centre does

Durham Sixth Form Centre (DSFC) is a state-funded post-16 educational institution serving over 1,800 students aged 16-19 from more than 60 feeder secondary schools across County Durham and surrounding areas in the North East of England. Founded in 2007, the college operates as the founding member of the Providence Learning Partnership, a multi-academy trust structured as a company limited by guarantee and registered as an exempt charity in England and Wales (Companies House Number: 11652271).

DSFC delivers one of the broadest curriculum offers in the region, comprising over 30 A Level subjects and nearly 20 vocational qualifications taught by specialist staff with 16-19 education expertise. The programme is augmented by specialist academies in Football (three teams in the National Football Youth League), Golf (national championship winners), and Aviation (in partnership with Newcastle Aviation Academy at Newcastle Airport), alongside a dedicated Art Foundation, a TV and Film programme with an on-site professional studio, and a broad enrichment portfolio that includes international trips (Borneo, Iceland, India, Italy), a whole-school theatrical production programme, and the Dead Dog Gallery.

The institution is government-funded through the UK Education and Skills Funding Agency and charges no tuition to students. Revenue derives entirely from public sector education funding, with no commercial pricing tiers. DSFC has earned an Ofsted Outstanding rating (2017), the Investors in People Platinum Award and UK Employer of the Year 2025 (50-249 employees), the Great Teaching Toolkit Centre designation, and the SFCA Inspiring Teaching Award (2025) for its maths department. It is currently developing Durham Mathematics School in partnership with Durham University through the Providence Learning Partnership, signalling an expansion of its educational footprint into specialist provision.

Name

Durham Sixth Form Centre

Legal name

Durham Sixth Form Centre

Website

https://durhamsixthformcentre.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Durham Sixth Form Centre is a UK state-funded post-16 college serving over 1,800 students aged 16-19 in County Durham, offering 30+ A Levels and nearly 20 vocational qualifications delivered by specialist teaching staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sixth Form Further Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College-Level Core Subject Tutoring (Gen Ed: Math, Writing, Sciences, Humanities) (EDANAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

College Readiness & Admissions Prep Centers (Small-Group Workshops) (EDANAHAI), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Sixth form education
• Post-16 education
• A Level programmes
• Vocational qualifications
• Further education college

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham City

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-funded further education: State-funded sixth form college providing free education to students aged 16-19. Revenue comes from government funding for educational services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Durham Sixth Form Centre is a state-funded sixth form college providing free post-16 education to over 1,800 students aged 16-19. It delivers a broad curriculum comprising more than 30 A Level subjects and almost 20 vocational qualifications, complemented by specialist sports academies, an Art Foundation, enrichment activities, academic mentoring and an award-winning Careers and Progression service supporting university, apprenticeship and employment pathways.

Product overview

Durham Sixth Form Centre is a post-16 educational institution offering a broad curriculum of over 30 A Level subjects and nearly 20 vocational qualifications. The institution operates as a unified educational programme with specialised academies (Football, Golf, Aviation), enrichment activities, and academic support services. Digital infrastructure includes Student, Parent, and Staff Dashboards hosted on Google Sites, while facilities include a professional TV studio and Dead Dog Gallery. The institution's offerings span traditional academic preparation for university, vocational training, apprenticeships, and career-focused pathways through its award-winning Progression team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• A Level and Vocational Qualifications Programme Over 30 A Level subjects and nearly 20 vocational qualifications delivered by specialist staff with expertise in 16-19 education, covering traditional academic subjects, sciences, humanities, business, creative arts, and applied sciences for students aged 16-19.
• Football Academies Three academy teams competing in the National Football Youth League, with sponsorship from Nicholas Humphreys Durham; includes professional match kits and development programmes for student athletes.
• Golf Academy Golf academy programme competing in the AOC Intercollegiate Tour National Finals; teams have achieved national championship victories including national girls champions.
• Aviation Academy Specialised aviation programme delivered in partnership with Newcastle Aviation Academy at Newcastle Airport; offers pathways in aviation engineering and operations from Level 3 to degree level.
• Art Foundation Foundation programme in art providing preparation for higher education in visual arts and creative disciplines.
• TV and Film Programme Television and Film A Level programme featuring a professional TV studio with specialist digital equipment for recording, reviewing and editing coursework and productions.
• Enrichment Programme Wide range of extracurricular activities including clubs, societies, cultural events, educational trips, and skill-building opportunities beyond the classroom curriculum.
• Progression and Careers Support Award-winning Careers, Progression and Aspirations team providing university applications, apprenticeship pathways, and employment guidance; includes Progression Fair with 40+ providers.
• Academic Mentoring Academic support programme providing mentorship to help students achieve their educational goals and excel in their studies.
• Skills Builder Programme Integrated skills development framework focusing on Speaking, Listening, Problem Solving, Creativity, Leadership, Adapting, Teamwork, Planning and Digital Literacy; delivered across all subjects with dedicated Skills Weeks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 21% nationally for academic progress and top 2% for applied general attainment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Providence Learning PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSFC is part of Providence Learning Partnership, a multi academy trust. The Trust includes DSFC and is developing Durham Mathematics School in partnership with Durham University. Companies House Number: 11652271.
• Durham UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking together to realise Durham Mathematics School through Providence Learning Partnership's multi academy trust. The maths department has strong connections with Durham University.
• Newcastle UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMathematics and Computer Science students partner with Newcastle University for problem-solving activities. Newcastle University also participates in progression fairs and parents careers conferences.
• Skills BuildercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSFC integrates Skills Builder skills into lessons promoting Speaking, Listening, Problem Solving, Creativity, Leadership, Adapting, Teamwork, Planning and Digital Literacy.
• Investors in PeoplecoreOthersDSFC has worked with Investors in People since 2013, achieving Platinum accreditation and UK Employer of the Year 2025 award.
• Multiple Universities (Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside, Sunderland, Cambridge, LSE, Bangor, Leeds, Oxford, Loughborough, New College Durham)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUniversities participate in progression fairs and parents careers conferences to engage with DSFC students about university courses and progression pathways.
• Multiple Employers (NHS, Durham Constabulary, Armed Forces, BHP Law, Irwin Mitchell, EY, Azets, MGL Group, Weightmans, Amazon)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployers participate in progression fairs to discuss apprenticeships and career pathways with students.
• TekgemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial cyber security company that has provided apprenticeships to DSFC alumni. Visited DSFC to discuss cyber security apprenticeships with Computer Science students.
• First Aid North EastminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivered Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course to DSFC students, providing practical first aid training and accredited certification.
• National Trust (Crook Hall Gardens)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents created Mushroom Sculpt Project - a bespoke art installation using mycelium as sustainable material, displayed at National Trust's Crook Hall Gardens.
• Threads in the GroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Mushroom Sculpt Project at Crook Hall Gardens.
• Artichoke TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to host Celebrating Lumiere's Brightest Moments exhibition. DSFC art students developed the exhibition in partnership with Artichoke's Learning and Participation team.
• Nicholas Humphreys DurhamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNicholas Humphreys Durham, a specialist in estate and university student lettings, sponsors DSFC Football Academy. Provided professional level match kits for all three academy teams.
• University of SunderlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPE students visited University of Sunderland for Sports Courses taster afternoon and VO2 max testing. Strong partnership for sports science education.
• Bowes MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear 12 students studying Fashion, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography visited Bowes Museum for Vivienne Westwood Exhibition educational visit.
• WaterstonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT and Computing students attended information session at Waterstons headquarters to learn about cyber security careers and job applications.
• UK Parliament / Houses of ParliamentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolitics students visited Westminster Parliament for educational trip including guided tour of Houses of Parliament.
• Darlington Economic Campus (HM Treasury, ONS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness and economics students participated in civil service work experience and apprenticeship festival at DEC. Dylan Bowater (DSFC alumni) organized events.
• Discover Economics (Newcastle University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnna Ehimigbai and Leena Mahmud from Discover Economics delivered workshop on inequality to economics students.
• Teesside UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSimon Clayton from Teesside University delivered marketing workshop to business students. Also participated in Digital Careers Event and Go Viral Competition.
• University of Sunderland (Barbara Henderson)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarbara Henderson, Senior Lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing, delivered creative writing sessions to English Language students.
• Anvil AlpacasminorOthersBrought alpacas to campus for Positivity Through Activity Week to promote mental wellbeing and community spirit.
• Student Wellbeing GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent-led group that organizes wellbeing events including Positivity Through Activity Week with support from staff.
• Sixth Form College AssociationcoreOthersDSFC is a member; maths department won Inspiring Teaching Award from SFCA in June 2025.
• Trinity College CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear 12 students visited Trinity College, Cambridge for immersive higher education experience and application guidance workshops.
• Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, ArmyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArmed Forces representatives attended progression fair to discuss career pathways with students.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Woodhouse College: North London sixth form college with a comparable A Level focus and strong progression outcomes, providing a peer benchmark for a specialist post-16 academic model.
• Queen Mary's College: Basingstoke-based sixth form college serving approximately 1,500 students with a broad curriculum and similar apprenticeship and university progression pathways.
• Hills Road Sixth Form College: Cambridge-based sixth form college serving ~2,000 students with a broad A Level and vocational curriculum, comparable to DSFC in scale, UK sector standing, and Ofsted recognition.
• Barton Peveril Sixth Form College: Eastleigh-based sixth form college (~2,500 students) with Ofsted Outstanding status and a similarly broad A Level and vocational offer, serving as a direct scale and model peer.
• Peter Symonds College: Winchester-based sixth form college (~2,500 students) widely regarded as one of the UK's leading sixth forms, providing a direct benchmark for DSFC's broad curriculum and progression outcomes.
• John Leggott Sixth Form College: Scunthorpe-based sixth form college of similar size with a comprehensive A Level and vocational programme, offering a comparable post-16 specialist model.
• Greenhead College: Large Yorkshire-based sixth form college (~2,400 students) with a similar broad curriculum and strong Oxbridge progression track record, directly comparable in scale and outcomes positioning.
• Long Road Sixth Form College: Cambridgeshire sixth form college of comparable size offering an extensive A Level and vocational curriculum, with Ofsted Outstanding status and a broadly equivalent post-16 specialist model.

Regional players

• New College Durham: Local County Durham further education college offering a wider vocational and technical curriculum, overlapping with DSFC's vocational provision and competing for the same 16-19 cohort in the regional catchment.
• Sunderland College: Larger North East further education provider offering a broader vocational and technical curriculum across multiple campuses, competing for the same post-16 cohort in the broader North East region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DSFCOfficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbaxvt4vsizxfxDlXePYxJw
• Facebookfacebook.com/DurhamSixthFormCentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/durhamsixthformcentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/durham-sixth-form-centre

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Durham Sixth Form Centre