Hereford Sixth Form College
Hereford Sixth Form College is a UK further education institution serving 2,000+ students aged 16-19 with A Level, GCSE, and BTEC programmes, plus elite sports academies and the Reach programme for competitive university admissions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersHereford, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hereford Sixth Form College does
Hereford Sixth Form College is a publicly funded further education institution established in 1973 and operated under The Heart of Mercia Academy Trust. The college serves more than 2,000 students aged 16-19 from a six-county catchment area (Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, the Welsh Borders, and the wider West Midlands), delivering A Level courses across 40+ subjects, GCSE programmes, and BTEC vocational qualifications at Levels 2 and 3. Education is provided free at point of use to eligible students, with revenue primarily derived from government per-pupil funding supplemented by facility hire, digital and poster advertising, ParentPay-processed fees, and selective commercial partnerships.
The college operates an on-campus teaching model in Hereford with two off-site venues (Centre for Movement and The Jam Factory) used for performing arts. Its technology stack is composed of standard third-party edtech: Canvas as the Virtual Learning Environment, ClickView for educational video, ParentPay for billing, Eventbrite for event registration, SOCS for sport scheduling, and SchoolHire for facility bookings. Differentiation is delivered through the Reach programme (16 weeks of structured Oxbridge and competitive-university preparation, supported by 250+ alumni mentors), a portfolio of eight specialist sports academies (Men's and Women's Rugby, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Rowing, plus an Elite Athlete Support Programme), and enrichment programmes spanning Music, Drama, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and 50+ clubs. The college maintains Outstanding Ofsted status across all six inspection areas.
The business model combines grant-funded tuition with a portfolio of ancillary revenue streams: facility hire (pay-as-you-go), digital advertising on nine campus screens (£25/week), and A1 poster advertising (£300-£400 per term). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through open events, an online application portal, partner-school prospectus distribution, and an active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Student outcomes are objectively strong: 98.9% average pass rate, 100% pass in 30+ subjects, 63.6% Distinction/Distinction* on applied courses, 38% Oxbridge offer rate vs. ~12% national, and 87% medics offer rate vs. 27% national. The college operates within a multi-academy trust governance structure led by Principal Catherine Brearey and Executive Principal Peter Cooper, with 159 employees.
Hereford Sixth Form College firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hereford Sixth Form College
- Legal name
- Hereford Sixth Form College
- Website
- https://hereford.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Hereford Sixth Form College is a UK further education institution serving 2,000+ students aged 16-19 with A Level, GCSE, and BTEC programmes, plus elite sports academies and the Reach programme for competitive university admissions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hereford Sixth Form College industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Further Education / Sixth Form College Services
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Junior Colleges (6112), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.) (MPAKAJAB)
Keywords
Where Hereford Sixth Form College is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hereford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Hereford Sixth Form College business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government-Funded Education: Primary revenue from government funding for 16-19 year old students completing GCSE, A Level, and vocational courses. Education is provided free at point of use for eligible students.
- Facility Hire: Commercial hire of college facilities including sports pitches, meeting rooms, and event spaces. Available from 16:30 weekdays and Sunday mornings during term time, and 9:00-20:30 during holidays.
- Digital Advertising: Campus digital advertising on 9 screens around the college, priced at £25 per week. Inclusive of social media sharing during advert duration.
- Poster Advertising: A1 portrait poster frame advertising in campus locations, priced by term: £400 for Autumn/Spring terms, £300 for Summer term.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Digital Screen Advertising - £25 per week |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | A1 Poster Advertising - £300-400 per term |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Facility Hire - Variable pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
Hereford Sixth Form College product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hereford Sixth Form College is a state-funded further education institution delivering post-16 academic and vocational programmes, including A Levels across 40+ subjects, GCSEs, and BTEC vocational qualifications at Levels 2 and 3. The college supplements academic study with enrichment offerings such as sports academies (rugby, basketball, netball, hockey, rowing, football), music and drama programmes, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and the Reach programme supporting competitive university (Oxbridge, medicine) applications.
Product overview
Hereford Sixth Form College operates as a unified educational institution offering a portfolio of academic and vocational programmes across three main types: A Level courses (40+ subjects), GCSE qualifications, and BTEC vocational courses (Certificates and Diplomas at Levels 2 and 3). The college is distinguished by its enrichment ecosystem comprising specialist Sports Academies (Men's and Women's Rugby, Basketball, Netball, Hockey, Rowing), a Music Academy (with choir and Rock and Pop Academy), Drama and Theatre programmes, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. A key differentiator is the Reach Programme, a structured 16-week university application support system for competitive destinations including Oxbridge. The college also provides a digital learning platform (Canvas VLE) and extensive student support services. The product portfolio positions the college as a comprehensive sixth-form provider combining academic excellence with elite sports pathways and creative arts enrichment.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Reach Programme: A programme helping 300 students consider top universities and apprenticeships, with particular success in Oxbridge admissions.
- Hereford Rugby Academy
- Music Academy
Products and services
- A Level Courses Traditional A Level qualifications across 40+ subjects including Sciences, Humanities, Languages, Arts, and Social Sciences, delivered as two-year programmes for 16-19 year old students.
- GCSE Courses GCSE qualifications in core subjects and electives including English, Mathematics, Sciences, and Humanities for students seeking to improve grades or study new subjects.
- BTEC Vocational Courses BTEC National Diploma and Certificate qualifications in Applied Science, Business, Computing, Engineering, Health & Social Care, Information Technology, Media Production, and Sport at Level 2 and Level 3.
- Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Sporting Excellence for elite rugby players, providing 64 UCAS points and designed to develop competence within the elite sports arena.
- Men's Rugby Academy Specialist rugby programme offering elite coaching, training (minimum 12 hours weekly), strength and conditioning, and pathway opportunities to professional clubs including Ealing Trailfinders.
- Women's Rugby Academy Specialist rugby programme for female students with partnerships with Trailfinders Women and Gloucester-Hartpury, providing pathways to Premiership clubs and international representation.
- Music Academy Comprehensive music programme including Academia Musica choir, Rock and Pop Academy, and individual instrumental lessons, with performances at venues including The Jam Factory.
- Reach Programme Specialist university progression programme supporting students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, and other competitive universities, with 16 weeks of lessons, mock interviews, and alumni mentorship network of 250+ mentors.
- Duke of Edinburgh's Award DofE award programme offering Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels with expeditions and skill development activities.
- Facility Hire Commercial hire of college facilities including sports pitches, meeting rooms, and event spaces available from 16:30 weekdays and 9:00-20:30 during holidays.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98.9% average pass rate across all subjects (2025)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Hereford Sixth Form College
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hereford Sixth Form College technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Hereford Sixth Form College partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.
- Trailfinders Women / Ealing TrailfinderscoreComprehensive rugby partnership creating a clear pathway from Hereford Sixth Form College through Ealing Trailfinders Elite University Rugby Academy at Brunel University London into professional rugby. The partnership provides player-centred development with access to high-level coaching, competition, and professional pathways. Brunel University competes in BUCS Super Rugby, the top university rugby league in the UK.
- Ealing TrailfinderscoreChampionship rugby club partnership providing a new pathway for players aspiring to play rugby at top level. Includes access to Trailfinders activities and further education opportunities at Brunel University. The Developing Player Pathway (DPP) starts at U15 in Herefordshire and continues through the college's rugby programme.
- Women Player Development GroupcorePartnership for the Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme recruiting female rugby players of potential to achieve elite sports outcomes. Students must be tracked by the Centre of Excellence and be of appropriate ability to progress to women's game and elite performance level.
- The Heart of Mercia Academy TrustcoreHereford Sixth Form College is part of The Heart of Mercia Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust providing governance and organisational oversight for the college and its academies.
- Hereford Rotary ClubstrategicClose working partnership with Hereford Rotary Club supporting student participation in award categories including Young Citizen, Environmentalist, Sports Hero, and Debate competitions. Rotary provides series of awards to outstanding students in Sport, Community Service and Environmental Conservation.
- Hereford College of ArtsminorCollaborative workshops held at Hereford College of Arts during IMPACT Week, including music technology workshop and ring making workshop in the Small Metals department.
- Herefordshire CollegeminorCollaborative workshops held at Herefordshire College during IMPACT Week, including music technology workshop with access to control rooms and professional equipment.
- Brunel University LondoncoreUniversity partner in the rugby pathway through Ealing Trailfinders Elite University Rugby Academy. Students can combine higher education with high-performance rugby, with Brunel competing in BUCS Super Rugby.
- South Wye Police Boxing AcademyminorPartnership hosting annual boxing shows at the college for over 15 years, raising funds for the Hereford Sixth Form College Hardship Fund.
- Gloucester-HartpurycorePremiership rugby club partnership providing pathway for women's rugby players from the DiSE programme to progress to professional clubs. Several alumni have progressed to Gloucester-Hartpury.
- Courtyard TheatreminorLocal theatre venue used for college productions including Criminology Week events in the 400-seat auditorium and performing arts performances.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hereford Sixth Form College competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Peter Symonds College: One of the largest UK sixth form colleges (~4,000 students in Winchester) offering a broad A-Level and BTEC curriculum with strong university progression. Comparable model at significantly larger scale, useful for benchmarking capacity and breadth.
- Cardiff Sixth Form College: Welsh independent sixth form college widely regarded as one of the UK's top performers for Oxbridge admissions. Comparable in academic positioning, A-Level curriculum, and reputation for elite university placement.
- Woodhouse College: Large North London sixth form college with broad A-Level and vocational provision. Comparable scale of curriculum, enrichment-led positioning, and student-body size to HSFC.
- Hills Road Sixth Form College: Cambridge-based sixth form college of broadly similar size (~2,500 students) offering A-Levels and a wide vocational mix to 16-19 year olds, with strong university progression outcomes. The closest structural and demographic peer to Hereford Sixth Form College in the UK sector.
- Reigate College: Surrey-based sixth form college offering A-Levels and BTECs with strong university progression. Comparable student demographics, academic focus, and post-16 model.
- Esher College: Surrey-based sixth form college with similar student body profile and A-Level/BTEC offering. Comparable further education model and student demographic targeting.
- Long Road Sixth Form College: Cambridge-based sixth form college similar in size and structure to HSFC, offering A-Levels and vocational qualifications to 16-19 year olds. Directly comparable mid-size peer with overlapping curriculum and university-prep focus.
- The Sixth Form College Farnborough: Hampshire-based sixth form college offering A-Levels and vocational courses to a similar 16-19 cohort. Closely comparable UK further education model with overlapping geographic positioning in southern England.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hereford Sixth Form College social profiles
Digital presenceHereford Sixth Form College compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Hereford Sixth Form College financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hereford Sixth Form College leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Hereford Sixth Form College funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hereford Sixth Form College M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hereford Sixth Form College
What does Hereford Sixth Form College do?
Hereford Sixth Form College is a state-funded further education institution delivering post-16 academic and vocational programmes, including A Levels across 40+ subjects, GCSEs, and BTEC vocational qualifications at Levels 2 and 3. The college supplements academic study with enrichment offerings such as sports academies (rugby, basketball, netball, hockey, rowing, football), music and drama programmes, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and the Reach programme supporting competitive university (Oxbridge, medicine) applications.
Is Hereford Sixth Form College a public or private company?
Hereford Sixth Form College is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hereford Sixth Form College founded?
Hereford Sixth Form College was founded in 1973. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Hereford Sixth Form College based?
Hereford Sixth Form College is headquartered in Hereford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hereford Sixth Form College make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government-Funded Education is the primary driver. The others are facility Hire, digital Advertising and poster Advertising.
Who are Hereford Sixth Form College's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Peter Symonds College, Cardiff Sixth Form College, Woodhouse College, Hills Road Sixth Form College, Reigate College, Esher College, Long Road Sixth Form College and The Sixth Form College Farnborough.
Does Hereford Sixth Form College have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hereford Sixth Form College.
What industry is Hereford Sixth Form College in?
Hereford Sixth Form College's product category is Further Education / Sixth Form College Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHADAG, Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit), with a secondary code of MPAKAJAB, Single-Sport Skill Academies (Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, etc.). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.