A welcoming sixth form community
St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College is a welcoming and ambitious sixth form community in the capital city of Wales. Each year, students from across the UK and around the world join our college to study alongside one another in a supportive and inclusive environment. At St David’s, we believe every student should be known, supported and encouraged to realise their potential.
Through dedicated teachers and strong pastoral care, students develop the confidence and academic skills needed to progress to university and future careers. Studying in Cardiff offers the experience of a vibrant capital city while remaining safe, friendly and easy to navigate, making it an ideal place for international students to live, learn and experience Welsh culture.
Community & Support
Pastoral Support
At St David’s, pastoral support sits at the heart of college life and shapes our mission, culture and values.
Pastoral staff work closely with learners every day, helping them feel supported, valued and confident throughout their journey.
We believe we must know, value and support every learner to help them flourish.”
Kane Amos, Pastoral Area Lead
Wellbeing
We are fully committed to providing wellbeing and safeguarding to all of our students. Everyone has the right to feel safe at college, and everyone is responsible for ensuring that those around us feel safe too.
Looking after your wellbeing and health plays a key role in being a successful student, managing your work load, and building necessary skills to deal with what life can throw your way.
Our Wellbeing Team is available to speak with you and give you additional support throughout your time at St David’s.
Wellbeing@stdavidscollege.ac.uk
LSC: Learning Support Centre
The Learner Support Centre (LSC) provides an inclusive and individualistic learning experience for neurodiverse learners. The LSC is the place for support and advice, for students struggling with any aspect of College Life, including those with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
The LSC team work with students in many different ways, depending on the nature of the specific difficulties and what best suits the individual student. For example, they offer:
- Additional, quiet working space
- One to one academic support
- Advisory appointments
- Referral to welfare services, including College Counselling
- Coordination or support and reasonable adjustments for students with ALN
- Small group support sessions
- Referral to external support
International Community
The core mission of St David’s College is to serve the community, including through Global Heritage.
Each year, St David’s has students from around 50 different nationalities. This diverse and rich community adds value to everyone, as we learn about our different cultures and backgrounds, proving that we are all different, and we are all together.
Culture Day
On a day that has remained a highlight of the year, we celebrate our diverse and rich global heritages on Culture Day.
Global Community Project
Every student at St David’s College must complete three mandatory Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales projects.
This includes the Global Community Project, which provides learners with the opportunity to explore a wide range of complex, multifaceted global issues and to appreciate how they transcend local and national boundaries.
International Exchange
International exchange is an important part of life at St David’s College. We believe that experiencing different cultures and countries broadens our students’ horizons, builds confidence and creates memories that last a lifetime.
We encourage our students to take part in international trips and exchanges, with recent groups travelling to Spain, Tanzania, Uganda and Patagonia.
We also welcome students from schools around the world to St David’s College as part of our exchange programme. Towards the end of last year, we were delighted to host visiting classes from Japan, Peru and France, allowing our students to build friendships and share experiences with their international peers.
St David’s Catholic College Sanctuary Pledge
We welcome and respect people from all backgrounds, place the highest value on diversity and are committed to equality.
We are committed to a culture of working collaboratively across the City of Sanctuary networks and in partnership with others.
We work with people seeking sanctuary and value and recognise the contribution of all. We aspire to ensure people seeking sanctuary are involved in all decision making at all levels and are supported to become leaders in the organisation, networks, and the wider movement.
We aspire to high standards of honesty and behaviour, and always to act in the interests of people seeking sanctuary.
Preparation for University
Each year over 500 students progress to university. We are here to support you through making that step, and there are many opportunities available to you, to make a good decision.
University Ready
A collection of resources from all of Wales’ universities to help you get started with higher education, from the Open University. These can help you research, and prepare for university life.
Russell Group and Sutton Trust Universities
The Russell Group and Sutton Trust universities comprise of the top universities across the UK. They are committed to the highest levels of academic excellence in both teaching and research. St David’s College students consistently gain places to Russell Group and Sutton Trust universities including King’s College London, the University of Bristol, the University of Exeter, University College London, and of course, Cardiff University.
Future Options & Vocations Evening
In the spring, St David’s hosts an information evening for students and parents wishing to find out more about the vast array of options available to them after completing their studies at St David’s, including advice on UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). The evening covers everything from personal statements, to student finance and the importance of work experience.
Work Experience
Throughout the year students are encouraged to take part in work experience at local businesses. Work experience is not only a valuable learning opportunity and an excellent insight into working life, it also enables students to stand out on their UCAS personal statements and on job applications. Various opportunities are communicated to students by email.
Honours programme
In a bid to cater to the individual needs of our learners, we have established a programme designed exclusively for students who show particular academic aptitude.
These will be students who show an interest which goes beyond the normal limits of the classroom, and a desire to explore the sorts of questions that would both expand their world view and improve their ability to engage in academic conversation.
Launchpad
The aim of the launchpad is to provide bespoke support to learners seeking employment and/or higher education after St David’s, both alongside their studies and as a route for progression.
Students will benefit from one-to-one support, group workshops and opportunities with employers, universities, and outside organisations.
It is important to develop key transferable skills to complement the academic knowledge gained from your studies, and to ensure that you are prepared for the competitive nature of the working world. In engaging with the Launchpad, you will gain skills that will help you succeed in the world of work. Learners who engage with The Launchpad and take the opportunities that come their way, put themselves in a much better position when leaving St David’s Catholic Sixth Form College. In taking the opportunities that come your way you will benefit by:
- Having a stronger UCAS personal statement
- Creating your own networking opportunities with employers
- Having valuable experiences that look good on a CV
