Founded in 1973, CIFE is a professional association representing UK independent sixth-form colleges. Its members specialize in preparing students, typically aged 16 and over, for university entrance through A-levels, GCSEs, and foundation courses. CIFE colleges are characterized by small class sizes, flexible course structures, and a focus on individual academic needs, often catering to students resitting exams or transitioning from international systems. Membership requires rigorous inspection by recognized bodies (such as the ISI or Ofsted) to ensure high standards of teaching, pastoral care, and governance.
CIFE Member Schools (9)
Bales College is a co-educational independent school and sixth-form college for pupils aged 11 to 20, located in the Kensal Green area of West London. Established in 1966 as the Modern Tutorial College, the school is set on a quiet campus near Notting Hill. It emphasises academic rigour and individual care through small teaching groups and structured progress monitoring. Facilities include specialist science laboratories and an art department, with pupils also utilising the nearby Moberly Sports Centre. The college’s ethos is guided by its motto, "Semper Perstare", fostering a culture of perseverance, respect, and high achievement.
Brampton College is a co-educational independent sixth form college located in Hendon, North West London. Founded in 1989, the college is housed in attractive period buildings and caters for students aged 15 to 19. It provides a focused academic environment specialising in GCSE and A-level provision, with an emphasis on small class sizes and preparation for university entry. Facilities include four recently refurbished science laboratories and a purpose-built art studio. The college maintains an informal yet disciplined atmosphere, fostering a culture of individual responsibility and academic study within a supportive setting.
Collingham Independent College is a co-educational day school in Kensington, London, catering for students aged 13 to 19. Established in 1975, the college operates across two historic locations. The Sixth Form is housed in a significant Arts and Crafts townhouse, formerly Gibbs’ Preparatory School, while the GCSE department occupies the former home of novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. The college maintains an ethos of academic rigour within a supportive, individualised environment, featuring small class sizes. Its central setting offers students close proximity to world-renowned institutions, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum.
David Game College is a co-educational day and boarding college for students aged 14 to 22, situated in the heart of the City of London. Established in 1974, the college occupies a substantial Victorian building on Jewry Street, which features fragments of an original Roman wall in its basement. The interior is distinguished by an extensive private art collection displayed throughout the teaching spaces. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, lecture theatres, and a gym. The college focuses on university preparation, offering GCSE and A-level courses within a mature, independent learning environment.
DLD College London is a co-educational independent college situated on London’s South Bank, overlooking the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament. Founded in 1931 as Davies, Laing and Dick, the college caters for students aged 13 to 19, offering GCSEs, A Levels, BTECs, and International Foundation Programmes. Housed in a landmark purpose-built campus, it provides on-site urban boarding alongside specialised facilities for the creative arts, music technology, and sciences. The college maintains an ethos of independence and maturity, using its central London location to prepare students for university and professional life.
Guildhouse School is an international co-educational boarding and day school situated in London’s historic Bloomsbury. Occupying a series of late 17th-century Regency townhouses overlooking Bloomsbury Square, the school provides a focused environment for pupils aged 14 to 18. Guildhouse is distinguished by its emphasis on business and entrepreneurship, notably being the only secondary school in Europe to house a professional Bloomberg Lab. It offers A-level and University Foundation programmes designed to prepare students for entry into global higher education, with a curriculum that integrates practical business insights alongside traditional academic subjects.
Mander Portman Woodward (MPW) is an independent fifth and sixth-form college located in South Kensington, London. Established in 1973 by three Cambridge graduates, the college is housed within several converted 19th-century Victorian townhouses on Queen's Gate. MPW offers a broad curriculum of over 40 A-level and 30 GCSE subjects, characterised by a tutorial-style system with class sizes limited to nine students. Specialist facilities include seven science laboratories and extensive creative arts studios for photography, ceramics, and textiles. The college provides both day and boarding options, with en-suite accommodation available at the nearby Queen's Gate House.
Rochester Independent College is a co-educational day and boarding school in Kent for pupils aged 11 to 19. Established in 1984, the college occupies an urban campus within a conservation area, featuring fourteen listed buildings connected by wildlife gardens. The school operates with an informal ethos where students do not wear uniforms and staff are addressed by their first names. Facilities include an underground theatre, garden classrooms, and sculptural musical gates. While maintaining its founding focus on mathematics and science, the curriculum also emphasises creative arts such as fine art, digital media, and film.
The Worthgate School is a co-educational international boarding and day school for students aged 13 to 18, located in the historic city of Canterbury. Formerly known as CATS Canterbury, the school was rebranded in 2022, taking its name from one of the city’s ancient Roman gates. Situated in a leafy setting near the city centre, the modern campus provides an international environment for pupils from over 80 countries. The school specialises in pre-university pathways, including GCSEs, A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and the UK’s first University Foundation Programme.