ABOUT CIFE

CIFE colleges are specialists in getting the best out of students in the final years of pre-university education.

While each CIFE college is different in detail, all share the belief that students come first and that education should adapt to the individual rather than the other way round. This belief is backed up by staff who have the time to get to know students fast and to tailor their approach to the individual. This makes CIFE colleges particularly good at helping students change school successfully.

In CIFE colleges you can expect:

Small classes

CIFE college classes generally have fewer than ten students, even at GCSE level. Everyone can ask and answer questions, dealing with problems on the spot and making concentration easy. There's no such thing as sitting at the back of the class!

Active teaching

CIFE college staff are chosen because they like their subject and love teaching it. Involving the student and building a positive relationship is as important to this as well-planned and resourced teaching. We know that trust and confidence are vital to learning success.

Good communication

Honest and constructive communication are key to making the relationship between staff, students and parents clear, positive and productive. CIFE colleges take a great deal of trouble to get this right.

The right sort of pastoral support

Supporting and guiding without dictating can be a difficult balancing act, but doing it effectively helps students develop independence and confidence without compromising well-being. Good relationships with teaching and pastoral staff are all-important, and CIFE colleges' capacity to talk and react to students on an individual basis is a key part of getting support right.

Expertise

CIFE colleges know the exam and university entrance sytems inside-out. Using that knowledge to help students achieve the right results to get into a well-chosen university is one of colleges' main priorites. Colleges are particularly good at helping students make the best of themselves in exams.

Flexibility

CIFE colleges build as much flexibility as possible into programmes and approaches. Subject choice is generally wide, with minimal or no restricted combinations, and students often take courses at different levels. This can be particularly helpful for students joining the final year who want to pick up new subjects, or for lower-sixth students who need to strengthen GCSEs

You'll find more information on pages such as FAQs, but do contact us if you have specific questions!