Life in the Sixth Form begins with an activity-based residential induction weekend. This is an important opportunity for students to get to know each other and their tutors better. The weekend involves motivational and bonding sessions as well as challenges such as rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing and caving. Sixth Form students at Tormead enjoy greater independence and self-direction than younger students, to help them develop the motivation and skills necessary for successful study at university and entry into the workforce. The Sixth Form Centre has a large common room with kitchen area, where the students are able to relax between lessons; girls may choose to ‘sign out’ of school when they are free and walk the short distance to the centre of Guildford. Facilities for independent study include a dedicated computer room and an area of the Senior Library which is exclusively for the use of Sixth Formers.

During the Lower Sixth year girls study five subjects at AS Level including General Studies which is taught through a series of workshops and lectures from in-house and visiting specialists. The number of subjects is normally reduced in the Upper Sixth year to four subjects (including General Studies) at A2, where the workload is heavier. Girls are placed in tutor groups of up to 12 students and they spend two years with their tutor. The tutor will carefully monitor each girl’s academic progress, discuss any problems with her in the Upper Sixth year, and work with her closely on her university applications under the guidance of the Head of Sixth Form. The girls are encouraged to maintain and develop broad interests beyond their academic studies: a programme of short courses runs one afternoon per week during the Autumn and Spring terms, shared with the Royal Grammar School and Guildford High School, offering a wide variety of subjects from ballroom dancing to beginners’ Russian. The Young Enterprise Scheme and Schools Without Walls programme provide further new opportunities and girls also become more involved with the community through volunteer work with such local organisations as Disability Challengers. Since 2003 three Tormead Sixth Formers have received the Diana, Princess of Wales Award for service to the community.

Sixth Formers have an important role to play in the daily life of the School. The Head Girl’s team organise and chair the School Council which gives pupils a voice in the running of the School. House captains, games captains, senior prefects and academic mentors all play an important role in helping to plan and run many of the clubs, activities and sports practices for the younger girls. The Charity Committee is run by sixth formers who, each year, in consultation with the whole School, choose one or more causes to support and encourage fundraising.