Forge Valley Sixth Form is an environment where you are equipped to achieve your personal goals.

We will support and guide you, both academically and pastorally, in building your confidence and to develop as an individual. As well as the informal support and guidance that happens on a day-to-day basis, all students attend regular assemblies, weekly tutorial periods and daily regulation activities that seek to enable you to make wise decisions, discuss career plans, assess your own progress and seek help if problems arise. 

Pastoral Support 

Ensuring wellbeing in our sixth form is essential for the overall health and success of students. The Sixth Form Team work cooperatively with teachers to create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. We encourage open communication between students and staff, and we address any issues relating to mental health promptly.

If you or your child are worried about their safety, contact their form tutor, head of Sixth Form, or the Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Rachel Petters (Head of Sixth Form)

E-mail: rpetters@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk 
Tel: 0114 229 4046

Helen Jackson (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

E-mail: hjackson@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk
Tel: 0114 234 8805 ext 2653

Students in our Sixth Form may be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). If your child is enrolled in our Sixth Form and you receive one of the qualifying benefits listed below, you can apply.

You may be entitled to Free School Meals if you receive:

  • Universal Credit (with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, assessed using up to three of your most recent assessment periods)

  • Income Support

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

  • Child Tax Credit (with a yearly household income below £16,190, as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs, and not in receipt of Working Tax Credit)

  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, or would like support with the application process, please contact our Sixth Form team — all enquiries are handled confidentially.

Find Out More

Lots of people face challenges during sixth form that may prevent them from completing their studies and pursuing their career goals. Others may need to re-train for employment that better suits their family life due to changes in their life situation. EGP helps individuals to overcome some of the barriers they experience and begin or continue their studies. 

Eligibility:

  • Level 3 study

  • Income - Be in receipt of one or more of the means-tested benefits listed below in their own right (or be dependant on parents/carers in receipt of these benefits) OR be an Asylum Seeker in receipt of an Application Registration Card (ARC).

    • Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Council Tax Support

  • Residency status -Have right of residency in the UK or be an asylum seeker (overseas students are ineligible for grants from Family Action).

  • Be studying at a publicly funded Further Education College in the UK.

Please speak to a member of the Sixth Form if you feel you are eligible.  

Find Out More

Mental Health Support 

Sixth Form can be an exciting and rewarding time, but it can also bring new pressures — from academic expectations to university applications, apprenticeships and future planning. Looking after your mental health is just as important as your academic success.

Below you’ll find a range of trusted organisations, websites and support services offering advice, guidance and practical help. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low, or simply want to better understand your wellbeing, these resources are here to support you.

If you would prefer to speak to someone in school, our Sixth Form team is always available to listen and help you access the right support.

YoungMinds - Coping techniques for exam stress

ChildLine - Coping techniques for exam stress

Kooth - 24/7 support for students 

Student Space - General student support and advice 

The Mix - Free, confidential and anonymous digital service for under-25s, providing support on a wide range of personal and wellbeing issues.

Door43 - Door 43 offers support to 13-25 year olds on a range of emotional wellbeing issues. The service focuses on early intervention and low level support and is not a specialist mental health service. Door 43 offers a number of services including: a drop in, one to one support, wellbeing cafes and social prescribing spaces and can support young people with lots of different things they may need advice on or are struggling with.

STEPForward - Running over six weeks, STEPforward is a psycho-educational course which aims to provide support to young people who struggle with a variety of mental health difficulties.

Golddigger Trust - Golddigger Trust is a registered charity, working with young people aged 11-18 to equip them with the confidence and skills to develop positive mental health and make good choices for themselves. 

Youngminds - understanding depression 

Golddigger Trust - Golddigger Trust is a registered charity, working with young people aged 11-18 to equip them with the confidence and skills to develop positive mental health and make good choices for themselves. Men's mental health support group.

Chilypep - mental health toolkit 

Andy Man Club - a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. 

Mind - Sheffield Mind offers a number of different services across the city for people who are experiencing mental health problems as well as for the carers supporting them.  Services are available to people who live in Sheffield.

Bipolar support 

Borderline Personality Disorder

The Mix - Free, confidential and anonymous digital service for under-25s, providing support on a wide range of personal and wellbeing issues.

Samaritans - Free, confidential emotional support for anyone struggling to cope or experiencing depression or low mood. You can speak to a trained volunteer without judgement by phone (24/7), email, online chat or in person, whatever feels most comfortable for you.

Golddigger Trust - 'Making sense' counselling 

Hope Support - Online personalised support

Winstons Wish - Winston’s Wish support children and young people (aged 25 and under) after the death of a parent or sibling. 24/7 support and 8-week counselling support 

Grief Encounter - personalised counselling 

Grief Encounter - Grief Encounter supports bereaved children and young people, and their families and friends, across the UK. Guides for coping with birthdays and holidays

Cruise - Cruse Bereavement Support provides support to people who have been bereaved. Cruse is a national organisation with local branches, including in Sheffield.  

Talk grief - Advice and online support

Cavendish Cancer Care - In-person support for people and families affected by cancer 

YoungMinds - Cultural identity and mental health

YoungMinds - Self-worth and believing in yourself 

Golddigger Trust - Understanding your identity. Golddigger Trust is a registered charity, working with young people aged 11-18 to equip them with the confidence and skills to develop positive mental health and make good choices for themselves. 

Golddigger Trust - Self-worth in young women. Golddigger Trust is a registered charity, working with young people aged 11-18 to equip them with the confidence and skills to develop positive mental health and make good choices for themselves. 

The Mix - Free, confidential and anonymous digital service for under-25s, providing support on a wide range of personal and wellbeing issues.

YoungMinds - ADHD, autism and mental health/everyday life 

Family Action - Local support for people and families supporting neurodiverse individuals 

NeurodiverCITY - NeurodiverCity Sheffield (formally Sheffield ADHD Project) is commissioned by Sheffield City Council and provides support to families of children and young people living with ADHD in Sheffield. They have two different pathways of support; information sessions and parent/carer drop-in cafes which are fully supported by professionals and post-diagnostic support. For post-diagnostic support a referral from a healthcare professional is needed.

Sheffield Parent Carer Forum - Events for tailored support 

Sheffield Autistic Society - Monthly support groups and activities.

Autism Plus - Services focus on your needs. They offer coaching and mentoring to help you develop the skills to overcome barriers and thrive in the workplace.

Adult Autism Support Hub - The Adult Autism Support Hub offers free support to autistic people, aged 16 and above, and their carers and families. The Adult Autism Support Hub provides a space where adults with autism can meet other individuals who might be experiencing the same things. They offer group sessions, face-to-face, phone call, email or video consultations.

The Mix - UK charity offering free, confidential and anonymous online support and information for under-25s on neurodiversity and related topics, helping young people understand, connect and access practical advice.

Chil - Sleep toolkit

M-CAST - For families affected by drugs and alcohol

Self-harm - Battle Scars are a small, survivor-led charity offering local, regional, national as well as international support around self-harm, including eating disorders. They run face-to-face services in Leeds and Wakefield but they also run online and virtual support groups that anyone can join.

Likewise - Support you to achieve your goals around your alcohol and/or drug use through a range of treatments. That might be stopping completely or just cutting down. (Over 18s)

The Corner - Provides support and treatment to young people under 18 in the Sheffield area who are experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol

Project 6 - They provide free and confidential support around a range of issues, including alcohol and other drugs use.