sixth form

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English

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Etymology

Earlier educational naming conventions in public schools termed every two years of education "forms" (itself sometimes said to be from form (“bench”), where students of certain ages would sit together, though disputed, or alternatively from form (“established method of expression or practice”)), where Years 12 and 13 (i.e. ages 16 to 18) was the "sixth" and final form. State schools adopted the term "sixth form" and retained it when the rest of the form structure was dropped.

Noun

sixth form (countable and uncountable, plural sixth forms)

  1. (UK except Scotland, education) The final two years of secondary education, during which students of about 16 to 18 years of age prepare for their A-level examinations or equivalent qualifications.
    • 1653, Corderius, Colloquia scholastica Anglo-Latina, 1653‎, page 220:
      Nathaniel: Maister, there is nobody to teach in the sixth form.
      Maister: What a thing is this?
      N: He is sick in bed.
      M: How do you know?
      N: One of the scholars in his house told me so.
  2. a sixth form college.

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References

  1. ^ Hensleigh Wedgwood (1871) A Dictionary of English Etymology‎, Sense 2., page 274:
    The name of forma was also given to the seat of the choristers in a cathedral and the desk in front of them. Formula, a stool to kneel on.—Duc. There can be no doubt that this is essentially the same application with the name of the classes at our public schools, first form, sixth form, &c., but whether the class is called form from sitting on the same bench, or whether the bench is so designated from being occupied by a single class, may be a question. It seems certain that forma was used for class or order in the lower Latin. 'Supernumerarii sacri ministerii primæ vel secundæ formæ,' of the first or second order.—Cod. Theodos. de Castrensianis in Duc.
  2. ^ “sense I.6.b.” under “form”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000: “The word is usually explained as meaning originally ‘a number of scholars sitting on the same form’ (sense II.17); but there appears to be no ground for this.”
  3. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2025) “form”, in Online Etymology Dictionary: “From 1550s as "a class or rank at school" (from sense "a fixed course of study," late 14c.)”
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