Explanation of "Sixth-former"
Definition: A "sixth-former" is a student who is in the sixth form of school, which is typically for students aged 16 to 18 in the UK. This stage usually follows secondary school and prepares students for college or university.
Usage Instructions:
Example:
Advanced Usage:
In more formal contexts, you might see "sixth-former" used in discussions about educational policy or school performance.
Word Variants:
Sixth form: The educational stage itself, consisting of Year 12 and Year 13.
Sixth-form college: A college that specializes in educating sixth-form students.
Different Meanings:
The term "sixth-former" is specific to the UK education system and does not have a direct equivalent in other countries.
In other contexts, "sixth" can refer to the ordinal number that comes after fifth, but it is not commonly used outside of educational settings in this way.
Synonyms:
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "sixth-former," but you might hear phrases like "hit the books," meaning to study hard, which sixth-formers often do in preparation for exams.
Summary:
In summary, a "sixth-former" is a student in the sixth form, typically studying for important qualifications like A-levels.