Catering for sixth form students presents a unique opportunity to support young people as they take their next steps towards adulthood. As they prepare for university, apprenticeships and future careers, their expectations around food and social spaces continue to evolve. Today’s sixth formers are looking for greater choice and environments that reflect their growing independence. Read on as we explore how schools can refresh their catering offer to create welcoming spaces and exciting food experiences that encourage students to make the most of their lunchtime.
What Sixth Formers Actually Want
Grab-and-go
Convenience is key. Pupils are busy preparing for their first steps into adulthood, to university or their first careers. Grab-and-go isn’t just an extra section to your serving station; it is the foundation of it, with speed and accessibility as the priority.
Create a social space
The allure of café culture is everywhere. Stylish café chains and independent coffee shops are notorious for their appeal to younger adults. Spaces that are relaxed, social and mature are what draw in sixth formers looking for something a little more adult and civilised than an often loud and packed canteen open to all ages.
Diversify the menu
Global cuisines such as burritos, noodles, rice bowls and various street foods have become everyday meals rather than the occasional treat, influenced by flavours on social media and fast food deliveries. As the new generation’s appetite for global food grows, it only makes sense that our menus reflect it.
Give variety and choice
Whether pupils have dietary requirements, preferences or just fancy something different each day, it is important to build menus that let pupils personalise their dish. Offer portion sizes, choice of toppings or self-serving methods for an engaging and inclusive dining experience.
Why The Traditional Canteen Doesn’t Work
As students progress through sixth form, their expectations around food and social spaces naturally evolve. While traditional catering facilities are designed to serve the wider school community, older students often value greater choice, flexibility and environments that reflect their growing independence.
Creating dedicated sixth form spaces with café-style dining, varied menus and grab-and-go options can help meet these changing needs. Not only does this provide a more engaging lunchtime experience, but it also encourages students to stay on campus, strengthening connections with their peers and the wider school community.
The Forum
That’s where The Forum comes in. AiP’s sixth form café concept is built around the culture, flavours and independence that today’s students already expect and deserve. Let’s take a look at what we could bring to update your sixth form offer.
The Forum takes inspiration from café culture and food trends young people encounter every day. From freshly prepared burrito bars and noodle dishes to sushi-inspired options, bean-to-cup coffee stations and deli snacks, our sixth form offer embraces global cuisine while maintaining nutritional and allergen school standards.
A Dining Experience That Matches Their Ambition
When sixth form catering successfully reflects high-street expectations, the benefits extend well beyond food sales. Retaining students on campus during free periods can also deliver important social benefits, helping maintain stronger connections with the school community. For more than 20 years, Alliance in Partnership has focused exclusively on catering for education. Every menu development, operational decision and service innovation is informed by a deep understanding of what schools and their students need to succeed.
Sixth form students deserve a dining experience that reflects their independence, aspirations and expectations. Catering is no longer simply about serving lunch. It is about creating destinations that students actively choose to use. The Forum delivers exactly that: not a compromise between café culture and school compliance, but a genuine fusion of both.
Thinking about transforming your sixth form catering? Explore The Forum, learn more about our nutrition-led approach, or get in touch with the Alliance in Partnership team to discuss how a bespoke sixth form café concept could work within your school.