Guide to Sixth Form

Why consider moving schools at sixth form?

Sixth form entry at 16 is one of the most significant decisions in a child's school career, and increasingly families who have been entirely in the state sector are choosing an independent sixth form for Years 12 and 13. The reasons vary: some schools offer a wider subject choice; some produce significantly better A-level results; some provide a university-preparation environment that smaller or less specialist schools cannot match. Moving at 16 also gives teenagers the chance to reset social dynamics and approach the final two years with fresh energy.

• Entry at 16 means joining a community where everyone is new at once
• Sixth-form-only colleges and senior schools both offer strong sixth form provision
• Many schools require GCSE grade 6–7 in the subjects you plan to study at A-level
• The adjustment period is short — most students are settled within weeks

A-levels versus the International Baccalaureate

The choice between A-levels and the IB is one of the most discussed decisions in sixth form education. A-levels allow depth: three (sometimes four) subjects studied intensively for two years. The IB is broad: six subjects plus Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay and Creativity/Activity/Service hours. Universities in the UK accept both warmly; for overseas universities — particularly American Ivies and Canadian universities — the IB is sometimes preferred because it demonstrates breadth. Around 100 independent schools in the UK offer the IB; the rest offer A-levels only.

• A-level: typically 3 subjects, linear exams at end of Year 13
• IB: 6 subjects (3 higher, 3 standard), core components, final exams at May of Year 13
• IB maximum score: 45 points; top UK universities require 38–42+
• Some schools offer Cambridge Pre-U as an alternative to A-level in specific subjects

The application process

Sixth form applications to independent schools typically open in September of Year 11 and close by November or December. Most schools require a predicted or current GCSE grade set — usually needing 5 or 6 GCSEs at grade 6 or above, with 7+ in the subjects to be studied. An interview is almost always part of the process, and some schools include a written assessment. Offers are conditional on actual GCSE results, confirmed in August.

• Applications open: September of Year 11
• Applications close: November–January (varies by school)
• Assessments / interviews: November–March
• Conditional offers: January–March
• GCSE results: August — offers confirmed or withdrawn based on grades

What great sixth form provision looks like

At this level, the quality of individual subject teaching matters enormously. Ask about teacher turnover in the subjects you care about, and enquire about value-added scores as well as raw results. A school with a 90% A*–B rate drawing on highly selective intake tells you less than one with an 80% rate that admits a broad range of GCSE grades. University preparation — UCAS support, Oxbridge coaching, US applications, gap year guidance — is also a meaningful differentiator.

• Subject-by-subject results (not just headline figures)
• University destinations — full list, not just Oxbridge headline
• Oxbridge and US coaching for those who want it
• EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) availability
• Enrichment: societies, lectures, work experience, gap year support

Boarding in the sixth form

Sixth form boarding is an increasingly popular option even for families who have never previously considered boarding. The sixth form boarding house at most schools is deliberately more autonomous than the younger years — students manage their own time, eat more flexibly, have study bedrooms, and engage with school life on their own terms. For students heading to university in a year or two, this semi-independent structure is excellent preparation.

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