Embarking on the journey of Sixth Form marks a significant milestone in every student’s academic life. At Gabbitas, we understand the importance of making the right decision and are here to help you navigate the application process seamlessly. In this guide, we’ll break down:
- what Sixth Form entails,
- when to apply for the 2025 intake,
- how to choose the right institution,
- and provide expert tips from our Placements team to consider when going through the application process.
What is Sixth Form?
Sixth Form represents the last two years of secondary/high school in the UK, catering to students aged 16-18. During Sixth Form, students prepare for advanced school-level qualifications such as A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). This crucial academic milestone bridges the gap between secondary education and university, offering students an intensive period of intellectual growth and skill development.
For those at boarding schools, it also provides a unique opportunity for independent living, fostering maturity and self-reliance. This phase is pivotal in shaping their future academic and career paths, making it a significant period for both students and parents.
Credit: Rugby School
Why should students consider applying to a new school at Sixth Form?
Independent Sixth Forms provide a diverse selection of subjects tailored to individual interests, along with a strong emphasis on thorough preparation for university.
This provides a young person with the opportunity to gain independence and experience living on their own during the final two years before university, effectively preparing them for the future. With smaller class sizes, students benefit from more personalised attention and guidance in a secure environment where academic specialism and development are top priority. Independent Sixth Forms focus on nurturing interests with extra curriculum activities such as debate clubs, sports teams, and arts programs.
Explore the benefits of Sixth Form Colleges in our previous blog post.
When to Apply?
Looking and shortlisting boarding schools – May, June or September prior to Entry, at Year 10/age 15
- Registration: June – October . Please note that every school has a different deadline.
- Exams and interviews: Scheduled for October/November.
- Results: Released at the end of November or December
How Gabbitas can help?
Connecting with and understanding the needs of families and students is the cornerstone of our approach. We take the time to establish strong relationships, identifying and highlighting each student’s academic strengths, goals, interests, and motivations. This allows us to provide the best possible service, tailored to each individual’s unique journey.
Our strong relationships and deep understanding of top schools enable us to recommend the best Sixth Form options to match each candidate’s academic ambitions. By leveraging our extensive network and insights, we ensure that students are placed in environments where they can thrive and achieve their full potential.
“I would like to thank you on behalf of our family, for being professional, warm, persistent, and most important devoted to help us pave the way for our child and their further education”.
Placements Clients, 2024
Top Tips:
Be Prepared: It is recommended to undergo informed research about your preferred Sixth Form Colleges. List and compare your options considering factors such as academic offerings, facilities, support services, and extracurricular opportunities.
Stay Organised: Keep track of deadlines, requirements. Use a calendar and set reminders for specific application milestones such as interview preparation or results release day.
Refine Your Interests: Approach with an idea of your interests, consider your academic ambition. Our team welcomes and encourages you to contact us with questions related to your application. We are here to help if you are still unsure where to start.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Get in touch with our Placements Team for an informal and complimentary discussion.
Front Image Credit: Wellington College
