How do Sixth Form applications work?

28 replies

ItsPeggyOlson · 17/09/2026 20:00

DC is Year 10 and doesn’t want to stay on in current school post-GCSEs. How do we go about researching sixth forms and when do you need to apply? We are in London so the possibilities are vast.

I know school will give pupils info, but are they likely to do this in Year 10? I’d like to get a head start with open evenings but am unfamiliar with schools beyond our borough or how the system works in England.

A Levels TBD, possibly law or biology for uni.

OP posts:

bababamama · 17/09/2026 20:19

Each area will have a process you complete around October of year 11. Where we lived when my dc did it they used UCAS (called ucas progress for 6th form)

Original poster

ItsPeggyOlson · 17/09/2026 20:16

Thank you for taking the time to share so much detail, this is very useful. Much appreciated.

OP posts:

ConfusedSoShutUp · 17/09/2026 20:12

I don't know about London, but am South East. Schools will sometimes do Sixth Form Open Days/Evening in the summer of Year 10...others wait until the autumn term of Year 11.

Application process will generally be from autumn term of Year 11. There may be meetings/taster days etc..generally before Y11 study leave... But then generally down to results

He can apply for as many as he likes. And at any distance.

Look out for course specs, entry requirements and if there are any other entry criteria.

Noone will think you are put of place emailing schools now to ask about open events...just be clear which intake Year (so 2028 in your case) so they point you at the right time )it might be .."check our website in May 27 for Sept 28 Open Events" - but it gives you a timeline.

Nothing to stop you going now to any autumn ones..but you will be a year early, so courses etc may change for 2028 intake.

Encourage your DS to get the best results he can...it keeps his options/choices far wider .

Good luck.

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