When Confucius declared “Success depends upon previous preparation,” it is unlikely he was ruminating on strict registration deadlines for his child’s 16+ entry into a top British boarding school.

However, despite now living in a highly globalised and connected world, international families (and even domestic families unfamiliar with the UK private school system) are often aghast to discover just how far in advance British schools require students to register and sit entry assessments. For domestic applicants for 13+ entry, an increasing number of schools are starting the registration and pre-test process in Year 5 – that’s 4 years ahead of entry! This makes it very challenging for families who find themselves needing a school place with less notice and time to spare. We can always find a solution in such cases but if you can prepare ahead, it’s always better to do so.

When it comes to sixth form (16+ entry) the demand from both domestic and international families increases exponentially, and competition for places is fierce. Any of the top-ranked A-level boarding schools tend to operate in something of a “sellers’ market”, and have the enviable luxury of cherry picking the world’s most able and exciting students for entry.

 We have previously provided 6 steps to submitting successful 6^th form applications.

Below, we advise on recommended timelines for 6^th form (age 16+) entry.

Stage 1 – “Let’s Talk!”

When? Beginning of Year 10 / around 2 years before 6^th form entry
Ideally, families will start thinking about entry into 6^th form at the beginning of Year 10 (age 14+.) By this time, their child will have picked GCSE options (if offered in their current school) and will have a better idea of their interests and strengths. It is also essential that students know their Year 10 reports will be the ones most closely scrutinised during 6^th form applications, and these reports therefore need to be the best of their school careers to date. This is also the time to start considering the best options, and if possible arrange visits to prospective schools.

Stage 2 – “Let’s Act!”

When? End of Year 10 / the summer around 16 months before 6^th form entry
Schools will now have their registration windows open, so it is time to decide which schools to apply to. Our articles, “Choosing between A-levels and IB” and “considering 6^th form options” are a good place to start, though consulting with professionals like ourselves will drastically reduce your workload, take away any uncertainty or misdirection, and greatly increase your chances of making the best long-term decision.

Stage 3 – “Let’s Do it!”

When? October and November Year 11 / around 10-12 months before 6^th form entry
Most 6^th form registration windows will be closing or have closed (the earliest closure is usually at the end of July.) Schools will then administer entry assessments (usually tests and interview) in October or November, and send out offers at the beginning of December.


Stage 4 – “Let’s hope we’re not too late!”

When? January Year 11 / around 9 months before 6^th form entry
Some students will have received four, five, or even more offers in December. Fortunately for the latecomers, these students can literally only go to one school.

The very top schools usually have all their offers accepted. For the rest, January is the time when they may discover their uptake wasn’t as good as they’d anticipated. Many will then start working their way through waiting lists, and now is really the perfect opportunity for a late-runner to make a charge for some exceptional sixth form options which had been out of reach just a month earlier.

For parents, it is a matter of calling around lots of schools, or simply coming to us for a chat about prospects. We know exactly where places are going to be available, as our clients finalise their school choice and free up options elsewhere.

Stage 5 – “Let’s see what we can find…”

March Year 11 onwards / around 6 months before entry: “Let’s see what we can find.”
At this stage it is all about luck of the draw. The situation is very fluid as some students cancel their acceptances, and others step into their place. Solutions can always be found, though compromises sometimes need to be made. The doors for many top school options are now firmly closed.

 

And there you have it. We hope you can easily identify at what stage you are at, and what you need to do.

Whether you are ahead of the game or making a mad dash to keep up, we are able to best understand your child’s needs, and help you through the process of making all due considerations to identify the best-fitting options. Sixth form is the most crucial two years before university, and parents and students need comprehensive information to make the wisest choice.

We look forward to learning more about you and your child’s educational objectives. Please call us on +44 1622 813870 or email info@educationadvisers.co.uk and we'll get straight back to you.