Schools sixth form admissions

About sixth form admissions and other education/training pathways

Our Gloucestershire schools sixth form admission arrangements - Sept 2026 entry information booklet tells you about schools in Gloucestershire with sixth form provision and their entry requirements.

At the end of the booklet you will find a section called post 16 providers, which will tell you about options other than sixth form available after year 11, such as college or work-based learning providers.

If you are in year 11 or below, you will need to remain in education, training or employment with training until at least your 18th birthday.

Staying in full time education after year 11 is the right choice for many people, however, you do not need to stay at the same school and A-Levels are not the only option. Schools and colleges also offer BTEC and NVQ courses.

There are a number of ways to train or study:

• Studying full time in school or college, or with a training provider
• Working or volunteering full time, while continuing with part-time education or training
• Taking up an apprenticeship or traineeship

Staying in education

If you decide to stay in education we recommend that you:

• attend the open evenings at the schools or colleges you are considering (details of open days/evenings can be obtained direct from the chosen school or schools by contacting them or looking at their website);
• read the prospectus from the schools or colleges you are considering; and
• think carefully about the subjects you want to study.

For admission to a school’s sixth form we recommend that you read their information in our information booklet to help you understand how your application for a place will be considered (admission to a college is not regulated in the same way).