Students entering Emanuel at 16+ join the sixth form – the final two years of a young person’s compulsory education in the UK. We welcome approximately 30 bright and ambitious young people into our sixth form from other schools each year.

We are looking for students who show a genuine engagement with their learning and who will enjoy the high level of support we give students when applying to universities in the UK and abroad, as well as art schools, drama schools and music conservatoires.

We offer a broad range of subjects at A level. To read more about our curriculum and the grade requirements for each subject, please see our A level Curriculum Guide. You can find more information about life in the Sixth form here.

We offer means tested fee assistance to particularly outstanding applicants at sixth form (16+). These awards of a free place at Emanuel School for bright young people in need of financial support represent part of our wider social mobility commitment in south west London.

Registration for sixth form entry in September 2025 is NOW CLOSED.

(The deadline for application was 12pm on 11th October)

Sixth form (16+) entry process

Entry to Emanuel sixth form is on the basis entrance exams in Maths, English and a General Paper, as well as a reference from a pupil’s current school including their predicted GCSE grades and a copy of their most recent school report.

Dependent on their performance in the entrance exams and on the information from the report and reference, a number of pupils will then be invited to attend an interview and a group experience. The 20 minute interview will take place in person with a member of the sixth form staff, before applicants then take part in a group experience together with other pupils applying to the school. This is designed to allow the pupils to demonstrate their creative skills and their ability to work effectively as a member of a small team. We are hopeful that the applicants will find this element of the assessment process enriching and enjoyable.

Pupil Focused

As always, we will make sure every part of the process is as positive and helpful as it can be for young people applying to our school.

Results

Following the assessment process, result letters are sent in early December. For those who receive offers, it is expected that they will achieve an average of 7 or more in their GCSEs and at least 7s in all of the subjects they have chosen for A-Level, with the exception of Maths and Physics where you will require an 8.

Sixth form (16+) entrance exams

All applicants to Emanuel’s sixth form will sit entrance exams in Maths and English, as well as a General Paper.

Maths: 1 hour

The exam will be based on Algebra and will be a non-calculator paper. Topics which may feature include:

  • Simplifying algebraic fractions (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
  • Simplifying algebraic expressions involving indices
  • Changing the subject
  • Expanding Brackets and Factorising
  • Solving Linear Equations and Quadratics, including problems with fractions.
  • Simultaneous Equations (linear and quadratic)
  • Equations of Straight Lines, including parallel and perpendicular lines

English: 1 hour

The exam is made up of two 30 minute sections, both comprehension based. The first section is based on an extract from a piece of fiction and the second on a non-fiction text. Each section has two short questions, in which pupils will be asked to retrieve information from the text and explore the effect of language. These are followed by an extended response question, in which pupils will be asked to argue their point of view relating to the text, or summarise how a particular topic is presented.

General Paper: 45 minutes

This exam is made up of two sections. In the first section, pupils will be asked to spend 25 minutes responding to a question, for example, ‘Does who you meet change who you are?’ Pupils will need to consider different sides to the argument they make and explain their own opinion. In the second section, pupils will have 20 minutes to answer multiple choice questions based on reasoning and problem solving.

Key dates for sixth form (16+) 2025 entry

September 2024: Scholarship and bursary forms become available to download from the school website on this page. Please do not submit a scholarship or bursary application before registering the candidate.

Tuesday 24th September 2024: Sixth form open evening.

Wednesday 9th October 2024, midday: Deadline for receipt of Art scholarship applications. All sections of the application must be received by this date, including references.

Friday 11th October 2024, midday: Deadline for acceptance of registrations.

Friday 11th October 2024, midday: Deadline for the receipt of the applicant’s end of year 10 school report.

Friday 11th October 2024, midday: Deadline for the receipt of educational psychologist reports (if applicable), which are required to assess whether the applicant qualifies for extra time or the use of a computer in the entrance exams.

Thursday 17th October 2024, midday: Deadline for receipt of Drama, Music and Sport scholarship and fee assistance applications. All sections of the application must be received by this date, including references.

Saturday 9th November 2024, afternoon: Sixth form entrance exam. Details of exact timings will be sent after the registration deadline. All candidates are expected to sit the entrance examinations on the published date. If you do have a clash with another school, please contact the admissions team to discuss this directly.

Wednesday 20th November 2024: Interview and group experience. Invitations to attend will be sent via email.

Thursday 28th November 2024: Offer letters sent by first class post.

Friday 13th December 2024: Acceptance deadline.

 

FAQs for sixth form (16+) entry

When can I register my child for Sixth form (16+) entry to Year 12?

The registration period will open in May 2024 for 2025 entry. We do not accept early applications and everyone who is registered is invited to sit the entrance examinations.

When can I visit Emanuel?

We hold a Sixth form open evening every September where you will have the chance to hear from the headmaster and other senior teachers, tour the school and speak to the heads of academic departments.

The entrance examination clashes with another entrance examination. Can my child sit the entrance examination on another day?

All candidates are expected to sit the entrance examinations on the published date. If you do have a clash with another school, please contact the admissions team to discuss this directly.

We live overseas at the moment. Do I have to sit the entrance examinations at Emanuel?

Candidates who are living abroad at the time of the entrance assessments may sit the assessments at another approved test centre by prior arrangement (please note this is usually only applicable to overseas applicants).

Do I have to achieve a certain level in my GCSEs to gain a place at Emanuel?

All offer holders have to achieve an average of 7 or more in their GCSEs and at least 7s in all of the subjects they have chosen for A-Level, with the exception of Maths and Physics where you will require an 8.

Will I settle in if I join a new school for the sixth form?

Of course you are making a big step, but if you are offered a place, you will be invited come and visit us prior to the start of your first term in September for the sixth form induction, which takes place in June. Additionally, just after you start in September, there will be a team building event to help meet and get to know your fellow students. We usually place a couple of new joiners in each form group to help with the settling process. Whilst it might feel like a significant change, there are always lots of pupils and staff on hand who are very willing to help.

What scholarships do you offer?

We offer academic scholarships (which are awarded based on performance in the entrance examinations), art, drama, music and sport scholarships. Please click here for more information.

Can you hold more than one scholarship?

It is possible (but exceptional) for a pupil to hold more than one scholarship and to receive a larger fee remission as a consequence.

 What value are the scholarships?

The fee remission for co-curricular scholarships is usually 10% but in exceptional circumstances can be 25% or 50%. Scholarships are not means-tested.

How much is the registration fee?

The registration fee is £165. You must pay the registration fee when you submit your registration form.

I cannot afford the registration fee. Can I still register my child?

It is possible to have the registration fee waived where the household income is below £26,000 per year. Please contact the admissions team for more information before completing a registration form.

I cannot afford the school fees. Can my child still be considered for a place?

Yes: we are committed to widening access to our school and welcoming pupils from all backgrounds. Please click here for more information about fee assistance and how to apply.

 

Friendly tips for a smooth application process

Please ensure that the contact details we hold (especially email) are up to date. Please ring the admissions office to check if in doubt, otherwise there is a risk you will miss crucial information which is sent via email. The offers are sent by post; if you move address, please let us know or the letter will be sent to an old address.

When possible, please submit with good time before a deadline. There may be a delay in acknowledgement due to a last minute rush.

If you wish to withdraw a candidate, please email the admissions office and we can remove them from the list.

Exam concessions

If you are seeking special exam arrangements of any kind (including extra time or the use of a computer), written request and supporting documentation such as an Educational Psychologist’s report must be received in advance of the assessment day. The deadline for these documents will be confirmed in due course.

Exam concession requests are reviewed in line with the requirements of the Joint Council for Qualifications and what is allowed for external exams. The headmaster’s decision on exam concession requests is final. The school will confirm in writing which, if any, special arrangements will be made for the candidate. Candidates must bring the letter of confirmation to the entrance exam.

If you have an Educational Psychologist’s report you must supply this information if you accept the offer of a place.

Primary Ambitions

Emanuel Lower Sixth students spend their Friday afternoons teaching pupils from local primary schools through the innovative Primary Ambitions programme.

Find out more about Primary Ambitions here, or watch the video below in which our students reflect on their experiences.