Houseroom

Sixth forms in London and the UK

An independent sixth form teaches pupils aged 16 to 18 for A-levels, the IB Diploma or BTECs. Most are part of a senior school; a few are standalone sixth-form colleges. Houseroom lists 318 independent sixth forms, with a median day fee of £30,918 a year. Compare them by borough, ranking, fees and open days.

Updated September 2026

Sixth forms by area

Best-ranked sixth forms

By Houseroom Index score, which weighs exam results, destinations, inspection and value.

  1. North London Collegiate SchoolGirls · Ages 3–18 · Day
  2. Guildford High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
  3. St Paul's Girls' SchoolGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
  4. Westminster SchoolCo-ed · Ages 13–18 · Boarding
  5. St Paul's SchoolBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day & boarding
  6. King's College School, WimbledonBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day
  7. Eton CollegeBoys · Ages 13–18 · Boarding
  8. Brighton CollegeCo-ed · Ages 3–18 · Day & boarding
  9. Lady Eleanor Holles SchoolGirls · Ages 7–18 · Day
  10. City of London SchoolBoys · Ages 10–18 · Day
  11. South Hampstead High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
  12. Latymer Upper SchoolCo-ed · Ages 11–18 · Day
  13. Godolphin and Latymer SchoolGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
  14. King Edward VI High School for GirlsGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
  15. City of London School for GirlsGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day

Choosing a sixth form

16+ entry

Schools admit a smaller number of external pupils at 16+, usually on predicted GCSE grades, subject tests and interview in the autumn of Year 11. Many set minimum grades for the subjects a pupil wants to take at A-level.

What to compare

Compare the subjects on offer, A-level or IB results, university destinations, the size of the sixth form and how much teaching is in small sets. Sixth-form scholarships and bursaries are common and worth applying for.

Sixth forms: common questions

How many independent sixth forms does Houseroom list?
Houseroom lists 318 independent sixth forms: 64 girls', 27 boys' and 227 co-ed. Most are in London and the South East.
How much do sixth forms cost?
The median top day fee across the sixth forms Houseroom lists is £30,918 a year, including 20% VAT since January 2025. Boarding, lunches, uniform and trips cost extra.
When do sixth-form applications open?
Most independent schools take 16+ applications in the autumn of Year 11, with tests and interviews from November to January, and offers conditional on GCSE results.