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
- Sixth forms in Croydon (14)
- Sixth forms in Westminster (12)
- Sixth forms in Barnet (12)
- Sixth forms in Wandsworth (11)
- Sixth forms in Kensington & Chelsea (10)
- Sixth forms in Richmond upon Thames (10)
- Sixth forms in Camden (9)
- Sixth forms in Ealing (9)
- Sixth forms in Greenwich (9)
- Sixth forms in Bromley (8)
- Sixth forms in Merton (7)
- Sixth forms in Hounslow (6)
- Sixth forms in Hillingdon (6)
- Sixth forms in Tower Hamlets (5)
- Sixth forms in Southwark (5)
- Sixth forms in Hammersmith & Fulham (5)
- Sixth forms in Harrow (5)
- Sixth forms in Marylebone (5)
- Sixth forms in Hampstead (5)
Best-ranked sixth forms
By Houseroom Index score, which weighs exam results, destinations, inspection and value.
- North London Collegiate SchoolGirls · Ages 3–18 · Day
- Guildford High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
- St Paul's Girls' SchoolGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
- Westminster SchoolCo-ed · Ages 13–18 · Boarding
- St Paul's SchoolBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day & boarding
- King's College School, WimbledonBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day
- Eton CollegeBoys · Ages 13–18 · Boarding
- Brighton CollegeCo-ed · Ages 3–18 · Day & boarding
- Lady Eleanor Holles SchoolGirls · Ages 7–18 · Day
- City of London SchoolBoys · Ages 10–18 · Day
- South Hampstead High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
- Latymer Upper SchoolCo-ed · Ages 11–18 · Day
- Godolphin and Latymer SchoolGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
- King Edward VI High School for GirlsGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
- 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.