16+ Sixth Form Entry
THOMAS’S COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
16+ Sixth Form Entry
Our 16+ admissions process reflects the maturity and individuality of students at this stage. It assesses knowledge, skills and personal qualities, with methods tailored to older learners and designed to identify curiosity, drive and potential.
The process is holistic and looks closely at applicants as young people. The assessment process comprises four elements; a viva, interview, submission and, where available, GCSE predictions.
1. Viva
Candidates select a subject for which they have a passion – typically one they plan to pursue at A Level. In this subject they will have a 30-minute viva voce: a 1:1 spoken examination with a subject expert.
This 30-minute viva conversation offers candidates the opportunity to:
- Demonstrate subject knowledge and enthusiasm
- Engage in brief written tasks that may form part of the discussion
Viva content aligns with GCSE-level learning and is designed to meet candidates where they are in their current studies.
2. Interview
An extended personal interview in small groups, focused on values, ways of thinking, and readiness for Sixth Form.
3. Submission
Candidates will be asked to submit a piece of marked work. The work should be in their own handwriting or undertaken by them if they are a keyboard user. Candidates are invited to choose a piece of work that reflects their strengths, demonstrates their abilities and can be in any form and any subject: an essay they are proud of, a short piece of research, mathematics worksheets, a creative plan or project. The brief is deliberately open but the work must be marked by a teacher in their current school.
4. GCSE Predictions
Where available, we will also request predicted GCSE grades, along with a reference from the applicant’s current school.
16 + Key Dates
| Registration Opens | 11 May 2026 |
| Open Evening | 23 September 2026 |
| Registration Deadline Deadline to submit supporting documentation including usual ways of working and educational psychologists reports | 16 October 2026 |
| Assessment (various times) | 13 and 14 November 2026 |
| Decisions Emailed | 4 December 2026 |
| 16+ Offer Holders Event | TBC |
| Deadline to Accept | 15 January 2027 |
Further information about our unique entrance assessments and key dates can be found in the Admissions Guide. Families interested in enrolling their children are encouraged to complete an Enquiry Form, so we can invite you to an open event.
Alternatively, you are welcome to contact the Admissions team on 020 7987 0902 or at [email protected].
