Our Admissions Process

We offer approximately 60 Sixth Form places to boys and girls each year. New entrants join our current Fifth Form pupils as they continue into the Sixth Form.

Click here to apply for a place at St Albans School

Click here to read our Sixth Form Prospectus and Curriculum Guide

Our Admissions Department will be happy to answer any enquiries you have, and to guide you through each stage of the process. They are contactable via the links below:

Telephone  01727 515182

Email

We encourage families to get to know St Albans School better by visiting us. 

We offer daytime tours of our Sixth Form daytime tours on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings for prospective Sixth Formers and their families. They offer a wonderful opportunity to tour the School and find out more about our Sixth Form 'in action'. Please contact the Admissions Department for more information and to arrange your visit:

Telephone 01727 515182

Email

A confidential report (including a forecast of GCSE grades or equivalent) will be requested from each candidate’s current school.

The minimum requirements for entry to the Sixth Form for external candidates are:

1. A grade average of 6.6 or better across all GCSEs taken (where letter grades are awarded an A* = 8 points, A = 7, B = 6, C = 5, etc. so, by way of example, 6 A grades and 4 B grades, giving a grade average of 6.6, would satisfy this requirement).
2. Where number grades are awarded, the grade will be converted into an equivalent number of points, i.e. a 9 will count as 9 points.
3. GCSE passes at grade B/6 or above in English Language and Mathematics, irrespective of the chosen A level subjects.
4. Individual GCSE grade requirements of A or A* (7 or 8) will be set in the four subjects to be studied in the Lower Sixth, or in a relevant and closely-related subject or subjects if the proposed A level subject was not available at GCSE (for example, Economics requires an A/7 grade or better in English Language and an A* in Mathematics).

Timings for 16+ applications:

Once an application is made a reference and predicted grades are sought from the child’s current school. If entry requirements are met, they will be invited for interview. If successful, a conditional offer will be made dependent on GCSE grades awarded.

For entry from September 2027, students study three A Levels alongside the St Albans Diploma, combining academic study with either the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) or Gold Arts Award to cultivate advanced research, creativity and communication skills that distinguish applicants to leading universities and employers. For a number of students, four A Levels may be appropriate as part of the Diploma programme. 

To apply for a place in our Sixth Form please complete this form:

Click here to apply for a place at St Albans School

If you have already set up an OpenApply account for your child, please click here to access it.

There is a non-refundable £150 +VAT registration fee payable when you submit your application. You will be directed to our online payment facility when you have completed the form.

It is recommended that pupils register for a place in Sixth Form during the Autumn term of Year 11.

Bursary applicants should contact the Admissions Department in advance of applying. 

Those who register after December may risk their chosen subject/s sets being full. Once an application is received, a request is made to the pupil’s school for an academic report and an interview will be arranged. We do not automatically interview all candidates. If GCSE predictions are lower than our entry requirements, we may suggest that an application is made again once the GCSE results are published.

CONDITIONAL OFFERS
Post interview, successful candidates will be made an offer conditional upon GCSE results, in accordance with our entrance requirements. Subject specific entry requirements can be found in our Sixth Form Curriculum Information Booklet here. 

If you have any queries or would like to send additional information or documents, please contact the Admissions Department via the links below:

Telephone 01727 515182

Email

We are delighted to announce our new Scholarships Programme.

At 16+ entry, we offer scholarship awards in the following areas:

• Academic
• Music
• Sport
• Drama

These awards are not only marks of distinction, but also come with responsibility. Scholars are expected to play an active and leading role in the academic and co-curricular life of the School, and they are ambassadors for their area of specialism. Scholarships typically offer a fee remission of between 5–25% depending on the area of award and the strength of the application. In some cases, further means-tested bursarial support may be available in addition to a scholarship.

For more information, please refer to our Scholarships Programme booklet:

REGISTRATION AND APPLICATION

Applicants must be registered with St Albans School in order to apply for a scholarship. All scholarships are conditional on the academic standard for the School being met prior to an award being considered.

Application is via OpenApply, our Admissions portal.

For more information, please contact:

Telephone 01727 515182

Email

I’m interested in a St Albans School education for my son or daughter, where do I start?

The best place to start is to come into the School in person to see what makes St Albans School such a wonderful place to learn. We offer two 16+ Open Evenings in the Autumn Term with an opportunity to tour the School with one of our prefects. We also offer daytime tours of the School with a prefect.

What is the registration deadline for 16+?

For 16+ there is no deadline as such, however scholarship candidates must register by 31 October of Year 11. Registration is done electronically via our website homepage and for scholarship registration, please contact Admissions.

Do you offer 16+ Scholarships and Bursaries?

Yes, a Bursary is means-tested funding provided by the School to assist pupils in obtaining a place at St Albans School when it wouldn’t otherwise be accessible. Assistance generally ranges from 40% to 100%. A 16+ Scholarship is awarded for outstanding performance or potential and carries a small amount of financial remission (5% to 25%). Music, Drama, Academic and Sports Scholarships are available at 16+.

What is the format for the Academic Scholarship?

Our Sixth Form students study three or four A Levels. For scholarships, papers are taken in two of those prospective A Levels. There is also an interview on the Scholarship Day at the School. 

What is the format for the Music Scholarship?

The Music Scholarships are taken in School in November. It involves an audition and two interviews. Candidates should have achieved distinction standard, or close to it, at Grade 7 or 8 of the Associated Board Examination in one instrument and/or singing. A second instrument would be an advantage but is not essential. 

What is the format for the Sports Scholarship?

The Sports Scholarship involves completing an application form, submitting relevant references, an interview and a sporting highlight reel, if available. Candidates should be part of an elite (County, Regional, National) programme or talent pathway in their primary sport.

I am interested in applying for a Bursary, what do I need to do?

You can indicate on your online registration form that you would like to be considered for a Bursary. The Admissions Team will then be in touch to discuss the next steps. The level of funding awarded is usually between 40-100%. The deadline to apply is 30 November.

For more information on assistance with fees (bursaries), please click here.

I’ve completed the registration form, when will I hear from the School again?

We will request a reference and predicted grades from your child’s current school. Where the grades and references meet our 16+ entry requirements we will offer an interview.

Where do most new entrants come from at 16+?

We receive applications from boys and girls across Hertfordshire and North London but also further afield where candidates may be in a boarding environment and wish to switch to being a day scholar. Our new entrants are predominantly girls who may have been in a single-sex environment and would like to now experience a co-ed Sixth Form.

How many applicants join and what is the ratio of girls?

Approximately 45 to 60 new applicants join our Sixth form. The girls will account for a quarter to a third of the cohort when combined with our Fifth Form boys moving into Lower Sixth Form. The size of each Sixth Form year is usually 160-180 pupils.

What schools do your current Sixth Form joiners come from?

Abbot's Hill, Beaumont, Bedford School, Bishop's Stortford College, British International School Nigeria, Habs Boys, Habs Girls, Haileybury, Kellett (Hong Kong), Monks Walk School, North London Collegiate, Palmers Green High School, Parmiters, Presdales, Queenswood, QE Boys, Richard Hale, Roundwood Park, Rugby School, Sandringham, Sir John Lawes, St Albans Girls’ School, St Albans High School for Girls, St Columba’s College, St George’s Harpenden, St Helen's Northwood, St John’s Enfield, St Margaret’s Bushey, The Swaminarayan School and Verulam School.

What does a typical day at St Albans School look like?

Morning registration is at 8.35am. Abbey, Assemblies and Tutor time take place until 9.15am. There are six 50-minute lessons per day and academic lessons finish at 4.00pm. Pupils who are staying for one of the many evening clubs, sports practice or clinics may use the late coach service which departs at 6.00pm. 

How is the Lower Sixth Form year timetabled?

Students have six lessons per week for each of their three or four A levels. In most cases, this is split between two teachers. They also have a lesson of enrichment activities, a PSHEE lesson and two lessons of games. From January in the Lower Sixth pupils on 3 A Levels begin Extended Project lessons for two periods each week. On a Friday afternoon they are involved with a range of leadership, service and volunteering activities, including working with pupils in local primary schools.

How is the Upper Sixth Form year timetabled?

Students have six lessons per week for each of their three or four A levels. There is also an Extended Project lesson, an enrichment lecture and two lessons of Games. Students may have an academic challenge seminar also timetabled dependent upon their chosen university path. Any remaining periods are available for private study.