Assessment Process 
Our admissions process for sixth form day applicants takes place in the Autumn term. We assess students and review the results in time to provide offers before the winter break.
For our international boarding applicants, we process applications throughout the year. We recommend submitting an application form as soon as you are ready, to ensure a space in the boarding houses.
UK-based GCSE students
All students will sit an entry assessment test which takes the form of a CAT4 (Cognitive Ability Test). Applicants who meet our thresholds will be invited to attend a general interview.
An offer of a place in the sixth form will be conditional on meeting our entry requirements in the CAT4 test, achieving a satisfactory school reference and the required results at GCSE or equivalent. Our offers are tailored to the individual applicant but, as a guide, we would require a minimum of 56 points for the eight best (I)GCSE results. Points will be calculated from the 9 - 1 grading system or using the conversion table below. We require at least a grade 7 at GCSE in any subject that a student is intending to study in the Sixth Form where that subject is already being studied at GCSE. For Further Mathematics, we require at least a grade 8 at GCSE.
Offers are based on the subject choices declared on the application form. Should students later decide to alter the choice of subjects, this will be subject to availability and further aptitude tests may be necessary.
Grade equivalents:
| A* | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | 7 | 5.5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
International students
If you require visa sponsorship to study with us in the UK, you will receive an unconditional offer. Our entry assessments include:
- English assessment (IELTS 6.0)
If you have recently completed an IELTS assessment, you can provide us with a link to the results. Alternatively, you can complete our online English assessment. - CAT4 assessment (1.5 hour online assessment)
- Maths (1 hour online assessment)
- Interview (20 minutes)
Please note that these assessments must be invigilated by a suitable party. For example, at a British Council office. If you have any questions, please contact us - admissions@stephenperse.com.
Key Dates
- Application closing date – 1 November 2024
- CAT4 Entrance assessment tests - These will be taken remotely and will be sent out to students in the week commencing 4 November 2024
- Sixth Form Scholarship testing day - 18 November 2023 (Academic Scholarship testing only)
- Offers made – 13 December 2024
- Acceptance of offers – 10 January 2025
- Non-academic scholarship interviews will take place by arrangement in the days preceding the entrance testing.
- International applicants please contact admissions for further details of the admissions time frame.
Submit an enquiry
To submit an enquiry for the Sixth Form, please click the button below.
Submit an application
To submit an application, please complete the application form here.
Have other questions?
See our Admissions FAQ for further information.
For any other enquiries, please contact our admissions team or call 01223 454762