FIRST STEPS
VISITING THE SCHOOL
Applicants who are considering applying for Canford Sixth Form are encouraged to attend an Open Morning in Year 10.
We hold Open Mornings twice a year in April and October where a specific presentation for Sixth Form entry is given.
There is more information on the school website at www.canford.com/admissions/visit
REGISTRATION
Registrations for Sixth Form applications open in April of Year 10. Please register by scanning the QR code below.
ASSESSMENT OPTIONS
All candidates take either the Canford Entrance Tests or the Academic Scholarship Examinations.
OVERSEAS APPLICANTS
All families applying for Canford from overseas should contact the Admissions team in the first instance. The Admissions team will provide advice and guidance with the international admissions process.
EXPECTED GCSE GRADES YEAR 11 TIMELINE
All scholarships and places are offered subject to candidates achieving a minimum of 42 grade points on the best seven GCSEs, including English and Maths. Although sometimes there can be some flexibility, we would expect at least a grade 7 in each subject to be studied in the Lower Sixth and at least a 6 in English and Maths. Once registered, we will request a reference from your current school. If you are taking GCSEs, we will request your predicted grades.
A LEVEL CHOICES
Pupils must choose four subjects (unless one is Further Maths, in which case we ask for five initial subject choices). At some point during the Sixth Form most pupils will drop one subject.
Our subject choices are below. These will be grouped for subject section in the spring term of your year of entry, we will always try to make every combination possible, though this can’t be guaranteed.
11TH OCTOBER 2026 **
Registration deadline for assessment, scholarships and financial assistance. Scan the QR code below to register.
6TH NOVEMBER 2026
All Assyrian Sport candidates will be assessed in the afternoon.
WEEK COMMENCING
9TH NOVEMBER 2026
Canford Entrance Tests and Assyrian Scholarships (except Sport) and Academic Scholarships. *
1ST DECEMBER 2026
Annoucement of results (in accordance with the agreement between all HMC schools).
*Once the closing date for registration has passed, we will confirm which date you have been allocated to be tested.
** If this date has passed, we may run later assessments in the Spring term, please contact admissions@canford.com for details. Please note: It’s likely that our bursaries and scholarships will have been awarded in our main assessment stage.
SIXTH FORM REGISTRATION
THE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
ENTRY PATHWAY
ENTRY PATHWAY
OR
Ideally, we wish for every candidate to join us for assessment in person. The assessment day offers two levels of subject papers, but is otherwise the same:
• Quest online assessment in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• Group discussion and interview.
• Either one 60-minute paper on three of the four A Level subjects of choice, or, if the candidate is wishing to be awarded an academic scholarship, three 45-minute papers on three of the four A Level subjects of choice.
OVERSEAS CANDIDATES
If candidates are applying from overseas, we understand the need to be assessed remotely. This will require:
• Quest online assessment in English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
• One 60-minute paper on three of the four subjects of choice.
• An online interview.
• If English is the candidate’s second language, an English as an Additional Language paper is required.
Please be assured that our Politics, Psychology and Economics papers are written with the expectation that candiates haven’t previously studied these subjects.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Candidates may enter for any combination of Sixth Form Scholarships. Scholarships can vary in value, but the majority are generally worth 5-15% of the fees.
ASSYRIAN SCHOLARSHIPS
Assryian Scholarships are awarded to Sixth Form pupils who will make a leading contribution in one or more areas of the extracuricular life of Canford. Candidates may choose from one or more of the following and would normally study the subject at A Level (with the exception of sport).
ART: Candidates should bring their portfolio of work containing no more than 10 pieces along with a sketchbook (if available). An informal interview will also take place with a focus on the candidate’s creativity, passion for the subject and desire to learn.
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY: Candidates will need to bring a portfolio of work consisting of approximately 15 A3 pages. Additional material from other projects should also be provided showing the following skills: sketching and graphical communication, examples of any CAD work undertaken, written communication including layout of work (research pages, analysis, idea pages, production diaries etc.), written communication to show depth of understanding in analysis of problem solving, examples of the quality make outcomes. An informal interview will take place with a senior member of our DT department.
DRAMA: Candidates should prepare two monologues from published plays, lasting two to three minutes each, and be ready to take direction on their performance. They should have a clear understanding of the context within the play of each extract. Those applying for technical theatre should instead provide a presentation demonstrating their approach to two scenes from a play of their choice from a technical perspective. Interviews will be conducted by the Head of Drama or the Technical Theatre Manager, and candidates should note that drama scholars are expected to study the subject at A Level.
MUSIC: Applicants should prepare one or two short pieces to perform and would normally be of a good grade 6 Associated Board standard. There will also be a general interview.
SPORT: Candidates at 16+ should be high performers in the focus sports played at Canford (Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Cricket) and ideally be involved in a recognised performance pathway. Other sports will be considered, but priority will be given to candidates offering sports played as focus team sports. The scholarship format will include a physical (fitness) assessment along with a technical assessment in their chosen sport/s and an interview.
For the academic element of these awards, candidates must sit either the Academic Scholarship or the Canford Entrance Tests.
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Applicants are expected to have reached or be approaching grade 8 standard with distinction. Applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces on their main instrument/voice and one piece on each supporting instrument/voice. Candidates may offer singing either as a main instrument, or in support of other instruments and they may also wish to bring along original compositions. Scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests should also be prepared at a level appropriate to the standard of the pieces. The audition concludes with an informal interview between the applicant and the department’s music staff. Applicants should bring to the audition examples of their composing work for GCSE music and be prepared to discuss it with the department’s staff. Scholars are normally expected to take Music A Level.
Our Sixth Form ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ webpage is regularly updated with current information. Please scan the QR code to visit this page. If you have any further questions, please do get in contact with our Admissions team, either by email or telephone:
