Admissions
Why the Sixth Form at Westcliff High School for Boys?
Westcliff is a selective Sixth Form, not an open-access institution. It is designed for students who demonstrate academic aptitude, commitment, and motivation. We offer small-group classes led by experienced, highly qualified staff. Our facilities include a well-resourced library and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre for private study, as well as recreational areas in the Sixth Form Forum and Café. Additionally, the Sixth Form Centre features several rooms specifically designed for seminar teaching.
Westcliff provides you with the freedom to grow as an individual, along with the guidance and support needed to monitor your academic progress, all of which contribute to success in the Sixth Form. We take pride in our strong record of helping students transition from GCSE to Advanced Level. This support is crucial because the Sixth Form course is relatively short, and being in a comfortable environment can help ease the adjustment to new academic demands.
We provide an advisory service that includes individual counselling on career choices and higher education. Additionally, we offer a variety of activities and opportunities to expand your interests. You will also have the chance to take on responsibilities and engage in the School's corporate life, both of which will contribute to your personal development.
What qualifications are needed?
Entry into the Sixth Form involves meeting a general entry requirement and, in some cases, specific subject requirements.
The minimum entry requirement for the Sixth Form is 52 points, along with a Grade 5 pass in both Mathematics and English Language. Points are calculated based on a student's eight best GCSE results, with each grade corresponding to its numeric value; for example, a Grade 8 is worth 8 points. This calculation includes the Further Mathematics Level 2 Qualification, which also receives a numeric grade. Please note that BTEC and similar qualifications do not count towards the grade point total.
In this calculation, two short-course subjects are equivalent to one full course. Therefore, results from seven full courses and two short courses total eight complete subjects.
The minimum entry requirement is set at 52 points because experience indicates that anything lower does not provide a sufficient foundation for Advanced Level study. In practice, most students surpass this entrance requirement by a significant margin. Students can choose three or four A-Level courses and study them for two years before taking their A-Level examinations.
At Westcliff High School for Boys, Lower Sixth students do not take AS examinations at the end of their Lower Sixth year; instead, the School conducts a rigorous internal examination to assess their progress. All students start with four A-Level courses to allow for greater flexibility as their interests and future paths become clearer. At the end of the Lower Sixth year, students can then choose to consolidate by dropping a 4th A Level subject. In addition, Lower Sixth students can opt to start the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
Students should also note that meeting the minimum entrance requirement and satisfying specific subject requirements will not guarantee entry to the Sixth Form. We have 200 places in the Lower Sixth for September 2027, allocated to those currently in Year 11 at WHSB and to those seeking outside entry, with no favour to either category. Should we have more candidates who have satisfied the minimum entrance threshold than we have places available, places will be awarded to candidates with the strongest GCSE profile, considering a student's performance in the subjects they wish to study. Sixth Form places will be confirmed only in light of the GCSE results published in August.
Parents and prospective students are advised that only in exceptional circumstances will there be any question of waiving the general or the specific subject requirements for entry into the Sixth Form.
Further information about our courses can be found here: Sixth Form Curriculum.
Applications to Join the Sixth Form
Applications to the Sixth Form are processed through our online admissions portal hosted by Applicaa. The portal will open to non-WHSB pupils on Monday 7 December 2026, and close on Friday 29 January 2027. All applications received before this deadline will be considered equally. Current WHSB Year 11 pupils will be sent access to the portal via internal email in late January 2027.
Any queries regarding the Sixth Form admissions process should be directed to sfadmissions@whsb.essex.sch.uk.