Sixth Form entry preparation

Commons Education supports students seeking places at academically selective Sixth Forms with a structured programme, which can begin in Year 10 or Year 11.

Our over-arching aim is working with your son or daughter to find the right fit Sixth Form. Identifying your child’s emotional and social drivers is the key to academic success. We have a unique and proven approach towards entrance assessment preparation.

  • When I first ever approached you (regarding Annabelle), you explained to me that the approach typically taken by "diligent, conscientious, teenage girls" to English papers needed to be deconstructed in preparation for entrance exams, and reconstructed into something much swifter, leaner, more efficient - more ruthless, almost - if they were to prosper in an entrance exam. This insight was illuminating to me as a parent, and struck me as essential: I remember so well from my time at school that knowledge was all very well, but an exam was won or lost in exam technique. So your insight resonated with me as clear as a bell, and gave me a sense that, even though we were only speaking on the phone 8.000 miles apart, there was a good chance you would be the right person to support my teen, and thereafter my second teen.

    Jason, happy parent of two successful Commons alumnae

  • I’m really pleased with Finn’s progress. He looks forward to his lessons with enthusiasm. I always am impressed by your innovative approaches - which are always flexible to Finn’s needs… trying to engage him with particular parts of the curriculum that he might find difficult by using or bringing out aspects of the text that he hadn’t thought of. As well as (of course) the details of any specific learning you’re also able to bring in “big picture“ issues and a link to other areas of life including contemporary politics and national events.

    Fiona, happy parent of a Commons student

Finding the right fit Sixth Form for your child

Finding the right fit Sixth Form for your son or daughter is our over-arching aim. This can be tricky when there are so many moving parts.

Our consultation process takes into account their academic profile, character, and personal, co-curricular interests, all of which are vital parts of the jigsaw when it comes to future university applications and careers. For every child, regardless of age, emotional wellbeing is key to their academic success.

What marks out the Commons team as exceptional is the emphasis we place on mental health and pastoral care. Your son or daughter will begin the process in Year 10 or Year 11 with a personal consultation with Adam D’Souza, founder of Commons Education, to discuss their aims for Sixth Form and beyond.

Adam will also meet with you, as parents, in confidence, since successful 16+ entrance campaigns require a careful balance between students taking responsibility for driving their own educational journey, and parents’ support.

Tailored tutoring for entrance exams

Having created a shortlist of Sixth Forms that align with your son or daughter’s profile, the next step is preparing for 16+ entrance exams.

Commons member tutors with experience supporting 16+ applications to academically selective Sixth Forms include Gavin Fiddler and Adam D’Souza.

The open-ended format of academically selective Sixth Forms’ entrance assessments – more akin to university exams – is often unnerving to students used to box-ticking GCSE style questions. Preparation tutorials encompass subject-specific content and general skills, such as quickly planning coherent essays, non-verbal reasoning, commenting on current affairs and data analysis.

As assessment dates draw closer, your son or daughter’s tutorials will also include interview practice. Our tutors have a wealth of experience supporting children applying to academically selective London schools, so we know what schools are looking for. Students who need extra support in one or two key GCSE subjects have access to our extended network of expert, subject-specialist tutors through our partner GCSE tutoring providers.

Our students have secured places and scholarship offers in some of the most academically competitive Sixth Forms…

Emotional wellbeing and pastoral care

What really sets Commons tutors apart is the quality of human relationships.

For every teenager, emotional wellbeing is key to their academic success. What marks out the Commons tutor team as exceptional is the emphasis we place on mental health and pastoral care.

All of our tutors have school teaching experience, giving them insight on the emotional needs of children at this crucial stage of their education, and the pressures facing parents during the application process. Furthermore, many of our tutors have pastoral leadership experience, coaching experience, and certifications in safeguarding children’s wellbeing.

Expertise in Sixth Form entry preparation

Commons Education member tutors with expertise in Sixth Form entry preparation include Adam D'Souza and Gavin Fiddler.