Open evening for 2026 entry is on Thursday 15th January, 2026, from 6-8pm. There is no need to book a space for the evening, and we will release more information nearer the time with regards to talks from the Head of Sixth Form and the Head Teacher. Please note the application form for 2026 entry will go live the day after the open evening. 

In the meantime, please find further information below (a video showing the Sixth Form, the latest prospectus and grade entry requirements). 

Please note our applications for Sixth Form 2026 will open on 16th January 2026. The application form will be a digital form and will appear here the morning after the open evening. For any questions regarding the admissions process, please contact Mrs Crowley: cc@balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk. Please note the deadline for the applications will be midnight on Friday 6th February 2026. 

The minimum requirement for entry to the sixth form is 2 grade 6s and 3 grade 5s in full GCSE courses. These must include a grade 5 or above in both mathematics and English language or literature. In addition, many A-level subjects will require a specific grade in that particular subject at GCSE. Please click here to review our Sixth Form entry requirements by subject .

Following a consultation meeting in May, conditional places are offered to students with places then confirmed once GCSE results have been issued in August, and for those students that didn't attend Balcarras, when we have confirmed that we have spaces. 

Please note that we may enter our over subscription criteria. We therefore advise you to please review our admissions policy (please note the Sixth Form section is on pages 6 and 7). We will first award places to Balcarras students that meet the entry criteria as stated above, followed by looked after children or those with ECHPs. We will then begin offering places to those students that meet the entry criteria and live within the boundary area for Sixth Form as specified by GCC. 

Please click here for details of the courses we offer and the entry requirements  for each subject. 

All students choose four courses. Four subjects are studied throughout Y12. Once the mock examinations have taken place, discussions will take place between students and their teachers to determine which of their four subjects they may wish to drop in time for Y13. When students return to Y13 after the summer, their timetable will reflect the change to three subjects. It is not possible to drop a fourth subject before the end of Y12. 

Our prospectus gives guidance on combining courses. It is important that you try and be as sure as you can be about the courses you choose. You will be spending up to two years studying them, so please take the time to talk to your teachers, parents and career advisers about them! Please review the option blocks (please note these are for the 2025/26 academic year) to ensure that you have chosen subjects that will not clash on the timetable. 

Please note that there will be time to change your subject choices post-results day, should you wish. We do offer a grace period during the first few weeks of Year 12 where you may visit the Sixth Form offices and talk to a member of staff. Please ensure you have consulted the option blocks and entry requirements before discussing any subject changes. Please also note that any subject swaps are also  dependent on class sizes. 

“Joining Balcarras 6th Form from Winchombe School was quite daunting with new subjects, new teachers and new classmates, but the school was really welcoming right from the start … Balcarras was my first choice for sixth form and I have no regrets with my decision. It has lived up to its positive reputation and has allowed me to experience a wide range of activities whilst pushing me to achieve my academic goals.” Aidan Cheale, former Winchcombe student

"The sixth form ... has standards that are among the highest in the country". Ofsted