Which selective sixth forms are there in East London, and what grades do they need?

Many families in Barking, Dagenham, Ilford and Newham hope their child will get into a selective sixth form. These schools ask for high GCSE grades and close applications long before results day. This guide sets out what three of the best-known ones ask for, taken from their own websites.

I went to Brampton Manor Academy myself, so I know how much these applications mean to families. Always check each school's website before applying, because rules can change each year.

Which selective sixth forms are there in East London?

Three of the best-known selective sixth forms in East London are:

Sources: LAE admissions policy for September 2027, Brampton Manor How to Apply, NCS entry requirements and NCS application guide.

These are minimums. Popular courses can need higher grades, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee a place.

What does the London Academy of Excellence ask for?

LAE asks applicants to show they are likely to get at least eight GCSEs at grades 7 to 9, including at least a 7 in maths and English Language. They must also meet the requirements for each A-Level they choose (LAE entry requirements).

Some subject requirements from LAE's September 2027 admissions policy:

How do LAE admissions work?

The policy for September 2027 entry says:

• Places: up to 375 students in Year 12.
• Who can apply: students born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 who will sit GCSEs in summer 2027.
• Deadline: apply online through LAE's admissions portal by 19 February 2027, with predicted grades confirmed by your school.
• Ranking: if more students meet the minimum than there are places, LAE uses priority groups. These include looked-after children, students eligible for free school meals, and students at a state secondary school in Newham. After the priority groups, applicants are ranked by the average of their best eight GCSE grades, predicted or achieved.
• Travel: LAE says it will not usually make offers to students living more than 50 minutes away by public transport.

Most Barking and Dagenham families should check their journey time to Stratford before applying. LAE says offers are provisional until enrolment after GCSE results.

What does Brampton Manor ask for?

According to Brampton Manor's How to Apply page, the minimum entry conditions are:

• an average points score of 6.5 across all GCSEs, and
• at least a grade 5 in GCSE maths and English Language.

Subject-specific requirements are in the school's determined admissions arrangements, linked from the same page.

Key dates listed on the page:

What does Newham Collegiate Sixth Form ask for?

The NCS entry requirements page says students need at least 62 points from their best eight GCSEs, and at least a 7 in English Language and maths to study A-Levels. The best eight must come from EBacc subjects; vocational courses and community languages are not counted.

NCS's application guide lists applications opening on 1 January 2027 and closing at 6pm on 12 February 2027. The application includes predicted grades, referee details and written statements. NCS warns that applications using AI-written or copied content may be rejected.

When should we start preparing?

Start in Year 10. Applications close in February of Year 11, and most rely on predicted grades given by your child's school in the winter of Year 11.

A sensible timeline:

Results day 2027 is Thursday 19 August (JCQ key dates). See our GCSE results day guide for what to do on the day.

What if my child does not get a place?

There are many good routes to top universities. Many school sixth forms and colleges in Barking and Dagenham offer A-Levels. LAE also says it may offer spare places from a waiting list or after GCSE results, though chances are low.

Apply to more than one sixth form, including at least one where your child comfortably meets the requirements.

How can predicted grades be improved?

Predictions are based on your child's work and mock results in Year 11. Steady progress in the autumn term matters most. Our guides to mock results, going from grade 4 to 7 in maths and combined vs triple science can help.

How can LCB help?

Our co-founders studied at Imperial College London, and our tutors studied at top UK universities. We teach GCSE maths, science and English in small groups of 3 to 5, in Barking or online, to your child's exam board.

For students aiming at selective sixth forms, we focus on the subjects that will hold back predictions, with a monthly progress report so you can see the change. Start with a free 30-minute assessment. See GCSE tutoring and A-Level tutoring, or book a free assessment.