Brighton College 16+ 2026 entry

1.

Not sure about sevenoaks or wellington because I don't think anyone I know applied, but a couple of my friends applied for sixth form westminster and some of them got accepted. however, I think most if not all of them are going to stay, despite being accepted. i think the biggest pull for westminster is that it has pretty good uni results, but to be fair brighton's strong as well and they have a pretty good support system as i've heard from the sixth formers. brighton's more well rounded and less purely focused on academics, which I think is important as you get to be a lot more all-rounded and actually have a much more enjoyable school life instead of studying all the time.

2.

I'd say that Brighton is actually one of the better areas in England to board. Sure, it's no mega vibrant city, but it's safe, it's by a nice sea, and there's a nice shopping center that's about 15 minutes away by bus from the school. People often go out and have meals or just walk around the shops on the weekends, and it's pretty nice. At least the weather is pretty good, it never gets too cold or rainy and there's sometimes a bit of lovely sunshine which is... a luxury for anyone who's lived in the UK before.

3.

Assessments wise, I'm not all too sure about y12, but I do know that they have midterm assessments right before/ after half terms. That's the general assessment the entire year takes, but if you're talking about individual tests, it just depends on your teacher. I know from my sixth form friends that they do have regular pop quizzes, but nothing too intense.

4.

No. I'd say that the scholarship doesn't mean all that much if I'm being frank; most people are barely aware of its existence. I've recently sat for mine and got awarded for it too (along with my music scholarship), but unless you're a music or sports scholar, in which case they would expect you to occasionally perform at recitals or attend fixtures, there's not much you have to do if you're a scholar.

5.

No. As I've mentioned, I think Brighton is actually one of the more top performing schools that actually do offer a decent work life balance, and I've heard that Y12 is actually probably the best school year, as you have lots of freedom compared to lower years and less pressure than Y13 when you have uni applications and a levels. That's not to say that it's not academically pressured tho, because I do always find myself really busy and I have to do quite a lot of work, but you'll be supported well enough that if you're someone who really does care about academics. (I have mocks coming up in 5 days and I'm actually dead meat...). Another thing is that if you're a boarder, you'll definitely have a social life, because you're always around your friends. lol.

6.

So a bit more about boarding:
For sixth form girls there are three options. New, Fenwick and Alexander. New and Fenwick are all girls', Alex is mixed and exclusive to 6th formers, as I'm sure you're aware. I'd say the vibes in each house vary vastly, and whether or not you'll like each house really depends on what person you are. New house was built in 2013 and is the more modernistic house with arguably better rooms and facilities. Alex is basically a mixture of on-site and off-site houses (if you're off site you're around 5 minutes away, you rotate between them when you change rooms over the school year), it's pretty chill from what I've heard, the biggest thing is that they're a mixed sixth form only house so obviously the atmosphere there is different as opposed to single sex houses with people all the way from y9 to y13. About the two girl houses: I personally was really happy in Fenwick and had the time of my life boarding, and most of my closest friends are still in Fenwick, but Fenwick is a bit overcrowded. If you care about the social aspect of boarding then Fenwick is definitely the one to go to, but if you prefer a bit more freedom, personal space and maybe slightly newer rooms then go New. (I'm biased but I do love Fenwick a lot more for the atmosphere). (side note: if you did join Fenwick, you'd be in the same year group as my closest friends! You would love them, they're all a lovely bunch.) I'm not going to say as much here to avoid sharing too much sensitive detail, but if you want to know more about boarding houses then drop me a message.

7.

Nice about what? If you mean whether the students at this school are nice, then I'd say that most people are really friendly here, but as with all schools there are certain cohorts that I'd rather not hang out with. That said, everyone's still civil, and people never really get bullied here at least.