Students remain on the school roll until they leave. This is not automatic at age 16 and a student wishing to continue into the sixth-form may do so, unless he or she has been excluded.

The only exception is where the school has an entry qualification that the student has failed to meet. Even if the right of entry exists, the school can determine the curriculum which is followed. Governors can refuse to enter students for a public examination for which they are not suited.

Other schools or colleges are generally responsible for their own admissions.

In community schools, however, sixth-form level entry should not be refused, unless no appropriate course is available.

Archimedes