Think 25: shaping the Tonbridge Sixth Form conversation

At Tonbridge, the Sixth Form conversation is about much more than where pupils will go next. Through Think 25, we ask them to look further ahead: who do they want to be, where do they want to be, and what might they want their lives to look like at 25?

That longer view shapes the work of our Global Futures department. This term, one-to-one applications support for the Upper Sixth has begun, alongside a programme of information and guidance for the Lower Sixth, beginning with our annual Oxbridge Information Evening. The aim is not simply to help pupils secure places at outstanding universities, but to give them the perspective, confidence and adaptability to make ambitious choices about what comes afterwards.

Those ambitions are reflected in this year’s range of destinations. Pupils have secured places at many of the QS top-ranked universities across the world including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, UC Berkeley, McGill, IE Madrid and many others. 76% of the cohort are headed off to a World Top 100 institution – a striking reflection of both the breadth and ambition of their aspirations.

Now well established, Think 25 reflects our belief that success is long-term, holistic and international – and that modern pathways are rarely linear. We want to nurture ambitious, adaptable young people equipped to thrive at leading universities, launch ventures, pursue opportunities around the world and respond confidently to possibilities they may not yet have imagined.

We were delighted that the quality and innovative nature of this support was recognised by the Independent School of the Year Awards last year (Finalist, 2025).