city and islington sixth form college

[lazymumofteenagesons]

Went to the open day for DS2 today at city and islington and was impressed. However I don't know anyone who has done A levels there, only BTECs.
Does anyone have any experience of this college. DS2 would like to do AS's in history, economics, politics and philosophy.

[Himalaya]

My sister went there - got AAB in her A Levels last year. She was quite happy with the teaching and support, and liked the 'grown up' atmosphere compared to school.

It takes quite a mixed group of abilities and a lot of kids in her year got low AS grades and didn't stay for the second year.

[milkybaaa]

Many of our leavers go there as we don't have a sixth form at our school. Most of them have done well. I agree that it takes a wide mix of abilities and that it suits those who can cope with a more adult and responsible environment.

Some pupils have gone and struggled with the transition from a school to a college and done badly as a result. A student does have to be motivated to attend, they won't monitor clothing or attendance as much as a school. If your DS needs a bit more spoon feeding and is bright, there are schools like Camden or Mossbourne which take clever children to boost their results but are run on a much stricter basis.

[LaydeeC]

I'm not so sure that it does take a wide mix of abilities. Yes over the whole college but the 6th form centre specifically (where only AS/A2s are taught) is very oversubscribed and they generally offer places to those with good gcse grades.
I previously worked at one of the other sites (NVQs/BTECs) with a much more obvious mix of ability.
The 6FC delivers excellent A level results.

[lazymumofteenagesons]

Thanks all. He is also going to try for Camden. We will be going to the open morning on the 30th.
He has filled out the application form for city and islington and will take it into school for the reference and predicted grades.
Although they only ask for 5 A*-C they do want B'c in the applicable subjects for the A level course. The prospectus shows good grades considering the admission is not overly selective. Hopefully if we get the application in early enough he might be ok. First choice will probably be Camden but much more difficult to get in. We are in Brent so don't qualify for either school.

[Sonflower]

I have worked at C&I for over 10 years, in a business support role. I used to work at the Sixth Form Centre, but currently work at one of their other sites.

I would say that it is an exceptionally good place to study,which offers superb student support as well as fantastic enrichment opportunities. It delivers well above average A level results both locally and nationally. This is down to the fact no one is offered an A level place if they haven't achieved a relatively high grade in the GCSE of that subject, as well as the fact that the teaching staff are highly experienced and dedicated. This goes for business support staff too .
The majority of kids who attend are from schools in Islington and its neighbouring boroughs-Camden,Hackney etc far from "priviledged middle class homes" and they nearly always thrive and achieve their potential.

There are lots of things in place to track attendance/behaviour/etc.so students do not get lost in an impersonal system .....we didn't get an "Outstanding" OFSTED result for nothing, and we are also a Beacon College -in other words we are seen as a great example of "good practice" for other FE Colleges to follow.

I know I sound biased, but I really wouldn't have worked there this long if I didn't really believe in the place, and as soon as DS is old enough, he'll be applying to go there too! But is very oversubscribed , so there's no guarantee he'll get a place.

[lazymumofteenagesons]

Thanks sonflower. Allsounds good to me. But with the oversubscription I hope we stand a chance. We've done our bit now just need to hurry school up with their reference etc