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Switch from France to UK for sixth form?

10 replies

flossie11 · 27/03/2014 10:40

Hi, in my ongoing relocation project, we have now decided to relocate from France to the UK in 2015 when DD, now 13, has finished French middle school. The problem is the systems are different and this would mean she would start in year 11 in the UK which is obviously not possible/difficult.
I heard there might be a solution offered at some schools geared to overseas applicants, such as pre-sixth form courses or 3 year sixth form, which could be great.
Otherwise it would mean her starting a French sixth form for a year then moving for sixth form which would delay our move and would be not idea for her.
I was hoping that anybody who has experienced the move back at this age would be able to offer advice ? Thanks !

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mummytime · 27/03/2014 21:16

Okay just two questions. Will she be 14 before 1st September? And when in 2015 are you planning to relocate? The summer?

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senua · 27/03/2014 22:10

If I have interpreted it right then she is one of the younger ones in the year. Why not go down a year and enter at Y10 so you get the full GCSE course.
I don't think you want to delay for a year - don't you have to be resident here for three years to qualify as a 'home' student for University purposes.

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mummytime · 27/03/2014 22:30

flossie11 you are heading for England? Because the school system is very different in Scotland. Although if you were heading for Scotland going down a year might work be easier/possible.

How is her English?

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Dancingdreamer · 28/03/2014 00:01

Not sure where you want to live or whether boarding is an option but I believe Malvern College offer a one year Pre-6th Form Course in Year 11 designed for foreign students wanting to study in 6th form.

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flossie11 · 28/03/2014 06:01

Sorry all I messed up this post - will be moving in 2016 not 2015... so she will be 15+
Private school could be an option but also getting her into sixth form early for IB course.

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flossie11 · 28/03/2014 06:07

Hadnt thought of the home student eligibility... I guess we would have to go for EU eligibility. Does that make a big difference? Sorry that is yet another topic!

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mummytime · 28/03/2014 07:35

You are entitled to the same funding as an EU citizen as if you are resident in the UK. In fact better, because if you come from the EU to Scotland you don't have to pay tuition fees, whereas English students do.

(This is for present arrangements and could all change after referendums).

Most Sixth forms do not do IB, but still do A'levels (in England, they have different qualifications in Scotland). So if you are looking firstly for State schools then I would search to see if there are any near where you wish to live which do, and then send them an email seeing if they would take someone out of year or can give advice.

Personally I amazed you can be planning for 2016, as I don't know which country I will be in by then. Is the 2016 date set by your DD finishing middle school? Or by a work contract?

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flossie11 · 28/03/2014 08:20

mummytime - Thanks for the advice. I have identified some IB schools (Anglo European etc) but will also contact some state schools for advice.

I'm planning for 2016 because that's when French middle school ends (and they have to physically change schools then). I just turned down a great job offer back in the UK because my daughter was so unhappy about moving and is doing well at her present (international) school here. We made a deal to go back in 2 years time and I'm starting to plan partly to think ahead but also to give myself some motivation as I really want to move back to the UK and not stay in France for ever... plus I think it would be great for DD to broaden her education.

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Needmoresleep · 28/03/2014 09:51

Where are you likely to relocate to. It makes a huge difference. Also how academic is your daughter?

London, with its very mobile population, has a number of options.

If she is academic I would suggest taking GCSE's in one year at a specialist private college, perhaps Ashbourne, but there are plenty of others. This then puts her in a good position to apply for academic state (a number of Grammar schools have significant intakes at sixth form) or private sixth forms either for IB or A level. Kings College Wimbledon, Alleyns, St Pauls Girls School, Latymer Upper, Westminster all take plenty at 16+ creating spaces in other well regarded schools.

If she is slightly less academic I would look at private schools which cater for a mobile population. Southbank International School, and the International Community School are two obvious options and offer IB. Portland Place School is also used to integrating students from overseas and offers A levels.

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flossie11 · 28/03/2014 10:19

Thanks needmoresleep that is all really helpful. We would be relocating to the London area. My daughter does well at school though I probably wouldn't say she is academic. My preference would be for her to go direct to sixth form (A levels or preferablly IB). I will check out those schools you mention. Cost is going to be an issue though which is why I would prefer one of the state 'European' schools...