Starting sixth form

[UneBelleCerise]

Hi all,

I originally started this thread in secondary education, but as the teenagers section is more popular, I think I might get more response here.

My DD had just finished her GCSEs and is starting sixth form in September. She will be doing A levels. Naturally they are a huge step up from GCSE and I know that the first few weeks can be especially tough.

If you've had DC who have been through sixth form, what can I expect over the coming two years and what are your tips on dealing with my DD during this time?

[secretscwirrels]

It depends on the subjects and the sixth form.
First of all A levels are much harder than GCSEs. Lots of DCs who sailed through GCSEs come unstuck at AS because they underestimate how much time they need to put in.
Michael Gove has now banned January exams so the AS are all done at the end of the year. In the past many students got a real rude awakening when they got poor results in January and had the chance to pull their socks up and retake. Some of DS1s friends with all A*s in GCSE were getting Ds and Es last January.
6th forms vary. In a school with a sixth form there is probably less freedom and more supervision than in a sixth form college.
They do need to work independently more. Start a regular routine of revision and self study. Don't wait until exam time.

[Chottie]

I would second the step up from GCSEs too. The teaching style is different in preparation for uni or college. If they are at a school 6th form there is often a greater level of responsibility, e.g. at my son's school they had responsibility for helping them settle into secondary school. They also helped run some of the lunchtime clubs i.e. sports or chess or war games etc. It looks really good on their CVs. DS school also had a link with a local primary school and the 6th formers were encouraged to go and help with reading and maths and sports clubs in lunch times and after school.