Looking at 6th forms, Autumn 2018 start

I'd like to see more 6th form places for dc that achieve around the mix of 5s, 6s, and 7s at GCSE. The selective 6th form option here realistically only offering places for mix of 8s and 9s. dc who get 6s and 7s should still be able to study A-levels IMO.

We don't have much choice either really and all realistic options are a journey

We've looked round 2 last week and have 2 to look round next week (1 of which is her current school). Problem here is lack of realistic choice. Despite the fact that all dc now have to stay in some kind of education or training until they are 18, 6th forms seem to be closing .

dds options are all selective, or a vocational college, or stay where she is.

Iijkk I would give them a quick call if you are concerned. Remember it is them trying to get your daughter in their school/college just as much it you trying to get your daughter in. The private college should have a decent admissions department who will be able to answer your call straight away.

Iijkk - we encourage our students to get three really good grade A-Levels rather than pushing them for 4, and we are a really good school. Universities are not asking for more than 3 so there really is little point doing more than this unless you are really bright and able and need tonne stretched and challenged. Many L6 like to start with 4 (esp if they are trying new 6th form only subjects like economics or psychology) so that they can explore new A-level subjects and still have the freedom to drop one if things aren't what they seem. It is a HUGE jump from GCSE to A-Level so this can help a little...

I really like the EPQ..students get to research something they are genuinely interested in, they pick up great skills and universities are really starting to take notice of it. I have seen some universities give lower offers based on the EPQ. However, your child will need to be an independent worker and really reflect on the process to get a decent grade. I've been an EPQ supervisor for a couple of years and I love it!

Splat: what do you make of the EPQ? At one 6th form we're considering, it's compulsory.

splatattack

Could you help with Pros and cons of big and specialised sixth form college vs smaller (but good) sixth form in a school.

So DS2 now has:

Plan A: Current school, great sixth form, guaranteed offer, perfect for him, high grade requirements.

Plan B: School further away, great sixth form, might get offer, slightly lower grade requirements.

Plan C: Closest school, good sixth form, very likely to get offer, high grade requirements.

On a positive note, both of the teachers giving the individual subject talks seemed engaging and enthusiastic.

Just took DS2 to his second open evening. They started with the speeches, which were fine; the head girl's speech was very good.

Individual departments then held 'Why you should do our subject at A-level' talks. These seemed mostly aimed at internal candidates, who made up the majority of the young people there.

I had to stand through both sessions as there were no seats left even though we arrived several minutes before the start (this has happened in DS2's current school, for example at information evenings about school trips, but a student always stands up to offer me their seat).

DS2 already knows what subjects he wants to do at A-level. We were not offered a tour of the school, so he has only seen the hall and two classrooms (we gave up and went home after the second subject talk).

So we've seen both sixth forms now and dd is leaning towards the sixth form college that's further away. She would have to get the grades.
I think for two reasons a. She could do the subject combinations she wanted and that's looking unlikely at current school and b. It was so busy and upbeat.
The school was just a bit boring and more about making sure you have lots if choices if your gcses dont pan out. Even going to see the subject teachers was a bit flat.
Both are oversubscribed so neither has to 'sell' themselves.
So she's going to apply to both and see what happens and work hard to get the grades she needs. It's certainly motivated her though!

The main thing is the student and how focused and able they are. Support from home is a big thing too. Yes, teaching quality varies but if your child is willing to consolidate independently and is conscientious then that will make the biggest difference. All specifications have now changed so no teachers are confident about exam format as there just isn't enough evidence/past papers yet...so all are in the same difficult position. Does this help?

Having a really crap time with my DT’s over 6th Form choice. Neither will look any further than their current school. The school has a good 6th Form but are very prescriptive around pathways and choices and neither of DT’s can seem to shoehorn their choices into the right ‘boxes’. Also because the school is now outstanding I think just hitting the entry requirements might not be enough. I need to check that out more though.

Anyway neither of them have an alternative They have not been to any other Open Days or made enquiries to anywhere else. We do live in a quite rural/ remote area so tbf there isn’t many alternatives but there are some!

Do you think I need to make sure they have at least one alternative in place? Or just deal with the fallout after GCSE results if one or both of them don’t get a place? I don’t know if it’s me being overly cautious and not well informed.

I'm the director of a Sixth Form if you have any questions? I might be able to help/offer insight?

My DD has submitted to applications to her current school and the city’s college sixth form.

Her preference is for the school she’s currently at as it offers the subjects she really wants to continue (history, classical civilisation and art).

It’s also important to her at this stage to remain somewhere familiar if she can because she has additional support in place due to long term health conditions.

If she can achieve the grades she needs, she’ll be hugely proud because her health is proving quite the problem.

Best of luck to everyone.

I definitely think a final decision will have to wait until after he gets his gcse results, which is fair enough. It’s a bit of guesswork on the application forms, though!

DS1 didn't make up his mind about two of his A-level subjects until half a term into Y12. I sincerely hope that DS2 is going to be more decisive.

DS has decided he wants a change although will apply to current school. He has got a place at a sixth form college, which is a train ride away (and only half hourly service) but good reputation. The other option he likes is a school sixth form that’s either a long bus ride or a short train ride with 20 minute walk.
One requirement for him is not having to wear smart business dress. Anyway, I am happy with any of the three possibles and he will choose.
But his A level choices keep changing! I thought he was looking at maths, computing and physics originally with music as a fourth if offered or instead of computing.
We now seem to be looking at maths, biology and psychology with possible music or Music EPQ.

DS2's first choice is to continue where he is, but he will need high grades for the subjects he wants to do.

His second choice is a sixth form a bus journey away. He liked it at the open evening and has submitted an application, but we may live too far away for him to get an offer.

His third choice is our closest sixth form; I'm taking him to look around it this week.