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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

Can you move sixth form at the end of year 12

58 replies

Springhare76 · 25/08/2025 12:36

DS1 moved from schools after GCSEs to a new sixth form. He has an EHCP due to severe ADHD and had several exclusions and a lot of time out of school. He and his best friend moved to this new school at the end of GCSEs as it's a high performing school and they wanted to attend the same school. Whilst the school is good on paper, DS confided in me a few nights ago that he hates the school and hasn't made any friends (apart from his best friend who moved there with him). He said most people are very unfriendly and it's very snooty. I think due to its location it's probably more serious and middle class than his old school which was far more mixed which he preferred. To add to this, he is seriously lacking in motivation and is being made to resit 2 of his end of year exams (he got C, E, E) as he did no revision and the school requires D,D,D for him to continue into Year 13. I think this would be the case anywhere as he was in 2 minds whether to do A-levels and he doesn't enjoy the subjects he's doing (his GCSE grades were ok but not great so ruled him out of doing certain subjects). The question is, is it possible to move him now? Not sure we would even want to do that due to the disruption but just wondered what's possible. If he doesn't get 2 Ds in his resits next week then we may need to move him anyway. From what I can tell there does seem to be more flexibility to move in year 12/13 than mid GCSEs.

OP posts:
clary · 25/08/2025 21:04

I agree with those that say he might be best off starting again in year 12 this Sept. I wouldn’t suggest continuing with his current A levels at a different school (is that what you have in mind @Springhare76 ?) would see any improvement tbh.

I have known students move to sixth forms in other schools after year 12 (starting year 12 again tho) and also colleges near me offer a range of qualifications, including Btecs and also A levels, so a PP’s experience on that score is not universal. Agree it’s worth checking what there is local to you.

I not that you say A levels will be more beneficial to him in the long run – I am wondering why you say that? Btecs offer admission to uni almost as well as A levels; if he on target for C/D/E grades then yes he might be better with a Btec – especially as his A level choices sound as tho they were a compromise. What subjects does he do? What did he want to do? What alternative quals might suit?

Absentmindedsmile · 25/08/2025 16:03

He might be better doing an apprenticeship in something which interests him? Academia doesn’t sound like his thing. That’s not to say he’s not bright obviously - just that not everyone is matched to studying, A Levels particularly.

Octavia64 · 25/08/2025 15:08

Yes but most people who do restart their a levels, often with different choices.

it’s not normally possible to move and continue into year 13.

Minxny · 25/08/2025 15:01

Without the EHCP - yes, but moving from Y12 at one to Y13 elsewhere can be difficult to find and to manage. Restarting from scratch would probably be easier and more manageable.

However the process is different with the EHCP. It may make it harder for him to transfer to other colleges - they would need to be consulted for whether they can meet need - so first off talk to the SENCo at his current school about possibly changing courses, and calling an Annual Review. Also research the other colleges and talk to their SEN depts. It will be hard to get something in place quick enough for him not to miss too much of Sept though. They will be busy settling in their new starters.

Raviliousart · 25/08/2025 14:48

In my area school sixth forms all have application deadlines in the spring so it is not possible to move to another sixth form. If you do badly in year 12 they usually offer starting again with a new choice of A levels.
If you want to move, it has to be to a college. They mostly do BTechs/T levels and not A levels.
It is best to check options in your area and base your decision on that.

RampantIvy · 25/08/2025 14:43

Could he redo year 12 at the same school but with different subjects?

Original poster
Springhare76 · 25/08/2025 12:46

I am not sure that he's goes to be any more motivated to do BTEC that he was A-levels. He is bright so motivation is the key issue. I do think A-levels will be more beneficial to him in the long run. The question is whether to just push on through this year. Good to know that he has that option if he really wants though.

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 25/08/2025 12:39

Young people get three years worth of funding for post 16 education, and it sounds like he would be better off going to a 6th form college where he could do BTECs instead of A levels.

So, it's not too late to have another start and do something new. It sounds like A levels are not for him.