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Original poster

Tell me about 11-16 comprehensives

36 replies

HilaryM · 11/12/2012 14:17

In our county we have a mixture of 11-16 comprehensives, and 11-18s. There are a smattering of FE colleges for A-Levels but no "Sixth Form Colleges" as such. In the 11-16 schools students leave for various destinations including the Sixth forms at the 11-18 schools.

The county school strategy is for any new school to be 11-16 - it seems to be the model they prefer.

I come from a part of the country where all secondaries are 11-18 so I am not really sure about the pros and cons of 11-16 schools.

The two comprehensives where we have a realistic chance of a place are both 11-16s, so I really need to get my head around this by the time DS1 applies for secondary in 2-3 years.

Thank you :)

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Original poster
HilaryM · 11/12/2012 21:07

Thanks Princess - I did wonder about why someone might choose to join the sixth form of an 11-18 school - where I am their results tend to be slightly better than the sixth form college, so I suppose that might affect things. Or demographic differences too.

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Original poster
HilaryM · 11/12/2012 21:04

This is all very reassuring, thank you. I think it's just unfamiliarity with the system generally, and the 11-16 concept in particular (I'm Scottish and there there are no separate 6th forms at all). Both of my sisters in law left their independent day girls schools to go to co-ed boarding schools and found it quite fun, but I don't think I know anyone who's done it in the state system.

Talkinpeace - you lost me at the Daily Mail reference and after a quick google I'm none the wiser. But yes, v impressive results round your way - much better than mine (although they are improving).

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bruffin · 11/12/2012 21:02

In our area all the schools have a 6th format, but there is quite a bit of movement between schools for 6th form for academic subjects. The fe college tends to be for vocational subjects only.
Area I work has very few 6th forms so most go onto the college where they offer academic subjects as well.

PrincessOfChina · 11/12/2012 21:01

I went to an 11-16 comp. It was reasonably terrible and catered largely for the lowest common denominator. Leaving at 16 was a great opportunity for me.

I would say that the vast majority of those continuing education post-16 moved on to FE college in some shape, with the more insecure heading to one of the schools that did have sixth form. My mum was fuming that I went on to college rather than a school but it was the best thing that happened to me. I chose from a full range of A Level courses (the schools were much more limited and time tabling was an issue) and I performed well.

I did also spend a lot of time in the pub slightly drunk

dottygamekeeper · 11/12/2012 20:52

My DCs are both at an 11-16 comp, currently in Yr 11 and Yr 10. The norm round here is 11-18 comps, but their school just happened to be our catchment school and is OFSTED outstanding and well respected locally, although relatively small. They have both been very happy there and exceeded our expectations in terms of results. It does mean, however, that we have to look for other options for 6th form and we are in the middle of that process now, with lots of options including several 11-18 comps, a 6th form college, a couple of more vocational colleges, plus private options to consider. It has been very interesting visiting the various options, we still have a couple to see before making a decision in January.

In my opinion, having to make a change now is good preparation for then going on to Uni etc - they will have to increase their independence by travelling further to school/college, meet new peers and staff, but with the benefit of still having support at home, so a sort of halfway house between school and uni. They will also have a wider range of A level choices etc. than might have been the case if they were at an 11-18 school.

I would not say it hampers aspiration - the majority of their peers are looking at going on to A levels/further studies, a few are looking for apprenticeships.

I chose to leave my (private) single sex school after O levels (back in the day!) to go to a mixed state comp with a much bigger 6th form, which was a very positive experience for me, for the reasons stated above.

TalkinPeace2 · 11/12/2012 20:46

Hampshire has 11-16 plus sixth form.
Look up the websites and ofsteds for some of the schools and colleges ....

Bohunt was the one that nice lady from the Daily Fail rejected (their gain)

Peter Symonds is the ruler in the 6th form stakes

but any of them are representative - as we have no grammar schools in Hampshire

Original poster
HilaryM · 11/12/2012 20:36

That's brilliant - so pretty positive then? When I think of Sixth Form colleges all I can think of is 'Skins' Blush

I do certainly think it's an opportunity to feel more grown up and have a nice transition to university/work. I remember feeling quite stifled and ready to move on by 17/18.

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losingtrust · 11/12/2012 19:22

The library at the sixth form college was almost as big as my uni one so that was another big plus from an academic point of view.

losingtrust · 11/12/2012 19:10

I grew up in an area with 11-16 schools although now changing. It worked well. Everybody did O'levels at their comp and then with went private (small number) to the sixth form college, technical college or got a job/apprenticeship. The benefit for me was greater number if options at 16. I could either go and do A'Levels at the sixth form college or more vocational at tech. Big plus no more school uniform, different teachers and much greater options for A'Levels. For instance I did German and we only had one teacher at the comp but at sixth form had a few plus more German assistance and could do things like piano lessons as a minor subject. Another big plus was more freedom to go just for your lessons so I could work part-time alongside. So the biggest plus is the more choice you get. My colleague's daughter is picking A'Levels now but is thwarted by timetable clashes at her school as it is smaller so cannot choose all the options she wants. Also we had a specialist group going for Oxbridge so that could go and learn Latin or Greek. I was too lazy for that but my friend did and got to Cambridge from a very working class family because the sixth form college had more resources and experience. Now I believe you need 5 gcse's including maths and English to get there. (Not Cambridge obviously)

marquesas · 11/12/2012 18:58

I'd be interested in hearing people's views on this as well as there is an outside chance that I might be moving to a county that has 11-16 schools.

Original poster
HilaryM · 11/12/2012 18:50

Just a bounce, and to add> coming from a purely 11-18 system I always assumed I'd be at school until 18. My concern about 11-16 is that it might hamper aspiration, especially if a child sees his peers leaving at 16 into the workplace rather than stay on for a levels.

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