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Original poster

What to look out for / find out when visiting a sixth form

30 replies

RedskyToNight · 27/10/2019 21:06

As title says really. Sixth form open days are in November/December round here and realise I have no idea what we should be looking for.
In an ideal world DS would take the lead, but he doesn't know what he wants, so would like to give him some ideas of things to consider.

So far I have

  • entry requirements (general and subject specific)
  • how many external candidates do you take?
  • what the entry process for external candidates?
  • how many directed study hours / independent study hours expected?
  • class sizes
  • pastoral care
  • extra curricular opportunities
  • (for faith school) how big a part does the faith play in the sixth form?

Any others?

OP posts:
AChickenCalledDaal · 27/10/2019 21:31

What support do they offer with decisions about what to do next. And does it cover the sort of thing your son is likely to want, whether that be university, apprenticeships, getting a job etc.

And is it guaranteed that the subjects he wants (if he knows) will actually run? Is there a minimum class size that will be required for any minority subjects.

Ironoaks · 27/10/2019 21:27

For me, some important questions were:

Do they offer the subject combination my son wants to study?
Did all of those subjects actually run this year?
(they might not run if numbers are low)

How feasible is the journey?

Are the destinations of leavers similar to the plans and aspirations my son has?

What is the SEN support like, and do I feel confident that they will meet his needs?

lljkk · 27/10/2019 21:25

We have (DS has) applied already (needed simple decisions).
I don't find most those things vary much between the places we look, or maybe they wouldn't influence DS's decision, anyway.

We did ask about entry requirements, esp. the specific grades needed to do which A-levels. The 6th form DD is at, required min. A (7) to do any A-level subject. The 6th forms DS is looking at only requires a 5 for most topics.

DS has struggled to decide which A-levels, so we asked students what were they doing on their A-level, how did they spend their time, how did they choose which A-levels to do. DS needed most to speak to the current students, almost his own age, to engage with the visit.

TeenPlusTwenties · 27/10/2019 21:21

What exam board does the course use
What curriculum options does the 6th form choose for the course
(eg what topics are selected in history, which module selections for a BTEC)

Level of contact with parents. (e.g. at some Hants 6th form colleges not everyone gets a parents evening). So number of parents evenings, parent portal to view attendance etc.

BringOnTheScience · 27/10/2019 21:17

Qualifications & subjects offered. Do they have what your DC is interested in doing?

How much flexibility is there if DC1 isn't 100% certain at the start?

Most importantly - what's the general vibe? How does it feel? Will your DC fit? Does it fit your DC?

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