Sixth Form: Pros and cons of moving to a super-selective grammar school

What does she want to do?

You seem to be stressed about her attitude so whose idea was it to move? Why does she have to push herself and go the extra mile? Who benefits from this? Clearly you. You should be happy she’s top and is not stressed. You are blessed but you cannot see it. She will do well where she is. She’s happy.

If she can do the subjects she wants, the teachers are good plus they support DC with university aspirations, then stay put. It’s actually a great thing to achieve highly without having to work all hours. It makes for a more rounded DC. Time to do other things! It’s also a huge benefit at university. More of a stress free existence! I recognise this in DD1.

It could be advantageous for university applications but you would need to check the post code or school performance and whether it is a school where entrance grades will be lowered. They are unlikely to be raised for super selective DC.

I would talk to your DC about what she really really wants. Friendships mean a lot. DD stayed put for 6th form despite having a place at a more prestigious 6th form.

We'll be facing this in a few years as several secondary school options near us don't have a sixth form. Just purely looking at the academic side of things, which school offers the subjects she wants to study? And what about destination of leavers, do they go on to do what she wants to do?

We had a similar dilemma, although DS does not coast and is self motivated.

We have looked around two other 6th forms, including a v.high achieving selective. He spoken to his current school at some length.

He has decided to stay put. A teacher who I know and respect at the high achieving school actually told him that friendships were very important in 6th form, and in his opinion you have to have a very good reason to leave a school where you are happy.

It's easier for DS because he knows roughly what he's aiming at and so that keeps him motivated.

Dd moved for sixth form from an awful comp with terrible results to another comp but one which actually outperforms the grammar in the next town. She lived it, liked been with kids who were passionate about learning rather than messing about like some did at the old school. Though I guess you’d notice that change with sixth form anyway hopefully regardless of school.

Anyway she wasn’t stressed out by being at a school which pushes the kids really hard.

Which school is it? My DD was in the 6th at a super selective having been in the school already and hated it.