Year 11 2023-24

It may be that they were so oversubscribed they had to apply an admission criteria eg distance? This happened to my son at one of his back up choices 100 spaces for 1100 applicants! So those who live closest offered a space. No interview process though.Or maybe there is for those who get offered a place, not sure.

I didn't think state schools/colleges could reject an applicant on the basis of interview. This does sound strange @Thesunisshining888 and I would certainly ask for feedback.

DS had one interview where they said that he wouldn't be able to do the A levels he had requested as they couldn't fit them into the timetable. So they talked it through and offered him a different option. Could it be that your son's choice wasn't possible for them to accommodate or something like that? A blank rejection seems very odd. I hope you can get some feedback and that your son isn't too disheartened by the news.

Thats so sad and frustrating @Thesunisshining888 . I hope your DS is ok. Their loss! Onwards and upwards!

Assuming the entrance criteria are realistic I think it would be absolutely reasonable to ask for feedback @Thesunisshining888 as presumably thaws were known ahead of the interview. Therefore surely they would have to justify based on evidence from the interview?

Even that seems a bit shit to reject based on it as like you say they have probably never experienced an interview before and they will be incredibly nervous?

Sorry to hear that @Thesunisshining888 . Did the decision letter include any reasons? What does the college’s website say about admissions criteria?

It's a state sixth form

@Thesunisshining888 is this private or state? Is he expected to get the required entrance grades?

With the 6th form colleges round here, people don't tend to get rejected, though they may be offered courses with lower entry requirements.

There are rules on academic testing in interviews too for state.

We have just received an email that my child has been rejected from his (first choice) sixth form college. He had an interview in February. i have to say the interviewer was not nice and she didnt put him at ease (and it never had an interview before). I want to email and ask for feedback. Can anyone suggest what to write? I want to ask them why they arrived to this decision and if we can appeal. We are so gutted.

Thank you.

@Tebheag you know where I am if you need me

@wonderstuff sending you all hugs. your poor neice to have this happen so suddenly.
DS came home unhappy today got his English paper to go through in class and the teacher had added up the marks wrong was a G5 not a G7 she had incorrectly added up wrong by 10 marks he pointed it out to her. When asked about the marks as surprised he had so few for that section all she could say was stay on topic he was confused as thought he had. Never did hear back from the school when I emailed them.

Lots of love to you all @wonderstuff . That's awful at anytime but your poor niece 😢

@Midnightstar76 rightly so. x

Thanks @JustHereWithMyPopcorn . There certainly is hope and life is all one lifelong learning experience. Who knows where her path will lead. To be honest we are focusing a lot on her mental health as well during exam season and she has been doing lots of exercise and shock horror walking the dog which she never ever does. Proud of her to say the least.

@wonderstuff what a shock for you all, I'm so sorry. Definitely let the children have time if you feel they need it.

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz @Midnightstar76 and @AmyandPhilipfan the fact that your DCs are continuing to make their best efforts despite the struggles they face is fantastic. I am glad to hear that there are good options for them next year which are not dependant on getting 4s and 5s at GCSE when so much pressure is put on our young people that your grades are the be all and end all.

Ahhh wonderstuff that's such a shock. I'm so sorry for your loss x

Waspie ta!

Thank you!

@wonderstuff how awful. I'm so sorry for your loss

@wonderstuff Sorry for your loss. Absolutely I would let DD have some time away

@TeenDivided that sounds sensible. They’re in a friendship group together and while I’m sure the group will be supportive I can imagine they’ll be questions and it’s going to be really hard for the next few weeks. My heart breaks for my niece.

@wonderstuff
I'd suggest a couple of days off, go in again on Monday, unless she wants to do the mock.

Well life has just thrown a curve ball, my dbil died yesterday, his dd is in the same classes as my dd, we’ve always been really close, he was fit as a fiddle and only in his early 50s. How do you focus on exams after that? It’s such an awful shock. Letting the kids stay home this morning, dd has a food tech mock this afternoon, not sure whether to send her in or not.

Yes DD is looking at level 1 courses. She has had a complete wobble and decided she does not want to do the health and social care she applied for. She wants to do art and design but will need 3’s to study this so will have to look at other courses in the meantime and build a portfolio up as she didn’t take this at gcse but has a talent for art. She took DT which I personally thought was a mistake at the time as I think she could have got a very good grade if she took art.

Yes @AmyandPhilipfan that’s exactly what I thought. The work is showing that it’s going in the right direction and proud of her that she is persevering.