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Original poster

Can a child asked to leave 6th form in private school for poor academic performance

113 replies

Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:11

Hi. Just what the title said. I've researched this online and is seems that once a child has been offered a place in 6th form they can't be asked to leave if it is due to poor academic performance - it is against the law. They can be asked to leave for poor behaviour but not academic results. Does this apply to private schools though> I've spoken to someone who says that private schools are a law unto themselves and can do what they like. Am very interested to know the legalities of this as my DS has been threatened with being asked to leave if he doesn't do very well in his first set of exams (October/November). I've also found out that boys that did less well than him in their GCSEs have not been given this threat (they have siblings at the school though so the school is probably trying to stay on the right side of those families).

OP posts:
cansu · 27/08/2023 22:11

You said that you thought they had been too lax and easy going on your last thread.

JanglyBeads · 27/08/2023 22:08

So you're in Scotland, to have letter grades still?

titchy · 27/08/2023 22:06

He's actually someone who works best when he feels that teachers believe in him and want the best for him - this feels like the opposite of that.

As do most people. But his behaviours been poor and this is the consequence. He needs to grow up and make some effort. And you need to back his school up and stop pussy footing around and asking that they spend time cajoling and propping him up.

Or see if there are places in non selective sixth form or FE colleges.

LittleBearPad · 27/08/2023 22:06

In your other thread you think he’d do better if he left.

Original poster
Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 22:02

AppleKatie · 27/08/2023 21:52

Yes, independent schools can and will do this. There's no appeals process.

this is not strictly true.

They can remove for poor performance but are highly unlikely to do it without due process. Parents are litigious- ones with money even more so.

  1. if this has been said verbally to him and not followed up in writing it’s likely an idle threat. Especially if it wasn’t the head who said it.
  2. you’ve no idea what other kids have been threatened with and they are highly unlikely to be honest with you about it so I’d discount that.
  3. private schools are not allowed rules which are discriminatory and must apply policies equally.
  4. Exclusions are formal things and there will be an appeals process, you may not get anywhere with it, but it will exist.

There are two ways to manage this you need to do both.

  1. Make sure you DS takes this seriously and works hard.
  2. get a hold of the relevant policies from the school and make sure they follow it for to the letter. Any appeal would probably hinge on you being able to prove they haven’t followed their own policy.

Thanks for the advice - nothing in writing (at this stage), just verbal. Yes, he'll need to take it seriously and work hard but I worry about the stress of knowing that it's the chop if you don't excel/struggle with something. He's actually someone who works best when he feels that teachers believe in him and want the best for him - this feels like the opposite of that.

OP posts:
Neverseenbefore · 27/08/2023 22:00

TicTacNicNak · 27/08/2023 21:28

There's a grammar school near me that selects it's 6th form intake by reference to ability.

All schools do this, including comprehensive schools.

DietrichandDiMaggio · 27/08/2023 21:56

When everyone took AS levels, schools set grades that pupils had to attain to stay on and do the second year of A levels. Presumably now that there are no formal exams at the end of year 12 they have to let them stay?

Original poster
Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:56

Thanks for the feedback all. So they really can get rid of him if they want to. Lots of think about and decide. Stressful times.

OP posts:
LIZS · 27/08/2023 21:55

That is not a stellar performance in the context of a selective private school though, especially if the subjects he wants to continue were weaker. What is his attitude to learning and motivation like? Does he have any non academic qualities rated by the school? Stop comparing with others and focus on your child. If the school are negative about his abilities is it in his best interest to stay anyway.

Essentially private schools can set whatever criteria they decide, but for a state school it was challenged a few years back ie. St Olave's grammar in Orpington tried to manage out some year 12s who underperformed.

Original poster
Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:54

Hercisback · 27/08/2023 21:46

Then why are the school giving him a performance contract?

What GCSES did he do to get As?

No idea. Got A's in English Lang, English Lit, Maths, History, Art. He failed chemistry (he just can't do sciences) which I think is their main concern even though he has no interest in sciences.

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 27/08/2023 21:52

Yes, independent schools can and will do this. There's no appeals process.

this is not strictly true.

They can remove for poor performance but are highly unlikely to do it without due process. Parents are litigious- ones with money even more so.

  1. if this has been said verbally to him and not followed up in writing it’s likely an idle threat. Especially if it wasn’t the head who said it.
  2. you’ve no idea what other kids have been threatened with and they are highly unlikely to be honest with you about it so I’d discount that.
  3. private schools are not allowed rules which are discriminatory and must apply policies equally.
  4. Exclusions are formal things and there will be an appeals process, you may not get anywhere with it, but it will exist.

There are two ways to manage this you need to do both.

  1. Make sure you DS takes this seriously and works hard.
  2. get a hold of the relevant policies from the school and make sure they follow it for to the letter. Any appeal would probably hinge on you being able to prove they haven’t followed their own policy.
LittleBearPad · 27/08/2023 21:49

Read their terms of business. There will likely be something about academic performance.

MegaManic · 27/08/2023 21:47

You keep mentioning kids who have done less well in GCSE's not being threatened butI'm not sure how that is relevant. They are presumably threatening your son because they feel he can do considerably better, maybe the other boys don't have the same ability as your DS but are working harder.
Private schools can basically do what they want, subject to their internal policies etc but if they really want him to go I doubt there will be much you can do.

Hercisback · 27/08/2023 21:46

Then why are the school giving him a performance contract?

What GCSES did he do to get As?

Original poster
Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:45

PatriciaHolm · 27/08/2023 21:42

The school contract should lay out the circumstances under which a pupil can be asked to leave. Poor academic performance can be one of those. So yes, he could be asked to leave if he doesn't meet the required standards.

A state school (UK) cannot ask a pupil to leave on academic (or attendance) grounds.

I get that but he got eight GCSE and five were A grades. He's not exactly scraping along the bottom.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 27/08/2023 21:45

Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:41

They're keeping on boys who did less well in their GCSEs with no threats relating to performance.

Show quote history

Because they can do what you like and if your face fits or your parents have some sort of influence financial or otherwise you can stay. Private schools don't have to be fair.

unlikelychump · 27/08/2023 21:44

What law are you thinking of?

Lots of posts today about the "laws" which apply to private schools.

RampantIvy · 27/08/2023 21:43

Pupils get "managed out" of state 6th forms as well. DD's school specified that all pupils needed a minimum of DDD at the end of year 12 to progress to year 13.

cansu · 27/08/2023 21:43

You don't seem sure what you want tbh.

DisquietintheRanks · 27/08/2023 21:43

TicTacNicNak · 27/08/2023 21:28

There's a grammar school near me that selects it's 6th form intake by reference to ability.

All 6th forms do this. The point is, they're not supposed (legally allowed) to chuck you out part way through your A levels just because it becomes apparent you are destined for a low grade.

PatriciaHolm · 27/08/2023 21:42

The school contract should lay out the circumstances under which a pupil can be asked to leave. Poor academic performance can be one of those. So yes, he could be asked to leave if he doesn't meet the required standards.

A state school (UK) cannot ask a pupil to leave on academic (or attendance) grounds.

Original poster
Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:41

Hellocatshome · 27/08/2023 21:34

Unless OP is a politician or a celebrityI doubt they would care. A lot of people would actually see it as a selling point that the school won't keep the less able pupils there holding their precious darlings back in their learning. After all most people don't send their kids to private school so they can mix with a range of children of all abilities and backgrounds do they.

Show quote history

They're keeping on boys who did less well in their GCSEs with no threats relating to performance.

OP posts:
Wormwoodgal · 27/08/2023 21:40

Yes, independent schools can and will do this. There's no appeals process.

Original poster
Oxfordplus · 27/08/2023 21:36

Yes, it's me from the previous post. Although the threat is potentially motivating, some people's I've spoken to have said it's probably an idle threat to make him work harder and that the school wouldn't be allowed to do it. The threat would make him work harder but at the same time I don't want him to be thrown out of his school if he doesn't meet the grades they want (two of his subjects would be new so we've no idea how he'll find them).

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 27/08/2023 21:34

Araminta1003 · 27/08/2023 21:28

If you have connections with journalists or a social media presence, then any renowned private school wouldn’t dare. They are brands. If you can kick up a stink and they know you are influential, they can’t do anything.

Unless OP is a politician or a celebrityI doubt they would care. A lot of people would actually see it as a selling point that the school won't keep the less able pupils there holding their precious darlings back in their learning. After all most people don't send their kids to private school so they can mix with a range of children of all abilities and backgrounds do they.

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