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Original poster

Moving for 6th form

31 replies

YesYesKitten · 14/12/2024 07:46

How long is a piece of string but do state school sixth forms tend to fill their c.25 places for external pupils?

DD really liked a 6th form 6 miles away but distance rules apply - thanks @FamilyEdition for making sure I read the admission rules properly.

So would have been very unlikely in Y7 but they were VERY encouraging of external applicants at the open evening.

It's an aspirational school, very impressive destinations list, but not one you would have heard of if you're not local.

OP posts:
Laserwho · 15/12/2024 08:33

In our area one of the sixth forms is part of an academy trust. Priority is always given to academy trust pupils from 4 schools in the trust. Academy trust pupils secure their places on results day, outside pupils a couple of days later, there may still be places available but not always on the courses they want.

Gleeanda · 15/12/2024 00:26

I think this will vary wildly by local situations. We have excellent but massive sixth form colleges near us, so even the most academic schools empty out a bit.

We have found students could all just pick their setting in practice. They can hold multiple offers and only need to commit after they get their results.

Original poster
YesYesKitten · 14/12/2024 22:33

Thanks @FamilyEdition the school is in Hertfordshire and interestingly I recall their Google form didn't even ask for parent contact details. So, I'm trying to be hands off. They will be in touch in January so not too long to wait.

Her subjects are STEAM so more popular nowadays. I've heard that they are strict about the grades required if their own students want to stay on. I hadn't thought that the 25 might be a minimum.

OP posts:
Lifestooshort71 · 14/12/2024 09:46

My GS has moved to a new school for A levels. He and his mum attended the open evenings of 3 schools and spoke to the tutors of the subjects he wanted to do and they were very honest about his chances of getting in. The one he really liked was oversubscribed in his 'iffy' subject but they steered him in another direction and he was offered a place dependent on GCSEs. He's been very happy there and has matured in the new surroundings. His original school wanted him to stay but admitted, under some pressure, that they could withdraw a course if it was undersubscribed or enough students dropped out during the year. Something to consider. Good luck.

FamilyEdition · 14/12/2024 09:36

@YesYesKitten , it depends on how popular they are and how popular the alternatives are, so yes, how long is a piece of string?

If you name the school, some people may know it and be able to give more specific info.

There will probably be more than 25 places - that is just a minimum. They don't yet know how many of their own year 11 students will want to stay on or meet the criteria to stay on. There is no coordination of sixth form admissions, so they can't be certain how many of their applicants will enroll until the enrollment day in August.

It also depends on which courses your child is applying to. Some subjects fill up more quickly than others. Popular subjects may fill up quickly from a close distance, but sixth forms often struggle to fill places in certain subjects, e.g. music, MFL., so the "last distance offered" can be much greater for those.

DibbleDooDah · 14/12/2024 08:04

If you have private schools nearby then yes - particularly this year with the introduction of VAT. A far higher number of DCs friends are looking to move to state from private for sixth form than ever before. Just because parents can’t afford the extra money.

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