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Original poster

Advice please school 6th form or college?

28 replies

Dotty2019 · 27/08/2019 14:18

DD got great GCSE
5x 7
3x 8
3x9
Has been accepted into 6th form at school and local 6th form college.
She really doesn't know what to do and I don't know either.
School 6th for is outstanding, is local and they have to go in every morning for registration. Which I think is good because she will stay in bed if she doesn't have a lessonSmile

College is a bit of a pain to get to. Excellent results and treats them more like adults and prepares them more for university.

I have to admit that when we went to open days the 6th formers at the school impressed me the most. Teachers absolutely adore DD at the school .
Really I am leaning towards 6th form but the college has such a good reputation that not sure if this will help with uni applications?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 27/08/2019 14:19

I think personally i would go for the school. she already knows the teachers and i wouldn't think it would be a disadvantage to her not to go to the college x

Sycamoretrees · 27/08/2019 14:21

Definitely the school six form.

GreenTulips · 27/08/2019 14:21

Personally I’d prefer DD to go to college but they don’t do the coarse she wants.

She’s moving schools to start a fresh in a new environment. She’s the only one from her school to do so.

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AvengerDanvers95 · 27/08/2019 14:23

If she'll stay in bed if she doesn't have a lesson, and the college is a pain to get to, it doesn't read like her attendance would be brilliant. I would go with the school.

BarbedBloom · 27/08/2019 14:29

I would go for college simply because I did both at her age and preferred the college side. It helped ease me into taking more responsibility for myself as the college didn't baby me in the way the school did. Those I knew in Uni found it a big shock after sixth form

DanielleandBobby · 27/08/2019 14:46

I think it depends on your dd’s personality tbh. Where are her friends going? My DS is going into sixth form rather than college because a) the teaching is better and b) he feels comfortable knowing that the majority of his friends are staying on and that he already knows a lot of the teachers and us familiar with the environment. Horses for courses really.

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 27/08/2019 14:54

Mixed replies
1 friend is going to the college. Most of her friends are staying at the school but this doesn't really bother her.
She wasn't greatly impressed with the college at open day.
I think it may just be the 'prestige' of going there that is swaying us.
It is difficult to get into.
But I think she will do well at the school too 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:
ChequerBoard · 27/08/2019 15:13

Stick with school. It has served her well so far, those are great GCSE results. She knows the teachers and has established lushed friendships there. It's just 2 years, IMO it's hard to start somewhere completely new for such a relatively short period of time. The time spent adjusting to the changes would be better spent applied to her studies.

My DD16 is staying on at her school for sixth form for the same sort of reasons. It's an outstanding sixth form, going elsewhere when she has a place there would be leaving for the sake of trying something new which may or may not suit her.

catsbeensickagain · 27/08/2019 15:16

To be honest for university I think they are quite untroubled by school or college for 6th form. There are a few “top” colleges - Hills Road, Peter Symonds etc scattered around the country but as she is happy and comfortable at the school, it has good results and you all likes the feel better I would stay. It’s really just 18 months so helpful to feel settled quickly.

ErrolTheDragon · 27/08/2019 15:17

I find the idea that school sixth forms 'baby' their students. There's usually quite a lot of opportunities for them to adopt leadership and mentoring roles, for one thing.

Sicario · 27/08/2019 15:19

School.

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 27/08/2019 15:31

The other reason I'm thinking school because the class sizes are smaller.

Don't know if this should be taken into consideration but DD is a bit OCD. Her school is a new building which is bright and clean. The 6th form college is a very old building. She wasn't impressed by that.
It's true what posters are saying that it's only a short amount of time and do we really need to make a change.
Just frightened of making the wrong choice ad as the college is so hard to get into are we silly turning down a place?

OP posts:
Seeline · 27/08/2019 15:53

I think there are advantages to staying at school with regard to UCAS applications in that the teachers know her well already. Writing personal statement, school reference and predicted grades must be easier if both sides are familiar with each other.

A levels are a big step up, and I think anything to make that change easier has got to help - being familiar with the journey, staff, buildings, daily routine etc has benefits.

Most schools use their sixth formers - perfects, mentoring younger students, assisting in extra curricular activities etc, all of which give them responsibility.

JamesBlonde1 · 27/08/2019 16:07

Our local school 6th Forms are more academic.

The College 6th Forms are ok but the college does lots of non-academic courses too - hairdressing etc.

I'd rather my DD be in the more academic environment if she is planning on University.

justaweeone · 27/08/2019 16:11

I'm a progression coordinator in a large high school
Reading what you have written staying a school would probably be a good option-
They fact that have to register in the morning is helpful, it's a massive jump from Y11 to Y12 and they aren't independent learners straight away
It's easy for her to get to
Good facilities and school building therefore often a better learning environment
You know the teachers and the standard of teaching
There are generally lots of opportunities for leadership roles

Some students staying on isn't right option for them and they need a college environment or an apprenticeships
A good exercise is to write down the pros and cons
Good luck whatever she decides

justaweeone · 27/08/2019 16:15

Forgot to add it will be her a level results and her personal statement that will make the big difference not the institution
Also the chances are her reference will be written by a teacher who really knows and champions her
Does the school offer many visits to uni/ucas fairs?

senua · 27/08/2019 16:21

Looking at choices at Y12 is different from choices at Y7. For Y7, you want the school to be a good all-rounder. For Y12, you want the school/college to be good at the subjects DC is doing for A Level.
Drill down on results, look at detail. Find the spread of grades in those specific subjects. Look at destinations.

bamboocat · 27/08/2019 16:22

Just because the college is hard to get into, doesn't mean it would necessarily be the best fit for her as an individual.

I'm with the other posters in thinking that the school would be a better option. She won't have the hassle of getting there and home again, so she will have more free time (and time to do homework), and she will be in familiar surroundings.

Which subjects will she be doing at Alevel?

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 27/08/2019 16:22

justaweeone
Yes the school does and didn't think about the personal statement. Her teachers really like her and she has a great relationship with them.
The college really seems to push them towards Russell Group universities and has quite a few students going to Oxbridge.

DD not sure if she wants to go to uni yet, she is looking at degree apprenticeships. She is very much a home bird. That could well change.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 27/08/2019 16:26

Where does she want to go ?
From what you've written, it doesn't sound as if she was impressed by the college. If that is the case, then where is the dilemma ?

Can she do the courses / A-level combination she wants to do at both places?

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 27/08/2019 16:29

A level subjects
Maths
Economics
Physics

Both have similar results in all subjects

OP posts:
AutumnCrow · 27/08/2019 16:42

I let my DC decide. DD was swayed by subject choice (arty College#1), and DS was swayed by this also AND not having to wear a school uniform or 'business dress' (and he went to sciency College#2).

College #2 was quite a journey away but it did prepare him for University.

Btw both their Colleges were shit hot on punctuality and attendance, as well as enrichment activities. Eg DD did extra sports; DS did voluntary coaching and mentoring. They would have been 'on report' for poor attendance (fortunately that didn't happen).

FizzBuzzBangWoof · 27/08/2019 16:50

There is no point making an active decision to move to the college if your DD was not impressed when she visited and has thrived at her school and happy to stay there

My DD had similar decision to make and has opted to move to the college but we were all very impressed when we visited and she feels very much ready for a change (but the building is shabby compared to school so perhaps same one as you are considering? Gd College?)

justaweeone · 27/08/2019 16:57

That's interesting re the promotion of Russell group universities
They are not for everyone and you need to look at the bigger picture re non russell group universities and degree apprenticeships
I have often hear students critics their sixth form provision that they only were interested in those going to Russell group universities and those that didn't want to attend those often felt that they then didn't get the support and guidance
A good sixth form should give impartial careers advice and help students with all future pathways
At my school we provide advice and guidance for all pathways
Some of our students have gained fantastic degree apprenticeships as well as those who go on to study at Oxford or Cambridge
But most importantly is that the students has been supported to choose the right pathway for them

Original poster
Dotty2019 · 27/08/2019 17:05

BackforGood she isn't sure. It is totally her choice and I'm not swaying her either way. She just wants my opinion and I'm as torn as her.

I think her heart says school and her head says college.

Thank you for all your replies. I'm thinking leaning towards the school.

I really don't want to tell her one way or the other as if it goes wrong she will blame me Grin

OP posts: