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Original poster

Moving to private for 6th form?

27 replies

thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 18:51

There isn't a decent 6th form in our town. Lots of DC here travel to the next town for 6th form.

My mum has offered to pay for the local private 6th form.

DS is very bright, he's very into science and computing. He used to be outstanding in maths, but after a combination of lockdown and poor teaching he's lost confidence and fallen a long way behind where he was. He's catching up now though. He's got subjects he's not strong in as well. He's only in year 9 now but I'm looking ahead.

Private school has never been an option before, I'd not even considered it. What would I need to think about? On the school website, it says there's lots of competition.

I'm not ruling out the 6th form in the next town, but this certainly is food for thought and I'd like to apply.

Has anyone else here had their DC move to private for 6th form? Or are you considering it?

Do I need to get him a tutor to facilitate this? Do I need to get his application in ASAP? This is all new to me, any advice gratefully received!

TIA

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 05/03/2022 18:56

Not necessarily relevant but I went to a private sixth form after doing my gcses at a comprehensive.

There were about 10 of us newbies. Best think I ever did, got straight As at a levels and met friends who are still my besties now (I’m 43). Back then entry was entry was dependent on GCSE grades and an interview- which I don’t remember being remotely challenging.

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 19:04

That's good to hear, thanks Frazzled :)

What was your comp like? Did you get straight As at GCSEs too?

The local private school says it takes in 60 new kids for 6th form but that there's a lot of competition.

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Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 19:08

This school says it offers places on the basis of GSCE predicted grades and an interview. (And I guess you then have to get those grades?)#

And then there are also the scholarships. DS is good at rugby, so possibly he'll stand a chance for the rugby one.

OP posts:

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CMOTDibbler · 05/03/2022 19:14

I'd ask your mum if she'd pay for a maths tutor for your ds now tbh. My ds had got himself into a thing that he thought he wasn't good at maths, got him a tutor at the start of yr 11 and he has gone from a predicted 6 to an 8 verging on 9 now and I wish we'd done it the year before. 2 hours a week, online 1:1 and his confidence is so high. We'll keep the tutor through sixth form too as ds will be doing Maths A level

Frazzled2207 · 05/03/2022 19:15

@thnkingaboutoptions

That's good to hear, thanks Frazzled :)

What was your comp like? Did you get straight As at GCSEs too?

The local private school says it takes in 60 new kids for 6th form but that there's a lot of competition.

Comp was rubbish. I got 5 As at gcse. Not stellar. I think the main requirement was to get As at anything I wanted to do for a-level.’

60 newbies for sixth form sounds like quite a lot. Enquire as to what requirements they have. If your dc is bright I imagine it’s easier to get in at 16 than at 11.

Tickledtrout · 05/03/2022 19:21

Why not private for GCSE years instead?

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 19:28

@Tickledtrout

Why not private for GCSE years instead?
We've missed the boat for year 9 admissions. We should have done that last autumn if we'd wanted to.

Plus, he's settled. He has good friends. He is responding really well to some of the teachers e.g. his science teacher. I'm not sure pulling him out of school now would be the best thing? Maybe if we'd thought of it sooner...

But he has to move for 6th form anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 19:31

Enquire as to what requirements they have. If your dc is bright I imagine it’s easier to get in at 16 than at 11.

The website says they need an average of 6 for their predicted grades to get an interview. Or to be predicted 7-9 for all subjects to do the academic scholarship papers.

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Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 19:33

So, if he doesn't get predicted grades high enough to go for the academic scholarship, I guess it means it's down to his rugby skills for the rugby scholarship or else he'll have to charm them in the interview!

He's articulate and confident so I hope he'd stand a good chance in an interview.

OP posts:
Kenworthington · 05/03/2022 19:37

Dd is currently in lower sixth at a prestigious all girls private sixth form after all academic life so far at state. She is THRIVING. She loves it. She’s working really hard, has made some lovely friends, and it’s been great for her. BUT the main thing is- SHE chose this. We were happy for her to go to the local state 6th form college. She found out all about it and applied for an academic scholarship and got it. We still have to pay 50% but it’s so so worth it.

cansu · 05/03/2022 19:37

If he is only in year 9, has some subjects he isn't strong in and is behind in maths then I think you need to focus on his GCSE results. He hasn't even started his GCSEs so it is very difficult to say how brilliant or not his grades will be and whether he will get in or not. I would imagine he needs to work really hard to get the predicted grades he will need for the interview.

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 19:43

@Kenworthington

Dd is currently in lower sixth at a prestigious all girls private sixth form after all academic life so far at state. She is THRIVING. She loves it. She’s working really hard, has made some lovely friends, and it’s been great for her. BUT the main thing is- SHE chose this. We were happy for her to go to the local state 6th form college. She found out all about it and applied for an academic scholarship and got it. We still have to pay 50% but it’s so so worth it.
That's great to hear, you must be very proud of her.

I'll go visit it with him and I won't force him into it I promise! But I think he'll be into it.

This is a child who reads adult popular science books for pleasure - currently this one [[https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-make-an-apple-pie-from-scratch/harry-cliff//9781529026214
How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch: In Search of the Recipe for Our Universe]] and would really appreciate the chance to have access to decent facilities and teaching.

He already knows the school as he has swimming lessons there, and rugby tournaments for all the local clubs at the attached prep school. It's VERY nice inside!

OP posts:
Fireflygal · 05/03/2022 19:55

Do I need to get him a tutor to facilitate this? Do I need to get his application in ASAP? This is all new to me, any advice gratefully received

Most 6th form will ask for a minimum of 6s and for a Maths A level it's usually much higher 8 or 9.

Applications are usually by the Oct/November of Yr11. They make offers start of January based on predicted grades, a reference from current school and interview. It's usual to apply to many 6th forms as isn't like secondary where you have catchments.

Does he play rugby at a club and is he in any development squads? Competition for sports scholarships are usually quite competitive.

You could go to Open days in Yr10 as by Yr11 you need to know your options.

Btw, one drawback with private is that once you confirmed a place at private you will be commiting to one terms fees. A deposit might be required and you usually pay a fee to apply £100-£150.

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 20:17

@cansu

If he is only in year 9, has some subjects he isn't strong in and is behind in maths then I think you need to focus on his GCSE results. He hasn't even started his GCSEs so it is very difficult to say how brilliant or not his grades will be and whether he will get in or not. I would imagine he needs to work really hard to get the predicted grades he will need for the interview.
He's not behind in maths compared to the average. He's behind in maths compared to where he was - which was exceptional. His current school report predicts him a B, but he should be getting A*s on the basis of his natural aptitude I believe. So he needs some support here for him to get back to excelling, which he was till he had a really shit teacher and basically lost a whole year, then lockdown. (I'm not being a pushy mum, here, I promise!)

Yes, he does have some subjects he's not strong in. He's not an all rounder as such. But he's very bright. He very strong in academic subjects - e.g. science and computing, he gets great grades in English.

Looking at his last school report, he got the top level for 6 subjects including Science, English and Computing (his school says this would translate to 7-9 at GSCE if he carried on the same), 3 at the next level (5-6 at GSCE) including Maths, then the remaining 5 were average or below average.

But the ones he got poor marks in are subjects he doesn't like, and are the less academic subjects e.g. DT, drama, PHSE, music - and he'll drop them for GSCE so I think he's in a good position, isn't he?.

Also, if he doesn't like a subject or doesn't see the point in it he really won't apply himself. So, PSHE for example he only got the 3rd level in that report (4 at GCSE) but then this term, they started doing a topic he liked in PSHE, and he's come home with an award for being the top in the class for that subject (probably,. I imagine as the teacher could see he was capable but not applying himself before and now thinks thank fuck he's engaging at last! Grin)

OP posts:
Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 20:30

@Fireflygal

Do I need to get him a tutor to facilitate this? Do I need to get his application in ASAP? This is all new to me, any advice gratefully received

Most 6th form will ask for a minimum of 6s and for a Maths A level it's usually much higher 8 or 9.

Applications are usually by the Oct/November of Yr11. They make offers start of January based on predicted grades, a reference from current school and interview. It's usual to apply to many 6th forms as isn't like secondary where you have catchments.

Does he play rugby at a club and is he in any development squads? Competition for sports scholarships are usually quite competitive.

You could go to Open days in Yr10 as by Yr11 you need to know your options.

Btw, one drawback with private is that once you confirmed a place at private you will be commiting to one terms fees. A deposit might be required and you usually pay a fee to apply £100-£150.

Yes, he's in a rugby club. He's not at the point now that he'd win a scholarship but he's motivated, improving and his coaches say they have high hopes for him. So who knows what'll happen in couple of years. I can well imagine the scholarships are very competitive! We don't need to depend on it, just something to aim for / have a go at.

I don't know what a development squad is? But I don't pay that much attention tbh. His dad takes him to rugby and I enjoy a peaceful Sunday!

OP posts:
edwinbear · 05/03/2022 20:32

DS is Y8 at an independent school and up for a 13+ sports scholarship with rugby as his primary sport. To be eligible he needs to be at county level. The RFU select county squads at U13, so given he is in Y9, he’d be expected to be playing for the county squad by now. Sports scholarships are fiercely competitive, he’d need some strong secondary sports as well. DS also swims competitively, A team football, county cross country and athletics. I don’t think my DS will get one in all honesty.

edwinbear · 05/03/2022 20:33

Sorry that should say RFU select county squads at U14, so age 13.

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 20:37

@edwinbear

DS is Y8 at an independent school and up for a 13+ sports scholarship with rugby as his primary sport. To be eligible he needs to be at county level. The RFU select county squads at U13, so given he is in Y9, he’d be expected to be playing for the county squad by now. Sports scholarships are fiercely competitive, he’d need some strong secondary sports as well. DS also swims competitively, A team football, county cross country and athletics. I don’t think my DS will get one in all honesty.
Ah, OK, perhaps not then! Thanks, that's useful.

(Although - he's in U13s right now as he was 12 at the beginning of the season, next year will be U14s).

Good luck to your DS Flowers

OP posts:
edwinbear · 05/03/2022 20:40

In that case, maybe ask your DH to find out from his club if/when they nominate players for county? Usually a club can nominate 3-6 players from their U14’s to attend an assessment day and the county pick from that. Will probably be at the beginning of next season. There should be some info on the county RFU webpage. Smile

edwinbear · 05/03/2022 20:43

www.kent-rugby.org/dpp/

Kent info is here as our local county.

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 20:46

@edwinbear

In that case, maybe ask your DH to find out from his club if/when they nominate players for county? Usually a club can nominate 3-6 players from their U14’s to attend an assessment day and the county pick from that. Will probably be at the beginning of next season. There should be some info on the county RFU webpage. Smile
Ah, OK, I get what this is now.

DS's team has links with Harlequins and yes, any player development starts next year AFAIK.

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mathsquestions · 05/03/2022 20:50

It’s a great investment

If he’s motivated by the idea it might spur him to want to do well in his GCSEs to gain entry.

If your mum can afford the fees she might also agree to tutor (as suggested) to get him back on track and motivated again

Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 20:50

I don't know anything about the County RFU separately. I think maybe it's all done through Harlequins? I'll ask DH...

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Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 21:01

@mathsquestions

It’s a great investment

If he’s motivated by the idea it might spur him to want to do well in his GCSEs to gain entry.

If your mum can afford the fees she might also agree to tutor (as suggested) to get him back on track and motivated again

Yes, I totally agree a maths tutor is a good idea, and thanks also for a PP suggesting that upthread.

I've been speaking to the school about what we can do to support him get back to top set, and I thought they'd totally ignored me as they went quiet, but then we got a letter saying he's going to get extra tutoring in school from a teacher he really likes. It started last week and he really liked it, so I'm pretty pleased about that.

His aunt (a maths teacher) also offered to tutor him, and she's great with him, so we need to get back to that.

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Original poster
thnkingaboutoptions · 05/03/2022 21:03

@mathsquestions

It’s a great investment

If he’s motivated by the idea it might spur him to want to do well in his GCSEs to gain entry.

If your mum can afford the fees she might also agree to tutor (as suggested) to get him back on track and motivated again

Your name is very apt for your post mathsquestions Grin
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