Swapping sixth form....anyone any experience?

[Peterbear]

Dd hating her V1th form college due to making zero friends. She's gone from being fun loving and popular to a shell of herself. After 8 months I've suggested we try and move her to another sixth form - thing is she's half way through her a levels (quite likes the subjects just hates the loneliness).Has anyone had a child who moved half way through Alevels? Tia.

I know they all seem to have different Exam boards which might be a problem...

I’ve known a few kids who moved & redid Y12 again at a different school. Very difficult to move into Y13 unless she is prepared to do a lot of extra work to catch up on any topics they have already covered, etc.

No experience but it’s something I’d think about but not sure it’s actually something that’s done.

I nearly moved my son at the end of year 9 and was told it was really the only time to do it as once in year 10 it wouldn’t have been recommended. I assume leaving 6th form half way through might be similar.

i think timetabling issues were key but I guess that might be less of an issue as there are less subjects.

Is it worth speaking to the head of 6th form at your current school or a potential new school?

Could she potentially skip this year and restart 6th form afresh in September? Not sure if that’s allowed.

She could just start Yr 12 again in September.
Everyone is entitled to 3 years of 6th Form/College from ages 16 -19.

No advice I’m afraid, but just to say we are in a similar boat. At the moment we are trying to encourage activities outside of school to provide something (anything!) to make it a bit better. Certainly not the experience we were all hoping for sadly.

I’m sorry other people are experiencing this.

My daughter is in year 12 at her school. She has friends, but it doesn’t really translate outside of school. I was hoping 6th form would be better as they actually mix with another school but it hasn’t really helped.

I really have to try not to think about it too much as I find all consuming. I know that sounds very dramatic.

I think she would be better restarting year 12 at a different college. That way she is new like everyone else, should find the workload easier as she has already covered it and can join clubs there to help make new friendships.

They get funding for 3 years from 16-19. Ring round other colleges when they are back from Easter and speak to them about starting year 12.

Thankyou wise women I appreciate your replies.xx she's really keen not to re-start as just wants them done. Also has lots of chums at another college who will because year ahead if she goes back a year. This is not what I envisaged at all but she's so bloomin miserable and it's grinding me down..

I hear you - it is a bit all consuming- you just want them to be happy don't you ? Or at least not miserable. X

Absolutely.

I hope it works out, whatever you decide to do.

Yes, absolutely agree re the feeling of it being all consuming. It’s hard to know what to do for the best. Mine says they will ride it out, but that feels like a long time to be lonely. The holidays amplifies it as well I think.

It definitely does. Especially when siblings are out and about with friends.

It makes me feel so sad.

Yes the holidays seem to make things feel worse. Emailed college today to ask about chances of swapping so fingers crossed.x

It seems very unlikely that a school would accept her at this stage. I teach A-level and wouldn’t accept a newcomer to the class at this point in the year or at the start of Y13; even if they had started the same syllabus, it’s extremely unlikely that they’ll have covered the same content (specifications don’t dictate the order of teaching, so for example, students studying English Literature may have already covered components that your daughter hasn’t, and vice-versa). Sorry - I hope things get better for your daughter, or that you do manage to find a place for her. Sixth form ought to be such a great time, and it makes me sad to think of students being miserable.

Thanks yes it should be such a fun time. I know a few that are really not enjoying it though - think partly a case of expectations vs reality!