To think asking for 6 level 7 (A) GCSE grades to enter the schools sixth form is a bit intense !

[firefly400]

DD is year 10 and to get in to her schools sixth form requires 6 level 7 ,and 2 level 6 GCSE's this is equivalent to 6 A and 2 B grades on the current grading system. I think this creates unfair pressure on pupils who most probably left to their own devices i.e not have to have 'sleepless' nights would achieve.

The school has problems with some girls suffering from Anorexia , Bulimia and self harming . The school should have a more reasonable (though appropriate expectation for A or level 7 grades in just the A levels required for study).

This alone would reduce the 'fear' and concern on my own daughter. Do they want to make their own 'very' bright pupils anxious for some kind of power race with over schools !

'We have more stringent entry requirements than you ' though our girls are always afraid of not getting an A*

Secondly getting 8 A at GCSE does not always equate to 3 A at A Level similarly as demonstrated by my Nephew getting no A at GCSE (only 4 A grades) does not mean you can't get A A level he got 2A and 1 A. The 2 A were in English and Chemistry ( Chemistry Dept did not think he was up to it since he only scraped a A at GCSE)

The final point what a pupil is at 16 is not comparable to the pupil at 18 !

No doubt the policy varies from school to school. The point is that they can treat internal and external candidates differently if they want to.

I think it is high. But I've known of private schools that want higher - at least 8 A/A at GCSE. But when it comes to it, you might find that they'll take the child into sixth form, even if they don't get the "required" GCSE grades. I've known that happen a lot. You need to start looking at other schools or colleges to widen your options. One of my DC, not an academic high flyer, got 3 A/A and 5Bs and 2 Cs, all in academic subjects, struggled to find a state sixth form comprehensive school that would take her for A-levels. You need to apply, with reference, and with your predicted grades - this was the biggy for us, as DD's then school under-predicted what she would achieve, which meant that she was often turned down without an interview - and then see if you're interviewed for a place. I didn't realise it would be so difficult - a bit like applying for a uni place.

I think able pupils from schools where such high grades are not the norm should be accepted at high flying sixth forms even if they have fewer high GCSE grades.

That's pretty harsh Daisy. My two eldest got similar GCSEs. DS pulled his socks up and ended up with a 2i from a redbrick. DD went down an arty route, so at an old Poly now, but got three Bs at A level because she was enjoying her subjects.

It tends to work on supply and demand.

The comment ab ove about discrimination is correct. English law prohibts discrimination on grounds of race, disabilty etc although there are exceptions for some things - for example it is not illegal that my sons' school only takes boys and if you are a girl you are not allowed in. There is no general law which says it is illegal to discriminate in general in work or schools so eg I could say I won't provide services to fat clients or those of the wrong class or who wear a tie I don't like or because I feel fed up that day (not that I would - they are all welcome here if they can pay me.....)

One of my DC, not an academic high flyer, got 3 A/A and 5Bs and 2 Cs, all in academic subjects*

I'd call that a fairly academic high flyer, personally. The kids in the newspaper with 10 As are there because they're unusual. I'm doing an adult education course at my local tech, and friends I've chatted to think my (prehistoric) GCSE grades are great - AAACCD (and half an A, w00t!); it's a matter of who you compare yourself to. In a lot of schools she'd have been in top sets.

Bold fail :(

Yes, it is harsh, because no way did I expect it to be difficult for her to get a place at ANY sixth form. I thought she's better than average, so it will be OK, but it really wasn't. My other daughters are academic high flyers, so it was easy for them. But when the rejection letters started coming in saying the schools had "decided not to offer an interview", it was depressing. We're not talking independent schools here, just state schools with sixth forms. She was offered only one place at a not particularly good school, and that is what we had to accept. I'm just trying to emphasise that your predicted grades and reference are really important to getting a place at sixth form.

One of my DC, not an academic high flyer, got 3 A/A and 5Bs and 2 Cs, all in academic subjects, struggled to find a state sixth form comprehensive school that would take her for A-levels.*

it may be because some schools require B's in Maths and English apart from A's in chosen A levels subjects or say they may require A in history for studying Classics

In many ways it's quite flawed to extrapolate A levels from GCSE's though.

My DD had As in English and Art at GCSE, mostly Bs for the rest. But these Bs and the odd C were in maths, a couple of sciences and a foreign language, all subjects she has absolutely no aptitude for (I actually think she may be dyscalcic, if there is such a thing).

At A level she was very comfortable achieving solid Bs in English, Art and Media.

Crimson, my DD had A and A in English Lang and English Lit and a B in maths, so it wasn't that she didn't have the basics. She had all the Ebac subjects - triple science, a foreign language and a humanity, and a good reference. The problem is that she was changing schools after GCSE, and school sixth forms can pick and choose who they want to take, and there were those with better grades they wanted over her. It's just a fact of life. If you're moving into your own school's sixth form it is probably easier. Sixth form colleges are a better bet than sixth forms in schools if you want surety. We applied for five schools and one sixth form college. Mine was offered a sixth form college, and the college would accept much lower grades for GCSE to be accepted onto the A-level courses - not just those coming out with strings of As. That was our backup, but it was really a bit too far away for us to be happy for her to do on a daily basis. I'm just trying to emphasise that it is important to apply for lots of schools/sixth form colleges. At the time it was very stressful, us thinking she was a hard-working girl, doing fine at school, but maybe she wouldn't get accepted onto an A-level course at all, and then what do you do?

The better the school or college, the higher the demand for places and therefore the more stringent the selection criteria.

If your child does not get the grades, they are surely still able to look around at other colleges? If they are not a high achiever then going to a lesser sixth form might be more appropriate for them.

I think it's fair enough to use grades as a selection criteria. Surely that's the fairest way, it means the best pupils each year will be admitted and the weaker pupils will have to look elsewhere. Why should your child be admitted if they are not up to scratch?

If your child is "worrying" about it, then that's good. It means they know what is required of them. I'd be more concerned if they took a "whatever" attitude to the tests ahead.

You should be grateful that your child has the opportunity to go to a good school and a good college. Parents in some areas are not so lucky, unless they can afford to buy an education.