Sixth Form, Any Experience?

[shaddupayouface]

Hi
My DS (15) is currently at an independent school in Year 10. We are considering a move for Sixth Form because he’s academically a high achiever and whilst the school was perfect for him at Year 7, we’ve noticed that in some subjects he’s being held back by pupils who are working at a much slower pace. His favourite subjects are Maths, History and Geography although he performs well in exams across the board, he also studies, Spanish, Physics, Biology and Chemistry (higher level), Religious Studies and Statistics.

We are looking for somewhere nurturing but challenging academically and are hoping it will be state rather than independent as we don’t feel like we’re getting any bang for our buck at the current school.

Any recommendations or experience from parents or students would be great.

Thanks for reading.

Where are you based?

Any clues as to where you live or might be looking...?

As has been said it very much depends on where you are
Both my DC went Private Y7- 11 but then to one of the best State 6th forms in The UK

https://www.st-petersschool.co.uk/page/?pid=83

How about St Peter’s Catholic School, it’s got an excellent reputation.

Hi @shaddupayouface where are you and how far are you happy to travel? Without that info our suggestions are a bit pointless.

In general, sixth form is often found to be a more challenging environment for students as there is a lot more self study so they can set the pace a bit more. IME anyway. DS in particular commented that a lot of the students who were less engaged or who found the learning environment challenging had moved on to other settings and the atmosphere was much better.

Yes sorry we’re in West Kent, so Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells areas

Just needs to apply in October/November … check with the council for the local process as it varies, my DD’s college was via ucas progress.

In that case I would have a look at:
Leigh Academy (Tonbridge) Sixth Form - Leigh Academy Tonbridge
Skinners (Tunbridge Wells) Welcome to The Skinners' School
Weald of Kent Grammar (Tonbridge) Sixth Form - Weald of Kent Grammar School

all have good pastoral care + good results, although Weald and Skinners have a better grade average overall. You apply directly through their websites. Definitely worth going along to open days to get a feel of them.

Thank you. We live locally and have some experience of Weald (my DD went there) and wouldn’t chose because the pastoral
care was awful in our experience. Might have changed as there was a new head as my DD was starting A Levels.

I know the schools in the area, I just want some feedback from parents who have sent children to any of these schools so I can get an idea of their experience.

Where would I find a list of ranked 6th forms?
we are in private, not yet done GCSEs but looking ahead to see what DS needs to get to a good 6th form. (Bright child but struggles to focus when he can’t see the point in a subject so I’d like to know what good 6th forms require for entry so can guide him a bit more - otherwise he will end up doing well in 6 GCSEs and binning the rest!!!!)

Most schools have entry requirements on their website. I think for good sixth forms they I’ll definitely ask for a 7 at least in the subjects being studied at A Level.

Not necessarily
Offers for the very good 6th form near us tend to be around 6.
DS has to get at least 4 6's and his Maths and English have to be a 4 or above

I’m not sure any of the ones I’ve looked at accept anything below a 7 for A Levels and definitely 7 for IB Higher. I used to work at TOGs in the early 00s before they introduced the IB and they definitely wouldn’t accept anyone without a A grade in the subjects being studied at A Level.

DS isn't currently doing the subjects he wants to study at A Level so I am not sure how that would work.
Anyway, he has an offer for 4 6's at an excellent 6th form college

Yes my DCs' school was happy with grade 6 for A level. I personally think 7 is needed for MFL or maths but not sure the school agreed even there.

It also had no other specifications apart from passing maths and English. Some schools ask for 7 in all A level choices; some ask for a certain number of points from GCSEs. They vary – often driven by the level of applicants and how choosy they can be tbh.