Looking at 6th forms, Autumn 2018 start

[lljkk]

Anyone fancy a chat?

[lljkk]

I have developed a scientific curiousity about how different 6th forms sell themselves to parents. Last night's talk (to parents) was all about "transitions" and "support". In my local area, people send their kids to nearest secondary "to keep them close", parents don't look at exam results to choose a school. So I can see how the talk last night was addressed to that typical local parent who finds the "transition" daunting.

What are the themes of the school-sells you guys hear? I imagine some schools it's all about grades "excellence" or future jobs "opportunities" or not being a NEET for 2 yrs "growth".

[BubblesBuddy]

Sciences including psychology work well with maths. Definitely economics too. If she does maths at university they won’t care much what she does with maths. However if she goes down the management studies route or economics, then economics and history are better A levels with Maths. Sociology is often taken by young people who think it’s easier than History and it is less well regarded.

[Oddsocks15]

splatattack are you still here?

DD is keeping us firmly at arms length, in fact she said she didn't want us to go to 6th form evening tonight. Did go, but kept firmly in the background and we weren't allowed to speak to teachers.....

DD wants to do A level Maths, considering; psychology, sociology or further maths. She recently sat mocks, and maths teacher hinted at a high mark and she could consider further maths... So confusing when DD won't talk to us, what works well with maths, she has no clue what she wants to do when she leaves 6th form.

[alternate]

@Tweennightmare I’m glad it seems to be working out, it’s a bit of a nightmare, isn’t it?! My DD has been to 5 schools in 6 years. I’m done with it all, imagine how she is feeling! Although she is only now realising the enormity of this move as all the others have been sort of managed for her. We’ll sort it out when we are there. She needs to de stress right now.

@catslife Thank you, that’s really useful information. I have been really struggling with the different btec details and you’ve clarified it nicely.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

DS didn’t bother with own school open evening in the end as has already talked to teachers about A levels. The form for the sixth form he’s most interested in at the moment has gone to school for a reference and will be sent on in a batch with others!

[Appraiser]

@catslife thank you for that. I thought as much with the different levels and 2 of the schools we looked at had the Btec had the standard and the extended.

I’ll pass this info on to my DN. Appreciate you commenting.

[catslife]

Have been lurking as this thread is close to Y13 one.
Hi appraiser am posting because dds sixth form college does a mixture of A levels and BTECs.
There are 3 levels of BTEC:

1. the subsidiary diploma which is equivalent to 1 A level and students can take alongside 2 other A levels
   
2. the (standard) diploma which is equivalent to 2 A levels and students can therefore choose 1 A level subject to go with it.
   
3. The extended BTEC which is equivalent to 3 full A levels.
   

Not all sixth forms will offer all of the above but at dds college you can do either the single or the standard diploma.
The advantage of the BTEC is that it includes work placements as part of the course.
Either Sociology or Pyschology would be fine for social work. But bear in mind that the latter is considered a Science and at some sixth forms specified grades in Science (or even Maths) are required. Sociology is more an essay type subject.
dd has been taking a Health and social care applied A level type course with similar grades to your DN and is predicted a B at A level. Unfortunately due to A level reforms the A level course has been discontinued.

[Theworldisfullofidiots]

We're in full on mocks now and dd is a bit wobbly. Tough day yesterday and she looked up how much difference do mocks make to predicted grades. They are taking last year's gcse papers in some cases (where they haven't quite finished the course) and school set exams in other (which are rumoured to be harder than actual gcses - but this may be a kids urban myth). Any words of wisdom?

[Petalflowers]

We've only looked at current six form at the moment, which is where he wants to stay. Also considering a local Catholic school, where a lot of his sport club mates go (but a year lower), and girls grammar (mixed six form).

If he gets his,predictions, he will,be fine where his is. However, his revision for his mocks seems a bit luck lustre. The RC has a lower entry, but the subject combination isn't so,good. The girls grammar ha better options for him, although may be a culture shock as he currently goes to a boys school (lots of single sex state schools,in this area).

[Appraiser]

Thanks again Second we’ve spent this afternoon looking at uni’s and all 3 local ones do the BA(hons) Social Work, mist require BBC in Alevels so it’s been an eye opener for her I think.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Sorry, I was talking about the extended Level 3 diploma in Health & Social Care. It is the same amount of study 3 A-levels, so she wouldn't be doing any A-levels with it. She would get three grades where each grade is e.g. Distinction(D) Merit (M) Pass (P)

Or, if she gets average GCSE grades of 6+ she could study 3 A-levels: Psychology, Sociology plus one other.

I don't know anything about mixing A-levels and BTEC courses because none of the schools or colleges in our area offer that.
DS1 has been through the process of looking at university entry requirements, and they mostly offer based on 3 A-levels (e.g. ABB) or a BTEC extended diploma (e.g. D*DD)

If she is considering the possibility of university, she needs to look at some courses and what entry requirements they have, before choosing her sixth form options.

[Appraiser]

second what 3rd Alevel could she do instead of Health and Social Care? Or could she do that as well? That’s where I’m confused. The 6th forms we’ve looked at do the Btec as well so could she do all 3?

[Appraiser]

Thanks second that’s really helpful. Will let her know.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

My last comment was for Appraiser

[TheSecondOfHerName]

If her average grade is 6 or higher, then A-levels would keep her options open. Sociology & Psychology are relevant for social work but do involve essay writing. A 6 in English would be an indication that she'll be able to manage.

If her average grade is below 6, she might be better off doing the BTEC in Health & Social Care. High grades in this would make it feasible for her to apply to quite a few university courses if that's what she wants.

[Chocolatecake12]

I have the added decision of what course to choose as ds’s current school offers the IB programme and alternative school A levels.
Going to open evenings next week so hopefully that will give us more insight into which course is best suited to him.
Both schools are equal distances from home.

[Appraiser]

Can I join?
Feel like a fake MNer on this because it’s for DN not my own DC. She’s looking at a career in social work so we were discussing last night 6th form and her potentially not staying at the current school she’s at and moving schools for their 6th form (which looks far better actually).

Looked at Sociology, Psychology A level and then maybe Btec in Health and Social Care.

What are people’s thoughts? She’s expected what was B/C’s (don’t know the number equivalents )

She thinks she wants to go to uni and I need to look at alternative options if she didn’t and still wanted to go into Social Work, not sure if that’s possible.

Any advice / guidance would be appreciated. I’m pushing her to go and visit the 3 other 6th forms in the area.

[TheSecondOfHerName]

The sixth forms at our local schools have application deadlines in December/January. The application forms are available on their websites. Historically, they have also had a few spaces open up on GCSE results day.

[Tweennightmare]

Alternate I am going through the same process. DD and I have just been back looking at sixth forms and registering for our favorites. Loose is right on timings some of the top private schools have closed now the ones we are looking at (day selective private) are January. Our state back ups are later February/March. I actually fully believe no one would notice if my DD didn’t go to sixth form she is not in the UK system we don’t claim any benefits for her . I don’t believe the systems are in place to monitor attendance yet. My dd has also had a number of changes (3 secondary schools in 3 countries)and was not looking forward to another move but looking at the schools last week (we are purposely are targeting smaller sixth forms as they suit her better)she is much more positive

[BeyondThePage]

We went through it all last year for DD16 - she moved to a Grammar 6th form which has been fab for her.

DD15 is looking at either staying on at her perfectly good comp - entry requirements are 5 x grade 5 at GCSE with 6 for most subjects, 7 for maths.

Or moving to the grammar 6th form her sister is at - 5x grade7 with 7 for most subjects, 8 for Maths or Music.

[LooseAtTheSeams]

Just on timing - individual sixth form have their own closing dates so you have to check the websites. Further education colleges tend to keep enrolling into the first couple of weeks of the academic year (and longer in some cases) so much less of a panic!

[alternate]

We have an problem I’d love advice from you wise people if possible please.

Currently live overseas. Moving back to England next year. DD is 16 and has just done igcses. She’s pretty much done with school, too many changes and MH issues, and it’s amazing she’s made it this far, to be honest. Another change may be one too far but we have no choice with our return.

Are there time scales to applying for a 6th form place? Same with a college? We will be pretty rural when we return, public transport is awful.

Will anyone actually notice if she doesn’t go to school any more? Only half joking here, it’s been a very tough few years.

[lljkk]

I wonder what other kids with your DD's range of results will do. What have other parents told you, or does the school know?

[BackforGood]

There is her school (non selective) and then there are the 3 others we've looked at which are selective. However, that is the problem - we are struggling for other options. Two other local schools have recently closed their 6th forms, two more never had them, one other we tried doens't do the subjects she wants to do (Sciences, so not a weird combination), so there aren't the choices for us to look at - it's not that we have only chosen to look at selective, there just aren't the comprehensive 6th form places there used to be.

Maybe it is just where we live? It just seems odd that 6th forms are closing / places are getting fewer at a time when they want more people to stay in education whether they follow it up or not.

[lljkk]

Are all 4 of the 6thFs you're looking at selective, B4G?

Does a single selective 6thFm cream off all the most able kids which makes the other 6thFms get much lower results so they look rubbish on paper?