Alternatives to A-Level for academically gifted but anxious daughter?

[mumsiepig]

Right now her only option is going to our local college, it isn't great and people who previously bullied her go there (albeit in the year above), so you can see the conundrum.
There is absolutely nothing else in the area except sixth forms, but she won't even entertain the idea because she'll be the new one - it's a 'better the devil you know', sort of situation.

We're at a loss as to what to do...

Where does she want to go?

@ligresa

She doesn't know what to do either! She'd like to do online A-levels but it just isn't feasible due to the expense :(

There’s usually quite a few new students joining schools at sixth form so your DD is very unlikely to be the only one.

Has she just sat her GCSEs or is this for 2020? Usually you need to apply in year 11, however a sympathetic school might consider a late application.

@errorofjudgement

I've been trying to convince her but it doesn't have much of an impact and yes she's getting her results tomorrow, but in this area all the sixth forms and the college she's going to are still advertising and apparently have plenty of spaces left (despite secondaries being quite oversubscribed - strange!)

Is there a teacher at school she gets on with? Or a leader from any out of school activities she does? Sometimes teenagers accept advice more readily from an outsider rather than mum.

Could dd be persuaded to try one of the sixth forms, on the understanding that if she wants to leave after 2/3 weeks you'll help her find another (many sixth forms will take new entrants up until half term of the first term)?

Sometimes knowing that they don't have to stay can persuade them to give a new school a try. It does sound as though that could be a better option than the local college, given the history.

What does she want to do at university? What subjects does this require? Where are they taught well? If she goes somewhere mediocre, mediocre results are likely to follow. Would this be ok with her? Where is she most likely to achieve her goals? Will it matter to her if she doesn’t? The answer to these questions should really determine where she goes. The greater risk appears to be the college. It probably ticks fewer boxes. Have a meaningful conversation about her future and see if she will reconsider.

It doesn't matter if you are new at sixth form, people are open to making new friends. I went to a 11-18 school and we had quite an influx of newbies into the sixth form. Even if she was one of only a few she wouldn't get ignored, classes at A level are small and it's easy to make friends with your peers.