Smaller sixth forms

[apologynotrequired]

Can someone explain how smaller sixth forms are able to offer a range of subjects?

DC has the choice between a very academic sixth form or one with a very different ethos, looks much more 'human'.

The second one seems to offer a fair range of subjects but probably only has 2.5 forms (looking at recent numbers).

I think DC (HFA) will thrive at the second one.

Very capable academically of the first one (grades 8-9 in A level choices) but worried that they might struggle with continued pressure so probably better off in a less pressured environment.

I'm just curious as to how the smaller one can offer the range of subjects they do with much smaller pupil numbers and what the teaching will look like.

We are arranging a teams meeting with the smaller one but I haven't got a clue as this is the first time we have had to negotiate sixth form.

My guess is smaller 6th forms are part of schools?
It may help them attract teachers if they can teach A level as opposed to only to GCSE?
Plus they may offer a range of subjects, but how confident are you that they accommodate everyone's combination of subjects?
I think I remember reading here somewhere that some places guarantee combinations as on application form, but can be less flexible for obvious reasons towards late changes.

All the sixth forms here are part of schools Teen.

Options can be accommodated, we checked that before arranging to meet them.

I think you might be right and that they teach GCSE/A level and perhaps two subjects. That happens at the academic school too, we've asked there already.

I'm from an area where under 1000 pupils per year in 6th form would be 'small' .

😂, oh, I’m talking big one 150, other one half that. Amazingly different!!

The best respected 6th form near me for A levels takes ~2000 per year. I'm in Hants and our schools generally don't go past y11. It has its downsides, but one positive is everyone has to make a positive choice about what/where they want to go next - no staying on at your own school doing the wrong A levels because it is the 'easy' option.

Do check the A level results to see if the courses all actually run. At DD’s school they have a long list of subjects but if they don’t get the minimum number of students the course doesn’t run. They have about 225 in L6 and several of the language courses and Art History didn’t run as they didn’t have enough interest. One of DD’s friends is doing her chosen language by self study with a small amount of input from the school as a result but nothing is actually timetabled.

DD's sixth form had 1500 per year, it wasn't even the largest in the city.

Smaller schools Aldo sometimes cancel courses if not enough sign up and rarely teach more unusual subjects

My children's sixth form is about 120 students. Both my children have had some very small classes (2 or 3 students), but the subjects have run.

It's a state comprehensive and I've no idea how they are funding it; there must be some cross subsidising going on with the rest of the school. But they seem really determined to keep the sixth form going and I do think it helps them hang on to specialist teachers who in turn seem to relish the close relationship with their A level students. So it's been a great experience from the point of view of getting individual attention.

DD's 6th form was part of a school and had a total of about 250 students - about 125 per year. It suited her.

The secondary school in my home town is closing its 6th form. It’s around 6 miles from a great grammar school so DC can transfer there if they meet entry requirements. I also suspect Ofsted might have criticised its lack of breadth and quality. Value for money would be a consideration too.

I wouldn’t be happy with a small under performing 6th form draining money from y7-11. I would also want one where subjects run. You don’t need huge breadth but you need a decent choice. I don’t think 75 per year is enough for a state school and is definitely being subsidised. There should be one bigger 6th form offering more subjects.

When my dd was looking at sixth forms the ones with more students in each class had more teaching hours in each subject. In fact, at one they couldn't tell her how many hours of lessons there would be per subject until they found out how many dc would be enrolled.