Independent sixth form interview

[stressedout2021]

I would like some help for my younger brother please.

He is sitting his GCSEs this year and would like to complete his A levels at an independent school.

Can anyone give him some advice as to the type of questions they will ask in the interview?

He suffers from anxiety and finds it difficult to think on his feet, so he likes to be prepared in advance as much as he can be.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Is anyone able to give some advice with this please?

It’ll depend massively on the school and the structure of the interview to be honest

My DC have done a number of these in recent years. Most have included questions along the lines of why they wanted to move/attend that particular school. Some questions on the academic subjects they want to study at A level. Some questions on their non academic interests plus some questions on current affairs - especially ones related to their academics. SO if applying for sciences he might get a question about COVID and if applying for history/politics about the war in Ukraine and if for economics about sanctions or fuel prices etc etc.

Who is making the decision for him to move to an independent school for A’Levels? If this is to further his own academic ambitions he must presumably have studied the websites of likely schools really thoroughly? And barriers the selection down to those he thought would suit him.

Schools he is likely to do well at will not be asking questions he will find hard to answer - they’ll want to know about him - his interests, talents, goals.

But competitive academic life, at school and university is always likely to involve a certain amount of impromptu discussion.

Not ‘barriers’. I wrote ‘narrowed’.

@londonmummy1966 spot on. I won't repeat what you wrote but that has been our experience.

With regards to anxiety they really will not want him to not be at ease. So he has nothing to worry about. It will be a conversation not an interrogation. Good luck 🤞

A recent question posed during an interview to sixth form here was 'what have you read recently in the news that has interested you?'

My dc was asked what they wanted to do in the future and why they chose the subjects and school. They prepared notes on hobbies etc, but weren't asked about them. They were asked for three words that best described themselves, and then had a little conversation on their responses.
Tell your DB not to worry, tell him to take flash cards with notes if it makes him feel less anxious, and not to be frightened to tell the interviewer about the anxiety.
I was allowed to go in with my dc, but let them do all the talking. My dc mentioned that some of their friends had said that they froze and their parents answered the questions for them, so the interviewer will be used to many different levels of confidence.

@TottersBlankly

Who is making the decision for him to move to an independent school for A’Levels? If this is to further his own academic ambitions he must presumably have studied the websites of likely schools really thoroughly? And barriers the selection down to those he thought would suit him.

Schools he is likely to do well at will not be asking questions he will find hard to answer - they’ll want to know about him - his interests, talents, goals.

But competitive academic life, at school and university is always likely to involve a certain amount of impromptu discussion.

The decision to go to an independent for further study is his and he has looked at the school website and read through the prospectus in great detail. He feels confident that he will be able to cope with the A-levels as he's choosing subjects he enjoys and that interest him.

He's just feeling very nervous about the entry exams and interview day as they are both on the same day so he feels he will have to be mentally prepared for it and is finding it quite overwhelming.

Thank you for taking the time to reply back. The responses have been helpful.

What would you say is the best thing for a boy to wear for a sixth form interview at an independent school?

Smart casual or a suit?

Depending on the school I'd say business attire. Suit, shirt and possibly tie. Always better to be too smart than a bit scruffy. In terms of the interview I think just be himself. He sounds bright and I suspect they'll just want to get to know him a bit. No need to be intimidated he will be as good if not better than anyone else and they're not there to trip him up. Good luck!!

Actually also if he doesn't have a suit perhaps current school uniform?

OP, why does your DC want to go independent for sixth form? For uni applications/contextual offers they may be better staying in state.....

@Hippolyte

Depending on the school I'd say business attire. Suit, shirt and possibly tie. Always better to be too smart than a bit scruffy. In terms of the interview I think just be himself. He sounds bright and I suspect they'll just want to get to know him a bit. No need to be intimidated he will be as good if not better than anyone else and they're not there to trip him up. Good luck!!

Thank you for your advice, much appreciated

@Noisyprat

OP, why does your DC want to go independent for sixth form? For uni applications/contextual offers they may be better staying in state.....

He would like a change as the school he is in does not have a strong OFSTED report. Originally he wanted to go to college, but our parents have offered to pay for independent school from what would have been his inheritance.

I'd call the school and ask what to wear - he'll feel awkward if he's the only one in a suit if the rest are in tracksuits.