Dd applying for LIPA 6th form. Any advice appreciated.

[PleaseStopWithTheSmallTalk]

Dd has decided to apply for LIPA 6th form in Liverpool. She's quite academic but has decided not to opt for a school 6th form partly due to limited options do A level Music locally and partly due to wanting to apply to LIPA. She's currently working towards grade 5 Piano Music theory and is predicted a high grade in her music GCSE.

Has anyone's DC applied and got in? She plays piano and is self taught in guitar and drums but doesn't have any formal training in those. Just about to start the application process with her and any advice would be hugely appreciated.

I know someone who went for acting and ds has friends who went there for music. In fact he may know a few others (he's now at conservatoire) who went there. He decided not to apply due to the long commute. At the time being local was more important to him.

If she is already doing her Grade 5 theory she may find that she is already ahead on that score than many who start at LIPA. Grade 5 is the minimum standard you have to be for the degree course at main LIPA.

Thanks, that's all good to know. I was a little concerned about her not getting a place with her only working towards Grade 5 so that's reassuring. I know from their application pack that they give places to students who stand out in different ways so just hoping for the best for her but looking for back ups in case she doesn't get her place. We're not far from Liverpool so the commute would be doable for her. She's my first so the 6th form application process in itself has been quite daunting and there really aren't many local 6th form colleges who offer Music as an A level.

My DD went to LIPA 6th form to do acting. My DS attended a normal 6th form to do music A level and is now at uni doing music. These are my experiences
The extended diploma they did (and they still do?) at LIPA is great but it does limit choices a bit for academic students who may change their minds. My DD loved her time at LIPA but getting into a straight acting degree course is hard and I don't think the diploma she has is as useful for her to change her mind if she doesn't want to pursue acting. A mix of A levels and BTEC performance might have provided greater flexibility and choice of uni course. That said she doesn't regret going there.
My DS did A level music and music tech but they are only a number of music type qualifications. He's opted for a fairly traditional music degree but with technology but the breadth of choice of music degrees is incredible. But his A levels opened doors to all of them, whereas other music type qualifications wouldn't have. I think that's something to consider when limiting yourself to a single track type qualification. Is music what she wants to continue with post 18? Check out uni courses to see if they will take the LIPA
Qualification. I did this for my DS with the alternative music courses he was looking at. I emailed the heads of department.
A level music is really very different to the extended diploma or other Btec type qualifications.
The commute is fine because they usually have a compressed week with the lessons provided on 3 days a week so only 3 travel days.
It is an amazing place to be creative and mix with other young people who are equally as creative. Good luck

he 6th form application process in itself has been quite daunting and there really aren't many local 6th form colleges who offer Music as an A level.

do be aware that it isn’t A level music. Btec is very different. It’s an excellent qualification for many and was brilliant for my son & some of his friends but it is specialising very early.

But his A levels opened doors to all of them, whereas other music type qualifications wouldn't have. I think that's something to consider when limiting yourself to a single track type qualification. Is music what she wants to continue with post 18? Check out uni courses to see if they will take the LIPA

The only places that would not take ds’s extended diploma were Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester, Birmingham and another London uni I can’t remember. A few places would only take it with Grade 8 theory alongside.

DD is relatively academic, top sets etc. She wants to go to Lipa 6th form but I'm trying to steer her into more traditional A levels with a Performing Arts element. Luckily we have a good Musical Theatre Btec offered locally.