Which 6th form?

[MumOfAPreacherMan]

So it's almost GSCE results day and my wonderful DD can't decide which 6th form to go to. Can anyone give my any thoughts? She's very bright and aiming for Oxford or Durham. Doesn't mind being the odd one out with her mates who aren't as driven academically.

Choice A:

• 10 minutes walk away, later start time
• decent (but not brilliant) results, get a fair amount to top unis
• several friends going and knows people already there
• went to taster day and loved it, got on well with teachers

Choice B:

• 2 buses or, realistically, a 25 minute drive
• excellent results, way better than average getting to top unis
• only one person she knows going - they're friendly but not really friends (yet!)
• couldn't go to taster day - loved it at the open evening but didn't meet all the teachers she'd have

She had decided on A, mainly because the lifestyle would be easier and she'd enjoyed the taster but last couple of days she's been wavering. Think seeing the A level results from both has got her thinking. B is definitely better but would the huge life changes outweigh the benefits?

I assume there is no doubt she will be able to take her chosen A level subjects at both? I ask bc a low-popularity subject (MFL, music) can be dropped last minute.

Do you know anything about the support offered for applications to Oxford and Cambridge? It’s quite a specific process and targeted help is a good thing. If a school has a lot of students going there, that suggests that something is offered (not necessarily tho).

How long will the two buses take? A 25-minute drive suggests it would be a long bus trip. Are you able to drive her there? How soon is she 17 (thinking learning to drive herself). DS2 looked at a sixth form that was about a 30-40 min bus journey away (two buses) – would be about a 15-min drive or at rush hour maybe 30. I’m glad he chose to stay local but the other factors were not as compelling tbf. I wouldn't worry at all about friends in relation to this.

It doesnt really matter that a has a lower proportion at higher grades - I assume they appeal to a broader range of kids. It’s how well SHE will do that counts. If she feels supported to do her best at a then a is great.

By bus B would be about an hour. I've said I'll drive her if that's where she chooses. I know B is really focused on uni applications and helping them get where they want to be. A not so much. They're obviously okay but I don't think it's as individual and obviously not everyone is pushing as hard.

She can definitely do her chosen subjects at both which makes the decision harder!

Does B get better results due to better teaching or higher entry requirements / having de facto feeder grammar schools?

If the only thing explaining better results is teaching then maybe B.

I would suggest she look at the syllabus of the courses at each school and see which she prefers. Possibly only relevant to essay subjects though.

Also, as pp has said, ask whether each school has an Oxbridge track and what GCSE grades your daughter would need to be part of this.

OP has your dd made a decision yet? My dd1 was in a similar position.

Yeah, she went for A and is really excited to start so I guess it was the right choice for her.