How to handle sixth form offers

TeenagersAngst · 2025-12-08T17:18:55+00:00

My DS is at private school, currently in y11. The school he is at has a 6th form so it's always an option for him just to stay there although he's not keen. He has an offer from another school subject to achieving specific grades at GCSE - this is his preferred option. The problem is that we would need to give notice at his current school in April 2026 (to avoid being charged for the fees in Sept 2026), but if he doesn't achieve the grades required for the other school, the place they have offered him will be withdrawn. We could be in a position where he has no place at either school. Is this a usual scenario or am I missing something here?

gogomomo2 · 08/12/2025 17:22

Is the other school a state school? Is there a state option? There’s always movement on results day so you can get places last minute at large sixth forms, my dd changed her choice of school in the July because they withdrew her subject choice too

Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 08/12/2025 18:26

No, they are both private schools.

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Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 08/12/2025 18:27

We haven’t applied to state but maybe we need to as back up…

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TeenToTwenties · 09/12/2025 12:14

Def apply for state as well if you haven't already missed deadlines.

Are you certain the notice period applies for y11->y12?

Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 09/12/2025 13:39

@TeenToTwenties
sorry, not sure I understand your question about the notice period?

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TeenToTwenties · 09/12/2025 14:28

Do you definitely have to give notice if you don't plan to return to 6th form?
(Just thinking it seems unfair they can reject you in August but you can't reject them)

Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 10/12/2025 06:47

TeenToTwenties · 09/12/2025 14:28

Do you definitely have to give notice if you don't plan to return to 6th form?
(Just thinking it seems unfair they can reject you in August but you can't reject them)

It’s two different schools I’m talking about. School 1, current school, requires you to give notice in April (a term’s notice) that you are leaving otherwise they will charge school fees for the autumn term in y12.

If he doesn’t get the grades for school 2 they can withdraw the offer. But we won’t know that until we get his exam results in August by which point we have given notice at school 1.

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Simplelobsterhat · 10/12/2025 06:51

Doesn't school 1 have any grade requirements for sixth form? That would be unusual. If so I don't see how they can enforce a notice period, although I guess they could refund if you don't get the grades, whereas you are thinking of if he got the grades but chose to go elsewhere.

How confident is he if getting the grades for school 2?

Applying to a state school as a fall back seems sensible.

TeenToTwenties · 10/12/2025 06:52

Ah sorry. So school 1 lets them in regardless.

How about
. Apply to a state school or 3 (if you haven't missed deadlines)
. Give notice at school 1.
. If he doesn't make grades for #2 then hope #1 will keep him, or go state.

Have you any knowledge of state options?

ThingsgetbetterwithalittlebitofRazzmatazz · 10/12/2025 06:53

Would current school accept him for sixth form if he doesn't get the required grades for school 2? I would check what their offer would be as if he wouldn't get in there either if he misses the grades you might as well give notice.

verycloakanddaggers · 10/12/2025 06:54

TeenToTwenties · 09/12/2025 12:14

Def apply for state as well if you haven't already missed deadlines.

Are you certain the notice period applies for y11->y12?

Because this is a normal change period, everyone is subject to entry requirements.

Have you asked the school?

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 10/12/2025 06:57

So does school 1 not have any grade requirements? are they usually full for 6th form - particularly for the subjects he wants to do?

They will be used to students leaving between KS4 and 5 so perhaps have a chat. Say that your DS isn’t sure he wants to stay on to do A levels with them, that you are going to look at other options but if that doesn’t work out, could he rejoin in September.

NeedingCoffee · 10/12/2025 07:00

In my experience all that happens is that they stay at school 1 and the notice is effectively withdrawn at that point. School 1 is perfectly happy to keep them (and keep the fees!).

IAmUsingTheApplauseReactionSarcastically · 10/12/2025 07:05

Yes definitely have a word with the existing school to clarify how it works. A bit different but hopefully insightful: we were considering a private sixth form for DD but her preference at the time was a state sixth form that wouldn’t have been able to confirm a place until results day (results + catchment). I was worried that we’d be on the hook for a term’s fees but the school confirmed that because it was a key transition point and they understood people had lots of factors to consider, the term’s fee policy wouldn’t apply. (After all that she stayed on at her existing state school.)

Also bear in mind some private schools are having to be a bit more flexible these days as more families are opting for state due to the VAT.

Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 13/12/2025 13:49

TeenToTwenties · 10/12/2025 06:52

Ah sorry. So school 1 lets them in regardless.

How about
. Apply to a state school or 3 (if you haven't missed deadlines)
. Give notice at school 1.
. If he doesn't make grades for #2 then hope #1 will keep him, or go state.

Have you any knowledge of state options?

Yes, this seems sensible. State schools around us all poorly performing hence private school! Not sure what the state option would be…

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Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 13/12/2025 13:51

Thanks all for your thoughts.

School 1 has not mentioned grade requirements and seems keen for as many to stay as possible. I think VAT has made parents keener to look at alternatives.

I called school 2 and they were very reassuring - said if grade requirements not met they will always have a conversation before it gets to withdrawing offer.

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deuxgarcons · 13/12/2025 14:01

We were in similar. My DC wasnt sure if he wanted to stay on at his private for 6th form. We applied to other schools. He was still dithering and then made his mind up to leave. We had to pay fees as hadn't given notice. After first day at new school he thought he'd made the wrong decision so called old school and they would take him back. I think private schools need numbers now so you could take the risk and give notice. My DC friend gave notice (same school) and didn't like new school and returned no problem. Private school had minimum grades and academically selective. I just think in general numbers are down as we have good state and private schools.

Andregroup · 13/12/2025 14:04

NeedingCoffee · 10/12/2025 07:00

In my experience all that happens is that they stay at school 1 and the notice is effectively withdrawn at that point. School 1 is perfectly happy to keep them (and keep the fees!).

This. School 1 will definitely have them 'back'.

stealthninjamum · 13/12/2025 14:10

Op how is school one in terms of numbers? In my experience our local (non London, not particularly competitive schools) can always squeeze in more kids. Many are struggling because of the VAT policy. I would give up your place before Easter knowing that if your son doesn’t meet the grades to school two school one will most probably let him back.

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 13/12/2025 16:37

Does his current school only offer A levels? If so it’s easy enough to say you want to give notice as he’s not sure he wants to do A levels with them but if he changes his mind, would they have spaces?

Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 15/12/2025 07:40

stealthninjamum · 13/12/2025 14:10

Op how is school one in terms of numbers? In my experience our local (non London, not particularly competitive schools) can always squeeze in more kids. Many are struggling because of the VAT policy. I would give up your place before Easter knowing that if your son doesn’t meet the grades to school two school one will most probably let him back.

The head talks the talk about how well the sixth form is doing and how last year their student numbers were higher than ever - but he is also always going on about how deciding to leave is a major decision and there are many reasons to consider staying. So I think they are concerned about numbers falling. The VAT issue comes up in conversations.

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Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 15/12/2025 07:43

FancyBiscuitsLevel · 13/12/2025 16:37

Does his current school only offer A levels? If so it’s easy enough to say you want to give notice as he’s not sure he wants to do A levels with them but if he changes his mind, would they have spaces?

Yes, it’s A levels only. We could say something like this although it’s not true so would rather not put DS in an awkward position if a teacher asks him what his plans are.

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TeenToTwenties · 15/12/2025 07:44

TeenagersAngst · 15/12/2025 07:43

Yes, it’s A levels only. We could say something like this although it’s not true so would rather not put DS in an awkward position if a teacher asks him what his plans are.

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OK. What about 'considering A levels they don't offer? e.g. Archaeology or Astronomy. (Anything another school offers that they don't to make it plausible.)

GU24Mum · 15/12/2025 08:41

Can you give School 1 provisional notice to keep your options open? That’s what we did though the school might make you choose - but might prefer not to burn its bridges with you if its numbers aren’t great.

Original poster

TeenagersAngst · 15/12/2025 09:37

GU24Mum · 15/12/2025 08:41

Can you give School 1 provisional notice to keep your options open? That’s what we did though the school might make you choose - but might prefer not to burn its bridges with you if its numbers aren’t great.

Not sure if this is a thing at his school but worth exploring

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