Should I move to a new sixth form?

[burningsermon]

I am currently at a comprehensive school in year 11 and will be going into sixth form this September. I have been offered a place at a grammar school and I don't know whether I should go or not?

Regardless of where I go, I will be studying maths, further maths, physics and chemistry. I?m predicted mostly a*s and a grades for my GCSE results and so far exams are going very well (half way there!). The grammar school is selective and therefore has much better results at a-level, yet my school is probably the best comprehensive school in the area.

I don't know if I should accept the offer or not? I know that I can do well where ever I go as I am good at studying by myself and am very dedicated/motivated with regards to revision; plus all my friends are at my current school. I also know and have the support of the teachers at my current school, whom I have gotten to know over the past 5 years. At the new school I would be just another student with no connection with any of the teachers.

Would going to a grammar school be more impressive when it comes to applying for university? The UCAS support at my school is excellent, but would universities favour a grammar school student?

I don?t want to regret this decision for the rest of my life, I have no idea what to do. Have you moved sixth forms? Advice would be much appreciated, thanks a lot!! :--)

This is my current school: www.johnwarner.org.uk/

This is the school I have an offer at: web.latymer.co.uk/

BQ: Do you have any advice for doing well at sixth form?

Hi

We are (mostly) mums so any experience we've had of moving sixth forms was a while ago - though many of us have kids in your situation (or similar - me included).

I don't think you should be too worried about UCAS at this point. Your priority - apart from getting through your GCSEs (good luck!) - is to find yourself somewhere where you feel you belong - or could if it's need to you. Can you see yourself there? A good rule of thumb, I think.

One of my kids went to a state sixth form and universities weren't remotely interested in that fact - they wanted to know how well he was likely to do and, especially, how keen he was on his intended subject. He was dead keen and that came across very clearly.

Sounds like you'll do OK whatever decision you make - have you talked it over with family, with current teachers?

By the way, best not on a public forum to give too much personal info away (you're pretty safe here, but you should always be careful).

Doing well in sixth form? Apart from working (and playing) hard, believe in yourself and realise that you are at the start of a life long learning journey. A levels/Uni are only the start!

should make no difference with ucas but what is important is getting the best education you can and I would say that would be staying where you are, unless the grammer school will increase your grades or provider wider subjects, but that doesnt sound the case.

what is the difference in a level results as that may make a difference if your current comp was not up to scratch but you already said its the best and you will do well where ever you are.

What do your parents sday they want you to do?

For Science subjects you need to check that the exam boards studied at GCSE are compatible. I am also assuming that you are studying triple Science at GCSE. I do know a few students who have changed school for sixth form and found it difficult because they studied GCSE whereas pupils at the new school did iGCSE, for example.
Being at a grammar school isn't always an advantage when it comes to applying for places at university as some unis give higher offers to students from selective schools.

Latymer is an excellent school - I've heard of it, and I've never lived anywhere near London, so in many ways I think you'd be a fool to pass up the opportunity.

Have you thought of posting on www.thestudentroom.co,uk though? It's full of people your age who can give their experiences of moving sixth forms.

How big are the groups for your subjects at both schools? Have you met the teachers at Latymer? How easy are the journeys? What about enrichment opportunities?

Last year I went from a comp to a private school's sixth form - I don't regret it.

Your GCSE results will be judged against your current school, so moving will make no difference to that. Latymer has an excellent reputation and you may well benefit from that but you won't do your best in an environment where you're not happy. So I'd say go where you think you'll be happiest. It sounds as though you're the type of student who'll do extremely well wherever they are.