Does it matter where you get your A Levels?

[Feellikeashitmum24]

Hi all, just mulling over a university related situation.

My son is about to start A Levels and has the choice of the local sixth form college which is good but nothing special, or an outstanding independent college with a great reputation.

Exact same courses, and will likely do well and get high grades whichever college he chooses.

We’re just wondering whether a good set of A Levels from the outstanding college is more likely given him a leg up to better universities and courses. Does anyone know if this is a factor when unis choose which students to accept?

Is there any difference in extra curriculars? Opportunities for leadership roles? Extension classes or interview prep? Does the university application support differ?

I've no idea what schools are like now, but I got extra classes in two subjects to support university applications, including STEP exam and interview prep.

I don't know all the ins and outs and there's various conspiracy theories, but it's fair to say he won't get contextual offers from top unis if he goes to the indie. As an example, my friend whose DS went to a private sixth form bemoaned how much higher the bar was for him to get into Oxbridge because his predicted 4 A-stars and whizzy extras didn't mean as much as doing well in a state sixth form, due to widening participation. I doubt it's that clearcut as plenty from indies still get in, and he did have lots of benefits so I don't disagree with anything taking that into context, but it's something to add into the mix while you're weighing up pro's and cons. If your DC is motivated and likely to give it their all anyway, I wouldn't pay for indie Sixth Form when there's a perfectly good state option. It's arguably the wrong point to go private if they've been doing well in state so far.

Edited to add - you could save the money and use some for tutoring on entrance exams, interview prep etc for specific unis if that's relevant to his choices later.

He'll likely be better prepared for the university work and a career thereafter. My brother went to one of the top independent boys schools in London and his work at A level (I read it) was on a par with some of the later university work I had been doing. He inevitably went to Cambridge (I was at York). He did extremely well at Cambs. Got a 1st, went onto further study there and has a very successful career in his chosen profession.

^^sorry I meant to say at the well considered independent college

We’re just wondering whether a good set of A Levels from the outstanding college is more likely given him a leg up to better universities and courses. Does anyone know if this is a factor when unis choose which students to accept?

If you're paying for his A Levels, then it may be that they will be less well regarded than if he's going to "the local sixth form college which is good but nothing special."

Paid-for-education pays for small class sizes, extra tuition, a calmer atmosphere - all things that the local State-funded college cannot offer as routine, because they have to take anyone who qualifies. So an A at A-Level from a standard comprehensive 6th form is worth more than from a paid-for school which has more resources, coaches, and tutors to individual students' capacities.

It may make no difference, but in interview-based admissions, especially for sought-after subjects, it could very well make a difference. It will depend on university & degree programme.

I don't think there would be enough of a distinction to preclude choosing the school you think would suit him best, and where he would be happiest. Two years is a long time and he is at a very impressionable age. I would choose the best school for him, not for his UCAS application.

The better educational institute will be able to nurture ur DS better and provide more and varied extracurriculars

One question is whether he will perform the same in both places. He might well do better in the independent…but that’s not guaranteed, and of course you can never know as you only go to one place.

Unis won’t favour him because he went to X school. He might qualify for contextual offers if he goes to the state school and it’s in a deprived area and he meets other criteria too, but being in state alone doesn’t qualify for contextual.

If you’re asking if he’ll get the same experience in both…probably not. Independents vary and there’s a big difference between a large, well known and academically successful one and a small struggling private school, but assuming it’s a successful school, he will probably have smaller classes and more support and more support in applying to uni.

Of course, lots of students from state schools do really well and self-starters in many state schools outperform many in independents. But the experience is different.

State sixth forms in schools are different to colleges too. Colleges have very flexible timetables and you’re free to be in or not when you do t have lessons…less form times, no PE etc. Lots like the greater independence, but you probably get spoon fed less and need to be a self starter more.

Pros and cons of everything. For most, where they go will have some kind of an impact on their results, even if not much.

You might also consider other activities such as sport, music and other stuff available as 6th form can be a time for lots of other stuff. Some places have a culture where 6th formers do loads and others, not much at all.

I agree with pp - go for whichever college suits him and his personality. There may still be time for him to apply to spend a day at each, to see which he prefers.

Fwiw, I have 2 sons and one chose state and the other private. They are both very different people and both made exactly the right choice for themselves. They both say that they wouldn't have enjoyed the other.

Sorry, I may have confused terminology here. The ‘independent’ one isn’t private or fee paying, it’s just not a state school like the other one is. It’s a big catholic sixth form college in a city that has lots of non catholic pupils.

He is veering towards the state school as it’s walkable distance, but I think he could absolutely thrive at the college.

If it’s not private/fee paying it surely is state. What makes you think it’s not a state school?

You are right. I’m getting muddled because I suppose I don’t think of it as a school at all. Like, it’s not on my radar as being in the local state school system. It is 16-18 only and is a campus rather than anything like a typical school building. It carries a lot more renown locally than any of the comprehensive schools.

Apologies for the confusion, folks!!

Okay then, from uni’s point of view I don’t see that there’s anything to differentiate the two, so go with which he wants/suits him better.

Yes @pinkdelight 's correct. Paid-for education will generally be held to a higher standard because of the far greater level of resource and privilege.

A lot will depend on the degree your DS is wanting to study at university and at which university.