Private schooling S5 and S6?

[teaandakitkat]

Has anyone moved to fee paying schools for S5 and S6 only? We can't afford 6 years fees for all our kids but would like to consider it for S5 and S6, so for higher, advanced higher.
I know some schools mention entry to S5 or S6 on their websites but I'm just wondering how it works out in real life, are there many new entrants, do they struggle to find their place in the school?
We've got many years to make a decision, but I'm just thinking ahead and would welcome any insight.

Thanks

I'm new to Scotland but I don't really understand why you would pay for S6 if you were late in. From what I can tell - and this is early days for me - although obviously advanced highers are studied a lot of pupils already have their university offers on their highers. Instead, S6 seems to be about more independent specialised study for those that need the advanced highers for medicine and veterinary science and emphasis is on voluntary work for them and everyone else. I think that's great but I'd rather encourage my children to do the voluntary work than pay the school fees for them to reap the glory.

Also, often a good teacher can determine a child's interest in that subject, e.g. having a great history teacher at S3 could mean history being studied to higher level. If they are late into the school they won't have this knowledge about the subject staff.

I may be wrong but I would think that entry at S3 is more important and try and get them through S5 so committing to 3 years instead of 2.

Interested to read others' thoughts.

I was thinking S5 and S6, so Nat4 and 5 at state school then higher and advanced higher at private school.
Maybe that's not a common thing, I don't know.

My friend went s5/6 and she said it was such an eye opener and the best thing ever.

Private schools do intakes in s1 and s5 and under rare occasions they take some through out the years however by s1 the curriculum is starting. There would be a slim chance of s3 intake.

I should also mention a majority of it all of pupils at private schools stay on for 6th year...

If your DC want to go to an English university you'd better get advanced highers, particularly if it's a course in high demand. I think most state school pupils who do highers stay on for 6th year, don't they? I know of one person who isn't but is targeting an apprenticeship in the kind of area that is frequently studied at university as they want to get practical experience and be paid while they learn.

I have just enrolled my daughter for S3 in a private school in Edinburgh.

We visited and sought the advice of several private schools and all advised that entry at S3 is better than S5 for various reasons included some already mentioned above.

Initially I thought they would say that as it means more money for them but really our children often don't have a chance of good Highers/advanced Highers and then university without a solid foundation of Nationals.

Entry to S3 is possible in several private schools in Edinburgh if you plan ahead.

Good luck!

I can't see the logic. In any school the higher and advanced higher classes are going to be pretty committed and taught by very knowledgable teachers. Behaviour issues at that level far less of an issue than lower down the school.

Also you may find children less willing to move the longer you leave it.