To send DS to private sixth form or not?

[ChampsNCanape]

In the town I am living in there are two sixth forms - one is independent and the other is a state school. The state sixth form is good and is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, and they achieve quite high A-level results as well (comparable to some cheaper independent schools in the local area). The independent school has excellent results - probably about 15-25% better than the state school however it is also quite expensive (even compared to other independent schools), it is £35k per year for day school and that doesn't include uniform, food, trips etc.. We can afford it however wonder if it is necessary.

There are also cheaper independent schools in the area however they perform very similarly to the state school so I'm not sure about sending DS to one of them. However looking at news reports about snobbery in Uni I don't want him to be bullied at Uni for going to a state sixth form!

35k!! You could save that and ensure he leaves uni with no debt. Where does he want to go?

It depends which Uni he wants to go to. I know several family members at or recently at Russell Group Universities who would say the opposite, that you're more likely to be singled out or bullied for going to a private school But purely for results your private school choice sounds a great option given that you can afford it.

@Nomorescreentime He says he'd prefer the private one but doesn't really mind that much, although he hasn't been to a regular state school before - he was educated at a grammar school for secondary.

However looking at news reports about snobbery in Uni I don't want him to be bullied at Uni for going to a state sixth form!

7% of students go to private school. The vast majority of people he meets at uni will not have been to a private school.
The fact that you think he will makes me think that he is in a private school already. And that it might be good for him to perhaps broaden his horizons in the state 6th form if you have already formed opinions with him at home about those who are state educated.

Also, if you believe that those people in the private system would bully people for going to a state sixth form why wouldn’t you pull him out?! Who wants their child to grow up thinking that’s acceptable?!

@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister He goes to a grammar school

Cross post to see that he was at a grammar school. Even so.

Grammar is still a state school where half of them have been tutored to get in so not really that much difference tbh

Send him where you want it'll make no difference to his grades

That’s an unholy cost. He’ll be absolutely grand at the good state. When privately educated kids enter the real world they’ll realise it’s every man for himself…it’s almost like a ‘cut’ in golf or any such tournament. I know, I was fully privately educated from age 5, and I guarantee it does not buy or ensure anything. Save the 35k, buy him a flat. 😊

Does the grammar school not have a sixth form? Most do or are you in one of the few counties where all secondary schools are 11-16 only. If so I am surprised there are only two sixth form colleges to choose from. Are you unnecessarily limiting your options?

How is he socially? If he mixes well I'd say it's worth it, 16-17 is a good age for creating lifelong friendships/relationships which could be invaluable thoughout his life in the right circles. (I'm certainly not saying state kids are the wrong circles just to make that clear).

What do they offer other than exam results. (Which are hard to compare without knowing prior attainment) it's just some of the advantages of independent aren't there at sixth form. It's not unusual to have small classes at this stage in state, high entry grades, and disruptive students have left.

It's a whole experience for two years, preparing them for university or work. My sons state sixth form does enrichment but you have to choose to do it. It has good learning support, extension classes for those on line for A*

My nieces independent has more compulsory extras so you cant wriggle out of band or hockey, and the careers talks they get are very good, and tge pastoral is great.

If you have a outstanding state sixth form available why would you spend £70k? By the time you get to sixth form the kids who don’t want to be in school and are disruptive have left and class sizes tend to be smaller. If your son is at grammar school then he must be bright and if he is also motivated then he’ll do well anywhere. Spend a fraction of the £70k on additional tutoring if he needs it and put the rest into a university fund.

@Sundayloiterer The grammar school is 11-16 only. There are 3 other state sixth forms in the area however they're all not very good (quite poor results). The state secondary we're looking at now by far has the best results out of them. There are 4 other independent schools in the area but results wise they are very similar (one even worse) to the state school so I'm not sure about if it would be worth it.

I think the state sixth form does have compulsory enrichment activities (etc sports, engineering, science, business). Entry requirements are the same for both schools.

Are the entry requirements similar?
Is the difference in results due to teaching or intake?

A Grammar school is a state school. Why people on mums net feel they have to make out they are something special I do not know. I went to a Grammar and still live in the same city and the grammar are still there only bigger. Yes some kids are tutored to get them over the pass line but plenty of others come from very very modest income families. I'd save the money and stay in state education.

It that case, what are you buying? Is it just a feel you get.

Same entry requirements. Not sure about the difference in results but maybe due to loads of super-smart foreign students (?)

The independent school has somewhat better facilities (much bigger school).

I'm sure he'll get the results to get into either

But both the private and state might have minimum requirements for certain subjects

Our top local private school throws DC out if they don't achieve decent GCSEs

And the best local state sixth form has minimum requirements for most subjects

And both are oversubscribed so you need to act soon if it's the case in your area

I think only you can know if the facilities are worth £35k to you.
I would think that would depend a bit on the subject?

I know a local independent each art student gets a designated studio space that they can leave set up, whereas the state the pupils have to drag thier work back and forth. It actually influences the work the pupils do.

Now I'm getting confused. Is the private option a stand alone sixth form or a the sixth form of a school? If the latter then it may be harder to ascimilate because the vast majority of the students will be have come up through the school. It sounds a bit to me that it's snob value you are attracted to. I don't think that is worth the money.

Also be aware that a lot of the private DC are disgustingly rich

At my DC sixth form there are quite a few ex private school DC and they are on the whole quite unpleasant snobs. Rude, arrogant and condescending.

Just be aware that there is a big push at the moment to recruit more state school students at good unis - if he went private the gcse/as grades and strength of application would need to be better than if he went state, to secure the same place.

Some people do private to get the good GCSE results and then switch to state for a level to reduce the negative bias against them (but have private tutors in the evening!)