Is there any point appealing a private school sixth form refusal?

[Nivvers2001]

DS is currently in year 11 at a fairly academic school and is predicted 7,8s and 9s. He should meet the academic requirements for sixth form entry, however, the head of sixth form told us in February that they will not be offering him a place due to his behaviour. The school is very strict and DS has racked up a number of behaviour points over lateness, uniform, having his phone on him and in one case missing detentions. I am not that worried about DS staying there as he has other sixth form offers and not convinced it's worth 10k a term to stay put, however, DS has lots of friends at school and is happy there so would at least like the option of staying. My question is whether there is any point in appealing the decision given that independent sixth forms can decide who and who they don't admit so it may be pointless even trying. Thoughts?

I think you have a problem if you are getting off on this thread. Really really disgusting behaviour to come onto a thread with the sole purpose of insulting someone. Truly pathetic.

But you do realise they ‘offer’ it to every single applicant within catchment dont you?!?
every applicant within catchment will get an email ‘we are delighted to offer your son a place at x school based on achieving 56 points across 8 gcses’
you are repeatedly using his ‘offer’ as if it’s some kind of special achievement
which is deeply strange

NO THEY DON'T!!!!!!!!!

Maybe stop being so defensive,you're sounding very aggressive which won't help your cause. We're you aware of the schools policies about lateness, phones, timekeeping and all the things he gets sanctioned for. Have the school ever asked you to come in for a discussion about his behaviour or has this all just suddenly blown up out of nowhere. If they don't want him there what do you feel you can appeal against, has he ever received warnings that you were aware of but failed to improve. You may think it's petty but maybe he's quite disruptive and affecting the other students.

You are being horribly rude to posters who are trying to help you with suggestions.

OP, why has the school has refused your son a sixth form place in your opinion? Given that he’s very bright, a high achiever, popular, likeable and his behaviour isn’t a problem?

If you love them then why are you using ND / hyper focus as a way to insult me?

Again, another pathetic insult that I "can't bear the thought of DS being ND"? How dare you? Seriously, how dare you. My eldest is ND and I have fought so many battles for him, supported him to get him where he is today. You are absolutely despicable.

My posts certainly were not aggressive and insulting. I wonder if you know what that means. Anyway, my two reasonable and polite posts are still on here and yours has disappeared, so it looks as though the mods agree with me.

Help? Are you having a joke? Apart from a new poster, the entire thread is about fielding insults and attacks on me and DS.

Now I wonder why you possibly want to know? Could it be to launch another attack or is it to say something helpful and constructive? I do wonder.

Well the mods have deleted multiple posts attacking me so clearly they agree with me.

You're welcome.
I tend to find most students need support at some time or another.
Good luck!

Except I’ve never used ND as an insult. Go back and read. You have simply taken it as such. And that, as I said, is the problem.

No, I don’t launch attacks on people. I’m genuinely wondering. From your many posts it isn’t clear why the school hasn’t offered him a place.

You could certainly talk to the school about his possible ADHD, however as it isn’t diagnosed that may not be as strong an argument as if it was diagnosed. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

@Nivvers2001. Forgetting homework and being late isn’t inevitable, my dc got through school without doing either and so did I. Both travelled by bus, with dd2 switching to cycling later on (5 miles each way). Perhaps they are picking up on attitude as well as these infringements.

I don’t think it’s worth fighting for a place with other schools wanting him, and perhaps going to a new environment might help with these situations.

They must have given you a reason why they don't want him to continue there surely and held meetings with you both before that led up to this decision. You haven't had a formal nd diagnosis by choice so how can you appeal on a disability. What does he want to do, is he happy to go to another school which you both think may have more relaxed rules.

I haven’t read the full thread, is your son taking GCSEs this summer? Independent schools tend to live or die by their academic reputations. Depending on how they predict him doing this, this may be a business decision. If they don’t anticipate him doing that well at ‘A’ level & have plenty of more promising candidates, that’s likely to be the reason, possibly with behaviour being a tie-breaker if they get enough bums on sears.

As for needing flexibility, think about what you are asking for, what is it he should be allowed to do (or not) that others are expected not to (or to do). Schools can’t have one set of rules for some and different rules for others apart from to meet very specific requirements, both my DD’s are nd, one diagnosed as a toddler, the other is not formally diagnosed but obvious, and I’m quite aware that they still have to stick to rules, it was up to me to ensure that they complied including leaving the house on time and completing homework on time. I’m not saying it’s easy but it’s part of parenting and didn’t make me popular with them at times. It’s hard work bring up teens whatever they are like, so I completely sympathise, you just can’t expect schools to make adjustment on these things.

To be fair to the OP, around here you do get an “offer” from state schools for 6th form because a) they’re so over subscribed the schools can set the bar where they want, b) they don’t want to offer all combinations of A levels. They also seem to make offers to some based on whether kids from that school actually turn up in Sept.

However I know for a fact that many top day schools in and around London are seeing less interest at all levels. Even schools like North London Collegiate - often seen as the best indie girls school in the country - are advertising and not mentioning academics, just in case it puts off applicants.

Gosh what a dreadful thread this has turned out to be. I can’t bear to read it all so I’m sorry if any of this advice is irrelevant given further updates.

OP if you are still reading I would definitely ask for a meeting with the Head and ask if there is any flexibility in the decision rather than using formal appeal Language. I would act very willing to work together with the school on the issues and I would also emphasise your son‘s wellbeing in wanting to stay pointing out that he is settled and happy and achieving well. It’s hugely damaging to wash their hands of him rather than encouraging him to improve his behaviour. Definitely also mention the possible neurodivergence and his brother’s diagnosis. If his behaviour has a root cause rather than a poor attitude they may well be more flexible — perhaps if you suggested meetings with the LE team or coaching as a way through. Good luck.

I don't think you should bother appealing. It seems like the school isn't a good match for you and your son.
They don't want him there because of his behaviour so find somewhere else which does want him and can support him properly.