Peter Symonds, Winchester- your opinions?

[LittenTree]

DS1 is in Y9 so whilst we are a way off yet, he is about to choose his GCSEs. He is erring towards science but has already 'decided' he wants to go to PS rather than Barton Peverell 6th form...

Obviously it is early days, and lord knows, there is time for at least 3 major educational shake ups before then at the rate we're currently experiencing them, isn't there?

My question is, is PS a good place for identifying a DCs best choices for suitable uni/FE?

I read all the time on MN how 'good' Prep school Heads direct their DC to the 'right' public school for them; well, does a top-performing 6th form like PS do the same for uni/FE?

I am not for a second suggesting Barton Peverell doesn't help their DCs make the right choices of future direction, only that DS is probably destined for Science at a good uni, and a school like PS surely should have that correct 'insider knowledge' to guide him, shouldn't it? I am asking in the same vein as the 'problem' of poorly performing comps in deprived areas not even assuming a DC of thiers might aspire to Oxbridge, etc, as it is 'beyond their ken'.

Just been round both PS and Barton Peveril. Both looked good, but dd's chief interest is in drama so she is hoping for BP. If her only interests had been in more traditional academic subjects she would have wanted PS. A friend's ds is doing science at Brockenhurst (preparing for medical school) and is very happy.

Hi - we have just had an out of county move and my daughter has just started at PS- she is a different girl after only half a term - she struggled long and hard in Yr 10 and 11, but thankfully got the grades required and is now much more motivated and interested - she has made a great set of friends already and seems so settled and happy. Teaching is excellent, and yes, they are expected to work hard and do their best. We are really pleased we made the move, it will hopefully have been the best thing for her.

That's really good to hear guineapiglet, it sounds like your dd has really found her feet. Although my ds went to PS from a feeder school he has completely re-invented himself - he has really blossomed in the last year.

I have to say I was rather sceptical about 6th form colleges, as we moved from an 11- 18 education system where the 6th form was integral. They do have to grow up pretty quickly at college, take responsibility, are treated like adults from day 1, it is an excellent transition from school to university, already preparing them for life beyond high school, showing them their value and worth - PS is v academic and does have an excellent reputation for those kids who want to go on to University, but it seems more than that, it gives the kids a chance to be themselves to get away from the 'sausage machine' of High School if that makes sense. - Also, for those whose experience of HS wasnt great, it is a second chance for them to get going, as you say, 'reinventing' themselves to who they want to be. So far so good ! :)

Yes, my school was 11-18 (girls GS) and frankly, the 6th form, for me was a mistake I so should have left and gone to the local Tech to do my A levels. The (few) girls who did grew up so much when compared to us who still had to wear s lightly less strict form of uniform! My school's 6th form was 'more of the same' and aimed only at girls who were heading for blue-stocking uni (you must be aware that I am talking back in 1978 here when a tiny percentage of DC went to uni). 9 academic 'O' levels just didn't cut it! You needed 12 to be taken seriously. Including Russian!

So now my only 'fear' is whether DS will grab the bull by the horns and reinvent himself if he wants to at sixth form college, come the day, not just fail to take on the challenge. If he succeeds, he'll be a lot better prepared for uni, if that's what he wants to do.

As an aside, a friend in Cambridge is in a horn-lock with her DH because their DSs are are a 'good private day school', eldest in Y10. She wants them to go onto Hills Road for 6th form (a highly regarded, PS-like place) a) because it's free, and b) because she wonders if she can shed the 'privately educated' label prior to uni application. DH wants them to stay on at that private as he sees A levels there as 'hitting paydirt' after already 8 years of £12k fees, and he worries whether his so far educationally cosseted DSs might 'blow it' by suddenly having the freedom of whether to go to lectures or not etc.

Both have a point!

LittenTree if the sixth form college is anything like PS the students may in theory have the freedom to choose whether they attend classes. However, the reality is that if their attendance isn't up to scratch they will not last long! PS certainly bang on about how attendance affects final grades!

I think it's very like PS, actually. I think the DH is scared of the consequences of suddenly giving a boy who's had his entire education micro-managed to date the freedom to not do what he's supposed to.

Yeah - I guess I can sympathise with that fear, but I reckon I would rather test the water at a 'free' sixth form than at a £9k per annum university...

a friend of mine who is a teacher there confirms that bunking lessons there is DEEPLY frowned on - as the teachers are monitored for the performance of their whole group - so THEY get penalised for truants.

Those moving from little private schools - most cope. PSC has a vested interest in keeping them on board.
Mostly they are shocked to meet so many bright athletic kids from the free schools!

NB
Do not think of University Tuition fees in the same way as school fees.
They are NOT means tested
the loan is actually a graduate tax - only payable once the graduate starts earning enough - there is NO money up front.

Attendance is monitored closely, and parents called in for meetings if it falls away. All absences are chased up and have to be accounted for. No holidays in term time are ever authorised, and only a set number of open days.

Most students adapt well to their new freedoms (free periods) but ex-boarders are most likely to struggle with the autonomy that they now have to plan their day. Or not.

UCAS see all schools that a candidate has attended from 11, so 3-16 at St Cakes won't suddenly disappear and make them look like totally state-educated kids. They'll look like what they are - which is kind of what you'd want a good system to do.

Hi _ I know Hills Road as my stepdaughter went there and did very well - it is extremely well thought of, and very well organised, with excellent results, really on a par with PS. My husband is an academic at an RG university and was totally impressed with both colleges, their standards and presentations - he said that HR/PS Open Evenings were better organised than most he had seen at some Universities, they ask alot, and expect students to respond accordingly and for many this means upping their game. Low attendance is not an option really unless for some very good reason. I guess it is all down to the individual child, their aspirations, characters etc in terms of what suits them. There is no doubt, they have to grow up quickly and 'act' more like adults and this would not suit some, each child is different and will flourish in an environment which suits them as an individual.