Harris Six Form

[BluePeriwinkle]

My DD will be starting Yr 12 at Harris East Dulwich Sixth Form next week. She is moving schools to go there. DH and I would prefer if she stayed at her current school but she is adamant - she wants a fresh start.

We would like to support her on her choice but at the moment DH and I are a bit and I would like some more information. Does anyone have any experience of this school? The only results Harris publishes is for the entire consortium - is it possible to get more specific information about that particular campus? Also what is student cohort like, its catchment? I've heard that Harris Bermondsey is closing and they are being transfered to ED...??

Any information gratefully received!

The Ofsted report suggests that the sixth form is outstanding.

www.ofsted.gov.uk/index.php?q=filedownloading/&id=1958785&type=1&refer=0

The sixth form itself isn't in the league tables, so I don't think individual results are reported. Perhaps the sixth forms work so closely that disentangling their results from each other would be difficult?

Wow, thanks noblegiraffe, that has to be the most impressive ofsted reports I've ever read (and I've read quite a few!). Thank you. Most reassuring.

Coolas are you saying then that Ofsted report is compromised? Should I disregard it?

Don't be ridiculous coolas Ofsted inspectors are independent. Of course they don't big up schools just because if the current governments policies.
Blue it can be good to change at VI form. DD1 did it twice- the first time unsuccessfully; there's a lot to take on at once- new courses, school and peer group so take the pressure off at home as much as possible.

Seriouslyffs, thank you for the advice. DD is quite stressed right now hence our reluctance for her to change school. Will try to take your advice and take the pressure off at home.

When you say that your DD tried twice to change, did you reapply to another sixth form within the same year? Is this possible? I'm hoping that this will all go smoothly but it's good to know the options. Glad to hear that she finally found the courses/school that suited her.

Blue DD was at an academic day school and self
Sabotaged half way through yr 11- lots were leaving and she decided she wouldn't make the grade to stay. We also felt it was quite a pressurised environment so looked around for an alternative and chose a crap one!
She struggled with the subjects she chose, her peer group, the school, everything really. It was also a boarding school so it really was 24/7 misery.
She stayed until the end of that year, changed subjects and restarted her AS levels at a different day school and is now going into Yr 12 aged 18.

Seriouslyffs, that's quite a journey that your DD has made. Well done to her for surviving and I hope it all goes well for her this year.

I also think that its no bad thing being a bit older in the sixth form. One of my DNephews did an unsuccessful yr 12, left and restarted at an FE college do to BTEC level 3 and is now accepted to do teacher training to be a sports teacher.