Stay at comp or go to independent for A levels?

[mollister]

I may be able to get place for DD at an independent school where my late brother went. her GCSEs were ok but not great and I feel as though she might thrive if she had more individual attention. Big change though for friendship groups etc and we have moved around a bit since she first started school - I am a single mum and she is an only child. The independent is Worksop College which I can find no reviews on at all other than 'puff' on various independent school sites. Can anyone help please?

If she already has GCSEs, doesn't that mean that term has started? Can you still get a place for her in an indie, with the subject combination which she wants??

I don't know anything about worksop other than that my brother went there 40 odd years ago. I can't find one parental review anywhere! The prep school used to be Ranby and separate but I think it's all part of Worksop now. Yes, it is a last minute decision and I may not get the bursary anyway but I just wanted to see if we had that option.
As for choices for A levels, as long as she can do spanish she will be happy.
I wanted to see what people thought. The comp she is at has an outstanding 6th form with results better than Worksop but I think an indie might offer her a style of teaching that she would respond to better.
any thoughts?
Thank you both

If her current comp (where she has done well) has an outstanding 6th form with better results than the independent, existing friendships and she has already been moved around a lot it feels like a real no-brainer that she should stay where she is to me.

I think you are being blinded by the prospect of a shiny independent school and understandably by the sentimental association with your late brother (so sorry about that) when you have a really good option on hand. Unless there's more to it I honestly don't know what the attraction is. If their results are not as good as the comp then why would you think she will do better there?

Honestly, leave her where she is! You didn't mention needing a bursary which makes things more difficult. At this stage, schools have allocated their bursary funds for this year. Even if you qualify, there is usually a lot of form-filling, meeting(s) with the bursar etc and your dd will be late into term, arriving after any induction activities and well after 6th form work has started. If her GCSEs were "ok" she needs to be there from Day 1 and she probably needed top grades for a 6th from to consider her for a bursary anyway. Sorry to be harsh but I think that's the reality.

Why not leave her where she is but get her some private tutoring to go over any areas where she is weaker, if you can afford it.

A colleague of mine gave her daughters (two years apart) the choice of staying at one of the Oxford comps or going to Oxford High School for A- Levels. One chose the former, the other the latter. She would have preferred them both to choose Oxford High but said that she would not force a 16 year old against her will. They both got top A-Level grades and went on to Cambridge.

Has your daughter visited the indie? What are her thoughts about it? If she really hates the idea I think it would be counterproductive to force her, especially as the comp's sixth form sounds very good anyway.

I am so grateful to you all and it has helped me to think more clearly.
I think I was overcome with her angst about getting 3 As, 4 Bs and 4 Cs and worrying that she'd get swallowed into the squeezed middle at 6th form where there will be more able students.
Yes, she is into a friendship group but one of her close friends has just left to go to an indie and I think that swayed me into heading down this path. However she did look panicked when I told her I'd made enquiries but I entirely take the point about interviews, bursars and starting late.
I am going to use what I would have spent on petrol and uniform on tutors where needed (I did use some for GCSEs with good effect) and forget all about this.
You are brilliant to help out, it is my first go at this and I am overwhelmed by the support which without anyone here to talk to means a lot.
THANK YOU

We never stop doubting our choices do we - that's what makes us great parents!
People whose kids get all A*s always seem to shout the loudest and you can easily get into your head the thought that's the norm, but it really isn't. Your daughter's results are perfectly good and once she starts specialising on her best subjects at 6th form I bet she will do really well.