Choosing 6 form

[fabtasticmrpox]

Dd is currently reviewing 6 form options for next year.

The local 6 form doesn't teach 2 of the A levels she wishes to study (French and Music) so she is thinking further afield .

I've been doing an online comparison thing which gave me the best 6 form as Bayhouse School in Gosport Anyone go there ?

However we live on the Isle of Wight so it is doable but would mean 2 boat rides plus a bus. It appears way better than any school on the Island though...

I've attached the comparison

Peter Symonds Winchester would be too much travel I guess?
Or Barton College Eastleigh?

Yes I think it is too far, we are going to visit though. The Gosport one is very near 20 mins cat, 4 mins Gosport Ferry short cycle or 10 mins bus to school. Peter symonds is almost an hour away by train plus cat journey.

Not offering French is a total disgrace.

One of our local colleges is the same - no MFL. I can barely believe it. However, we do have three/four other 6th form colleges in the area that do, and DS has visited two of them and would be happy going to either, so will probably apply to both and see who gives him a place!

My DD1 went to Brockenhurst which was an hour door to door.
My DD2 is likely to go to Sparsholt which will also be an hour by bus.

It isn't unusual to have that length of travel for 6th form, though of course the ferries do put a big extra travel worry in bad weather. I personally think an hour is at the long end of what is reasonable though, especially if there are transport connections.

The other well respected college in Southampton is Richard Taunton.

I'm glad you've said it's not unusual to travel that far. She herself was quite keen for Peter Symonds - we've not visited yet. I just wish the one 5 minutes away was ok, but it isn't .

She's reasonably bright but not the sort of bright that will do ok wherever she goes. She could stay on the Island, some other colleges are offering the courses she wants if enough students want to do them .

I've just looked at Barton Peveril - the open evening was yesterday and according to government website has below average results for A levels. Maybe I shouldn't rely on these comparison sites though?

Peter Symonds does offer weekly boarding for students far away, if that would be of interest.... we are just over an hour away and our neighbours son just finished there...

Or Havant College would be closer?

Thanks I'd not included Havant - it's an hour on the bus so we'll add it to our list to visit.

Sadly we can't afford the boarding fees for Peter Symonds.

Yes Havant is HSDC now but it depends where you are going into I guess Ryde to Harbour via Footferry? Then short train ride to Havant.

The results are skewed this year for the college as it is post merger I believe. Does she have any friends further afield?

Further afield new Bohunt sixth, Chichester college etc
You will need to make contingency plans for ferry cancellations.

@fabtastic I really would recommend train rather than bus! Hopefully you can get help with costs

Oh I hadn't realised the train went there , it's 15 minutes - even better.

Dh and I both commute by hovercraft if that's not running we go by fast cat . Only once have I had to get the car ferry due to a force 8 ..

That aside Havant is below average for A-level results...

Does anyone have an opinion on the government school checker site? On paper the one in Gosport - Bay House looks amazing, better than PS ...dd and I thought it might be private.

One thing when looking at results for 6th forms is to be aware of their entry criteria.
PS used to take people with 5 x C (don't know whether they now ask for 4s or 5s) with subject specific grades such as A to do maths, or B for science.
Some 6th forms asked for average of e.g. AAAABBBB or higher, so of course their final results will be better.

Yes I had wondered if it was something like that.

Also Havant rejigged with South Downs College last year, so the A levels are at Havant and Btecs and other courses now at South Downs (generally) and the first year the A level results will reflect that would be this coming August's results....

Can I ask which comparison site you're using OP? I've tried the Gov.uk one but the one you've shared looks more user-friendly. Thanks

Underthefur Sorry I don't know how to link but I screen shotted it. You just choose school, then click on 16-18 then A level results. Add another to compare. I couldn't see how to save the search on the site hence screen shots

Thanks fab that's the one I was looking at! I mustn't have clicked the comparison thing, will try again

It looks like a lovely sixth form and if you think the commute would be doable - definitely visit, it is a lovely area too ! I think there is also St Vincents in Gosport.