Private school and moving sixth form

[Herbyvor]

One of my DC is at independent school in year 11, it’s mainstream, she has SN.

School is asking for written notice if they aren’t to continue to sixth form. Is this normal practice? It’s obviously dependent on GCSE results which we won’t know until August.

All my other dc were state so this is a first for me. I had assumed that we commit after exam results.

Yes - you need to say whether you want to stay on for 6th Form or whether she will be moving because if she does move on they will open up the place to someone else who wants to join.

If they have a minimum entry requirement I would ask them that if she does not hit that then you assume you would not have to give notice.

Thanks for replying, yes I guess I need to clarify that about minimum entry and notice. That’s going to cost us 7k otherwise. I suppose I saw it as a separate entry process with maybe a deposit.

You need to get give a full term's notice if you are leaving. This is a timely reminder so parents do that before the end of the Easter holidays. It's good practice.

You need to give a full term’s notice if leaving- I get that. Sixth firm entry is dependent on results and I see that as a separate entry system.

With DD in independent sch, entering sixth form was the one term where a terms notice or fees was not required. I told sch she intended to leave but no formal notice needed (also in school policies - I checked with them as didn't want to be stung for fees)

Thank you, yes that’s what I thought, given it was a natural break in schooling.

It varies from school to school. DD's school if you wish to leave after GCSEs you have to give a full terms notice, but you can still choose to stay after the results.

Thanks lonecat, that might be the way to go. The trouble is that Dd and her extra needs don’t make her a candidate that schools will fight for. I might have to suck up the cost and keep her place. Feels a bit unfair but so be it I guess.

I think if the school refuse her to continue based on results, or her potential A level choices are not available, they usually waiver the notice period. If her chances of securing a place are that marginal perhaps she would do better elsewhere though.