What to look out for / find out when visiting a sixth form

[RedskyToNight]

As title says really. Sixth form open days are in November/December round here and realise I have no idea what we should be looking for.
In an ideal world DS would take the lead, but he doesn't know what he wants, so would like to give him some ideas of things to consider.

So far I have

• entry requirements (general and subject specific)
• how many external candidates do you take?
• what the entry process for external candidates?
• how many directed study hours / independent study hours expected?
• class sizes
• pastoral care
• extra curricular opportunities
• (for faith school) how big a part does the faith play in the sixth form?

Any others?

Bubbles I had a thread on this before. he won't consider an essay writing subject. He doesn't want to do Biology or Chemistry (and at the moment is in danger of only being entered for the Foundation paper, so won't be allowed to do them at A Level). He hates Economics. The only subject he actively wants to study is Geography, in which he equally likes Physical and Human Geography.
Physics was only in the running because he is doing quite well at it. He is also doing well at maths but doesn't really have a passion for it - which I think you need for maths tbh. He needs to crystallise his thinking over this year (tbh 6 months ago he hated physics too) because at the moment he doesn't have any sensible options.

Hobby wise he likes fitness - very into going to the gym and also climbs regularly. And gaming(!) He is very interested in politics (his English oral was on a comparison of Trump's policies versus election promises), but Politics is out due to the "no essay writing".
We really are flummoxed!

Putting Geography, Computer Science and Physical Education into university.which.co.uk/a-level-explorer/computer-science/physical-education?o=01
ends up with 18 possible degree courses.
The "no essay writing" thing is an impossibility. Even those doing Sports Science have to write essays. If he really wants to avoid essays he has to do maths, double maths, chemistry, why essay writing is such a problem.physics or biology. Hate to say this (tough love and all that) but he needs to get real about essay writing. Perhaps you can get to the bottom of this problem.

Sorry about the mixed up final sentence in last post, don't know how it happened! hope you got the message though.

I totally agree Stanley. Actually one of his best subjects is Religious Studies, which he only took because it's compulsory at his school, but basically as far as I can tell that is pretty much all essay writing and he doesn't mind it.

tbh he just doesn't know what he want. In years past we might well have suggested he took a year out, got a job (any job) and worked out what he wanted to do with his life with a view to potentially returning to study later. Unfortunately he doesn't have that option now, and, as pointed out, even if he goes for more vocational courses, or an apprenticeship, he still has to have an idea that it might be something he is interested in doing. He is meant to be seeing the school careers advisor soon, so hopefully that might help.

I don't understand the "in years past" reference, unless you mean because education is compulsory to 18 now. But I left school at 17 and worked in three very different jobs before eventually taking an extra A level at night school and then going to uni. Even there I changed courses completely. So maybe he should just do any three A levels he feels happy with, get them under his belt, then leave school and, as you said, do any job he can while thinking of this as just a "self-discovery" year, or years. He might find himself on some kind of vocational course, sponsored by an employer, he could join the forces, there is lots he could do, many of which would lead to a degree and/or other qualification and/or proper career. Make no mistake, I really do sympathise with your predicament, my grandaughter went through exactly this sort of thing, changed A-levels, took extra time to get them, went to uni, changed course there, then had a traumatic event which led to her dropping out and moving halfway across the country to where she is happily living now, with her boyfriend and working for a company. So take comfort from the fact that loads of young people go through what he is going through. He is young he has the time to find his feet.