Moving at sixth form from indie to a Esher college

[Calmandsteady]

Ds keen to go to Esher in September (he has a place) moving from an indie where academically it hasn’t really worked out for him - the school have been great at supporting him but he thinks he should change. There is not really 3 subjects for him to do at his current school but my concern is that he has been micromanaged there as he’s v disorganised (despite many attempts to sort this out) so it will be sunk or swim at Esher. Part of me says he’ll be fine a change may be the making of him and the other half of me thinks better the devil you know. There’s good and bad experiences on here that I’ve seen. Another concern is what happens of schools are still in part lockdown in sept ?

I can't help, but we are considering the very same thing with a disorganised, dreamy D.C. currently at a small, nurturing independent school.

Heard Esher college has fantastic range of a level courses but suits a mature, organised, independent child. Is it too risky to change when It's important to do well for uni's etc?

Would you rather he sank or swam at sixth form, where he has the opportunity to retake a year, or university?

FWIW Esher are pretty good at monitoring kids who don't appear to be managing and happy to involve parents.

Thanks titchy - I think it’s better he has to mange himself at this point rather than getting to uni at 18 if he goes and doesn’t have a clue - it’s his choice to go to Esher and I think sunk or swim will be what happens -he has to take some responsibility at this age i think - fingers crossed

A friends DS went to Esher and underperformed and needed to resit. This is third hand but she said that he wasn't able to repeat a year there and Esher doesn't even allow students to resit at the college ( that is true because I checked the website). Her DS was supposed to sit elsewhere as an external candidate and now has problems with a projected grade and will have to sit the backup exam in September.
OP - do check into this first as a state school 6th form may be more flexible.

Could you consider applying to state school sixth forms that do the courses he's interested in? Some in the area may still have places? A smaller setting might help?