6th Form - College, Grammar or Private?

[howitworks]

Ds is in Yr 11 at a grammar school. He's very happy there but it's a long journey. He said he wants to go to a private school within walking distance of home for 6th form. Dh says we can't afford 25k fees on a 70k joint income (no mortgage and a simple lifestyle).

The results are better at the grammar but value added is much better the private school. I don't really know how to read the league tables for A levels, so not sure what to look for.

We've got a great 6th form college not too far away, although Ds thinks he needs more structure to his day and likes the idea of the long school day at private school as he thinks he'll get more done.

Struggling to decide what would be best. Private with long school day, great facilities, lots of clubs and societies to join etc and all within walking distance. Grammar which is good but a long journey or great college which would probably be better preparation for uni but would require him to be more self-disciplined.

In terms of contextual offers, would the private and grammar school kids likely receive the same offers with lower ones for those at the 6th form college or as it's a college with great results, would there not be any difference?

Can we even afford to consider the private school ? The main advantage for me is that I think the private school would help to build his confidence. I've noticed a real difference in some of the state school children who have then switched to the independent.

I think it really depends on what he wants to study and what the teaching is like in those subjects at the particular schools you are looking at. I'd start by looking at their results and leavers destinations as well as what people go on to study at university.

Thanks for your reply. I don't really know how they compare in terms of teaching but as they all get good results (well, the grammar gets the bests, but that's to be expected as the other two aren't as selective). Leavers destinations are good in all of them too.

Grammar insists students take 4 A levels which I don't think is necessary for most courses and I can't understand why they do it.

@howitworks - your DH says you can't afford the private school fees but you're still considering it. Do think carefully before proceeding much further and raising your son's expectations. If it's not going to be financially feasible it might be better to be clear at an early stage with him.

I've got one at a grammar and 2 at a comp. We turned down private options for the 1st 2 DC because of finances and after realising what a good education the older ones were getting just forged ahead with the youngest. There are pros and cons to both. I agree with @howitworks. It's a lot of money and financial pressure and I don't think you gain much in terms of teaching. You may gain in sporting and trip opportunities. You may gain in social engineering of their social lives. You may gain in old school connections. But in terms of knowledge it's questionable. And I find the diversity of the comp is a wonderful asset socially actually. Many of my friends kids have tried to transfer to the comp 6th form. Some didn't even get in because they need higher grades than you think. The ones who did say their kids can't believe how much better the teaching is compared to what they got at their very good private schools. Just something to think about.