Starting year 12- sixth form

[indy69]

Hello all,

My DD is moving to sixth form. After a turbulent 2 years where lives have been turned upside down it looks like there is a glimmer of hope. My worry is how they will cope with A levels because of the uneven learning they have had at gcse. Although she has all 8 and 9s in her ALevel choices, I still wonder how difficult or different the transition will be. What do other parents feel?

I suspect they are no worse off and probably better off than last year's Year 12, who came in after 6 months of no study and not having revised for GCSEs (so weren't confident on the GCSE material as they would be in a normal year). So teachers have already had a year of making adjustments and supporting students in different ways to normal.

I'm sure the teachers will allow for patchy learning earlier and allowances will be made for this year group. Bear in mind GCSE to A Level is never a smooth transition anyway.

Looking for silver linings, I think some will be almost better prepared. The kids who adjusted well to self-study / home learning during lockdowns will have developed skills needed for the self study parts of A levels.

I have 2 going into year 13 that lost six months when the pandemic hit and their year 11 ended

They actually coped remarkably well given they both have additional needs so please don’t worry too much

Also remember that the syllabus for A levels and exams are being altered to acknowledge the disruption and compensate for the lost learning time

Also remember that the syllabus for A levels and exams are being altered to acknowledge the disruption and compensate for the lost learning time
For 2022 exams but probably not for 2023.

Op I would suggest in the last week of the holidays she looks over some of the GCSE work to identify any gaps, especially in linear subjects like science,maths or mfl. Even if there are few, a bit of recap cam only be good.

My daughter received an offer from Wallington Girls Sixth Form which we did not expect any more. She now has a dilemma, as she also has a guaranteed offer from her secondary school, St. Philomena's. She cannot decide!
Could anybody advise if Wallington Girls SF is really very good?
My daughter wants to study English lit, Classics and French with a plan to study English lit at Oxbridge or equivalent.

Also, does anybody know if Classic Civilisation (which she loves) would not be seen as an easy subject on Oxbridge application.
If she stays at St.Phil's she will do English lit History and French.

I would greatly appreciate some well informed advice. We have until the 31st Aug to decide.

Thank you.

I think your DD with her good grades will be able to cope fine.
Is she doing sciences/maths, if so there are CGP Head Start books to get up to speed on some of the first A level stuff. Not sure about the other subjects but schools usually email some 'bridging' work. If not, ask for some.
Everyone will be in the same boat and teachers will know to make adjustments.