Moving from private school to state/ grammar in A level

[Lovelylva]

Dear all ,

I am exploring options of different schools for my DDwho is in top private school.

She wants to move for A level .

Has anyone moved their kids from private to state / grammar.

What is the difference in terms of support from teachers ?

Thanks

It depends on the school.
Not sure you can generalise.

I'd suspect that private schools will be able to run smaller classes so there will be more individual support that way. However, my DC at a very bog standard state school sixth form is in classes of 20, 15 and 9.

Anecodotally, private schools may provide more support for university applications ... however this could work both ways - a friend whose DC is in a private school sixth form is bemoaning the fact that he is being forced to e.g. write a personal statement and look at universities even though he is sure he wants to do an apprenticeship.

I'm sure it varies so much!
Any sixth form parents locally you can ask?
I did for DD1 - 11x9's at top Indy girls (top 10 at times) and she went to grammar sixth form college. A level results weee less than stellar to say the least (didn't matter ultimately as got into best uni for her subject and pooled for Cambridge- that hurt a lot and I think added to a level results) However, maths a level class didn't have seats for all of them 😳. Some children couldn't get their options whereas her school would run A level classes for 1 person and appeared to have total flexibility with options.
Classes much larger. Cover teachers for first 2 terms in MFL and had to get tutor to do the speaking bit. School had 2 hours weekly of speaking. Also little help with PS (amazing at the school)

As it didn't work out, DD2 went to full board for sixth form at v famous school. Amazing A level results. Teachers always available- extra coaching in the evenings if you didn't understand a topic. BUT sub mediocre advice on uni application- she was better off with the advice from MN wisdom without doubt and I had been researching too.

So it's hard to say - colleges/staff vary so much I imagine. With savings from indy you could get tutors if needed?

Sorry - re read that - I day school referring to school compared to college so I mean the Indy

My dd has a couple of friends who have moved from private to state in sixth form. I can't comment on what they have found different but they seem to have adapted well enough and they're very happy with the new school.

My husband is a deputy head at an outstanding state school. He runs the upper school and says he is plagued by 'pushy posh parents', the ones whose children go to the local private schools but come to his for A'levels. Apparently they expect the same level of service they are used to from the fee paying school. Constantly wanting meetings (usually after 5pm and during school holidays. Always on the phone or sending in emails. Please don't become one of those parents xx

@FitAt50

My husband is a deputy head at an outstanding state school. He runs the upper school and says he is plagued by 'pushy posh parents', the ones whose children go to the local private schools but come to his for A'levels. Apparently they expect the same level of service they are used to from the fee paying school. Constantly wanting meetings (usually after 5pm and during school holidays. Always on the phone or sending in emails. Please don't become one of those parents xx

Goodness, I can't imagine asking for a meeting with the teachers now dd is doing A-levels. Surely it's mostly about communication between the teacher and the student at this age, rather than between teacher and parents. They're nearly adults?

He did, however also say that it may help them get into a good university, having been at a state school previously. Apparently they may tick certain boxes in terms of demographics etc.

DD moved from private to grammar for 6th form. Teachers at both schools were excellent. DD loved the grammar and it was a positive experience.

@FitAt50

He did, however also say that it may help them get into a good university, having been at a state school previously. Apparently they may tick certain boxes in terms of demographics etc.

I suspect the OP is only looking at "better" state schools, which won't convey this advantage.

My son is in super selective grammar. Very very popular school with stellar result and top in the country for sending kids to oxbridge. There was separate programme in the school for priority oxbridge and med application. But when comes regular teaching, huge shortcomings that is now aggravated due to covid time funding cuts.