Stay at Independent or go State for sixth form?

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DD is fortunate to be in receipt of a full bursary for secondary school, and prior to COVID was absolutely thriving there. She's near the top of most subjects, though more in the middle for one of the subjects she would be taking at school sixth form. It's not guaranteed she'll get the 7 needed to continue the subject.

She is struggling with her friends at school as she doesn't feel she has anything in common with them (we are so far removed from the perceived independent school family!)

We have been discussing changing to a state sixth form as they have A levels which DD would absolutely love to do (school offer 1 out of the 3). I just want DD to be happy and achieve her potential, whatever that may be, but I am struggling with the idea of turning down the final 2 years of her bursary. In my heart I think DD would be happier at state, as she would feel she fits in more, but I'm worried that it's going to be a massive disadvantage for her.

Can anyone offer any words of advice?

DDs Private school doesn’t have a 6th form but luckily we do have one of the best 6 th form State colleges on our doorstep so most of them go there (A levels permitting)
If there’s a good State option I don’t see why she would be disadvantaged by going there. I appreciate the fact that she is getting an expensive education for free but if the school doesn’t suit her for whatever reason then why not change?
Its a shame but DD had a part scholarship and I think she would have left even if she had been able to stay for 6th form, college suits her better

I’d stick the application in and decide later.

Take a close look at what date you need to tell the independent school she’s leaving, is usually a full term’s notice.

If it was a normal state school with a sixth form I’d say stay where you are as social life could be worse at the state school as the new “posh school” kid, like Will in Inbetweeners.

But a specialist 6th Form College? I went to one and I ADORED it. Sounds fab, wish I could go again! Go for several looks around if you can, make sure she knows what is different ie bigger noisier classes, crapper facilities etc. But it probably will be a good move for her. Especially if she currently has Saturday School.