Disadvantages In Secondaries That Only Go Up To GCSE? Ie no 6th form?

[roses2]

I am in London with lots of secondary choices. There are a few schools which have excellent GCSE results but are undersubscribed and the only reason I can see vs the oversubscribed schools is that the undersubscribed schools (with better GCSE results) only go up to GCSE, there is no 6th form.

There are plenty of 6th form colleges in London. So what am I missing? Would I be crazy to consider a school that only goes up to GCSE?

No- I don't think the first post on this (which I quoted) said 'better' teacher. I agree a degree from a more prestigious uni or higher grade definitely does not necessarily make a better teacher. They may know their subject better or be more passionate about it, or if say the school offers a level physics you're more likely to have a physics specialist. I'm not saying that's the most important thing, just one potential consideration.

From our point of view, my sons' school musical experience benefitted from having the sixth-formers. And S1 benefitted in turn from leading groups with younger students (S2 was less likely to lead them but got disrupted by covid anyway).

Apart from that... shrug

A couple of S1's friends moved to one of the other schools, mostly because original school was smaller and didn't offer the A-levels those students wanted. Quite a few students moved to the sixth-form college. Those who stayed seemed happy enough (in fact one of the ones who'd moved came back because he didn't like the rigidity of the other school).

I like the fact mine went/are at schools that don't gave 6th forms. It makes them properly think about ehat they want to do post GCSEs rather than just stay at school because its the easy/comfortable option like I did.

A teacher who works in a 6th form is not more highly qualified. Perhaps they went to a more prestigious uni or are more likely to have a masters but that does not make someone a better qualified, or quality, teacher.

No, it doesn't categorically make them a better or more qualified teacher. But I think most teachers who are confidently able to teach A Level would probably prefer to teach at a school with a 6th form. I certainly would. And on balance I'd rather have my top set Y11 ds taught GCSE by teachers who are confidently able to teach A Level. That doesn't mean he would not have any great teachers if he were at an 11-16 school.

But I think most teachers who are confidently able to teach A Level would probably prefer to teach at a school with a 6th form

Agree but better still teach in a college. I have only ever taught A levels. I much prefer the ethos of college - where students are treated like young adults rather than the school set up. Also one of the good things about college is that because they are usually big they offer much more choice for young people at A level. The only reason I would ever think about moving is money... sadly teachers in the FE sector are paid much less for basically the same thing.

This is not necessarily the case, especially in areas where 11-16 schools are more the norm. I've taught in one 11-18 and three 11-16s, plus briefly a private 16-18. I like teaching sixth form, but not teaching only sixth form. Lots of people move between 11-16 and 11-18.
It is true that some teachers in 11-16s would not be confident teaching A-level, but that was also true in the 11-18 I worked in.