Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Applying to multiple sixth form/colleges??

33 replies

Worriedmum86 · 28/10/2023 15:17

Ds goes to a grammar school, he needs high marks to get into the sixth form. (He may or may not get the grades...he's border line at present)
There is a sixth form nearby and a college too.
His choice 1 is his school sixth form to do a levels.
Choice 2 at the moment is the other sixth form with slightly lower grades required for a levels.
Choice 3 he has mentioned 2 t-level courses at the college which he likes the look of.

Do people usually apply to multiple courses and then decide once GCSE results are out?

When I was applied for college back in the dark ages I just applied for one course and my GCSE results determined the course level.

OP posts:
Ashara · 28/10/2023 15:22

Yes, my son started sixth form in September. He had 3 offers - 2 different colleges and his school 6th form. He’d set his heart on one college and got the grades so just let the other 2 know by email that he wouldn’t be taking up his place with them.

Dacadactyl · 28/10/2023 15:24

Apply to about 3 and decide after results.

TeenDivided · 28/10/2023 15:34

Apply to as many as you want.
Go to taster days after exams if they run them.
Decide after results.

Original poster
Worriedmum86 · 28/10/2023 15:45

Thanks, he's my eldest so it's all new...again. I thought we were over all the confusion and applying when our youngest got into secondary.... But now I'm into realms of sixth form and colleges and then it'll be uni or apprenticeship... Of course hoping by then he can do most of it himself with a little bit of guidance if he asks.

OP posts:
boysmuminherts · 28/10/2023 15:49

yes, you definitely can and should apply to more than one. Good Luck!

DisplayPurposesOnly · 28/10/2023 15:51

Do people usually apply to multiple courses and then decide once GCSE results are out?

Yes.

then it'll be uni or apprenticeship...

He could do an apprenticeship after GCSEs if he wanted.

redskyanight · 28/10/2023 16:07

Do people usually apply to multiple courses and then decide once GCSE results are out?

They not only do but, in cases like yours where you think your son may be borderline to get the grades required to do his preferred courses, they absolutely should. There are stories on the GCSE threads every year, where there was no Plan B, and the parent/student are left scrabbling to find a suitable place somewhere.

TeenDivided · 28/10/2023 16:10

redskyanight · 28/10/2023 16:07

Do people usually apply to multiple courses and then decide once GCSE results are out?

They not only do but, in cases like yours where you think your son may be borderline to get the grades required to do his preferred courses, they absolutely should. There are stories on the GCSE threads every year, where there was no Plan B, and the parent/student are left scrabbling to find a suitable place somewhere.

Exactly. The last thing you want on results day is to be scrabbling around trying to consider applying to new places. Plans A, B and C are sensible to have.

Comefromaway · 28/10/2023 16:25

Applying for one course is ok if it’s something like a Btec where you can apply for a Level 3 but then if you don’t get the grades apply for the same subject but Level 2 instead.

A levels are different. If you don’t get the grades required you need a different back up option

DrMarshaFieldstone · 28/10/2023 16:53

Yes, shore up a few options. Our local grammar had a (relatively) poor year for GCSE outcomes in the summer and a lot of y11s didn’t get the grades to stay on for sixth form. They don’t tend to make exceptions, I’m afraid.

tumbelweed · 28/10/2023 17:51

@Worriedmum86 be aware that the local sixth form will almost certainly give him a conditional offer, but read the small print because it will be dependent on their oversubscription criteria, as well as his grades. They have to prioritise their own students first, then externals. They don't know who will get the grades, or who will take up their offers if they do. That means they will probably give a conditional offer to everyone who applies. In August, when grades are known, they will enroll their own students first then, if oversubscribed, they will invite the externals to enroll in the priority order set out in the oversubscription criteria (e.g. by distance). This can catch people out - the most popular of our local sixth forms gives everyone an appointment time but sends out an email when they're full to say all remaining appointments are cancelled. Many applicants are disappointed each year.

However, college offers are usually a bit firmer and just dependent on grades, in my experience.

Original poster
Worriedmum86 · 28/10/2023 18:49

tumbelweed · 28/10/2023 17:51

@Worriedmum86 be aware that the local sixth form will almost certainly give him a conditional offer, but read the small print because it will be dependent on their oversubscription criteria, as well as his grades. They have to prioritise their own students first, then externals. They don't know who will get the grades, or who will take up their offers if they do. That means they will probably give a conditional offer to everyone who applies. In August, when grades are known, they will enroll their own students first then, if oversubscribed, they will invite the externals to enroll in the priority order set out in the oversubscription criteria (e.g. by distance). This can catch people out - the most popular of our local sixth forms gives everyone an appointment time but sends out an email when they're full to say all remaining appointments are cancelled. Many applicants are disappointed each year.

However, college offers are usually a bit firmer and just dependent on grades, in my experience.

Edited

Thank you, that does explain a lot.

OP posts:
BMrs · 28/10/2023 22:11

Yes totally fine. I work at a college and it's normal for students to apply to is but have other applications in elsewhere. I would avoid t levels though, talks already do them being pulled so stick to A levels or other

tumbelweed · 28/10/2023 22:33

BMrs · 28/10/2023 22:11

Yes totally fine. I work at a college and it's normal for students to apply to is but have other applications in elsewhere. I would avoid t levels though, talks already do them being pulled so stick to A levels or other

The plan (if the Conservatived are re-elected) is to combine A Levels and T Levels, not pull T Levels: https://feweek.co.uk/sunak-to-replace-a-levels-and-t-levels-with-advanced-british-standard-qualification/.

And if Labour get in, they certainly haven't pledged to pull T Levels either: https://feweek.co.uk/labour-pledges-review-of-functional-skills-rules/

TeenDivided · 29/10/2023 05:40

I don't think you can avoid t levels if you want to do a level 3 vocational course. Their future may be uncertain, but they are what is offered right now for a number of subjects.

elkiedee · 29/10/2023 22:34

My DS1 had 5 offers - I think for all his applications - and was still dithering between his preferred two. They were for the same subjects, and 4 including Maths and Further Maths, so he didn't really have much of a backup plan, but it worked out ok (my concern was less about whether he'd get an 8 for Maths, more about the writing subjects, based on mocks results, but it turned out ok).

I think T levels need slightly better grades than the BTecs, and there are concerns about the capacity of the system, for example on requirements for work placements, but applying by the deadline for those and for the A level options and exploring all options further, as well as revising and seeing where he can improve seems like a good option. For example, my DS needed to practise and improve his exam technique in written answers papers, and make sure he'd made some attempt to answer all questions.

mummyjaz · 08/05/2024 21:26

I’m also confused. The sixth forms are oversubscribed but all have accepted everyone. Taster sessions are before GCSE results day and enrolment day is the day after GCSE results. How does that timetable work? (Richmond borough)

newmum1976 · 08/05/2024 21:43

mummyjaz · 08/05/2024 21:26

I’m also confused. The sixth forms are oversubscribed but all have accepted everyone. Taster sessions are before GCSE results day and enrolment day is the day after GCSE results. How does that timetable work? (Richmond borough)

Where we live, (also London) it’s the same, so unless you get an unconditional offer (only really given for language places) you have to get your results, then the school tell you if you have a definite place (not just an offer) based on their over subscription criteria. So if on results day 75 offer holders want a place for a particular course, but there are only 50 places, they’ll use distance to decide.

mummyjaz · 08/05/2024 22:27

newmum1976 · 08/05/2024 21:43

Where we live, (also London) it’s the same, so unless you get an unconditional offer (only really given for language places) you have to get your results, then the school tell you if you have a definite place (not just an offer) based on their over subscription criteria. So if on results day 75 offer holders want a place for a particular course, but there are only 50 places, they’ll use distance to decide.

Show quote history

Any ideas when they give this info to you? Is it on the same afternoon as the day the exam results are collected! What a lot for the kids (and parent) to take in!! The enrolment day is the following day. It seems bizarre not to know where you are going the following day! I have twins so have double to consider bffff

tumbelweed · 08/05/2024 23:09

mummyjaz · 08/05/2024 21:26

I’m also confused. The sixth forms are oversubscribed but all have accepted everyone. Taster sessions are before GCSE results day and enrolment day is the day after GCSE results. How does that timetable work? (Richmond borough)

Many students will be choosing between multiple offers, so the taster days are before results day to help them decide between them.

After results day, if they've met the required grades, then in theory they can enroll. However, if the sixth form is oversubscribed then they will be enrolled in the order set out in the oversubscription criteria, and some might not get a place. So its worth having backup plans.

mummyjaz · 08/05/2024 23:22

tumbelweed · 08/05/2024 23:09

Many students will be choosing between multiple offers, so the taster days are before results day to help them decide between them.

After results day, if they've met the required grades, then in theory they can enroll. However, if the sixth form is oversubscribed then they will be enrolled in the order set out in the oversubscription criteria, and some might not get a place. So its worth having backup plans.

Show quote history

Thanks, yes that’s what I’m becoming aware of. I wonder how we find out about which they can enrol in, when the enrolment day is the day after results day! That’s a fast turnaround. With awareness that many will be oversubscribed, it’s very last minute to find out which can accept them and which can’t having enrolled in more than one!

tumbelweed · 09/05/2024 06:51

mummyjaz · 08/05/2024 23:22

Thanks, yes that’s what I’m becoming aware of. I wonder how we find out about which they can enrol in, when the enrolment day is the day after results day! That’s a fast turnaround. With awareness that many will be oversubscribed, it’s very last minute to find out which can accept them and which can’t having enrolled in more than one!

Show quote history

Is the enrolment day the same for all of them?

Your child should at least have priority enrolment for their own school (if it has a sixth form).

SilverSimca · 09/05/2024 07:36

Mine is also at a grammar and we haven't applied for any sixth forms apart from his school one. It didn't occur to him or me to apply elsewhere as well until other parents (not from the grammar) started asking, and expressing surprise! However he is well on track to make the grades.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 09/05/2024 08:13

My daughter applied for a grammar for sixth form as an external applicant. When she received her offer letter she was in the 'top' category. I assume others got letters saying they were in a provisional one.

I suspect that the stated entrance requirements were actually a bit irrelevant as whilst highish I suspect you would not get in with them as there would be many people applying with higher grades.

mummyjaz · 09/05/2024 10:21

tumbelweed · 09/05/2024 06:51

Is the enrolment day the same for all of them?

Your child should at least have priority enrolment for their own school (if it has a sixth form).

Show quote history

Thanks. They have not enjoyed their school and the education standards have been low so they certainly don’t want to continue to the sixth form, sadly similarly to most of their peers, and families…