Peter Symonds College 6th Form Admission 1:1 Guidance Chat

[Su2019]

My DS is in the process to get admission to 6th form collage and well known one around is Peter Symonds College, where he is keen to join. DS took decision subjects based on his own interests & what direction he wish to progress and we are encouraging in that direction as well. Since not experienced in this process not sure what to expect from this 1:1 guidance chat? Not sure if any preparation needed for this chat.? Any inputs from parents gone through this process will be great.

Also DS got a mixed state/public school background currently in Public school. Slightly worried as I heard Peter Symonds prefer students from state school over public schools? Any experience in this front..? thanks

They will make him an offer as long as he is working at an appropriate level. For example, he will need at least a predicted grade 7 to take maths. There are typically over 20 classes for maths. Other STEM subjects are also highly popular.

DD's interview asked her which papers she was interested in taking, giving around 4 -5 options. They just want to make sure you're not proposing anything daft. They might also discuss if he wants to take an EPQ.

They might try to sell him the sports teams, drama or music etc. The interview is very much a chance for him to ask questions before the taster days in June.

There is absolutely no anti public school bias. They are a huge state 6th form. They can't afford to turn anyone down. Most applicants on the south coast will also apply to Barton Peveril. Which school is he currently at? Many switch from KES and Embley but you won't get anyone from WinCol!

Agree with pp. These are chats to ensure the DC has picked appropriate subjects with respect to their academic ability, interests, and career aspirations. Nothing to get worked up about.

Thanks for the responses..

I am using this website - https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/ to help to decide which subject options could be good to end up in which matching degrees and which carrier etc. Any one used this website..? How accurate is information on this site.

For example I am using it see if subjects X, Y & Z will eligible for a degree in AB or CD etc. Keen to know if information in this site is reliable to make such key decisions ..? Thanks very much

My DS is keen to take subjects in a way that he is narrowing his options to a small but niche carrier path. Just trying to convince him to take options bit more wider so that he will have wider options of carriers he can turn in to in next 5/6 years. That could help if he loose interest in that carrier path or if that carrier is suddenly disappeared due to technological advances etc.

Other way to look at it he got a clear aim, which I never had in my days.

It’s just an informal chat - it’s not a selection interview. They just want to meet them and chat around their choices. Explain the next steps. It was about 15min.
I can’t answer your public/state school question as dd goes to one of the feeder state schools. But I know plenty of private school pupils who switch to PSC so I don’t think there’s a bias. No parent involvement necessary - they only want to meet the student.

When DD had her Symonds chat why wanted to know what she had chosen and why. They asked about long term plans, interests and hobbies, plus they asked which of the four she would drop if she needed to drop one.
She had a similar chat at QMC too.
She was from a public school background and got offers at both - took neither as she got her first choice vocational offer.

It’s a non - event. My DD got in no problem with very weak predicted grades. They then review more closely when actual grades available.

DS's was just a very informal chat. The beauty of a massive 6th form is they can pretty much give a student any combination of course they like. There's really not much guidance involved, just a basic check that he's not signing up to A levels if this is unrealistic, or taking Arts and languages if he is aiming for Medicine.

Linked state schools get first dibs at the places but that seems to be almost a technicality. Hants 6th forms seem very flexible on numbers and students attend PS from a massive geographical area. Also Barton Peveril's on the up, which will tend to leave a bit more capacity at PS.

My son, currently in a private school, had his boarding interview about 6 weeks ago. They had no issues with where he had been educated only whether boarding/PSC was write for him. He is a young carer (older sister with ASD/ADHD) as well has having ASD, himself, so is keen to develop independence and deeper friendships that boarding would enable. He is hoping to do 4 A levels, so his grades were also key, but he loved his 121 visit and really enjoyed the chat with the staff. It was very relaxed and they were really just keen to understand what his interests were, what his aspirations were (socially and academically), which extra curricular activities appealed to him, and whether he was willing to put in the graft when he got there as mum wouldn’t be breathing down his neck! He is checking his inbox daily in the hope that he gets a boarding offer.