Private sixth form?

[Fallenstar123]

Hello
My DS is currently year 11 and he got accepted to a private sixth form in SW London. His current state secondary has an outstanding Sixth form and he was always clear about wanting to stay here.
DH really wanted him to apply to a private sixth form and do the entrance exams, never really expecting him to get in as he's never had a tutor in his life. Now that he was offered a place, DH is trying to convince him to go even though DS still wants to stay where he is.

He is a very bright boy, if a bit lazy, and has a huge potential. DH thinks a private sixth form would help him reach his full potential, get into Oxbridge and "set him up for life". DS wants to stay where he is, he has good friends, is doing well, has predicted a couple of 9s and mostly 8s for his GCSEs and he thinks he could still get into Oxford (to study Maths or Physics) even from the state sixth form.

I don't know what to do, I don't want to pressure him into going and risking him being unhappy but on the other hand I don't want him to regret not taking this opportunity.

The deadline for accepting the place is in 5 days...

Any advice, what would you do?

Just had a quick look at Emanuel's a level maths results- 21 A stars out of 70 taking Maths A level. That's quite low compared to a lot of the London independent schools.

Yes, last head has gone to DC and I think new head has been appointed from within? I wouldn't expect any big, sweeping changes in the first year, anyway. If your DS is at WLFS, which is very nice (now that you aren't in danger of having to talk to Toby Young), and is happy and settled, I'd leave him and get him some really good tutoring if you think it would push him a bit.

Did he apply anywhere else?

Just check Emanuel 21 A stars, 33 A out of 70 Maths cohort. Further maths 22 cohorts. Pupils in a year 140 to 159. To compare to other schools you need to see percentage because year group size really varies.
West London Free school, can’t find Maths A levels breakdown or further Maths.
DS should decide and since DS2 wants to go private let him go if he gets in.

Oxbridge & other Russell Group universities are keen to improve number of state school students. So he might be better staying put & having a tutor - it sounds like he is self motivated so would probably agree to that.

Consider the commute if one is closer too - four w levels means minimal free periods so work at home will matter more

Absent real safety or wellbeing issues at the current school, I would not force a teen to change schools against their wishes. The biggest variable for now any given student will perform at that stage is their attitude towards their program.

I would rather let DS stay where he wants to be and set part of the funds you would use for private 6th form fees aside for quality tutoring.