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Secondary education

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Original poster

Sixth form: is it too late to change from private to state?

26 replies

rheafern · 26/02/2025 15:59

I've just heard at work that my role is closing in six months. This will mean the loss of almost 70% of our family income. It won't be easy for me to find another similar job because of my age and niche skills. DC is in his first year of Sixth Form. I wonder if there's still time to get a place in a state school maybe with the same examination board. I haven't done any research about that yet, I'm actually quite lost and stunned and wonder if anyone here has any advice.

OP posts:
fitch568 · 26/02/2025 16:02

Go to the school and explain.. they won't want to disrupt education at this stage and may offer some support

RedSkyDelights · 26/02/2025 16:02

Talk to the bursar to see if there is any financial assistance?

I doubt it would be practical to move your DC to a state sixth form to start immediately. You'd have to find one with all the same boards, spaces in all the right classes, and they would have had to teach in the same order as her current school.

clary · 26/02/2025 16:03

For sure you can enquire. If you can find a sixth form that offers the same subjects and uses the same boards (if) then I cannot see a problem - it’s not as if he is dropping one subject and picking up another (for which it would be too late tbh).

If one is Eng lit tho or history you will also need to ensure the same topics or texts that he has done will be covered. I imagine there will be some catching up as topics, even if identical, may not be done in the same order. Maybe do a bit of research on possible places before you discuss it with DS?

Edited to add: I meant to say tho, is there some way he can stay where he is? We are talking a year and a half – is it truly impossible?

Frowningprovidence · 26/02/2025 16:04

I think you would need to identify a sixth form and speak to them direct as there probably isn't a blanket policy.

But the issue I can see if even if the sane exam board, things might not necessarily be taught in the same order and I don't know how funding works but they might not get any money for your chikd if they start now (don't know)

One option is starting year 12 again in September

MollyButton · 26/02/2025 16:06

You will have to give notice to his private school pretty soon. I would contact them and warn them, just in case they can offer funding for the last year.

But also you do need to talk to your son. And listen to what he has to say.
Also gather as much data as you can:
Which subjects?
What boards for each?
What is your redundancy payout likely to be?
They may also pay for your legal advice on the deal.

Then when you have facts you can contact local Sixth Forms/ Colleges.

Don't panic.

CuteEasterBunny · 26/02/2025 16:06

My DD is going to sixth form in September and they’ve said that they get alot of kids joining back who went to college initially.

Get the ball rolling asap as they may be able to catch up or the school might tell them to defer a year. One of DDs was offered to do this when she had time our of school before GCSEs.

laudspb · 26/02/2025 16:08

I think it's too late. You are highly unlikely to find a school that does the same boards and has taught the course in the same order. Unless your son is happy to start again and redo year 12 elsewhere. I couldn't disrupt my kids education like that. I'd rather use all my savings/take out a loan to cover a year of fees.

HawaiiWake · 26/02/2025 16:09

You have to give a term notice and you need to pay for it whether your DC is there or not as stated in most school policy. So it would be final year of Sixth form and university applications. Firstly, talk to the bursar there may be financial assistance or an extended payment programme so DC can graduate. It is a big move and very unsettling at a crucial time.

TeenToTwenties · 26/02/2025 16:11

He could do 2 years in state if he needs to restart. Not ideal but better maybe than playing catchup.

clary · 26/02/2025 16:16

Yes good point – he could restart year 12 in September, YP have till 19 to complete sixth form or equivalent with no financial penalty.

I would say that if he is going to move, sooner rather than later would surely be better, to minimise any catch-up. Even tho you will need to pay all this year’s fees so it seems counter-intuitive.

But research is the answer. If your choices are move him or raid savings to keep him where he is, you need to be sure that moving is a realistic possibility. I would be emailing and calling possible schools right now to see if they will accept him as a pupil.

FWIW DD knows a fair few ppl who for different reasons redid year 12, sometimes at the same place, sometimes somewhere different. Not unusual tho I can see not ideal for your DS if he is getting on OK where he is.

HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow · 26/02/2025 16:16

rheafern · 26/02/2025 15:59

I've just heard at work that my role is closing in six months. This will mean the loss of almost 70% of our family income. It won't be easy for me to find another similar job because of my age and niche skills. DC is in his first year of Sixth Form. I wonder if there's still time to get a place in a state school maybe with the same examination board. I haven't done any research about that yet, I'm actually quite lost and stunned and wonder if anyone here has any advice.

I moved from a public school to state for sixth form, it was brilliant.

The kids were really accepting and not mean because I'd come from another school.

I don't think it's something to fear

The step change for sixth form meant it didn't impact on my learning and outcomes

Original poster
rheafern · 26/02/2025 16:27

Thank you all for your replies. I wrote to the school and they said they can offer "payment flexibility through a payment plan or a 12-month standing order to ease pressure". That's of course better than nothing but still counts on the likelihood that I will find another job. But I'm not so confident. I'm really worried about the long-term impact of losing my income and whether it wouldn't be better to make a drastic move as soon as possible. After all, the fees are about 20K per year. And we have a mortgage that is still substantial... We could then complement our income getting a lodger while I look for another job that it's unlikely to pay me as much. And, yes, the notice would mean that we would have to continue paying... Unless they consider our circumstances and waive that off... will check. Starting Sixth Form again would be out of the question. DC is super focused, this would have a huge impact. I just wished now DC wasn't so proud of my achievements... I usually share everything with DC but not this, not now. Was planning to say after exams, so probably knowing this and having to change schools will be too much.

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 26/02/2025 16:33

Restarting should not be off the table, put it back on as one of possible options.

Check when you have to give notice- last day of this term?

I suspect if you gave notice but then changed your mind they would be happy for him to stay, as they almost certainly won't be able to fill the place in y13.

Original poster
rheafern · 26/02/2025 16:36

@HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow , good to hear you had a good experience! I wouldn't mind at all if he was in Year 11. The problem is that he's already in Year 12... So, with luck, maybe I'd get him a place to start after Easter, but I don't know how the whole thing with exams and predicted grades would work... I need to breathe in, start to make some calls as some of you suggested and make a decision - including him if it leans towards moving schools. He is very down to earth. The fact that I'm losing my job will might affect him more than a school change. He will know soon enough but I might want to avoid that before the exams that determine predicted grades...

OP posts:
HawaiiWake · 26/02/2025 16:36

As per your post update: Get a lodger, take an extended 12 month payment plan. Since the role is closing you could go for a severance package. Look for another job asap. Start looking for mini project that pays. Your personal career progress is shifting there is nothing to be ashamed. 6 months salary, minimised costs. If 20K as you said 12 months could you ask direct debit for 24 months? Can your partner up their salary?

Ddakji · 26/02/2025 16:38

Might you not be eligible for a bursary as and when?

Original poster
rheafern · 26/02/2025 16:50

@HawaiiWake , yes, I would get a severance package that would allow me to pay the fees. But I'm also thinking about our situation long-term, including mortgage. DD is at uni but still needs financial support. Will ask about direct debit for 24 months. @Ddakji , I just asked the school about bursaries... feels like begging as I guess they could have raised that as an option in their reply, but not the time for being proud! Maybe I should ask our families to help but will try to avoid that...

OP posts:
Original poster
rheafern · 26/02/2025 16:54

@TeenToTwenties , I understand restarting might be a good option for some people, but I strongly believe this will be pretty traumatic. DC is like in marathon-mode, revising at the library every day, getting good grades... I also just asked about the notice. Thank you and everyone who replied

OP posts:
ittakes2 · 26/02/2025 16:55

I think the tricky bit would be which subjects / which exam board. You would have to give notice before the end of this term - see the rest of the year out and start in start first term yr13 - unless your school takes pity on you and allows you to forgo the notice period. You might find a better option is to move him (if you can) but make sure he is fully supported by tutors for each subject - would still be cheaper than private.

SheilaFentiman · 26/02/2025 16:58

You will almost certainly have to give a term's notice (ie pay until the end of Lower Sixth) and they are unlikely to waive that.

If you have six months of notice this is happening, are there other things you can do now to boost the funds you will get in severance. EG could you do your job on a freelance basis, could you start scoping out future clients? Will DD be able to work over the summer (and DS, if possible) to help with cash/costs?

TeenToTwenties · 26/02/2025 16:59

The thing is the move will be 2 terms in out of a 5 term teaching course.
Unless it is the same boards taught with the same options in the same order there will be disruption to learning.
So is it continue on the marathon with a hill thrown in when everyone else is on the flat, or go back to the start and run again with a feeling of deja vu.
Either is a big ask to be honest.

Original poster
rheafern · 26/02/2025 17:00

@HawaiiWake , partner has a more relaxed attitude, is confident that I will find another job at the same organisation, thinks I stress more than I should or need to. The problem is that it's not just my job that is going, it's part of a much bigger grim picture, so opportunities are reduced, and more so at my level. No chance of salary increase for him but maybe he could earn some money doing something else in his free time... I haven't even discussed my concerns with the school fees with him yet because I know he would dismiss them. But will do it later today.

OP posts:
HawaiiWake · 26/02/2025 17:11

Your focus is getting a job for yourself and maybe ring fence the severance package for son’s education on a longer time frame to pay off.
DD at university, she can get part time work or maybe online tutoring for kids doing GCSEs in those she got great grades on, that could be from £30 to £70 per hour depending on subject. University should have some financial packages or loans?

Original poster
rheafern · 26/02/2025 17:35

@HawaiiWake , all great ideas. thank you so much. I could also teach my foreign language in my free time... Not one in high demand though. I'm almost getting excited by all those prospects.

OP posts:
MollyButton · 27/02/2025 12:28

If you withdraw him from his school now you will still be liable for the summer term's fees. So I wouldn't move him until the summer, unless he chooses to restart and takes the time off. But you will have to notify you are withdrawing him before the end of this term or you could become liable for the Autumn term's fees.