Son struggling - Y13, poorly-run 6th form, anyone been through similar?

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My son is doing OK academically, predicted grades A*, A, B, but he is getting stressed and upset every day by the environment he is in, and I am wondering if there is anything to be done.

Brief background: DS left his previous school after they abruptly pulled 2 A Level subjects he wanted to study - the school announced this so late that he'd already missed the deadlines to apply for other local 6th forms. He ended up in big, brand-new sixth form centre in another city with a long commute. In year 12 he got by, but things seem to be deteriorating this year - overcrowding, noise, low-level hassle (he's in an ethnic minority which doesn't help), disruption in class which you really wouldn't expect to still be going on in sixth year. A student was stabbed outside the building recently, he's been threatened on the train and so I worry about his safety too.

He's pretty much accepted that he just needs to get through it as best as he can, but I am worried that the stress will get too much for him. I know it's probably unrealistic to try to transfer to another 6th form at this stage. What do people do in this situation? Abandon ship and try to get Y13 entry somewhere else next year? Go private? There are funding issues with any of these options, I know.

TIA.

The problem with moving is the same subjects are taught very differently depending on the exam board so you'd need to make sure they match for a more seamless transition. I'd probably try and stick it out as not too long left in reality but appreciate safety is concerning.

Could you ask around local sixth forms or colleges to see if there are any spaces for him to restart year 12? This is assuming he has only completed one year of sixth form already, not quite sure from op if this is the case. It might not be too late as most let people change up until half term.

Otherwise, I would just let him attend the minimum to get by, and study the rest of the time at home. They are highly unlikely to throw him out at this stage, with his predicted grades. Look on it as a free exam centre.

Thank you both, appreciate your kind and constructive responses. DS has some wobbles but hopefully will get through OK. @worcesterpear - yes, we are letting DS spend minimum time onsite and this is helping.

This is his moment to work on building resilience. What he is facing is not going to last forever and as others have said he is unlikely to find the right subjects elsewhere and if he does departments will have chosen from a whole variety of options within the syllabus. This is a bump in the road not a trauma. Get him to focus on the work and build good relationships with staff and the more hard working peers.

@Autumnleaffall You're absolutely right, and I was having a slight wobble myself when I posted, tbh. I do not want to make a big deal out of the vicissitudes of daily life, and happily DS is pretty mature and focussed and wants to make the best of things as you advise.

try to frame it that he REALLY hasn’t got long left.
It’s nearly half term so roughly seven weeks till Christmas. Five weeks till Feb half term etc.

does he know what he wants to do after A levels?

@AelinAG - good point, and in fact we've already been mentioning that time left can be measured in weeks, not months. I've been meaning to work out actual number of weeks, so thanks for giving me a head start on that!

DS wants to study computer science at university - he's ambitious and worries about not doing well enough to go where he really wants to, but on the other hand it gives him things to look forward to.

You could look for a private tutor/s to support him until the exams, as well as staying at the 6th form. Many are online now.

Thanks @Absentosaur - we've had a tutor for 1 hour per week in one subject since the start of Y12 and DS would like tuition in a second subject now, so we are looking online. We used First Tutors before, but Tutorful seems to have more relevant matches for 2nd subject.