Page 1 of 1

Independent yrs 7 - 11, then state (?grammar) 6th Form

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:06 pm
by Guest007
Does anyone have any views on this idea?
It would reduce the expense, with more than one child and especially when grammer schools get such good A level results.
Are children looked on more favourably by universities when coming from a state 6th form?

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:22 pm
by KenR
We considered this for my daughter who is currently in year 11.

Good idea in theory, but sometimes more difficult in practice if they are going really well in the Independent sector and they have lots of good friends.

Probably easier to do from some of the 2nd or 3rd tier Independent schools, more difficult from the top Independents. To make the move though you have to have good GCSEs - normally 4+ grade As.

Another option which should be given serious consideration is moving to a 6th form college. There are some really excellent ones around and sometimes the 6th form environment can be more appropriate for siome children.

Another advantage of the latter is the fact that 6th form colleges are sometimes viewed more favourably than top Independent or state grammar by Universities in the Russell League - can result in better offers.

6th form

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:37 pm
by solimum
In my experience it is the children (who will by that stage be opinionated teenagers) who will have the strongest views on 6th form! They will want to study the A levels that most interest them (most schools, state or independent, can't offer every possible combination), they will want either to stay with their current friends or branch out to a wider circle, they may want a more independent learning style, or to stay in familiar surroundings, they will want to feel they are allowed to decide for themselves but be rather scared of getting it wrong, they will either have very definite university career plans or be overwhelmed by indecision. A lot of swapping between schools/colleges etc does happen at 6th form, in all directions, and I fear it would be foolish to plan a definite strategy many years ahead in the hope of either saving money or subtly persuading universities that your child has had fewer advantages than is actually the case....

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 12:16 pm
by Guest
I think the Universities are pretty canny about this. I heard that they regard children who were at independent school until GCSEs as independentlt educated regardless of where they were in 6th form. anyway, the political wind may well have changed on this in the next 7 years.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:31 pm
by Guest
Anonymous wrote:I think the Universities are pretty canny about this. I heard that they regard children who were at independent school until GCSEs as independentlt educated regardless of where they were in 6th form. anyway, the political wind may well have changed on this in the next 7 years.
Very true. They also regard children who were at state school until GCSE and then transfer to independent schools as independently educated, so they win on all fronts.