to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Discussion and advice on Sixth Form matters

Moderators: Section Moderators, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
11 Plus Platform - Online Practice Makes Perfect - Try Now
cardi
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:04 pm

to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Post by cardi »

On the strength of ds's gcse grades he has become eligible for a couple of co-ed independent schools who are able to offer a place if we rush through the applications. He is currently at a not particularly good boys only comp. and our reasons for moving were to get a mixed school and wider life experience and hopefully good grades, (although with hard work this may be the same wherever). The independent schools involve an hour on a bus each way and compulsory after school activities, so out from 7.00 until about 5.30-6.00 whereas the current school is a 5 min bike journey. His more able academically friends are leaving and this is also an influence. We need to decide ASAP any advice?
Snowdrops
Posts: 4667
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:20 pm

Re: to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Post by Snowdrops »

Go with your gut feeling.

You could sit and make a list of fors and againsts, but if your guts tell you one thing and you decide another you/your son may regret it.

Do what is right for your son - not anyone/thing else.

Good luck!
Image
fm

Re: to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Post by fm »

Clever, motivated boys can get good GCSE's at mediocre comprehensives but A level is a different ballgame, especially if the school suffers from a brain drain at this stage. It is not so easy to do well at A levels through independent learning so the quality of the teaching as well as the general behaviour of the cohort will have more impact at this stage. Is there no halfway between the two--e.g. a much closer decent sixth form college, say? In hindsight, I certainly wished I'd moved my son from his mediocre comprehensive because there was a definite lack of ambition of grades achievable at A level on the part of both staff and pupils.
cardi
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:04 pm

Re: to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Post by cardi »

He was turned down from the local good 6th form college as they usually have As in gcse for A levels, also ds feels he is not an independent enough learner for this environment. At gcse we used tutors for a couple of subjects that weren't taught well/ he struggled with and this improved his grades, would openly do this again.
surreymum
Posts: 553
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:26 pm

Re: to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Post by surreymum »

Sounds like one of the indies may be a good idea then.....
cardi
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 12:04 pm

Re: to leave comp. 6th form for independent?

Post by cardi »

Ds and dh are leaning towards staying at current comp school and using tutors to overcome problems with any teachers or larger groups. Some posts suggest moving can have some difficulties.
Post Reply