Is Sixth Form the Right Choice for My Child?

After your child completes their GCSEs, they will have several options available to them. They could study or complete an apprenticeship. Which they go for should be down to them, as should where they choose to go. If continuing with school, they will have the option of whether to study at sixth form or college. A sixth form is an extension of school and is the last two years of secondary education. The alternative is college which tends to have a bigger post-16 community and at a different location entirely. The study options are largely the same, it’s just the environment and the experience that they take away which will vary. To help your child make the right call, we have some expert advice from one of the best sixth forms in North London below.

The Difference Between the Two

The main difference between the two is the environment. If your child chooses to go with their school sixth form, they will be in an environment that they are used to and familiar with. They will likely have the same teachers and support system which can be a comfort for some. Competitive sixth forms attract a whole range of students from all over, which allows them to have a college-like experience without moving schools. They can make new friends and be treated as seniors, with more privileges and freedom than lower down school. 

Colleges

To follow on from the point above, colleges provide a change of scenery. They will have a completely different campus to explore which itself is exciting. It can be a nice way to start this chapter of their life as they will be in an ambitious atmosphere where they are surrounded by those on a similar wavelength. Not only that, but they will have new teaching staff. They will benefit from their wide range of academic learning and be able to grow their professional network.

Other Factors

Aside from these factors, of course your child will need to evaluate how they will contribute to them as an individual. Will the colleges or sixth forms that they are looking at help them in achieving their goals and facilitate them in the first place? A few areas worth looking into are course options, pass rates and student experience. 

Course Options

Of course, they will need to select the right course options. They will dictate the opportunities that they will have going forwards with regards to university and future career prospects. To help make that decision, first they will need to have a hard think about where they see themselves heading and what motivates them. They can then begin to look at whether that selection can be studied at their choice of colleges/sixth forms.

Pass Rates

There is no telling how your child will do in two years time as it is largely down to them, although pass rates can paint a pretty good picture. If they’re consistently high, it indicates that they have good teaching staff and facilities and that your child can also do well given that they try just as hard.

Student Satisfaction

Colleges are not made equal and their systems and ways of doing things can differ. Student experience information can give children an indication as to how good the college that they are looking at is. It is a bit of a broad measure but highlights how students who have studied there feel about their time. Happiness is key. If your child doesn’t enjoy their time at college, their grades will likely suffer.

Open Days

An open day can be telling of the kind of time your child will have at college or sixth form. They may be able to sit in on a few taster lectures to see what the courses will be like and get an overall feel. If your child has the opportunity to, we highly recommend that they attend these events as they can make a good judgement based on their own encounters.

Making the Call

It’s ultimately down to their personal preference. If your child’s not one for change and likes a slower pace of life, sixth form is ideal. While there’s lots to do at college, it isn’t for everyone. Likewise, your child can reinvent themselves at college and find who they are. They won’t be around the same people and surroundings which can really help them to come out of their shell and grow.