SIXTH FORM
While sixth form offerings in our area are notable for their high quality, they aren’t identical, so educators urge getting to know schools and colleges in depth and allowing enough time to make a fully informed decision. Some schools report a steady flow of families visiting up to two years in advance – when children are right at the start of their GCSEs in year 10. And that’s a sensible thing to do whether a young person is planning to move to a new place for sixth form or stay at their current school post-16. Getting the right subject combination should be the starting point, say schools, and this is where parents can have a crucial role. It’s an essential discussion to have because, while subject choices are tantalisingly broad, young people studying A-levels will normally have to whittle their choices down to three or four subjects. Although, if your children decide to take a different route to A-levels, schools in our area also offer a range of qualifications, including the IB diploma. It’s also vital that families make sure a school’s priorities align with their own.
That can include pastoral care – do pupils have a go-to person who has an overview of everything they are doing? Does the school embrace not just their academic performance but also what’s happening outside the classroom? Are teachers and tutors guiding them to make decisions about their future?
Schools should steer pupils on a path that will make them happy. Success post- 16 can take many forms. While results are important, it’s the mix of elements including a rich co-curricular programme and strong pastoral care that will make life in sixth form successful, happy and an effective preparation for adult life.
22 SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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