Hi guys! I just created an account for this since I'm really conflicted on picking where to study for my A-Levels. I currently go to one of the leading girls grammar schools in Essex and am in Y11 (because of corona I can't even visit any other schools to see them). My issue is that I don't know whether to leave or not. Most people from my school are either going to stay here or go to the boys grammar just down the road (like 5 mins walking distance), so my clear option at the beginning was to stay here, especially considering it's quite a renowned school and while I haven't received my predicted grades yet, I'm confident that I'll get 9-7s in all of my subjects... However it's a lot of travelling involved for me to get there, which made me consider whether or not to go to a school in East London or not. The teachers at my school are not the strongest however not bad either (but I don't know how they are at other schools to be honest) and also I really really hate the exam boards my school uses for my ideal subjects: (By the way I still haven't decided fully on my subjects but I intend to pick 4 of these, and bio, chem and maths are a definite yes for me.)
Biology (OCR)
Chemistry (AQA)
Maths (Edexcel)
Physics (OCR)
Psychology (AQA)
French (Edexcel)
These are the schools I'm conflicted between:
- Chelmsford County High for Girls (current school - essex)
- Brampton Manor (east ldn)
- Westcliff Boys (essex)
- KEGS (essex, down the road from CCHS)
- Seven Kings (east ldn)
- LAE (east ldn)
- NCS (east ldn)
- City and Islington (north ldn)
- Beal (east ldn)
All of the Essex schools are a long distance away, as well as City & Islington. Also, all of the East London schools are state schools - I was wondering if it would be a bad move to transfer from a grammar school to a state school since my school is already fairly good. I'm heavily leaning against KEGS and Westcliff since KEGS doesn't offer psych and they both give me bad vibes if I'm honest. I'm not sure whether Beal is great or not however it's very close to me... I've heard great things about Brampton Manor but many also say it's very very strict, which really doesn't appeal to me since I'm not exactly the BEST rule follower and my current school is quite excusable on things such as lateness and talking in lessons etc. (which is quite important for me, being able to talk frequently, stupid, ik). I also have a cousin who went to Seven Kings and she is now at a Russell University and got fab A Level grades - it's also nearby. LAE and NCS are schools I don't know much about but have heard that they're decent. Not to sound like a prick, but I think I will potentially be able to get into any of these schools, so grades is not an issue for me - that's why I was wondering whether it would be worth it to go from CCHS to an East London state school? Also, I fit in very well at my current school, and I have a lot of friends who I'm very attached too and the atmosphere and community in my school is brilliant, I have a feeling like I can't leave them as I love everyone so so much, and most people aren't moving from CCHS, except going KEGS which is fine since I'll still see them everyday. I'm so confused right now honestly... I have some questions for anyone who goes to any of the schools on this list who's in sixth form.
1) How are the teachers? Especially in the subjects I mentioned above.
2) What are the exam boards for the subjects I mentioned above?
3) Are you allowed out at lunch/free periods?
4) Do they kick you out if your grades aren't adequate?
5) Are they pressuring?
6) How much is the cost of resources (books etc.)
7) Are there many Oxbridge/Russell Uni offers?
8) Start and end times?
9) What is the general atmosphere like?
10) What is the uniform like?
11) Are there a lot of tests?
12) Do they allow 4 A Levels?
13) Are the students nice (are there cliques, bullying etc. - this shouldn't be an issue for me since I get along well with people but stillllll)
14) Are the rules really strict?
(more specifically lateness, chewing gum, uniform, being loud/talking in class)
15) Is there good places to study (library etc.), well equipped classrooms and lots of materials?)
So so sorry for this ultra long post, my brains a bit all over the place. If anyone could answer any questions/give me advice on sixth forms from an outsider perspective that would be fab xxx