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Moving sixth forms at the end of year 12

Hi guys,
At the end of year 12, I may be planning to transfer from my school's sixth form to a large sixth form college in order to study a combination of qualifications such as btec/alevel to study new subjects. I have heard that the larger sixth form offers weekly career ready programs and a variety of different enrichments to broaden a student's knowledge. Therefore, I personally think that being around a larger sixth form will highly deliver bigger and brighter opportunities to benefit my future.

Curiously, has there been a situation where an individual has decided to move out of a school sixth form to pursue an apprenticeship or transfer to a different college at the end of year 12?

Reply 1

FintanP

It can't be said with absolute certainty that a sixth-form college will be better than a sixth-form integrated into a school but there is a strong argument for it. All teachers at a sixth-form college will specialise in teaching at an A-level (or equivalent level). Additionally, it shouldn't be disregarded the value of being surrounded by a larger cohort of sixth-form students and finding ones who are dedicated to their studies. Being surrounded by hardworking friends that support and encourage each other to revise is an incredibly strong motivator I have found. (I am currently in year 13 revising for final exams).

As with your query about career-ready programmes etc; I have a cousin at a sixth-form college and they have definitely said they have a lot of access to these resources. My sixth form integrated into a secondary school also has some of these resources but I don't believe it to the same extent as her sixth-form college.

And yes, people do leave sixth form to pursue other options. Most people tend to make this decision before about March time of their first year in A-Levels but someone from my sixth form dropped out to take an accounting firm apprenticeship after 3 months into year 13. It isn't a problem to change paths if it's not right for you, especially if you finish year 12 as you will take home your AS-level qualifications which always count for something.