10 reasons for #parents to consider a move of #school for sixth form

I have a strong belief that if nothing’s broken, why fix it, so would never encourage a move at 16+ unless there is a strong reason to do so. Settling into a new school environment with new teachers and teaching styles, at a time when your teenager only has two years to achieve the top grades they will need for entry to university, presents quite a challenge. Moving school at sixth form is therefore a huge decision and it is vital that it is being made for the right educational reasons and not just for a change of scene or for socialising!

Here are a few thoughts on why a move at sixth form could be beneficial.

1. You would like to study IB instead of A level, to keep more breadth of study.
2. Your current school doesn’t offer all of the sixth form subjects that you’d like to study.
3. If your teenager has acquired a ‘label’ which leads to certain expectations of their abilities and performance, moving school for a fresh start could be to their advantage.
4. Moving from independent into state education means no fees! However, bear in mind class sizes will be significantly larger meaning less individual support.
5. Moving from state into independent education can give access to a broader range of subjects and a more extensive extra-curricular programme offering diverse opportunities to strengthen a university application.
6. If your teenager has struggled to make friends at their current school, changing school offers new opportunities to make new friends and find new interests.
7. Moving from day to boarding will encourage responsibility and independence and is consequently an excellent stepping stone towards university life.
8. Moving from boarding to day may offer parents the opportunity to monitor more closely your teenager’s efforts towards their studies.
9. Some say moving from single sex to co-ed affords a better preparation for university life. However, be aware there may be more distractions if your teenager has a tendency to lose focus or finds it hard to plan their time effectively.
10. Some schools have no sixth form so a move at 16+ is un-avoidable. Start your school research in plenty of time, ideally in the autumn term of year 10. 

Moving school for sixth form can be a confusing process. Do you need some advice? Please give our team of professional, friendly consultants a call to talk through your queries. 01865 522066 or email consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk or visit our website www.independenteducationconsultants.co.uk