Changing Schools after year 11

[cbgbtx]

Here's the scenario. I hope someone can help.

To start off with, I'm American so I know very little about the English schooling system. I have 2 step-children who live with their mother and are with us for school holidays and on the weekends.

My step-son is soon to be 16 and is in year 11. He's an extremely smart kid but has had no discipline, personal responsibility, or school help at his mother's home. He's doing fairly well at school except that he's not made to do his homework. As long as all the work is done in the classroom, he's fine, but the chaotic conditions at home means he can't work well there. His father went to a parent's evening and most of his teacher's are reluctant to put him up for his A levels because they don't think he can follow through on the work required and this is with his top marks in physics, chemistry, biology.

My husband and I have decided that if my step-son has any chance of getting into University, he's going to have to continue his education while living with us. Unfortunately, we don't live in the same town as his mother and just beyond a sanely commutable distance or he could just continue at the very good comprehensive he's at now that has a 6th form.

Now, here's the questions I have.

1. How does one go about getting into a good 6th form college if they didn't go to the lower school? Unfortunately, the schools nearest to us have horrid ofsted reports so we want to send him into Colchester, which is around 10 miles away. While doing research on the subject, I've discovered this is going to be difficult at this stage in his education.
   
   
2. Where does one get information on this kind of stuff? I've been on the dirct.gov website for hours looking for some help but couldn't find any direct information.
   
   
3. Does anyone know which is the best school in Colchester for doing science based studies? My husband's whole family is extremely intelligent and all have doctorates in various sciences with one being an actual rocket scientist. So the brains are there (if they haven't been completely diluted with hippy, dippy, do-nothing genes from his mother).
   
   Any help or advice you can give me will be greatly appreciated. My husband travels alot for work so it's hard for him to help out. My step-son has agreed it's probably best for him to live with us while studying for University so at least that's one fight we won't have to have.
   
   Thanks.

[Lucycat]

I would contact the school that you are considering sending dss to and ask what is their admissions policy for their 6th form. Where we live the authority has no school based 6th forms whereas the neighbouring authority (where I work) does - as a consequence we get a lot of students transferring into our 6th at the end of year 11 - it is a common practice so he probably won't be alone. Most schools had their open Evenings in October but they should certainly let you go and look round.

hth sorry i can't help out with Colchester tho' I'm oop north!

[GrungeBlobPrimpants]

Don't worry - 6th form application is usually separate from secondary application. You certainly don't have to be at the school and several students go to another school for 6th form eg if they want to do languages and another school in area is best for languages.

All 6th forms will requre a certain grade in their GCSE subjects that they are continuing to A level

Where to get info - you need to look at the schools section of the local authority (Essex county council, I guess)

I don't know anything about Essex but I guess someone will be along soon who does.

Good luck

[cbgbtx]

Thanks so much, y'all, even these few answers have made me feel like this is so much more doable than I thought it would be. I really appreciate your time.

Pixie, yes, he does want to do sciences. Like alot of 15 year old boys, he wants to design video games, so he'll need the physics for sure.

[mnistooaddictive]

6th formers are worth a lot of money to a school ( about double a year7) so on a puirely financial level most schools are delighted to take new entrabts into sixth form. It is common practice in most areas. Contacxt the school and ask them.

[daphnedill]

Most of the schools in Colchester don't have sixth forms. Pupils generally go to Colchester Sixth Form College, which has a very good reputation. You need to apply very soon. Hopefully, it's not too late already. He'll be interviewed and offered a place if he achieves certain GCSE grades.

[daphnedill]

I fear it might be too late. This is the Sixth Form College's admissions website:
www.colchsfc.ac.uk/departments/admissions/
Try ringing them and explaining your situation. Tell them that your ds is moving into the area. They might still consider him if they have places on the courses he wants.

[mnistooaddictive]

If his current school do not have a good opinion of him they may be reluctant. Stress the change of home circumstances and if necessary ask them to take him on a probationary period up to Christmas, where he has to meet agreed targets to be allowed to continue.

[cbgbtx]

All this information has been so helpful. Thank you very much. I've checked into Sixth Form College and we think that's the way to go. Now I just need to pour on the southern charm and try to get him an interview. ;)