Daily Thread / Thursday

[Donna]

Originally Posted by dinahsmum

It's only my impression, I have nothing to back it up, but it always seems to me that school 6th forms are for the more serious students and the colleges are places of refuge for those who want to put off working for 2 years. A sweeping generalisation I know, but that's how it feels to me.
Do you know which he fancies?
(I assume his present school doesn't have a 6th form? If it does and he's happy there I'd say 'Why change?')

His school does have a 6th form but it is a separate building and not many people go there apparently so you have to question why? I have a meeting at the school next week about decisions to be made and also his progress review with his teacher tomorrow so will see what they have to say.

[Donna]

Sorry to have taken over the Daily Thread everyone

[yola]

No worries Donna. It's an important thing in your and Sean's life. I think DM's opinion of 6th form for the best 6th form college/tech college for the rest, is a little out of date (sorry).

It certainly was the case in my day too, but I understand - having been party to OH's daughter going through this 2 years ago - is that it's all about specialisms and finding the best PERSONAL route through further education into potential higher eductation.

Donna - Sean sounds like a bright lad . . .I'm sure he's going to do really well

[Mags]

My son took his A levels in his school's 6th form, then went to college for his Foundation course in Art for a year, then on to Uni to complete his course...

[dandysmom]

Donna, no comments from me as I'm totally unfamiliar with your educational system, but best of luck in figuring out what's best for Sean!!

Cloudy and unusually cold here, only 4C! I am in full Winter gear when outside: long underwear, sweats, padded jacket, wool hat and gloves! I miss the October warmth, it made a record as the warmest of all time here!
Arthritis still troubling today, but just I-can-live-with-it discomfort, not I-need-a-pain -pill type! As I said earlier, the joys of getting old....
Hope everyone has a good day!

[Donna]

Oh poo!!!!


Mistsy has done a stinker in the litter tray

[Mags]

Originally Posted by Donna

Oh poo!!!!


Mistsy has done a stinker in the litter tray

[MrsH]

Donna - the school I teach at has a 6th form and a great many of our pupils prefer to stay on because they're familiar with the staff, our classes are small and the pastoral support is very strong. Our local-ish 6th form college is HUGE, outranks our school in the league tables and some of our pupils prefer to go there, mainly because of the (perceived) better quality facilities. However, every year the 6th form college refuses to enter for examination pupils who are not going to get the highest grades at A level. Several of our ex-pupils turn up on our doorstep after a year, saying they wished they stayed with us and they then start over again.

League table results are useful but they don't always tell the whole story. Find out how strong the pastoral support is, how large the classes are, what the drop-out rate is, what the staff turn-over rate is like. How many subjects are students expected to do? (some establishments expect them to do 5 because this boosts their points score and moves them up the table, yet universities only expect 3 or 4 A levels!)

Sorry, this became a bit long! I'll stop now!

[Donna]

Originally Posted by MrsH

Donna - the school I teach at has a 6th form and a great many of our pupils prefer to stay on because they're familiar with the staff, our classes are small and the pastoral support is very strong. Our local-ish 6th form college is HUGE, outranks our school in the league tables and some of our pupils prefer to go there, mainly because of the (perceived) better quality facilities. However, every year the 6th form college refuses to enter for examination pupils who are not going to get the highest grades at A level. Several of our ex-pupils turn up on our doorstep after a year, saying they wished they stayed with us and they then start over again.

League table results are useful but they don't always tell the whole story. Find out how strong the pastoral support is, how large the classes are, what the drop-out rate is, what the staff turn-over rate is like. How many subjects are students expected to do? (some establishments expect them to do 5 because this boosts their points score and moves them up the table, yet universities only expect 3 or 4 A levels!)

Sorry, this became a bit long! I'll stop now!

Thank you - some good points.

[Jac]

Evening all
I'm just back from Ceilidh's school and I must say I'm impressed with my daughter . She got a glowing report .To be honest I was taken a back with some of her work, it was so good! On the down side she can be easily distracted, and she likes to chat. ( I wonder where she gets that from?)