Tuesday 31 January 2017

It's not too late to apply for a 6th form place in 2017!

Are you kicking yourself for missing the 6th form registration deadlines for the schools of your – and your child’s – dreams?

Are your friends’ children proudly announcing offers from the UK’s top schools?

You’re not alone. Many families only decide during their child’s GCSE year that a change of school for 6th form would be the right move, and then realise that the deadlines, entrance tests and interviews have come and gone and that schools have already sent out their offers. Most of the top boarding and day schools select their 16+ intake in the autumn preceding entry. It can be a huge shock and cause much guilty anguish to parents, when they realise that they may have missed the boat. It’s especially frustrating for international families who may be more used to a system where schools are generally able to consider late applications or which operate a rolling admissions policy. 

However, it’s not too late to apply for 6th form entry at many of the very best UK boarding schools. 

If you have missed the main round of admissions, this is a good time to be approaching schools, as they are in the process of finalising numbers for the next academic year. Offers will have been sent out and parents will be choosing which to accept and which to reject. This inevitably means that there is a certain amount of “give” in the system and even some of the most competitive and sought after schools will still consider strong candidates if a late vacancy arises.

So, if you have decided to apply for a 6th form place for your child for 2017 entry this is what you need to do:-

Make sure that you have all your child’s school reports available, along with predicted GCSE grades if they are taking these exams in the summer

Talk to your child about what they want from a school and encourage them to write a personal statement to introduce themselves to potential schools

Identify your target schools, based on your child’s needs, interests and academic ability

Be prepared to visit prospective schools and for your child to be tested an interviewed

The whole process, especially outside the main application window, can be daunting and confusing for parents. We offer free eGuides to choosing a private school as well as impartial advice to parents. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your personal circumstances and we will be happy to advise you and help you find the best solution for your child. 

Call +44 1622 813874, email info@educationadvisers.co.uk, or complete an Enquiry Form.