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.

A LEVEL REFORMS & THE IMPACT ON RESITS

The UK Department for Education is pushing through big changes to AS and A-level exams, aimed at making them more ‘fit for purpose’. The new A Level reforms place an increased emphasis on the performance in an exam as there will be little coursework and few opportunities for resits.

For most subjects this already means that students will only be examined at the end of their two year course and AS Levels will no longer count towards the final A Level grade but rather stand-alone from the final A Level, having been ‘decoupled.’

The curriculum of most A-level subjects has not and will not be significantly changed, the exception being maths, which is receiving a major shake-up. 

The other notable change is a reduced emphasis on coursework. Now simply referred to as ‘non-exam assessment’ the reforms will see a drop in this form of assessment as the new principle is that if it’s possible for something to be assessed through formal examination then it will be. The practical work, in Science, will be a practical endorsement, which must be passed but will not contribute to the final A-Level grades awarded.

Existing (‘legacy’) A levels are modular and they comprise AS modules (50% of total A Level marks + UCAS tariff value) taken in Year 12 (lower sixth) and A2 modules (50% of total A Level marks + UCAS tariff value) taken in Year 13 (upper sixth).

The new AS is not an advanced subsidiary but instead more of an advanced supplementary qualification. If you just study for an AS you should finish it at the end of Year 12 (lower sixth). Marks gained in the reformed AS level cannot count towards a full A Level. They are worth 40% of an A Level (+UCAS tariff value). This means that when you apply to university under the new UCAS tariff an A-level A grade will be worth 48 points and the A grade in AS will be worth only 20.

Schools have been left in a rather difficult situation in trying to decide what to offer their sixth form students. There are three options;

1.    One Year AS -> course taught in Year 12 (lower sixth) and examined at the end of that year. Worth 40% of a full A Level and can be taken no further.

2.    Two Year AS -> course taught over a two year period and examined at the end of Year 13 (upper sixth). Still only worth 40% of an A Level and no A* grade available. This can be taken alongside option 3 (below)

3.    Full A Level -> reformed ‘linear’ course taken over the two year period. All exams taken at the end of Year 13~, no marks can be picked up throughout. ~Schools can consider internal testing to gauge the level of a student at the end of Year 12 (lower sixth).

New A levels will be graded with the same A* to E pass marks as currently used and teaching of the new syllabuses is being phased in over three years having started in 2015.

Most AS and A-level courses are being designed to be “co-teachable” so that both groups of students will learn the same things in year one. The key difference is that those students who have opted for the A-level course will not be assessed at the end of year one, but those taking an AS exam will be.

Timeline of Reforms

Phase One: Subjects – English Language, English Literature, English Language and Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Computer Science, Business, History, Art and Design, Economics, Sociology.

Sept 2015: Start teaching new A levels and new AS in phase one subjects

June 2016: New AS exams in phase one subjects. Penultimate existing/original A level exams.

June 2017: First A level exams in phase one subjects. Last exams for existing/original A level subjects.

Phase Two: Subjects - Geography, Ancient Languages, Modern Foreign Languages, Dance, Music, PE, Drama and Theatre, Religious Studies.

Sept 2016: Start teaching new A levels and new AS in phase two subjects.

June 2017: AS level exams in phase two subjects.

June 2018: First new A-level exams in phase two subjects.

Phase Three: Subjects - Maths, Further Maths, any other AS or A Level subjects taught from this point.

Sept 2017: Start teaching new A levels and new AS in phase three subjects.

June 2018: AS level exams in phase three subjects.

June 2019: First new A-level exams in phase three subjects.

The new UCAS Tariff will also be used for university courses starting from September 2017.

Resits & Retakes (A resit requires that you sit one item of assessment on a further occasion. / A retake requires completion of all elements of assessment on a further occasion.)

The new ‘linear’ A Level system undoubtedly makes it more difficult for schools and colleges to accommodate AS Level and A Level retakes.

The new system means it is no longer possible to RESIT individual units/modules of a course, instead you have to RETAKE the entire theory exam (it will be possible to carry forward internally assessed marks). Therefore, it will still be possible to complete an A-level course in one year, so long as all the assessments are completed at the end.

With no reintroduction of January resits, at AS and A level, students will have the chance to retake in May or June the following year.

Retakes should only be available to students who have taken the qualification previously, or had a good reason not to have taken it when planned (such as illness).

An important announcement from Ofqual in March 2016 ensured that students taking existing (legacy) AS and A levels will have the opportunity to resit them if they want to improve on their results. The decision from Ofqual, following a public consultation, means that those taking existing (‘legacy’) exams during the period of reform will not be forced to study for reformed qualifications should their original results not go to plan.

EPQ

Another increasingly popular option for a number of schools to offer is the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Already in place in a number of schools this can be a 5000 word research based essay, a performance or a creative artefact etc and involves several months of work during the sixth form. An EPQ will still be marked at full A Level standard (A* available), unlike the reformed AS course. It also equates to 50% of a full A Level.

University Opinion

How universities respond to the changes is going to be vital and already we are seeing that their attitude is not uniform. The University of Cambridge is in favour of schools continuing to offer AS Levels as they believe that they are useful indicators of future A Level performance (http://bit.ly/2a3N0DQ). The University of Edinburgh has said that it will still require a fourth AS or a fourth A-level for medicine courses and The University of Newcastle has said that it could use an AS-level qualification as a deciding factor on results day if lots of other students miss their grades. Other universities put more store by GCSE results as a good indicator of future academic ability. UCAS has a list of qualification reform statements from universities.

If A Level grades drop nationally then it is possible that universities will reduce their entry requirements on the basis that course content is tougher. After all, they have long complained that more rigour is required in the sciences and that resits, and teaching for exams is not sufficient preparation for degree courses.  We shall see.

Education Advisers…how can we help?

If a student does not achieve the exam results they’d hoped for, don’t panic!

We can talk through all the options, and then, based on what is most important to, recommend the most appropriate colleges, private tutors or exam centres. We deal with all the private sixth-form colleges and major tutoring firms in the UK and can give you candid and objective advice to help make the right decision.                                                                                                            

Most private sixth-form colleges have a wide range of subjects to choose from so whatever the requirements please just get in touch with us for further information.

Education Advisers also has a team of experienced university consultants including ex-university admissions staff who are able to offer an outstanding service for all university and college candidates applying to the UK and the USA. So if you need assistance once results have been published please visit our University Advice site for more information. 

PROVISIONAL IB LEAGUE TABLE 2016

In this post we give you our own provisional assessment of the Top IB Schools in the UK for 2016. These positions are compiled from the average points achieved by sixth formers taking the Diploma Programme of the IB.

A candidate can receive between 1 and 7 points for each of the 6 subjects taken. He or she can also get up to 3 points for The Theory of Knowledge and The Extended Essay – thereby meaning a maximum score of 45 points.

Position	School	Average Point Score
1	North London Collegiate	41.7
2	King’s College School	41.2
3	Whitgift	41
4	Stephen Perse Foundation	40
5	Cheltenham Ladies College	39.6
=	Sevenoaks	39.6
7	Headington	39
=	The Abbey School	39
9	Charterhouse	38.8
=	King Edward's School, Birmingham	38.8
10	Portsmouth Grammar School	38.7
11	Manchester High School for Girls	38
=	Bromsgrove	38
13	Haileybury	37.7
14	Brentwood	37
15	Oakham	36.9
16	Christ’s Hospital	36.6
17	Bedford Girls	36.4
18	Red Maids	36.3
19	Bedford Boys	36
=	Bryanston	36
=	Marymount	36
22	St Clare’s, Oxford	35.87
23 24	Stonyhurst ACS Egham	35.7 35.5
25	Gresham’s	35
=	Leighton Park	35
27	Bradfield College	34
= =	Warminster  Windermere School	34 34
30	International Community School (ICS)	33.9
31	Felsted	33.8
32	King Edward’s, Witley	33.5
=	International School of London (ISL)	33.5
34	ACS Cobham	33
=	Rydal Penrhos	33
= 37	Taunton ACS Hillingdon	33 32.6
38 39	King William's College Cobham Hall	32.2 31.3

Note 1: There are a few gaps in our data, because the information is not freely available, a school will not supply it or it has not offered the IB for long enough to have DP results. If you represent a school and wish to let us know your score, please get in touch by emailing info@educationadvisers.co.uk 

Note 2: We make a substantial investment of time and effort in preparing these tables, and all copyright and database rights in the tables belong to us. Please respect this by not reproducing the tables or the information within them, in whole or in part, without our consent. If you wish to reproduce any of our tables or the information within them then please contact us for details.

WHEN ARE GCSE, A-LEVEL, IB AND SQA RESULTS DAYS?

International Baccalaureate (IB) Results Day

Date: Wednesday 6th July 2016

Results will be available on the IB candidates site; you will need a personal code and PIN in order to log in. The course director at your school or college will be able to provide you with these. In the UK, results generally come available between midday and 2pm. Check your candidate page for a specific time.

Scottish Qualifications (SQA) Results Day

Date: Tuesday 9th August 2016

Results will be posted to individuals to arrive on the morning of August 9. You can choose to have your results emailed or texted to you instead by signing up to MySQA by 5pm on Monday 18th July.

A-Level Results Day

Date: Thursday 18th August 2016

Students will be able to collect results from their school or college in the morning. If you are not able to attend in person, you can arrange with the school to have your results emailed to you.

(I)GCSE Results Day

Date: Thursday 25th August 2016

Students will be able to collect their results from their school or college in the morning. If you are not able to attend in person, you can arrange with the school to have your results emailed to you. 

EDUCATION ADVISERS - SERVICES FOR PARENTS

BURSARIES...AN INTRODUCTION

With school fees galloping ahead of UK inflation, most parents are very interested in ways of reducing their fees drastically, as confirmed by the current Daily Telegraph article.

With ISC statistics stating that 41,000 children (8% of total children in ISC private schools) are receiving financial assistance to reduce fees, one could be forgiven for thinking that getting a bursary was a simple matter of turning up and asking for one, however the reality is quite different.

For several years there was a trend for more money to be allocated to bursaries (based on financial means) by moving funds away from scholarships (based on merit). However, we believe that trend has reversed with schools more likely to give a bursary if the child has first won a scholarship. Additionally it is an extremely complicated process to secure a bursary, usually involving an investigation of all income and assets of not just the parents, but also other family members (grandparents for example) to a level more detailed that annual income tax returns!

The relationships between school bursars and parents has become a little "adversarial" because there are far more requests than available funds. Thus many of the larger senior schools have subcontracted out the bursary process to independent accountants to take the sting out of possible arguments with parents if their request gets denied. It can be reasonably assumed that accountants will pay more attention to the numbers rather than the emotion behind a bursary request. For this reason we have put a detailed description of the process on our website. 

Education Advisers does not give bespoke advice on bursaries, although we can give advice on scholarships. Furthermore, we have just introduced a 2016 eGuide entitled "TOP 10 TIPS FOR REDUCING YOUR SCHOOL FEES", which is available free of charge to bespoke school choice advice clients.

MAKING A UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT PERSONAL

For students applying to university through UCAS, arguably the most important part of their application is the Personal Statement. The opening sentences can make or break an application and have an Admissions Tutor either keen to read further or to deposit the application form on the reject pile. To keep him reading is to grab his attention straightaway and not use hackneyed or trite phrases such as “…I have always been passionate about…”, or ….what really fascinates me about this course is…”

You are about to make one of the biggest decisions of your life: so it is important that you give solid reasons why you want to study a subject and that your A Levels are entirely suitable for your choice of degree. You should state that your academic track record and extra-curricular activities relate to the subject you are opting to study at undergraduate level, as this all helps a university to understand why you are a suitable candidate for the course. Admissions Tutors are very keen to know that you have the experience, skills and personality that would enable you to succeed on a three or four year course.

One golden rule to be followed is never, ever, stretch the truth about your voluntary work as it will inevitably come back on you. Think really carefully about how you are going to structure your Personal Statement so that it reads well, is truthful and is about you. This might take several drafts, but it is time well spent. Never forget that your application may be the only thing that an Admissions Tutor will base his decision on. Don’t try to be clever, but rather write a Personal Statement that is to the point, clear and that demonstrates what you can offer a university.

Never be tempted to plagiarise other student’s personal statements or purchase a ready-made one online, and if you require advice and help with any aspect of your University or Higher Education applications do contact Education Advisers Limited, who have an experienced and professional team of consultants. 

INDEPENDENT SIXTH FORM COLLEGES - WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?

There is no denying that the sixth form years from age 16-18 are particularly important. For most it is the pivotal final step before university so it is essential that students find the environment that will enable them to succeed.

For many young people, whether coming from the state or private sectors, or indeed from schools overseas, a private Sixth Form College can be a perfect solution.

What are independent sixth form colleges like?

Independent Sixth Form Colleges have a number of common characteristics. It is true that they are less formal than a traditional school but academically they are just as rigorous and there is special attention paid to study skills, which covers such topics as examination technique, essay-writing and note-taking - everything in fact that is needed to ensure that students are fully prepared for the demands of the examination system.

There is a wide range of subjects available and as timetable constraints are not as rigid as in a school catering for a much greater age range, subjects can usually be combined to suit the individual student's needs and requests.

Do the colleges provide accommodation?

Socially these colleges have a mixture of day and residential students and they can vary in size from about 50 to 400 students. Class sizes are small, enabling students to receive plenty of personal attention and most colleges have good library facilities and also well-equipped science laboratories.

Is a sixth form college the right environment for my child?

It is always important to consider the type of environment that a student is likely to thrive in. Some will relish the demands of a highly academic school, but others are likely to do better with more support and less pressure. A lot of colleges are not selective in their intake, and this is one of their greatest strengths. These college will more than often improve the grades of students by two levels. As well as  the focus on study skills almost all colleges will have dedicated counsellors and higher education mentors, who are invaluable when it comes to gaining entry to universities across the globe.

How can I choose the right independent sixth form college?

As independent and impartial education consultants with years of experience, we are here to help students and families make the best decision when it comes to choosing from the variety of independent sixth form colleges. We work on an impartial basis with all the private colleges in the UK and base our recommendations solely on the requirements of our clients and the ability and subject preferences of the student.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL APPLICATIONS – WHY PAY MORE?

With families hedging their bets by sacrificing multiple registration fees and putting children through numerous entrance exams to secure places at the most popular independent schools, it is our role as Education Consultants to advise on more cost effective ways!

With the ever increasing popularity of independent schools and the competition for places at an all-time high, parents understandably want to ensure they secure one of the sought after places for their child. This is causing parents to 'spread their bets' and according to a recent report in the Times Education Supplement, some families are applying to 'up to nine schools', three times more schools than they were in 2010. The worst area for this is inevitably Greater London

Registration fees are standard practice for applying to any independent school. The fee is normally non-refundable and something that the school requires in order to process an application and mark exam papers, in fact without this payment the registration will be null and void.

With this influx of applications to multiple schools, the schools themselves are undoubtedly finding it increasingly more difficult to manage offers to prospective students. With the more affluent families also in a more commanding position to accept one out of multiple offers, schools can find themselves either over or under-subscribed.

As independent and impartial education consultants with years of experience, we are here to help families make the best decision on both an academic and economic front:

• We recommend the best fit of school for each child
• We have every UK independent school on our database and choose a smaller selection of the right profile instead of a scattergun approach.
• We look at the schools' vacancy situation and entry threshold rates.
• We can assess the child's current ability and therefore likelihood of passing the entry exams.
• If a child has particular gaps in their ability, we can recommend tuition to bring them up to speed before the admissions tests.
• We have a unique eGuide on How to save money on school fees distributed to our bespoke advice clients

We are then in a position to find the best-fitting school for each individual family and proceed with applications in the most financially viable manner.

WHY ARE PRIVATELY EDUCATED STUDENTS SO EMPLOYABLE?

Academic Achievement

There is much talk in the press about the disproportionate number of privately educated children in the professions, so what is it that makes these young people so employable? Solid academic qualifications are clearly one factor. Many parents investing in private education for their children are looking for a ‘top’ school and start by targeting schools at the top of the league tables. Pupils in the UK’s top private schools achieve spectacular results, but of course this is never the whole story. High A-Level grades are key to winning a place at a top university but an independent school education equips students with far more than this, and it is that “extra something” that is so valued by employers.

“Soft Skills”

Private schools, and especially boarding schools, are an ideal environment for young people to develop the “soft skills” which will enable them to access those sought-after positions in later life; the ability to get on with people of all ages, a broad general knowledge that makes them good and confident conversationalists, excellent teamwork skills, and most importantly a sense of self-belief and purpose as they step out into the world.

Teamwork and Personal Development

Pupils at the UK’s private schools benefit from small class sizes and extended school days where most of their waking hours are spent in the company of adults whose sole purpose is to advance the development of the children in their care. This may be through supervised clubs and activities, extra learning support or simply time spent together outside the classroom. With a vast range of extra-curricular options children also benefit from the chance to develop skills in a multitude of sports and creative areas, fostering discipline, commitment and a sense of personal achievement. Teamwork skills are honed on the sports pitches and in the staging of performances and productions which are part of the fabric of private school life.

The Art of Conversation

Boys at Winchester College have regular, timetabled “Div” lessons in subjects of general academic and cultural interest, not so that they can gain an additional qualification, but to ensure they become genuinely well-educated young men, confident to converse on a range of issues with anyone they meet.

Confidence and Networking

Couple this excellent, all-round education with the opportunity to form close friendships with children of the global elite and it is easy to see why parents consider their £30,000 + per year a great investment. The cultivation of academic excellence, combined with outstanding social skills and an abundance of self-confidence can’t be measured in a league table.  It is ultimately statistics showing the high representation of privately educated pupils in top jobs that demonstrates the real value of these exceptional schools.

NOW IS THE SEASON TO.......MAKE YOUR UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS!

At this time of year, as people are pre-occupied with Bonfire Night and the onset of Christmas shopping, sixth form students are busy applying to universities for their degree courses. Going to university in the UK, unlike many other countries, is not just a matter of saying where you would like to go and filling in a form. UK universities are competitive for entry and it is important to ensure that you do your homework carefully, that you meet the application deadlines, be aware that the online application form is fully completed and the Personal Statement is carefully written. 

Getting the application right is crucial and although it might seem that it is all something of a minefield, do not give up. The process is quite logical and if you listen to the advice offered by others, do your own research and are realistic about your choices and work hard to achieve your offers, you have every chance of getting a place at university.

Basically all year 13 students have to think about three questions...

1.     What degree course do I want to apply for?

Bear in mind that you are not limited to your current subjects. There are plenty of courses that you may have never thought about as well and it is also possible to combine subjects. If you are thinking about a course that is completely new to you should try and gain experience before you apply, either by attending a ‘taster’ course or gaining some work experience in a vocational, e.g. Law or Architecture.

2.     Where do I want to study?

Once you have decided what it is you want to study the next job is to decide which the best course is for you. You can get a lot of help by going to the UCAS web site www.ucas.com/coursesearch. You then need to go to the web sites of the universities you would like to apply to. Courses do vary and you might find Psychology at Manchester is very different from University College, London. Get a copy of the ‘Sunday Times Good University Guide’ and find out about accommodation, teaching quality and a great deal more.

3.     Do I have the right academic background?

Once you got your wish list together you now need to be very realistic is assessing you chances of getting an offer. All degree courses state their entry requirements, e.g. 37 IB points, or A Level grades A*AB. Find out what your school is going to predict for you in its reference and if the school cannot predict the grades you need do not apply to for that degree course. You should also check to see if your GCSE grades match those required for your chosen university degree course and you would be wise to make sure that you have a range of applications for your five choices, with a ‘safety net’ should things go wrong on exam day.

Once you have completed your UCAS application it is sent to your chosen universities and do not forget that if they make you an offer this is conditional. In other words you need to achieve the grades they require to gain admission.

Good luck!

A- LEVEL REFORMS

The reforms initiated by the Conservative government started in September 2015. In simple terms A-Levels are moving from a modular to a linear structure. In the modular A-Levels, half an A-Level (an AS Level) was usually taken after one year and the marks were ‘banked’ in order to contribute to the final A-Level grade awarded. This left the remaining A-Level modules to be sat in the following year. A student could re-sit any of their AS modules in the second year to improve their overall score and grade. The current government has decided to make the system more rigorous and now all of the assessment for linear A-Levels will take place at the end of two years of study.

Confusingly, AS qualifications will still exist in the linear structure (as terminal not interim qualifications) for students who wish to stop studying a subject after one year; (all students are entitled to sit AS qualifications but the scores achieved will not contribute to the overall A-Level result if they continue to study the subject in their second year).

In order to make these changes manageable for schools and exam boards, the government is introducing the linear A-Levels in a phased programme according to the timetable below:

September 2015

Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, History, Photography, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Textiles.

September 2016

Dance, Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Geography, Spanish.

September 2017

Accounting, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Media Studies, Music Technology.

As you can see from September 2015 some students will be taking a programme of linear subjects, others will be taking a programme consisting of modular subjects and others will have a mixed programme of some linear and some modular subjects. Delightfully clear, is’nt it?

RETAKES/RESITS, REVISION AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATES

If you haven’t achieved the exam results you’d hoped for, don’t panic! You are certainly not alone and we are here to assist all students who may want to resit AS or A2  exams in order to improve their grades.

A Levels (AS and A2)

Since 2014 it is not possible to retake AS or A2 modules in January, so all resits are taken in the main summer exam period in May or June.

Some private sixth-form colleges offer 1 year retake courses whereby you will enrol in September, complete your UCAS university application, and then take a few months off to work or travel before returning in the spring for an intensive period of study leading up to the exam.

You may prefer to take a whole year to prepare for your retake/s. Most colleges offer one-year intensive A Level retake courses. In some cases you can combine these with starting a new subject, and indeed many colleges encourage this as it adds a new dimension to your studies and may increase your level of motivation as well as improving your academic portfolio.

Most colleges also offer one or two week revision courses in the Easter or Summer holidays.

When it comes to university applications many establishments are pleased to accept applications from retaking candidates as such students show determination, perseverance and ambition. However each department in a university may have their own policy with regard to retakes.  To know where you stand you should make contact to discover if they welcome reapplications and what grades they require.

Resitting Exams as an External Candidate

Some students just want to resit an examination without tuition and are seeking an examination centre. We may be able to refer you to a college that can help. Please note that fees are payable to the college for this facility.

Phone us on 01622 813870 / 01622 812852

or complete an Enquiry Form