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Sixth Form or Sixth Form College is where students aged 16 to 19 study for advanced school-level qualifications, such as A-levels.Some secondary schools have their own Sixth Form, which accepts students from the lower year groups; however they often accept external applications too.
A-levels are vital qualifications if your child is looking to go to university and they are also highly valued by employers. They are usually assessed at the end of term through written examinations and coursework. However with creative subjects such as art, drama and music there are also practical examinations.
To help your child succeed through Sixth Form, here is some useful advice from an independent boarding college in Cardiff …
Support
As parents, it is important to support and advise your child on the A-level process. Help them to collate as much information as possible to assist with their decision making. Most importantly try not to put any pressure on your child and give them time and space to make their own choices.
Subjects
Explain to your child that if they plan to go to Sixth Form it is important to choose subjects that they enjoy. Take time to talk with your child about their favourite subjects, because enjoyment of a subject will lead to the best A-Level results.
Advice
It is important that your child feels like they are making an informed decision, so take them along to open evenings at the Sixth Form and ensure that they are asking the right questions to teachers. It may also help for your child to talk to older friends or relatives who already attend your chosen Sixth Form.
Coursework
Bear in mind that A-levels are a big jump from GCSEs, so the subjects that may seem easy to your child now, might not seem so easy in Sixth Form. With this in mind, it is a good idea to do some research into the type of work that will be expected from each subject. Many A level subjects require coursework and extended study outside of school hours.
University
If your child is interested in going to university or has a particular career interest, you could also do some research into qualification requirements. Certain university courses will look for specific A-levels, so it’s worth looking ahead before making any decisions.
