Choosing the right educational path for your son or daughter is a significant decision and no easier as they finish their GCSEs, or equivalent. One option that often arises is whether enroling in a private sixth form is worth the investment. The answer depends on what you’re looking for, but there are compelling reasons to consider it.
Financially, enroling your child in a private sixth form is significantly less expensive than private education from primary or secondary levels. This option allows families to provide their children with the benefits of private education during the crucial final years of schooling without the long-term financial commitment. Studies, such as those conducted by the UCL Institute of Education, have shown that private schooling can boost student outcomes. By choosing a private sixth form, you can offer your child personalised attention and specialised support at a more manageable cost.
Private sixth forms, even when compared to traditional independent schools, typically offer several key advantages:
Smaller class sizes (a maximum of 8 at Edgbaston College) mean more than just increased attention in the classroom. individual. Teachers can provide individualised support outside the classroom, whether your child needs assistance with English as an Additional Language (EAL), requires enrichment through Gifted & Talented (G&T) programmes, or simply benefits from extra help to keep up with the course. Lower teacher workloads also allow for greater support outside the classroom.
Given their specialised focus on sixth form education, private institutions often excel in providing career and UCAS application support, leading to better outcomes for students. For example, Edgbaston College offers world-class career provision, supported by its education consultancy, Edgbaston Education. Catering to niches like Oxbridge admissions and Medicine/Dentistry applications, the college has seen remarkable success. In this academic year just passed, 30% of students leaving Edgbaston College secured places in Medicine or Dentistry programmes in the UK.
A Mature Learning Environment
Independent sixth forms provide a grown-up setting where students are treated like adults. This informal atmosphere fosters greater accountability and personal development while offering tailored one-to-one support. At Edgbaston College, for instance, students address teachers by their first names, there is no uniform policy, and the environment prepares them for the wider world beyond school.
Private sixth forms like Edgbaston College can accommodate students who wish to join mid-year or require non-standard academic pathways. With courses such as Five-Term A-Level, Transfer into Year 13 and One-Year A-Level Retake courses, these institutions provide options beyond Two Year A-Level courses that many traditional settings cannot.
Private sixth forms tend to excel academically. A case in point is Edgbaston College’s A-Level results in 2024, where 47.3% of grades were A*-A, compared to the national average of 27.6%, according to data from FFT Education Datalab. This level of performance reflects the quality of teaching and the supportive learning environment these institutions offer.
Sometimes, students simply need a change. Whether it’s seeking a setting where teachers are exceptional, desiring a fresh start, or looking for that extra edge to achieve the grades required for their chosen university course, a private sixth form can provide the ideal environment to thrive.
Deciding whether a private sixth form is worth it ultimately depends on your individual circumstances and what you value most in your child’s education. The benefits of small class sizes, specialised career support, a mature learning environment, flexibility, and academic excellence are significant factors to consider.
By choosing a private sixth form like Edgbaston College, you can provide your child with the support and opportunities that can make a meaningful difference in their academic journey and future prospects.
For more information on how Edgbaston College can help your son or daughter, feel free to call us or fill out the online enquiry form and we will get in touch as soon as possible.
