This week, we finally submitted E’s sixth form application, and let’s just say it was not the calm, organised “applying for sixth form” process I’d hoped for. We knew it was coming, we knew the deadline was looming, and yet somehow it still turned into a last-minute scramble. The personal statement was the main culprit.

E was less than thrilled about having to write one in the first place, and then we made it worse by misreading the brief. We thought it was supposed to be 500 words, so he ended up writing two lots of 500-word statements for two different parts of the application, only for us to realise — far too late — that it was actually 500 characters. All that effort for nothing! By the time we figured it out, there was plenty of eye-rolling and muttering, and the rewritten version went in right up against the deadline.

But — and this is the main thing — it did go in. Not early, but not late either. And now that the stress has worn off, I think we can laugh about it (just about).

Why He’s Chosen College

E has decided not to stay on at his high school sixth form. Instead, he’s applying for sixth form at a separate college that offers a much better range of courses for what he wants to do. He’s got his eye on 3D Design, Geography, and Maths, and the college feels like the right environment to support those choices. It’s more focused on creative design and problem-solving, which suits him perfectly.

As a parent, I have mixed feelings. Part of me liked the idea of him staying on somewhere familiar with teachers he already knows. But I can also see why college is the better fit. It’s a chance for him to try something different, meet new people, and take advantage of opportunities his current school just can’t offer.

Open Days: Start Early

If you’ve got a child in Year 10 or Year 11, here’s something worth knowing: open days can start surprisingly early. Some colleges run them in Year 10, and then again in the autumn term of Year 11. We made sure to go along last year so E had plenty of time to look around, ask questions, and get a feel for the place.

That early look really helped because by the time applications rolled around, he already knew where he wanted to apply. That said, we’re still going to a couple of other open evenings just to keep our options open. It’s worth having a backup, especially since every school and college has its own entry requirements, and no one knows exactly how GCSE results will pan out.

Applying for Sixth Form: The Process

The process itself is fairly simple, but every sixth form and college does it slightly differently. Applications are made directly to the school or college — there’s no central system like UCAS. Most will ask for predicted grades, a personal statement, and sometimes references from their current school. The tricky bit is making sure you don’t miss the deadlines, which can vary a lot.

For us, it was the personal statement that caused the most stress. Teenagers aren’t exactly known for wanting to write about themselves, and cramming everything into a few hundred characters felt impossible. But it does force them to think about why they’re choosing certain subjects and what they want out of the next two years, which is probably the point.

What Happens Next

Now that the application’s in, the next stage is the interview process. E’s not particularly looking forward to that part, but it’s an important step. Most colleges do a short interview where they ask about subject choices, predicted grades, and future plans. It’s not meant to catch them out — more to check that the courses are the right fit.

Our next job as parents is to help him prepare. That means talking through potential questions, reminding him to actually expand on his answers (instead of giving the dreaded one-word replies), and encouraging him to explain why he’s chosen 3D Design, Geography, and Maths. Hopefully, a bit of practice will make the real thing less daunting.

Looking Ahead

The whole process has been a bit of a rollercoaster — from the chaos of writing too many personal statements to the relief of hitting “submit” just in time. But it’s also exciting. Finally applying for sixth form means that E’s moving into a new chapter, and while I might be clinging to the idea of him staying somewhere familiar, I can see he’s ready for a fresh start.

If you’ve got a child coming up to Year 10 or Year 11, my advice would be: start visiting open days early, keep an eye on deadlines, and don’t panic if the application process feels messy. Chances are, it will be. But as long as the forms go in, the rest will fall into place. This resource can help you learn more about what to expect and what you need to do.

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