state school v independent school

bunty109

If you're in Barking and Dagenham and want to look at good state 6th forms then I would try Coopers Coburn in Upminster ... it's been a while since I lived that way so I wouldn't know their criteria for 6th form entry, but they are certainly a very good state school.

hbloomers

badgerbread wrote: »

she want to study Law (she is doing this at G.C.S.E at the moment and has been prediced an A)

Sociology, Goverment and Politics and English Language she has done French as A G.C.S.E but can't stand it and it is her weakest subject. How would I find the best universities for law?

Those subjects sound like a good starting block, and also leave it open to follow something else if she changes her mind, which is always a plus. I don't think you want to pigeonhole yourself at too young an age.

The best way to find out the top 20 universities are the Independent and the Times lists. Of course, take the listings with a pinch of salt as one course may not cater to her interests etc. Also, check out the prospectus for universities, and check out the grades needed at A level for entry. For example, I know Queen's in Belfast (where I'm studying) is ranked 7th in RAE (Research Assessment Exercise) and needs AAA to get in. The Times takes more than research into account though:
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php?AC_sub=Law&x=47&y=4&sub=38

Also, its worth noting that becoming a solicitor or barrister does not automatically happen after 3 years at university. It takes further years of study and training, which the Student Loans Company presently do not provide funding for.

One of my friends is currently in his final year of undergrad study, is sitting on a high 2:1 and didn't get all As at GCSE. In fact, he got 4 As, 3 Bs and a C. It can be done, but it takes a lot of work at A level to get those 3 As.

Apologies for not being able to recommend a good state school. I know of a fantastic one in Lewisham that my friend studied at and loved (specialist school in 3 subjects, high ranking etc), but I think that may be a little far to travel!

peachyprice

hbloomers wrote: »

Also, its worth noting that becoming a solicitor or barrister does not automatically happen after 3 years at university.

And doesn't guarantee a job at the end if it. Most positions are offered to barristers from the right families. The Old Boys network is still alive and kicking at the Inns of Court.

badgerbread

I realise now that it is pretty pointless going for a scholarship/bursary and will be looking into more state run schools but if you understood the school that she has beengoing to you would understand that getting A/B grades is amazing and she is only predicted B grades in 2 subjects. I know she isn't G&T but she tries hard. She has already done work experience in a solicitors loved it and has been promised that when she is doing her degree they will let her do voluntary work in the courts (my sister is a solicitor working there she was also not G&T and not great grades at G.C.S.E's)

JMW77

I wouldnt of wasted a GSCE choice on law ,universities apparently think its a waste of time at that level,better to have a wider choice of subjects so she has more options in the future.

JMW77

I also would like my daughter to go to a private school for her A Levels,but we are still undecided as Uni costs are so high so probably better for us to save money for this.
And we don't have any where near £50,000 per year ,i would of thought you could afford the fees easily as it only 2 years so 6 terms i think.

aloiseb

I think it's great that your daughter is so ambitious and that you are being so supportive. I hope she gets her grades and doesn't let anyone or anything put her off. Having said that....

1. Oxbridge are especially interested in attracting bright people from state schools. So going for private ed. might not do her any favours.
(You could have a look at http://www.ox.ac.uk/videowall/ to see some sample undergraduates at Oxford....do they look like her kind of people?)


2. Does her school have any sort of careers advisor? Might help her to have a chat with someone who knows the system, especially about university places in different subjects. If the school is so bad it will probably make a nice change for them!

3. I had a great time at uni, so did one of my sisters. The other got a job instead and now has a better job than either of us. Not sure what this proves....!
Good luck whichever way you go.

patchwork_cat

I am afraid that I don't know Barking area etc. but my DS currently attends no1 on this list and I notice that there are some in London http://www.timesonline.co.uk/parentpower/league_tables.php?t=sixth_form_colleges&orderBy=st_ranking_2009&direction=DESC&page=1&page= and http://www.timesonline.co.uk/parentpower/league_tables.php?t=state_secondary_schools

Also I read an article recently that some UNiversities are trialing a scheme where pupils of schools that do not get the best results receive additional points on their application. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6350374.ece That might be useful to you having read Durhams score and my DS's high school modifier will have to ask him what he thinks about Durham.

Can I send you in the direction of http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forums - have a browse through.

carolann215

Hi,
What about trying to get her into a grammar school? There's one in Woodford Green that doesn't look too far from Barking. Its called Woodford County High School for Girls and 6th form applications are open until 1st March. I'm from the other side of London so I don't know it but my sons go to a grammer school and its excellent.
She sounds like she has a really good attitude though and I'm sure with that she'll do well wherever she goes.

frostyspice

badgerbread wrote: »

It's true A grades are more common these days but as to adjusting her ambitions that is not gonna happen yes we need to research universities and things but to succeed in life you have to have ambition. when I went to school no-one believed I would even pass my G.C.S.E's let alone do a degree and yes I proved them all wrong and done a degree the thing that kept me doing it was my ambition to become a teacher and I was 30 when I started my degree.

So did you become a teacher?