Education consultants for sixth form
Do you need help choosing a sixth form?
When it comes to moving at sixth form, for the first time the student plays a key part in the decision, and their view matters as much, sometimes more so than that of their parents.
For many families, the challenge is not finding a good sixth form. It is understanding which environment will bring out the best in a particular young person.
Some pupils thrive in the familiarity and structure of their current school. Others are ready for a fresh start, greater independence or a different academic environment.
Parents often find themselves weighing up school sixth form vs sixth form college, comparing state and private school options, moving between single sex and co ed, venturing to board or returning to a day school. All of this involves understanding which setting will best support the individual student, their aspirations as well as their well being.
This is often the time to think ahead to university applications, considering subject choices, different curricular and qualifications. The right sixth form environment is likely to have a significant impact on future opportunities.
Our experienced sixth form education consultants support and advise families to help them navigate these decisions with confidence. We provide expert, impartial advice to help students identify pathways that suit their academic strengths, interests, personality and long-term goals.
Speak to a sixth form consultant
If you need expert guidance on choosing a sixth form, we are here to help.
How we support families
Families come to us at many different stages of the process. Some are beginning to think about post-16 options, while others need urgent advice after disappointing GCSE results or concerns that their current school is no longer the right fit.
Whether you're comparing sixth forms for the first time or facing a more urgent decision, we help families make sense of the options and focus on the choices that are most likely to benefit their child.
We tailor the service we offer to each family and can work with them to advise in a one-off consultation meeting to a full, hands on sixth form search and admissions support service.
For some families, a single conversation is enough to provide clarity and direction. Others want more in-depth support comparing different sixth forms, evaluating subject choices, understanding admissions requirements and navigating applications.
We can also help families think through the longer-term implications of sixth form choices, including preparation for competitive university applications, degree courses and future career pathways.
Before suggesting sixth form options, our consultants will focus on understanding each student; what motivates them? how do they learn most effectively? what subjects do they enjoy? what energises them and what drains them? and where do they seem themselves beyond sixth form?
Some ways we can help
- Understanding how post-16 education works
- Understanding sixth form college options
- Choosing between state and private school sixth forms
- Comparing school and sixth form colleges
- Understanding A-level, IB and other curricula
- Identifying the right sixth form environment for your child
- Supporting with applications and with the admissions process
- Advising on subject choices and combinations of subjects
- Understanding how sixth form choices may affect university applications
- Helping students who would benefit from a fresh start
- Supporting with the transition post GCSEs
- Identifying schools and colleges with strong pastoral support
- Exploring school sixth form options
- Interview practice
Our heritage
For forty years, families have turned to The Good Schools Guide when making important educational decisions.
One of the biggest misconceptions about sixth form is that it is simply a continuation of school. In reality it is often a turning point. Students are making choices that can shape university options, career pathways and future opportunities.
Over the years, we have worked with families facing a wide range of decisions: whether to stay at a current school, move to a new sixth form, choose between A-levels and the IB, or find an environment where a student can regain confidence and fulfil their potential.
Our consultancy service helps families make sense of these choices, combining decades of educational expertise with a deep understanding of the different routes available after GCSEs.
Who are our education consultants?
Our education consultants have extensive experience advising families on post-16 education and sixth form choices.
Because our consultants have first-hand knowledge of schools and colleges, we can help families look beyond prospectuses, league tables and marketing materials to understand what different sixth forms are really like in practice.
We understand that choosing a sixth form is rarely just about grades. Families are often balancing immediate concerns - confidence, friendships and motivation - with longer-term questions about university applications, apprenticeships and future career options.
Our role is to help families make informed decisions and identify environments where young people can thrive academically and personally.
We provide:
Totally unbiased, independent advice — we don't receive payment or commission from schools or colleges
Deep expertise across state, independent and specialist sixth form provision
Insight into A-level, IB and alternative post-16 pathways
Advice focused on wellbeing as well as academic outcomes
Discreet, family-first consultancy
Talk to us about sixth forms
We can help you understand your options and find the right sixth form for your child.
Families often come to us because they feel the stakes are high. They know sixth form choices can influence university options and future opportunities, but they also want their child to be happy, motivated and confident during those important two years. Our role is to help families find an environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.Grace Moody Stuart, Consultancy Director
Some of our team
Grace Moody-Stuart
Consultancy director
Grace is director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants and has worked for The Guide for 20 years.
Lisa Freedman
Education consultant
Lisa is an experienced education consultant and education journalist. She writes about education for a range of leading publications.
Camilla Smiley
Education consultant
Camilla has been working in and around London schools since 2006 and has been advising parents throughout that time.
Other services we offer
Private school consultancy
Our experienced private school consultants help families navigate the world of private schools.
Boarding school consultancy
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We have an experienced team of consultants who are ideally placed to advise families looking for a boarding school for their child
Education consultants for state schools
Our experienced education consultants help families navigate the UK state school system and find the right school for their child.
FAQs about our sixth form consultancy
What is sixth form?
Sixth form is the final two years in a UK school, also known as years 12 and 13.
What is the difference between school sixth form and sixth form college?
Not an easy one to answer as there is a lot of overlap. Sixth form colleges tend to offer the student a lot more independence, are stand alone schools for the final two years of school and often have more of university feel.
Should my child choose a sixth form or a sixth form college?
This will very much depend on each child, their interests and personality, their aspirations and subject choices. We can help you and your child with this choice.
Can you help us compare sixth forms?
Yes absolutely. We’ve helped countless families compare and then choose sixth forms. Please get in touch.
What should parents consider when choosing a sixth form?
There are so many factors to take into account including the institution, its ethos and character, the other students as well subjects and curriculum offered. We can help you with all of this and more.
How do you apply to sixth form?
Every school / college will have its own admissions process and criteria for accepting students. We can help you make sense of the admissions process.
When should students apply to sixth form?
This will vary but it’s always best to be organised and ahead of the game. Don’t leave it later than the Autumn term of year 11 when you child is 15 going on 16. We can advise on the best time do start the process.
Should my child stay at their current school for sixth form?
Often this the right thing to do for your child but not always. It will very much depend on each person’s individual circumstances. We can advise on the decision making process. Please do get in touch.
What are the advantages of independent sixth forms?
These will vary from sixth form to sixth form. Private sixth forms often have the advantage of being able to offer obscure subjects that might not be available in other sixth forms. Like Ancient Greek for example, Russian, textiles, electronics or music technology.
Can you help us choose A-level subjects?
Yes, we will review school reports, meet your child, discuss pathways and help support with decisions about choice of subject.