| In London, a number of private (independent) sixth form | | | | The biggest attraction for the private sixth forms in |
| colleges operate to provide an alternative to A Level | | | | London is the small class sizes. Instead of classes of |
| teaching at state-run sixth form colleges and schools. | | | | 20 or more, it is common to have classes of 4-8 |
| Generally the results speak for themselves: the | | | | students for most A Level subjects. For the less |
| average points score at the top private sixth form | | | | common A Levels, groups of 1-3 are also possible! |
| colleges in London is often high, and many feature in | | | | Smaller class sizes allow the teachers to focus on |
| the top 10 results for the borough that they operate in. | | | | each student more. It is also extremely hard for |
| Having said that, there are of course many outstanding | | | | students to hide, or get lost in the pack, when there |
| state colleges, so private colleges in London are not | | | | are so few students in the classes. |
| the only option. | | | | Smaller Communities |
| The following are the common benefits reported by | | | | The independent A Level Colleges in London typically |
| parents and students at the top private sixth forms in | | | | have between 50 and 200 students, which is |
| London. | | | | significantly less than the large state colleges, which |
| Change of Scenery | | | | can have thousands of students. Some students will |
| A new environment can help to challenge the student | | | | prefer this smaller community, in which they may feel |
| to improve their effort and concentration in class, and | | | | less pressured and enjoy the informality of the |
| to break poor work habits that were formed at a | | | | relationships with teachers and staff at the colleges. |
| young age at school. Often the fellow students at | | | | Of course there are other issues to consider before |
| independent sixth forms in London will have the desire | | | | making the choice. The cost of courses (generally |
| and motivation to work very hard to achieve excellent | | | | above GB Pounds 10,000 per year) can be prohibitive |
| A Level grades and entrance to top universities in the | | | | for some parents, travel times to the new sixth form |
| UK. | | | | college should be a concern, and taking the student |
| More Exam Focus | | | | from an environment with a number of friends into a |
| With teachers at private colleges having smaller | | | | new environment could cause a difficult transition. |
| classes and less "red tape" than their state | | | | However, the benefits generally far outweigh the |
| counterparts, more time can be spent on exam | | | | negatives, and private sixth form colleges can give |
| preparation, including revision, note-taking skills, and | | | | students the focused environment they need to do |
| practice examinations, which are a crucial aspect of A | | | | well in A Level examinations, and prepare them for |
| Level exam success. | | | | higher education. |
| Smaller Class Sizes | | | | |