Academc Boarding School for Girl in South West

[pootlepootle]

Hi

I have a academic 11 year old who would like to try out for scholarships for schools with strong sciences.

I didn't know she was going to be really academic and has shocked the lot of us. there's something to be said for her to be at the top of her year in a non selective school or lower down (I'd imagine) in an academically selective school.

We live in the south west and would like her to be able to come home at weekends as many times as she'd like.

however -- i looks like i'm late to this so i need to get my skates on.

i think i'd prefer mixed sex but i'm not too fussed.

Could you suggest some places for me?

i've come up with Dauntseys, St Mary's Calne, and am wondering at Royal High School Bath as we're very rural and think that might be fun for her as she gets older but not sure it's as academic as the other two.

if she stays where she is it's really not the end of the world but want to give her the opportunity if it's available.

Thanks for any recommendations

[jo164]

Maybe Badminton in Bristol - very academic but girls only.

[goinggetstough]

You mention you would like her to come home as much as she likes.... Dauntseys and St Mary's Calne both have Saturday school and matches on Saturday afternoons which depending on where you live might make it difficult.
The Royal High School in Bath does IB as well so can skew the A level results.
Have you considered Canford?
I think most of the schools have already held their scholarship exams. Have you considered 13+entry..

[TriggersBroom]

DD is in Yr 8 at the Royal High (day girl) and is very academic (got a scholarship but unfortunately that didn't seem to translate into reduced fees or anything). She is loving it there and making fantastic progress. very pleased with it so far.

Some of her friends are boarders and they seem to have a good time - lots of weekend trips etc. They also do some "flexi" boarding afaik.

[pootlepootle]

Sorry, should have said looking at 13+ entry but i'm still late.

[TriggersBroom]

Although the boarders sometimes complain about having too many leftovers.

[cowsaremyfavourite]

Bryanston? Slightly less academic if you look at their results but when we looked at it five yrs ago they had a beautiful new science dept.
Oundle (i know its outside of your area but it is supposed to be very strong for science).

[MadamFolly]

Millfield?

[pootlepootle]

she would literally kill me if i suggested Millfield. Her sporting ability is not even adequate where she is now!

i think i'm on a hiding to nothing though. this is her idea rather than mine but not sure she knows what it means as she's at a school which doesn't teach them for the common entrance.

She says she's happy to do the past papers etc and get herself ready but will that be enough for them to see her true potential? my knowledge of hte common entrance exam is slim to nil but it appears to be fairly standard maths, english, comprehension and science. Am I right or is there lots of reasoning tests too?

[yotty]

Canford is strong on science and sciences are popular.
I think most schools accommodate children who are not at schools that prepare them for common entrance. I would just give a few schools a ring and speak to the registrar. If you say she is bright and keen on science they will probably suggest you come and have a look and bring her with you so you can all check each other out. I know someone who is at a quite selective, well known public school who only applied the week after the common entrance results came out. Although, he attended a prep school he had not sat the CE as he was going to go to the local grammar until he changed his mind. Therefore, I would say it is never too late. You may not get a place at your first choice school but there will be a school that will take her, even at a late stage in the proceedings.

[crazymum53]

In Bristol both Badminton and Red Maids are girls boarding/day schools with good academic reputations. They may be worth a look too !

[Geranium3]

Might be too far west for you but truro high school for girls in cornwall, lovely friendly school with fantastic academic results, brand new boarding house, very caring atmosphere

[awinawin]

Leweston very strong on sciences although small and Catholic, or Sherborne Girls (not so sciencey).

[mousehole]

Not Sherborne - Esp not if need sciences - ds boarding at dauntseys - fab -academic and loads & loads of other ex curricular stuff - drama amazing - some v good scholarships too. But think you are too late - these were January..

[expatgal]

Mousehole why not Sherborne - we considered the school but the distance was too far for us as our family are up north.

[boomting]

crazymum53 - Red Maid's isn't boarding. Badminton is a good school, but (dare I say it) rather reliant on international students (Chinese and Russian, mainly) to make up numbers.

[crazymum53]

boomting my dd is in Y7 and one of her friends says that she is now "boarding" at Redmaids. I am wondering now if this is the truth.

[jo164]

Crazymum53 - Redmaids is only a day school, unless they have started taking boarders again (stopped in 2003) - and failed to make any mention of this on their website.

[goinggetstough]

Just checked Red Maids website and there is no mention of boarding. They did used to have boarding but it would appear to have stopped now.
You mentioned OP that your DD would have a fit if you mentioned Millfield as she is not sporty.... My DC is just leaving Millfield after 5 years and they are not sporty at all. Traditionally of course the school was all about sport and it still has a strong sports ethos for those that want it. It does though also have a strong art and drama department so is possibly worth a look?

[crazymum53]

I did think my dds friend was a boarder at this school and hence my recommendation. Looks as if this cannot be the case - either she is not boarding or is at another school.