Want to come along and help me with my boarding school search?

[Yay4may]

Hello.....Year 6 DD is at small private prep and has just been through 11+ in London and we are awaiting results like the rest of the city :.). However, very late in the process, DD has developed a strong interest in boarding school. Neither DH or I are from this country but we both went to boarding school elsewhere had good experiences and so in theory support the idea. So because this came up late and also because we think 13 is a better entry point, we have said to our daughter let's focus on completing 11+ process for a day school in London and picking and getting excited about a good school for you for now and 'let's see' about 13+ boarding if you are still interested. Behind the scenes I know that we need to get on with it in terms of registrations and what not and so I need to get organised as there will be things to do from now to get offers for 13+ down the road.

I am starting for pretty much 0 though and so what I need help with is a list of schools to start researching and visiting this term. Here's the deal - she has a CAT of 127, her marks are As in math and science, B+ in everything else. She's textbook all rounder - plays violin, 2 or 3 sports, extracurricular in dance and gymnastics, is decent in all, not exceptional in any. Horse mad - would love somewhere with equestrian facilities (suspect this might be where boarding school thing is coming from!!). She's very visual - visual learner, very into photography, has developed penchant for checking out street graffiti on line, that sort of thing.

From our point of view, we want something modern/liberal, have really bristled at some day schools which feel like finishing schools. Would like somewhere that would continue to push her on STEM but feed her 'visual side'. My gut says all girls but might not want to rule out co-ed at this stage. My husband cares about a 'name' school I do not at all. We can afford boarding and would not require any bursaries. Would be willing to go up to 3 hrs outside of London.

This is my current list - what else should I be thinking of/looking at?

Heathfield
St Mary's Calne
Downe House
Cheltenham Ladies College
Marlborough
Wycombe Abbey - coming from husband, I think her grades are not good enough

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.....

[Notmynom]

Benenden? Easy from London and has riding.

[SapphireFire]

Stonar (Wiltshire)

St Swithuns (Winchester, access to riding but not on site. Very focused on academia though)

Bedales (very relaxed!)

Cranleigh

Dean Close (also Cheltenham but a v different vibe to CLC)

My two are boarders in the South East so any questions - please ask!!

[Iseethesilverlining]

Queenswood - holistic approach, single-sex, academic, sporty, musical - and a horse-mad headmistress who has done lots to encourage riding, including setting up a polo club! Lots of north London girls, mix of day, and full boarders.

[LIZS]

Woldingham, St Catherines Bramley, Roedean

[Cheetahssitonfajitas]

Bedales

[Dancingdreamer]

My DD was at Marlborough so if you have any questions please PM me. I think that they pretest at around 10/11 now so not sure if they are still taking applications. They are however expanding the number of girls. Whilst there were no on site equestrian facilities DCs kept their horses nearby and polo was a big sport at the school. It’s certainly a school that suits an all rounder with excellent music and drama as well as a huge range of sports on offer.

If you want a big name then I would also suggest adding Wellington to your list. It certainly has a good dance programme but I’m not sure about gymnastics or horses.

[sendsummer]

Consider two years in a country prep school for horse mad girls like Hanford or Sandroyd or Knighton House and take 13+ move decisions from there.

[SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun]

Bryanston? Good for equestrian and liberal but co Ed.

[Lara53]

For modern/ liberal I’d look at Frensham Heights, Bedales, Bryanston

Millfield, Milton Abbey

[Yay4may]

Thanks eveyone this gives me a great list to research. I appreciate all the suggestions and offers of PM.

I really wanted to like Queenswood as I think their offerings suit my daughter and I like how they have organised their flexi boarding. But when we visited it was just a bit depressing - the girls, the teachers, and the buildings. What's the non-depressing version of Queenswood? (sorry Queenswood, it's me not you!)

Bedales is probably too relaxed but I appreciate I said liberal. Maybe that's the wrong word - perhaps I mean progressive?

Whoever said Wellington, this is perfect, what I am looking for but didn't know about.

[Dancingdreamer]

I would add that if you want progressive, then Wellington would definitely tick that box.

[Mary19]

Was also going to suggest Wellington and Bryanston. Also maybe add Bedes to the list

[Mary19]

www.bedes.org/senior-school/sport/sports-clubs/riding.aspx

[Evalina]

Charterhouse, in Godalming will be taking girls into Year 7 with your DD's year being the first year group. There are lots of lovely commons to ride on nearby, but you'd have to check with the school if they offer riding.

Charterhouse is about 45 minutes out of London.

[Motorcyclemptiness]

Millfield and Stowe have impressive equestrian centres on site.

[EpicDay]

Canford?

[BubblesBuddy]

My two went to Queenswood. I cannot think of anything that was depressing about it! The girls are quite lively! I don’t expect teachers to be wow! Competent and good at teaching is the important thing! There are new sports facilities and refurbished boarding so I cannot really think what is depressing about it. The girls make friends for life and are very supportive of each other. Other schools might feel the same!

DD2 went to Heathfield for 6th form. It’s small so they know everyone but it’s quite traditional in many ways. Moreso than Q. The food wasn’t as good either!

[tenbob]

Millfield ticks all your boxes

[Banya400]

Wellington, is good for variety and very modern. Lots of kids from London. Full boarding but kids can go home on Saturday night to Sun eve if they want and most do.

[Namenic]

Downe House had lots of drama stuff and good sports teams. Had a good time there.

[Zodlebud]

Roedean needs to be on your list if you like Queenswood. Very similar offering.

I also echo the comments Bubbles makes about Queenswood. That’s not my experience of the school and we’ve done three visits!!

[DonaldTwain]

Calne combines artiness, academics and horseiness. I really like it, it has a very unique feel. The girls seem focussed but relaxed.
Also considering CLC which could be a good bet for your dd who seems to have, like mine, a bent towards maths and science.

[crumpet]

Marlston House prep have Equestrian facilities and I know people whose dds have been very happy there

[NellyBarney]

Stowe might be a really good fit. Great equestrian centre, great music, good for alrounders. There are riders at Downe House, but they live locally so have their own horses to compete. Downe House and Wycombe Abbey do run a polo club though with rented horses. Most senior/prep schools have equestrian teams but parents need to chauffeur the dc own horse to school/meetings so that dc can compete, but i think Stowe is one of the few reasonably academic schools were dc can rent a school horse for competitions or stable their own for the whole term. Stonar and Millfield are alternatives, but less academic.
Can your daughter stay on at her present school till 13? It might be better to switch to a prep that goes until 13 and ask head for help in choosing the right school. There should be lots of places at 11 after many have left to senior schools. Marlston House, pretty much the main feeder for Downe House and just down the track( last year almost all the girls left for Downe House) indeed has very decent stables and equestrian facilities. Will send to all schools on your list.

[BubblesBuddy]

I’m not sure that going to Millfield from a small London prep is the best idea. It’s a private “comprehensive” in intake and it’s very big. I would look for one of the smaller schools that are more personal.