Non-Hothouse-y Girls' Boarding Schools

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

Since my own alma mater has now died a sad death, where should I be looking at for my daughters?

[100lilgreen]

What about Queenswood? lovely school

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

Thanks, I'll take a closer look at that one. I'm looking for somewhere where a quieter girl could thrive.

[sue52]

How about Kent College in Pembury.

[100lilgreen]

Yes queenswood is fantastic. not a hothouse but still prodduce good results and lovely girls. in a beautiful setting.

[PotteringAlong]

Malvern St James well worth a look!

[FrottageCod]

What is a hot house?

[FrottageCod]

Any particular area OP?

[100lilgreen]

Another good one is Rodean. Although very famous and may sound like a hothouse, they love to produce individuals and really is not as scary as it sounds! Also a great one is St Georges in Ascot - fantastic. And Benenden

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

Thanks, this is very useful.

Hothouse = A very intense competitive environment with a strong focus on being seen to achieve.

As for area, my main criterion currently is 'not too far north.' Although, that said, we're very keen on Westonbirt.

I've heard that Roedean has gone out of fashion with British parents over recent years and has now become very international, which is not considered a good sign. That's purely anecdotal though. I should probably give it more consideration.

[100lilgreen]

Westonbirt does sound lovely, no personal info on though. i know one shouldnt go by league tables, but it is quite low down. Rodean is in a beautiful setting, might be true that it is favourable with lots of foreign girls. What about Sherborne Girls School or St Mary's Calne even though that is quite academic. Badminton is excellent too. Def one to go for is Queenswood in my opinion and take a look at St Georges

[Milliways]

I have only ever heard great things of Leighton Park - and a MNer has recently moved her DD there from a Hothouse, and she is loving it.

It is co-ed though - does that matter?

[Punkatheart]

Can second Leighton Park. My daughter's hair was dropping out at her previous school, which was an all girl's hothouse hellhole, to be honest! She is so happy and calm at Leighton, but also wants to achieve without being bullied into it....

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

Thanks. I'm so glad you've found a good fit for your DD Punkatheart. That's always lovely to hear. Was her previous school also boarding?

We're currently debating the co-ed issue. I'd always imagined our dds would go to girls' schools but should perhaps revise that view as it seems like co-ed is the way of the future.

[Colleger]

I would recommend Dean Close as a co-ed choice. Only around 460+ pupils and the pastoral care is second to none. It is a very caring, kind school and will draw out potential. Well worth reading the GSG report.

[Milliways]

If you want all girls - Luckley Oakfield in Wokingham always gets good reviews, although I don't know anyone with a connection at the moment (I knew the old Headmaster).

[stealthsquiggle]

Leighton Park is a Quaker school. This means (and my DB was there, granted a long time ago (we are not quakers, FWIW)) that they take deadly seriously their committment to every child as an individual - they do have some outstanding academic successes, but appeared (repeat, this is a long time ago) to be very good at valuing everyone for their own unique worth.

Bizarrely, my DM taught at Luckley Oakfield - but that was even longer ago, so really really not qualified to comment.

[MrsTwat]

How about www.tudorhallschool.com/page/default.asp?title=Welcome&pid=1 in Oxfordshire.

[100lilgreen]

Why not consider Woldingham - lovely. For co-ed try St Edward's, Oundle, so many to choose from!

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

Thanks, we've also been keen on Tudor Hall for a while. We're not religious in any way so not sure how a Quaker school would work out.

[Caoimhe]

Quaker schools tend not to be religious, per se. Woldingham is very definitely Catholic so not likely to be your thing.

[Punkatheart]

The Quaker element is not 'religious' in the sense that you probably consider. There is a collect service which means silence for a period of time. No preaching, no rites. Amazing to see a huge hall of teenagers just thinking, but it works beautifully to make a calm and happy atmosphere. That really is the ethos - there is very little talk about God. Some Quakers, like me, don't even believe in God! It is a welcoming and open society - that's why it is called a Society of Friends, rather than a religion.

Where the Quaker element comes in is very important: they value fairness, kindness and as someone said earlier, respect every child as an individual rather than a exam-passing number on a page. Lots of extracurricular actiivities and my daughter can stay there until 9 every evening. She does prep, sees her friends and can join clubs.

I think it's worth a look. Grounds of lovely and they have a new young Headmaster with enormous vision and intellect.

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

Mayfield? It is essentially Catholic but has plenty of non-denoms too. I have nieces there, who are delightful girls, achieving well and are very happy. Although one of my DDs chose a "hot house" for herself instead!

[100lilgreen]

Tudor Hall sounds great! Heard lovely things about it.

[saidthespiderwithahorridsmile]

Queenswood is a hellhole

Or at least it was when I worked there ten years ago

please don't send your dd to those people

[100lilgreen]

Queenswood is great in my opinion, my sisters went there, always wished I did. My niece is starting next year!