Birkdale School; Sheffield

[didofido]

Does anyone have experience of this - or even gossip?

[KlickKlackknobsac]

very good and friendly i gather

[didofido]

Thanks, Klick. Anyone else?

[sugartongue]

Don't touch with a barge pole

[didofido]

sugartongue - may I know why, please? PM me if you'd rather not post publically, I'd be most grateful,

[sugartongue]

Academically there's nothing wrong with it - it gets good results. But in terms of personal development it produces young men who are arrogant with a sense of entitlement and with no respect for women. Of course there are nice lads who leave there, but I wouldn't take the risk with my sons. If you're in Sheffield itself, don't bother with private education or send them further afield, the options are not great

[didofido]

Thanks sugartongue, we are 15 mins from Sheffield but DH is anti boarding and our local comp is cr*p. Seems we're a bit stuck.

[edam]

ooh, this takes me back. So any opinions I have are irrelevant as my experience is more than 20 years old. But you've given me a moment of nostalgia... I went to Sheffield High and Birkdale boys were invited to our school disco (by the staff, not by us!). It was highly embarrassing - all the boys stood by one wall of the gym, all the girls by another. Eventually dancing happened but it was all rather awkward.

Two Birkdale boys came to our sixth form (don't think they had a sixth in those days) and seemed fine well-adjusted people. One was absolutely gorgeous and coped admirably with lots of girls obviously rather liking him. The other coped fine with lots of girls NOT admiring him!

[sugartongue]

In which direction? Is mount st Mary's anywhere near you? There is a dirth of private schools in south Yorkshire! You could look at Westbourne? No sixth form though

[edam]

Have a feeling I've heard good things about Westbourne (my Mum still lives near Sheffield).

[sugartongue]

I too have only heard good things about Westbourne

[KlickKlackknobsac]

The arrogance you describe is the result of private education not the school per se- although the two are inseparable I suppose. I believe Birkdale is better than Girls High as it has a very strong Christian ethos which reduces the arrogance. There are many who send their boys there for religious reasons and who struggle financially. So I think its good. Mount St Mary's- not sure - lots of boarders, great facilities, bit small and inbred.What about St Mary's Chesterfield- excellent non-arrogant school with fab results from a broad range of children from a broad range of backgrounds- Bakewell to Matlock to Alfreton to Dronfield and Eckington.

[edam]

Oi, klickklack! Maybe Sheffield High has changed enormously since I was there but it certainly did NOT breed arrogance and did have a strong Christian ethos, FWIW (although it's entirely possible to grow up without arrogance when you are not a Christian). There were some girls who had been privately educated since the start who were rather sheltered, but everyone I'm still in touch with have grown up into entirely normal people.

[VivaLeBeaver]

How about the private school in Retford - can't rememebr the name but a neighbour's child goes there and is happy. You can get a train direct from Sheffield to Retford.

[VivaLeBeaver]

This is the one I was thinking of, they do run school buses from certain towns so am sure they do a pick up from Retford centre/train station.

www.ranbyhouseschool.co.uk/default.htm

[didofido]

Thanks for all your suggestions, it's given me some ideas to research. Westbourne looks good but am a bit concerned at a change of schools at 13+ (we are already at an excellent prep) and again at 16+. Mount St Mary's is very near to us but I'm rather underwhelmed by what I know of it.. Ranby is the prep to Worksop, they are Woodard schools. I have worked for Woodard and Worksop is not the jewel in the crown. I don't know St.Mary's Chesterfield - that would be nearer still, so I'll look at it. I know I'm being a bit picky. DS is considered by his school to be scholarship potential, so we want somewhere where he can continue to achieve

[KlickKlackknobsac]

(although it's entirely possible to grow up without arrogance when you are not a Christian)
Fair point well made edam.
I have a friend with children at both Birkdale and Girls High at moment and she finds Birkdale much better than High School in terms of friendliness and approach.
dido- I would look into St Mary's Chesterfield- I really cannot fault it and I am also a teacher. Isn't another great school Repton?? (Independent).

[didofido]

Klick - have googled St Mary's and it looks pretty good, apart from being a bit nit-picky on uniform, haircuts etc. However, we would be low on their admissions list, not being RC and living 10 miles away, so would need a back up. Repton is just too far for a day pupil. Might have to hope DH changes his mind re boarding when DS is older.

[Hannah2305]

I am not a mum, but I saw this message and I couldn't not respond to it. I attended Westbourne as a student and it was terrible. I was not stretched academically, the teachers were horrendous and I was bullied to the point of needing counselling. The teachers did absolutely nothing to stop the bullying and even blamed me for it. Please do not send your children there.

[Dadto4munchkins]

Both Birkdale and the Girls High school are very good. As a parent at both my opinion is the Girls school is far more academic and that the girls are quite "jolly hockey sticks. Birkdale is not the same at all, the boys there are the rock stars of Sheffield, the girls at the three state schools around them view them as the ultimate prize. Most worryingly the fashion in school is for the boys try to compensate for their privilege by being more "street" and "road" than the state school boys so the drug epidemic in Broomhill is in and around school from year 10 upwards. No different to Westbourne, Silverdale, Notre Dame, King Edward VII, just a bit shocking when the rosy tinted specs come off.

[Sabz89]

Any opinions on Westbourne or Hill House from current parents? My little boy is due to start sep 2019 in reception and also have one starting nursery. Would appreciate any advice thanks