State boarding schools

[ronch]

Hi everyone, I am new to Mumsnet. ;)

We are a family working in Germany. Our DS is currently in year 4 in a public school. We are thinking of sending him to the State Boarding Schools when he is in year 7. We are kind of struggling with the German education system at the moment. For example, they will "judge" the kids at the end of the year 4 and decide what "kind" of school they are going to. And the standards are VERY high, which gives a very hard time even for local German's family. (for example, my DS got 89% for his Maths but they gave him a "B" for it.)
To be honest, we are a bit sick of the German's system and really considering alternatives.(since both I and my DH do not speak really good German).
For one would be to sent him to the SBS. (my DH was in a Independent boarding school before so I guess my DS is looking up to it as well).
The problem is, he is speaking 3 languages at the moment (German in School and friends, English and Chinese with us), so we are really worried that whether he will have any chance to go to any of the SBS. (we really like Hockerill due to its overseas background)
Anybody can share some thoughts? Would they consider different circumstances?

Thanks a million.
ronch

[oshgosh]

Not sure what your problem is, why do you think that you may not have a chance? The SBS all have their own admissions code. Ours is a simple (a) do you have a UK or EU passport and (b) would DS suit boarding. We are comprehensive so there is no academic requirement. Most lads are English but there are various other nationalities including HK Chinese.
I know that it is looking very far into the future but Hockerill do IB insted of A Levels - does that make any difference to you.
Do you have family or friends in the UK who can do the guardian thing - it might be an idea to find a school reasonably close to them if you can.
The important thing is to chose a school that is mainly boarding so that DS is part of the majority.

[ronch]

@Oshgosh, thanks so much for answering! I was start thinking nobody would reply ;)

1. Yes, all of us have UK passports.
   
2. I hope our DS is suiting in boarding. We have various talks with various discussion as a whole family. DS seems to be happy and ok with it. He knows the "bad" school in Germany, means that there is actually no future at all. As soon as they see your CV which has the "bad" school. (Hauptschule), them it will automatically be rejected. (sad but true)
   
3. My family is actually in London, so finding a guardian would not be a problem.
   
   Regarding the IB, I am not 100% sure about it. Would there be a chance to switch to A-level afterward? I guess I will do some research on it.
   Again, thanks for the reply!
   
   Cheers
   Ronch

[Alimanda]

www.sbsa.org.uk

There are approx 38 schools in the country offering good education at a low price (you only pay for boarding).

If you need full boarding there are a couple of schools that will offer that too (busy on weekends - everyone stays).

[viktoria]

No advice for you here - but I feel for you.
Whenever I despair of the English school system, I think "at least it's better than the German system". The German system would suit my daughter perfectly, but my son would most likely be at the Hauptschule - and as you say, it just isn't seen as a reasonable choice anymore.
Best of luck!

[odeliaho]

If your family is settled in Germany and DS is looking for SBS in the UK, other then Hockerill, you may consider Adams' Grammar School, Cranbrook School, St George's VA School, Sir Roger Manwood's School. If your DS is smart in academic, you may also try Reading School and The Royal Grammar School. However, most of the above schools are need to take entrance test. As I'm also looking for SBS for my DS in the near future, I've studied the above mentioned schools' website and targeted to make admission.

[goinggetstough]

We have friends at Cranbrook and they are very pleased with it. Do check that (as you are an overseas parent) about the numbers that are in at weekends. Many SBS don't have Saturday morning school so I believe many/most go home on a Friday evening. It can make a long weekend if there are only a few staying in. I believe some SBS have more full boarders than others, so it would be worth asking.

[odeliaho]

Yes, all the schools I mentioned above are fully boarding. Except Reading School, which is weeking boarding.

[ronch]

Thanks all for the answers!! We will keep our finger cross!!