Advice on 6th Form Independant Colleges in Shropshire

[Dxb1]

We are an expat family and our twin girls will be returning to the UK for 6th form studies. Most probably boarding and preferably co-ed. They have never experienced the UK education system in the UK, but are following the English curriculum at their current school.

We are looking at the following schools:

1. Ellesmere College
   
2. Oswestry
   
3. Wrekin College
   

They have lead quite a sheltered life really I suppose and it is important that bullying, drugs etc is not an issue at the new school and that they are firstly happy and also challenged academically.

As you can imagine doing this from afar is so difficult and we are so desperate not to make the wrong decision for them. We have chosen Shropshire as we have family support nearby. All advice or first hand experience (good or bad) would be so very welcome.

Thank you...

[lonnika]

Where abouts in Shropshire is your support based. I ask because I know a small school with great sixth form which may be perfect for your girls. No issues re bullying etc

[Dxb1]

Hi there, they are in Telford.

[Cherriesandapples]

Oswestry is a nice school but not hugely academic. If you can afford it Moreton or Adcote would be better, they are girls schools though. Shrewsbury school admits girls in 6th form but I am not sure I would want sheltered girls going to an all boys school until 6th form. Concorde is a truly international school. Oswestry has quite a lot if pupils from abroad. Friends girls go to Moreton and love it!

[lonnika]

I have sent you a private message

[outtolunchagain]

I was thinking Moreton Hall as well , or possibly Malvern St James

[Dxb1]

It seems Moreton Hall gets good reports all round. It is just the all girls thing that they are worried about....

really appreciating everyone's comments and thoughts...

[ASorcererIsAWizardSquared]

if you're not bothered about boarding, then it really might be worth looking into the 6th form at Thomas Telford or Idsall, both have excellent A level results.

I dont really know much about Oswestry or Ellesmere, but Wrekin College is pretty much on my doorstep and i've never heard anything bad about it, and i know its GCSE, but it was just rated the 4th best College in the Telford Area in the results tables.

Moreton Hall in Oswestry got the top spot. Thomas Telford came second in the authority.

www.shropshirestar.com/news/2015/01/29/shropshire-secondary-schools-above-average-in-league-tables-but-telford-drops-below/

if you have a look, the rankings are in the last column :)

[canny1234]

Concord College obtained the best A level results in Shropshire.There are a large number of overseas students as pupils and its highly academic.It is a bit of a academic hothouse though.
Shrewsbury School is now fully mixed and is a good all-round school.It doesn't get the best results in Shropshire however and the Girls School - Shrewsbury High is doing much better in terms of exam results.Shrewsbury High is not mixed but it provides a very balanced education.
Wrekin College is not a selective private school unlike most independents.So their results are really pretty good and they have an excellent reputation.Ellesmere is meant to be very sporty.
We were returnee expats several years ago.We moved from an American International school to a UK state school as the private schools all seemed so stuffy,restrictive and old fashioned.We subsequently realised that we had to go private and my dd has been very happy in one of the schools we originally rejected.

[moops1]

Hi, I'm new here..putting in my two pennies worth! Hope thats ok.
I would highly recommend Oswestry School, having decided last year to move our two children to independent school we finally decided on Oswestry as much for the Academic side as for the friendliness and normality of the staff and pupils. I have two children one is at Bellan House the other in the Senior school, they have both come on exponentially in just a couple of terms.
Both of them have settled in so well and love the school, they have been extremely welcomed and well supported, making lovely friends from day one. The New head started at the same time and has already made some great additions with more in the pipeline, he is also very approachable for parents and students.
Our eldest was a shy and quiet character and came from a class of 32, however now is enjoying a class of 14 and has no qualms about putting a hand up or giving something new a try. Taking an English Speaking exam the other day as if it was just a normal day at school. Last September there would have been a major melt down at the thought of speaking aloud to a stranger, let alone in front of the class!
The facilities are great my senior school childs work has uncovered a hidden artistic streak, alongside a sudden drive to try and achieve a commendation wherever possible, something definitely never shown at his previous school!
I am surprised to read ‘its a nice school but not very academic’ . We feel that it is academic and the results seem to show it is definitely on parr with the likes of Wrekin and better than Ellesmere however I'm not really that up on the tables etc. The work set is challenging and the pupils are expected to try hard to achieve their best. They stand by their motto of ‘We learn not for school, but for life’, which we think is very important.
One of the other main reasons we choose the school was because of the very warm welcome we were given when we initially phoned for information from the admissions team, then again when we came to visit the school. The feel of the school when we were shown around was really lovely, we had a very polite and informative 6th form girl who had started weekly boarding in year 4 as our guide, and she couldn’t speak highly enough of life at the school.
Other than that I don't know much about the other schools, especially 6th form, but felt you may like info from a parent of one of the schools on your list.
Good luck in your search. Feel free to PM me if you want.

[EvilTwins]

Shrewsbury School has girls lower down the school now.

[lucinda1975]

There are several excellent alternatives in Shropshire, some are more academic than others. As you have two daughters, both Adcote and Moreton have excellent academic reputations locally but are single sex girls schools. Certainly worth a look!

[Magri65]

Moreton Hall and Adcote are good. You cannot go wrong with them.

Oswestry school is not very academic and many kids and parents have not been keen on the pastoral care, either, lately. They seemed to have rather been going heavily along the 'smoke-screen' path of marketing and spending on buildings, trips, and so on. I would think twice.

From what I heard about Shrewsbury, it is fine.