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Private day schools in Hampshire with strong pastoral care?

17 replies

diplodocus · 22/06/2015 18:37

My DD is in a small state primary, and has had a number of problems with social skills and concentration. It's not enough to be considered a real "problem" by the school but is making her unhappy and she is not reaching her potential. We are working with the school and accessing outside support to try and help her - it's very much looking for strategies to help her at this stage rather than a "diagnosis" as her problems aren't severe enough at the moment to suggest that would be either likely or helpful. I'm beginning to have some concerns that our catchment school may not be right for her, and we may well not get into the one I think would work better. I have rather reluctantly decided we need to a least look at private schools as a "plan B". The area would be Basingstoke, Andover, Winchester, and possibly down to Southampton / Romsey although prepared to at least consider other areas (e.g. Alton / Petersfield). In terms of the type of school an academic hothouse certainly wouldn't suit her, but she's bright enough (3As / 4Cs at the end of year 4) so we would like her to go somewhere that can help her reach her potential - I know very little about private schools so have no idea if that would mean going for a school that is some way selective (though obviously not the highly selective ones)? We would want good pastoral care and a very supportive environment. I would want a medium sized school ideally with a reasonably large pool of other girls for making friends. Girls only or co-ed, and ideally no boarding as I think that could be quite divisive and create more friendship issues. We'd also want something very down-to-earth.
Does anyone have any ideas of what might suit us?
Many thanks

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TeenAndTween · 22/06/2015 19:40

Hampshire Collegiate School near Romsey might fit your bill.
It is an all through co-ed day school, not an academic hothouse.
Lovely grounds.
Can't comment on pastoral care or other issues.

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diplodocus · 22/06/2015 19:45

Thanks - I wondered about that one. Will give it some more thought. However, think it has some boarding?

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TeenAndTween · 22/06/2015 19:54

Just checked on their site - yes they do have boarders - I never knew that!
Check what proportion it is. I think it would only be divisive if a large % board, if only a few would be OK.

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diplodocus · 22/06/2015 20:49

Thanks for the advice - will certainly look into it

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AuntyHisthamine · 22/06/2015 21:52

Not from personal experience, but friends have been very happy with Rookwood near Andover.

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diplodocus · 22/06/2015 22:50

Thanks - that was another one I was thinking about looking more at, although again it has boarding (although maybe can't avoid this).

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summerends · 23/06/2015 06:37

diplo she is young enough to consider moving her to a nurturing prep school that would give her longer to mature and help with senior schools. Stroud prep school had such a reputation (although I don't know what it is like now) but is also is academic enough.

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Tottyandmarchpane1 · 23/06/2015 06:41

What about churchers college in petersfield? We are currently at the junior school in liphook but both junior and senior seem lovely - friendly, academic but not what I would consider a hot house.

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BrendaBlackhead · 23/06/2015 07:46

I second Hampshire Collegiate. I know quite a few dcs who are there/have gone there and they are all lovely (and not boarders!) and not at all poncey. And the results - given that the school is not at all selective - are very good.

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diplodocus · 23/06/2015 10:49

Thanks for the ideas. Totty - I thought Churcher's was quite academic and selective? Summer - we've wondered about moving her and it's something we're mulling over at the moment, but we're trying to weigh up the negatives (she'd find a move stressful) against potential positives. Will definitely go to hcs open morning I think.

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TinkerBellThree · 23/06/2015 14:00

I don't know anyone who boards at Hampshire Collegiate, and I know a lot of DCs who go there (more than 10). The proportion of boarders is very low, and it does not seem to create any "division" or difficulties with friendships. I know a few DCs who have gone there after suffering bullying at other schools.

Walhampton in the New Forest is another school where I know several people have moved to after suffering bullying elsewhere, or after having a tricky start and being disruptive elsewhere, but settling down in the nurturing environment at the new school. Walhampton also have borders, but again, a low proportion and it does not seem to create any form of divide from what I hear.
I would visit a handful to see what you think.
I hope that is helpful.

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diplodocus · 23/06/2015 16:16

Thanks Tinkerbell - very helpful. Walhampton a little too far from us though.

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TinkerBellThree · 24/06/2015 01:59

I know moving can be difficult, but it also can offer a fresh start where the nerves and insecurities quickly givea way to a better everyday school life.
Visit a few schools you like the sound of and see what you think.
Wish you all the best of luck! I am sure you will find the right solution for your DD.

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diplodocus · 24/06/2015 11:02

Thank you!

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cubok · 01/10/2015 16:08

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cubok · 02/10/2015 14:47

We have decided against Walhampton school as depute head master would not send his own children to the school so that did not give us confidence in a school and we did not believe that pastoral care was of a good standard

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TinkerBellThree · 10/10/2015 04:36

I am not sure I understand you Cubok? I believe all the HMs children go there?

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