Frensham Heights,Shiplake or Seaford?

[Buzz2019]

Hello, I'm a single parent and due to my work my son has to weekly board. He's in year 8 and I have to decide soon on the next step. He loves Drama but also sport and DT, he's not very academic. I'm torn between Shiplake/Seaford more traditional school or Frensham Heights a little more liberal. Could anyone advice on their personal experience of the schools please? Do pupils at Frensham go on to their chosen University's? Thanks

[Fifthtimelucky]

I don't have personal experience of any of them but know a number of people with children at Frensham, all of whom are very happy with it (but still there, so I don't know about where they go afterwards). I also know of one family who sent their children to Seaford and again were very happy with it.

[Buzz2019]

Thank you, good to hear of positive experiences.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Haven't any experience of other 2 but DSS went to Shiplake and your DS sounds like a good fit. DSS loved it there and has just finished first year at an RG uni.

DSS also had a stammer and drama really helped with that. Lots of opportunities at Shiplake for all rounders.

[Logans]

Does your son have any special needs of are you looking purely for a non selective / minimally selective boarding school in the south east?

[Buzz2019]

My son had a education psychology test and he has slow cognitive process so they advise giving him 25% longer for exams , other than that he's has no special needs. Yes just looking for a great boarding school where he will be happy and not a hothouse. His school now are very much geared to the Eton/ Harrow set and I'm not being given much guidance for my DS as he is not in the category. Thanks

[Buzz2019]

Thanks Allthebestnamesareused good to hear positive feedback about Shiplake and the your DSS was happy there . That's most important to me is my sons happiness, then learning becomes a positive experience.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Buzz - interesting you say about the processing issue DSS has dyslexia and also qualified for 25% extra time. Shiplake were very supportive of his needs in this respect and he ended up needing green papers too rather than white.

[Logans]

Interesting to hear.

From your description he sounds pretty OK academically (you say he is at an Eton / Harrow type Prep, even if he is at the bottom of the class this is still probably a pretty good standard. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this though?)

His SEN sound fairly mild to me?? A lot of DC have processing issues and need 25% extra time.

Given the above, I wonder if Seaford & Shiplake are more SEN focused than he needs? I should add that I've heard excellent things about both schools, however I just wonder if you could broaden your search a bit??

[Logans]

Would you consider Bedes School in Sussex? SEN friendly, almost non selective entry, very big on Dance & Drama, good selection of sports. offers both A Level & BTEC. Quite a rich school with a bias towards arty / media parents (apparently). Also a bit unconventional but not massively so.

[moid33]

Hi - my eldest went from Frensham to Godalming College. For him it was brilliant, he is an unconvential, bright kid. He made some strong friendships and did pretty well in his GCSE's.

My youngest, also at Frensham, is more straightforward. Quite sporty. She is less academic but increasingly becoming more interested in learning. Which is what you want as they approach GCSE's.

I have experienced state and private school teachers and would say that the FH teachers are of a good standard, with a few inspirational teachers. It is well run and I like the holistic ethos. Anyway we love it.

[Ojoj1974]

Thanks for this post. I do t have any experience but I have son who sounds like yours!
We are also considering Monkton Coombe