Sporty sixth forms?

[moshmoshi]

Y10 DD is very sporty and fairly talented-county nearly regional level swimmer and just county standard runner. We are in Hampshire so county standards are high. She enjoys other sports as well

She is currently thinking about sixth form and really wants to go somewhere which will support and develop her sporting abilities. I can't imagine that she will be able to get beyond county/regional standard but she just wants to be as good as she can possibly be and keep competing. She is also happy to board if it is the right place for her.

Currently she is at a very average state secondary and is in line to achieve 6-8s in her GCSEs next year so bright enough but not super academic- she has to work to do well. Personality wise she is very driven and ambitious for herself, confident, resilient and makes friends easily.

So far we have browsed the websites of: Peter Symonds, Havant College (she would probably train at a local club if she went to these), Hartpury (not sure how well it supports swimming and athletics) Millfield, Mount Kelly, Canford and Sherborne Girls. Does anyone have any opinions or ideas about better options?

We would need a generous bursary if she was to board. We have other DCs, a big mortgage and our family income is about £62k. I was also wondering if anyone knew how generous bursaries could be in our sort of financial situation- we could afford some but not the £30k+ these places cost.

[sleepismysuperpower1]

have a look at farnborough college. they have lots of sports teams which, from what i understand, compete at a high level (teams including cross country and swimming)

[moshmoshi]

Thanks, Farnborough looks good, definitely one to look into.

[Fredericacaca]

Most people competing in the teams at Symonds are of a similar standard to your DD. My DD plays her sport competitively 3 or 4 times each week, didn't make the Sumonds team, but has gained ed coaching qualifications and runs a recreational group at the college instead. She loves it (especially walking into the changing room full of the rugby team this week!)

The group that went to Symonds from my DD's school are all academic, but your DD's expected GCSE results are fairly usual for the college and she would easily be able to keep up (unless she wanted to do further maths where a 9 is standard). Go back for another look in a couple of weeks time.

[moshmoshi]

Thanks, that's good to hear your DD still liked it even though she didn't make the team. PS would be quite a commute but some local kids go so it must be manageable and train time could be used for homework/revision etc (possibly!)

[Fredericacaca]

She was in a development squad last year as all the first team members were regional/county level. The college is so big that it definitely draws in a high standard of sports people & you can play anything from lacrosse to American football. The sports team trials are on a day just after enrolment & you should be able to find out at the open evenings when they will be held.

Which subjects is she thinking about studying?

[Fredericacaca]

There are around 1900 in year 13 and 2400 in year 12. That gives the college a wide geographic spread. DD's friends range from Petersfield, Southsea, Andover & the New Forest. Hours are flexible to allow for the commute, with students coming & going as they please during the day. Some days start at 9am, others finish at 4.30. Each subject usually has 5 hours of lessons each week with the rest of the day self study.

[moshmoshi]

She isn’t sure , probably sciences as she is thinking of medicine or physiotherapy but no definite career or uni choices yet. Hopefully the careers advice at wherever she goes is good. How do you find the pastoral care?

[Fredericacaca]

She hasn't needed it fortunately, although the college regularly highlights their mental health awareness efforts, therapy dogs etc. They ha a petting zoo come in to help the students chill last term.

Symonds has a very hands off approach, only contacting parents if there are problems. I've found it's really prepared DD to make the step up to university as she hasn't been phased going to open days by herself or by the size of campuses. I have friends with DC at another large college in the area (not one you mentioned) and I was surprised at how involved the parents are, regularly tackling issues on behalf of their DC with their teachers such as coursework deadlines.

[moshmoshi]

It does look like a good bridge between school and university which is why it is appealing to DD (and m. The hands off approach is fine with me. DD is very independent, would be expecting her to manage things herself mostly by then tbh, but would also expect an approachable tutor/student welfare dept if she did need some support.

Is the other college Barton Peverill? That looks good too but no swimming- she could just continue to train with her home team. DD really likes the idea of weekly boarding at PS or another school but just can't see how we can afford that!

[sanityisamyth]

Millfield, Street, Somerset?

[moshmoshi]

Yes, that Millfield. Amazing facilities. Would she not be good enough do you think?

[sanityisamyth]

Talk to their admissions team. They'll let you know the requirements.

[moshmoshi]

Thanks, do you know the school? Any opinions?

[sanityisamyth]

Not really. I used to live in Somerset and I worked in schools that competed against them in matches/tournaments etc. It's brilliant for students with sporting talent.

[estherfrewen]

How about Ellesmere College? Shropshire so would be boarding but sporty and academic

[moshmoshi]

Yes it looks great, some negative points on old threads here but they are mostly 5+ years old now. I’ve emailed the admissions team to see if her swim standard would be high enough. Don’t want to go for open day if there’s no chance of getting in/ getting a bursary and scholarship. It’s difficult considering boarding if you and the people you know have no experience of the process at all!

We’re lucky to have really good sporty colleges like peter syminds within commutable distance, also can definitely afford that!

[moshmoshi]

Thanks, Ellesmere looks fantastic for swimming but the entry standards are just way too high at the moment. One to bear in mind if DD gets super quick over the next couple of years!

[moshmoshi]

I contacted Millfield, standards there almost as high as Ellesmere so think sports scholarships out of reach for DD! Might be worth an open day visit though just to see what other possibilities there might be there.

Luckily the state sixth form colleges in Hampshire are really good and some are good for sport too so looks like we might be best staying local.

[Montysmam]

Have you looked at Wellington College?