Hi everyone, anyone.. :-)
Totally new to this but kind of desperate and I have found so much help on MM threads.
My son has been at a pretty small and really lovely International IB school with fantastic pastoral care since Yr 1- Now his dad (and him too) are keen to get him off to a boarding prep school. For a great number of reasons, I am finding this difficult.
Our son is bright, confident, sporty & quite outgoing (though sensitive still). His school is not particularly rigorous academically but caters for all abilities and till now, this has suited us because we consider the pastoral care, friendships, skill sets and values he has gained over the years to be tremendously important.
I see that he needs more & worry as mums do that it is right to give him the best we can and enable him to reach whatever potential he has. I also worry though that a prep school (a system which I admittedly know little of but hubby is a happy byproduct...) may be really prescriptive and hence somewhat restrictive, especially in comparison to the IB.
My son is so keen to go boarding though (yes, I'm questioning my mothering too Lol!!) and likes Port Regis where he has cousins. I dont want him to go but have no reason to do anything other than continue to support and encourage him as he needs therefore, trying to be open-minded about all this & try to seek the best fit for him and us as a family... So stressful!
I'd be deeply grateful to anyone who has patiently read all my jabber so far for recommendations for a school/s that is not crazy far from London, is broad and progressive in its approach to learning, embraces diversity & balance yet is strong on values(such as tolerance, respect)... a great environment that not only encourages but values their individuality...
Basically, a wishlist asking for very little huh?
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!