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Secondary education

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Original poster

Dean Close or The Downs feeding into Malvern College. Any experience, current parents or knowledge of these schools would be a great help.

27 replies

Wifepot · 11/05/2014 08:51

Hi
We are a military family who are considering boarding schools for our boys. The first child will start either Yr5 or Yr 6 depending on when our next posting moves us on.
Both myself and husband had happy experiences of boarding school so we are pro the experience it offers.
After nearly two years of very considered list making, visits, research etc we have whittled it down to Dean Close and Malvern College (with them starting at the associated prep The Downs).
I realise they are very different schools. I think the boys would be happy in either and thrive after what has been a Shakey start to education due to constant moves. Insider knowledge would really help.
Background to our requirements
Location - both right for us
Good number of wkend boarders.
Some experience of forces families.
Good pastoral care
Sport (athletics, swimming, rugby, tennis their current favourites)
Academically right - they are both SEN due to 'delayed learning from lack of being taught' (that's a whole other conversation! However they are bright and catching up quick.)
A prep that feeds to the snr school, the eldest has had enough of moving and wants a 'forever school'
I have read every thread on here for both schools and you all have offered great advice already. However I wondered if there was knowledge of both and an opinion on what might suit a particular child.
Thanks

OP posts:
goinggetstough · 11/05/2014 09:19

As an overseas/ military parent myself I would choose Dean Close prep over The Downs. After checking the ISC website it lists the Downs as having only 30 boarders and that some of them are weekly boarders. IMO that is not enough although I expect that the full boarders are towards the upper end of the school. Do ask exactly how many boys in your DSs year group are in each weekend. Do make them answer the question with exact numbers as schools often try to avoid that question with statistics. I also think at prep school it is important to have Saturday school as it keeps them busy. Lessons in the morning, sport in the afternoon and then a slightly quieter day on Sunday with some trips. If trips etc happen on Saturday and Sunday it can become quite expensive.
You mention that your eldest DS doesn't want to move again as he has had enough of moving etc. I can understand that as mine had had 5 schools when they finally boarded at age 8. However, if your DSs were to start in year 5 they would have 4 years at prep school. Plus you said that they have had a shakey educational start so in fours years time after continuity in one school they might have different requirements for senior school.
We have friends with DCs in both Malvern and Dean Close senior schools and they are very pleased with them. Pastoral care is very good and great sport too

happygardening · 11/05/2014 09:10

Are you looking for full boarding? I met a mum fairly recently in a shop whose DS was at Malvern they were very happy with it but she did tell me it's primarily a weekly boarding.
We have friends who are a military family their DS's go to a very well regarded boarding school in the south east there only disappointment is again it's primarily a weekly boarding school. Their DS's are often often ones of only a tiny number not going home on Saturday.
Dean Close I suspect will be the same.
Proper full boarding schools are few and far between.