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Original poster

6th Form boarding school for Italian academic girl

104 replies

Italianmama67 · 09/11/2014 21:24

Hello everyone!
My DD (15 in Dec) would like to study in England for her 6th Form, from Sept. 2016. She's very academic (always very top grades in all subjects), sporty (for pleasure), she likes music (she plays the guitar and sings in a rock band) and art. Active and enthousiastic. She can speak English very fluently, maybe needs to improve the written language.

I hope you can give us some good advice. Already read many threads about this topic, but I'm really confused. She comes from the Italian school system which differs from yours... more subjects, traditional way of teaching and studying and different syllabuses.

We're looking for

  • a really full boarding co-ed school
  • an academic school, but not too rigid, where she can learn and flourish
  • a place with a limited number of EAL (she really WANTS to learn English as a native speaker!!!)
  • a place where she can enjoy music and sport for pleasure (for everyone, not only for the excellence)
  • don't know wether IB or A-Ls, maybe IB
  • with good transport links (she would come home for holidays, mid terms...)
  • excellent pastoral care

I really thank you for all the info. you'll give us!

OP posts:
hardestdecisionever · 10/11/2014 10:34

Another vote for Sevenoaks school here. They are an IB school and always get top results. Very well thought of school and good transport links.

Needmoresleep · 10/11/2014 09:55

If she is really strong academically I would take a look at Westminster. The sixth form intake is from all over, so there are plenty who stay through non-Exeat weekends, and there does not seem to be a social division between day pupils and boarders. Not Mallory Towers experience, but great academics, superb music and improving sport. Entry is by exam and seriously competitive, but it you get through, it is a unique place.

I would second Sevenoaks. Other than that I might start with the league tables and eliminate boarding schools which are not co-ed, convenient for an airport, mainly day or weekly boarding etc. This should give you a reasonable long list. This might include Charterhouse which I hear is great fun, Kings Canterbury, Rugby, Oundle, Bradfield, Malborough, Leys etc. Bedales seems quite Marmite. We have known a few DC who have gone there and who enjoy it. However most might have been described as "cool" even before they went there.

pinkfrocks · 10/11/2014 08:57

If she is musical then have you thought about somewhere like Bedales? (I know I am doing what I've said people shouldn't- giving an opinion!)

I'd say almost ALL good boarding schools fit the list of requirements you list. If you want to be near an airport then that's a consideration so maybe home in on that? You could look at schools in Cambridge - eg The Leys - that are near Stansted airport, or if want the south east then think about areas like Sevenoaks ( school of the same name and they do the IBac) - I'd recommend you access the Good Schools Guide- either the book or subscribe online to it.

pinkfrocks · 10/11/2014 08:51

If you ask on a forum you will get some very emotional responses that are just opinions.
Have you thought about contacting a company such as Gabbitas who specialise in advising parents on exactly this- or reading/ using the Good Schools Guide ?