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best school for dance, drama, art, textiles, academics and tri lingual girls

37 replies

shs69 · 24/02/2018 14:04

Hello mums,
we moved from abroad (excuse my poor Emglish!) to find a good school where our 2 daughters could find a well all rounded education.
We landed last minute at Millfield Prep 3 years ago (too long to explain why) and the girls discovered plenty of new activities.
They were perfectly tri-lingual; too advanced in French they were excluded from French lessons; they promised private tuition at the beginning but when we asked for them they said they don't have enough teachers to do it!! I did not expect such a behaviour from such a school. Very hard indeed to find a native French speaker in Somerset next to Glastonbury... this is why we trusted the school at the beginning when they offered it coming from the school.. and now we are stuck...
My daughter will go to the Senior next year so we got in contact with them but although reassuring and kind we feel they are not really prepared to give private tuition and we feel they are procrastinating...
So we are considering to move. In the meanwhile my eldest Daughter has proved to be academic and very gifted in dance, Art and Drama. She is not very sporty, she likes sport but she don't really like competing.
I am not English and I can only guess through websites and school visits, so I would like desperately to talk to someone that has had to make similar decisions about a similar range of subjects or to someone that can suggest the right school for my daughter.
We are deciding again last minute because we are not happy with many things and her being in y 8 we will find difficult to enter, I have just started ooking last week and phoned, although some schools have invited us for some visit after seeing her results in Academics, Art and Dance.
First question: when I was phoning in most of the high profile school they told me they had no places till 6th form but then when I sent my daughter's reports most of them were ready to offer y 10 entry. Will I have any chance with a gifted daughter to enter next September in y 9 after a visit to the school or is better not to insist?
We have found Whycombe Abbey, Cheltenam Ladies, Sevenoaks, Sherborne Girls, Roedean and I am looking forward to seeing Brighton College. Hurtwood House seems to be very nice but just for the 6th Form.
Any other school I should consider for entry y 9 in September 2018?
We want a top school that can take care of French for native speakers.
Some of this schools can offer only from y 10 but maybe id my daughter can obtain some scholarship from the previous school the other can reconsider her? I don't really know how UK private schools works on this matter...
Many thanks in advance if you can give me your advice.

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Mary21 · 27/02/2018 17:43

Another to look at is Bedes near Eastbourne. Coed and has Legat school of contemporary dance www.bedes.org/legat-school.aspx. Website says offer native speakers mil but you would need to double check

BubblesBuddy · 27/02/2018 17:10

There is a very strong Drama Dept at Queenswood School in Hertfordshire. Much closer to airports than Ely! Great dance too. Art dept wasn’t so strong but it’s improving. Strong on MFL. Alternatively Heathfield at Ascot is small and very arty. Textiles is strong. I would have a look at them and it’s handy for Heathrow.

Aethelthryth · 26/02/2018 14:40

King's Canterbury has lots of native French speakers and special provision for them, plus an arts focus with strong drama and dance, so you should have a look

shs69 · 26/02/2018 14:35

no, sorry WA does not have any open day till June, CLC I can visit in March.
My frst thoughts were for Sevenoaks but imposible to get My DD there for next year , apparently I have to wait sixt form! Any insights for the recent improvements at Roedean?

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shs69 · 26/02/2018 14:25

schoolconfusionbath
yes, I phoned but nomopen days till June! And it will be too late for us!

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HellsBellsnBucketsofBlood · 26/02/2018 12:52

I second King’s Ely.

shs69 · 26/02/2018 12:43

Thank you so much to all of you answering! I am currently learning about all the schools you suggested and reading the reports... a long work for the next few days! We certainly would like to be more close to international airports for France and Italy, not very happy with Bristol Airport stopping flights to Nice for 3 months in winter.
Researching I have also found Roedean that seems to be excellent for Art, dance, drama, music, academics and also has a farm! Anyone having some insight for this school? many thanks again!

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Osquito · 25/02/2018 16:17

This site’s writers do a lot of school reviews in that region... maybe email in your question, they might be nice enough to help!
somerset.muddystilettos.co.uk

Allthebestnamesareused · 25/02/2018 16:04

King's Ely- within an hour of Stanstead. One of the MFL teachers is actually French. Very strong in art, drama and textiles

Needmoresleep · 25/02/2018 13:39

I looked it up, and native French speakers can also take the bilingual IB at Sevenoaks. A lot of other languages are offered/supported.

I think it is unfair to say schools are not good at supporting languages. It probably depends on demand. DD had over 20 French bilinguals in her year at a London day school so there was scope to do more. And as I said Sevenoaks (or Westminster School sixth form) seemed to be the school of choice for those who were wanting an alternative to the Lycee CDG.

Dancergirl · 25/02/2018 12:40

Have a look at Abbots Bromley School.

MrsSchadenfreude · 25/02/2018 12:29

Good IB results too - two students got 45 points last year. Only around 200 students worldwide achieve this.

MrsSchadenfreude · 25/02/2018 12:28

ACS International School in Cobham. Does IB and has a native speakers’ French class (my daughter was in it) and you can do the bilingual IB diploma. Excellent for theatre and art, and fabulous sports facilities.

Schoolconfusionbath · 25/02/2018 12:23

Give up top set!

Schoolconfusionbath · 25/02/2018 12:23

Sorry too set

Schoolconfusionbath · 25/02/2018 12:23

CLC ( when I was there moons ago) had too set French almost entirely native French speakers and would fit your bill too. Why don't you go & have a look.

Dancingdreamer · 25/02/2018 10:16

What about Wellington College? Strong academics, good dance and drama and close to London for airports. I have no idea about French but given its location I can’t imagine any problems getting a French tutor.

nocampinghere · 25/02/2018 09:51

I know many girls who are native speakers / bi/tri lingual.
They go to language classes out of school, taking GCSE typically in yr9. Then take an additional new language in school with their year group.

TonTonMacoute · 25/02/2018 09:27

Two more for you to consider Bryanston, which is strong on drama and music, and Canford. I would also recommend the GSG schools finding service.

Unfortunately British schools are just not that hot on languages, even the most expensive ones! However, some of them have native speaking teachers in the department.

MrsSnitch · 25/02/2018 08:36

Frensham Heights and Bedales —wish MN had an edit button—

MrsSnitch · 25/02/2018 08:35

Crenshaw Heights and Bedakes both strong in the arts, both quite alternative though so you need to visit and research to see if you like the vibe

Goujonsarefingerslostmylogin · 24/02/2018 19:36

Brighton College sounds perfect for your dd tbh, my ds is also very into drama and art, loves to dance but not naturally gifted and he is most likely going to go there at 11+. The open days's are extraordinary and really demonstrate the drama and dance at BC. Personally think there are better schools for art (Alleyn's in London amazing at art and drama, not sure about dance) but BC have a decent department.

Needmoresleep · 24/02/2018 19:13

Wycombe probably suits the bright and confident. Quietly confident is fine. A brilliant school for the right child, but it needs to feel right.

Needmoresleep · 24/02/2018 19:11

Sevenoaks? Academic and popular with the London French. They deliberately aim to recruit a mix of nationalities, especially for sixth form.

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 24/02/2018 18:30

I would have thought only the Lycees will really be able to stretch a native French speaker.

Can you not stay at Millfield as it is close to home and employ a tutor for French, if it is mainly the French that is the problem?

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