6th form-Brighton/Epsom/Wellington

My DS joined Welly last year for sixth form. Selection was a personal statement which he wrote himself, tests in 4 subjects (A level choices + maths) a rugby trial (for scholarship which he did not get) and an interview. Current head James Dahl was head of admissions at the time and is a Brilliant headmaster. It hasn't been all plain sailing DS changed house after 3 months, the pastoral care he received was exemplary. He has embraced life at Welly - he is doing IB, played 1st team rugby and tennis - is a house prefect and has made friends for life. There is so much more to Welly than sport and academics - it prepares children for life after school and is a true multi-cultural environment. The best decision we ever made.

My DS is currently in Year 13 at Welly having joined last year for sixth form. He is doing IB. He came from a smaller independent school. He had one day of tests x 4 (maths + the three subjects he would do for HL or A level) a rugby trial (for scholarship which he did not) and an interview. The current head James Dahl was head of admission at the time and is Brilliant in all aspects. Since going Welly DS has made friends for life, played rugby, football, and tennis for the school . He is now a prefect. It has not been totally plain sailing, he changed house after 3 months and I can say the pastoral support he received from his housemaster was exemplary. He has a brilliant tutor who is supporting him as he is close to final exams and he loves school. We were not happy with the old head but the new head is exactly what the school needed and Welly is now in very safe hands. Also Welly is a true multi-cultural school, reflecting the real world which many schools are not and is a richer place for it.

@fruitsandjelly, thanks for sharing your story. Where do you think the pastoral care falls down at Brighton? I'm not surprised the Head isn't very hands on; he does seem a bit slick.

One would hope he had a good team underneath him though. Is there a vacuum in the Senior Leadership? Are they all too outwardly focused to keep a good eye on the kids? Or are the Housemasters not any good? You would think at a modern boarding school they would have a stronger pastoral support system.

I too was impressed with the teachers I spoke to at Open Day and am disappointed to hear that there aren't stronger structures in place to help kids deal with the inevitable difficulties of the teen years.

Do you know how many students are there in Brighton College 6th Form? Someone had been to previous Open Day and heard the Head said there are over 50% international students, is it true?

@Fruitsaladjelly thank you - you don't sound unhinged at all - what you say sounds really pretty measured. That's very helpful info for me - I was already wobbly about Brighton and what you say pushes all of the buttons that I was worried about.

The school that your DS has moved to sounds great. Is it in Sussex too...? And if so, would you mind sharing its name..?

I can honestly say mine were never pressured into ‘upping their game’. They made friends who I suspect will be lifelong friends despite joining the houses late. We aren’t poor but certainly aren’t in the same league as some of the friends families; that didn’t mean ours weren’t accepted or even expected to provide at the same level. Some friends were fabulously wealthy others just quite well off.
I can honestly say that all the youngsters they bought home or who we met at the various house events were delightful company. They had great fun doing some of the planned official events and a few unplanned ‘off piste’ self directed events.

@Fruitsaladjelly insights from parents with experience are invaluable. We all know Open Days do not give the full story!!

thank you again. I am glad the other school is working well for your DS. We'll go to open morning and try to speak to the head.

I’m aware I sound like a complete nut job with an axe to grind and if I were reading this I’d be rolling my eyes

@FruitsaladjellyFruitsaladjelly - thank you so much for sharing your experience. It must have been hard on your family. We too are going to the Open day in brighton on Sat to see their new sport and science building and to listen to the head. I have heard so many different opinions on BC, so not sure why they differ so much. Culling, poor pastoral care and pressure to get A/A etc is quite common feedback. But equally, lots of people commented otherwise, that kids were happy, nobody get 'culled' before GCSE if not on track to get the A/A. I wonder why this is the case.

You won’t find it even if you look, even when I was there as a parent I was convinced that my kid was the problem, and then other problem kids hit your radar so it must just my kid, and that kid, oh and that one and that one and that one....the school is great just not these kids. When I came away and found a good school and it was all put into sharp focus. What I do know is they market the sixth form pretty hard because they loose so many kids after gcse which isn’t much talked about but I think says quite a lot.

I would love to hear about Wellington and Brighton, also consider for my DD in future 6th form.

Oh Gosh, that doesn't sound good Fruitsaladjelly! It's one of our options for DD. Could you elaborate?

I’d avoid Brighton like the plague, all very glossy from the outside but the reality appalling in many respects. Results aren’t everything.

Rugby is excellent at Welly. A real strength. Academically and socially it’s streets ahead of Millfield.
Go and look at the place. It convinced us it was OK to send our children privately despite a firm, lifelong commitment to comprehensive education for all.

@Nextstep123 I understand , they don't play rugby at Winchester so that wouldn't suit your son. There are many sporty boys at Winchester but academics are definitely given priority. They are building a fantastic new sports facility and now award sports scholarships but the lack of rugby would be a problem. It suits my son as he has no interest in sports whatsoever and prefers to spend his time in the maths and various debating and political societies.. Perhaps Eton might be a good fit for your son ?