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Suffolk Independent Schools

33 replies

BunsyGirl · 09/10/2020 13:14

Any recommendations for Suffolk independent schools? I have two DS. DS1 age 10 is very bright and sporty. DS2 is 7 and just finding his feet. Doesn’t look like he is going to be as academic as his older brother but is showing promise at sport. Need a good all round school as DS1 gets bored if he is not stretched academically. We would be relocating and are flexible on location. Both are currently at an all through independent school.

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Original poster
BunsyGirl · 11/10/2020 15:52

@Jazzmin Thank you. I have heard positive things about the academics at both schools. DS1 is complaining that he is bored at his current school as they are not stretching him enough. However, DS2 has struggled a bit academically so it’s going to be difficult to get it right for both of them!

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cheapskatemum · 11/10/2020 15:33

Another vote for Brandeston Hall & Framlingham College. They find a child's strengths and encourage them. For DS it was Drama, but he also played sports to a high level and did well academically.

Jazzmin · 11/10/2020 15:12

Ipswich prep is next door to Ipswich School, the senior school. Basically a through school. Ipswich High School is also a co-Ed school, a couple of miles out of town, beautiful grounds, from ages 4-18. I agree, the names are confusing!
Both will probably do virtual tours, have a look at them both!

Original poster
BunsyGirl · 11/10/2020 14:58

@Jazzmin Is that the prep to Ipswich school? I am confused between Ipswich School and Ipswich High School!!!

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Original poster
BunsyGirl · 11/10/2020 14:56

Thank you @ihearttc and @leftandaright. I’m I am not looking for a stand-alone prep. I would like a prep attached to a senior school. Oldest DC is currently in year 6 so I don’t want him to change schools to then change again shortly afterwards.

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Jazzmin · 11/10/2020 14:03

Ipswich Prep is brilliant, PM me if you want any particular information. Bus service from wide area.

leftandaright · 11/10/2020 13:53

Sorry but Riddlesworth is absolutely rubbish for any child liking sport. They don’t have either the ability or perhaps numbers to put out any teams to have matches against other schools. This would not be suitable for a child keen on sport. There is Old Buckenham Hall prep. They like their sport but they very much feed to National “premier league” boarding senior schools ...

ihearttc · 10/10/2020 22:47

It’s in Norfolk rather than Suffolk but Riddlesworth Hall might be worth a look. We have friends who go there and Culford. We live right on Norfolk/Suffolk border.

june2007 · 10/10/2020 19:04

My broher went to Ipswich and then went to cambridge uni.

usedtobeboss3 · 10/10/2020 17:03

Absolutely right about going to see a few. We looked at Woodbridge and Ipswich but weren't keen for various reasons. I think Ipswich felt quite 'corporate' at the time, and we all left the Woodbridge open day with an odd feeling we couldn't quite identify, but we knew we didn't like it and couldn't see DS there. But horses for courses...

leftandaright · 10/10/2020 14:40

Ipswich has some good sporty schools. At Joseph’s v good at rugby. Ipswich like their hockey. These are both ‘urban’ independant schools. So Fram (and it’s wonderful prep) are a more rural equivalent. Therefore a bit of boarding. So think about where you will be. Ipswich serves are more more localised area. Fram has a bigger, more ‘country’ catchment. Culford not such a happy school as Fram. They push the elite sports hard but I do wonder if that makes up for the cracks elsewhere. Not so academic. Fram is middle ground for academics. The most academic school might be one county higher at The Norwich School (but that’s day only). There’s also Gresham’s in Norfolk which is very similar in many ways to Fram.
Woodbridge is nice but doesn’t feature in sport on the wider stage. Fram girls hockey for example in 2019/2020 got to the national finals or semi finals on at least one year group. You definitely need to go and see a few and see what appeals to your family. You soon get a good feeling I think.

Original poster
BunsyGirl · 10/10/2020 13:37

@SchrodingersUnicorn Thank you, that’s very helpful. Rural does suit us as we live rurally at the moment.

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SchrodingersUnicorn · 10/10/2020 13:33

@BunsyGirl i have a friend whose DD is there. She's very bright and they seem happy with it. Very rural though.

Lightlysieved · 10/10/2020 11:47

No worries! Smile

Original poster
BunsyGirl · 10/10/2020 10:46

@Lightlysieved Thank you!

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Lightlysieved · 10/10/2020 10:45

Pm you!

Lightlysieved · 10/10/2020 10:45

Op I will on you about Ipswich school.

june2007 · 10/10/2020 10:36

Orwell park school
Culford,
Woodbridge.
Ipswich high school
Ipswich girls school
RHS
St Felix.
St josephs.
I am sure their is more in northern suffolk as well.

Lightlysieved · 10/10/2020 10:25

I personally wouldn't recommend the RHS and would recommend Woodbridge School.

Original poster
BunsyGirl · 10/10/2020 10:22

Does anyone have any experience of the independent Ipswich schools? Ipswich School; Ipswich High School; St Joseph’s?

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Original poster
BunsyGirl · 10/10/2020 10:21

@Bamboobo. I will keep them in mind. The firm I work for has an office in Cambridge so transferring there is an option.

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Bamboobo · 10/10/2020 10:00

Don't rule out Cambridgeshire schools from some parts of West Suffolk - Kings Ely is just over the border really, and the Cambridge schools could also be an option.

Knittedfrog · 10/10/2020 09:57

I highly recommend Woodbridge School.

Original poster
BunsyGirl · 10/10/2020 09:55

@Singingrain1223 We live in a rural part of Essex so relocating to Suffolk is not a big move for us. We’re happy to live in a village or somewhere more isolated. The main objective for the house is that it is spacious with a decent sized garden and there are loads of those type of houses in Suffolk, hence the reason for finding a school first and a house second.

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yomommasmomma · 10/10/2020 09:50

I went to Woodbridge school and it is a fantastic school, sports and music focused and a wonderful environment. In terms of living locally to the school, Woodbridge as a town is lovely and lots of choice locally.

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