Looking for full boarding girls schools

If you do not want academic I would consider talking CLC off your list, it is a superb school but your DD may not suit. You should speak to them before looking to apply (as with all of course). We went for Cheltenham College, the seniors has a high intake of boarders and it is Cooed which we were very keen on. Pop that on your list too, and good luck x

It's true some schools may find themselves with the odd free place late in the day - but applying to boarding schools is already moderately complicated and stressful; it's a much easier process if you do everything according to the schools' individual timetables. Fewer pleading phone calls and sleepless nights!

I think we have to be careful with waiting lists. Of course it's a good idea to register early, but a lot of schools always have space for 1 more - miraculously!

Benenden Y9 2023 entry is closed and only for waiting list now. You need to hurry up with the rest on the list.

For what it’s worth, I live locally to the school and I would say there is a real sense of community amongst the girls - Town is busy at weekends and Sherborne students are frequently seen in the local coffee shops, playing fields etc. It would seem to me that a large number of them are full boarders and stay on at weekends. They have great sports facilities too and good links with the boys school in town.

May I ask how old are your DDs? Some of the schools on your list need to be registered fairly early.

I boarded and didn't see anyone from one half term to the next... a few friends had parents who lived nearby and came to matches etc and took them out to tea. Don't remember being at all surprised by lack of parents etc - but then I came from a family where boarding school was the norm and I doubt my grandparents showed up at all, so it wouldn't have crossed my parents' minds to do so.

Imagine a prep-school age boarder might want/need visits, but with FaceTime, mobile phones etc sixteen year-olds are more inclined to think visiting guardians are a chore to be avoided! The occasions I have rescued, I've very happily organised trips to London and fun stuff for her so she definitely knows that she's always welcome.

Loads of the guardians at DDs first boarding school showed up at exeats and holidays only. Weekly boarding would be a pain for them. They were not substitute parents or relatives. We rarely saw the overseas parents and the Chinese parents never! Not once in 7 years.

What a load of rubbish!! Are you just anti boarding deep down?

Many parents engage guardians through agencies. What about then?

With the very greatest respect - and I care nothing about the horse - her parents really should have chosen someone else. (With you just fulfilling the role of distant family friend.) I'm extremely surprised the school have found this total absence of real life/in person support acceptable.

I boarded myself, perfectly happily, decades ago; the younger generation of my family have also boarded, full time, very happily. I think boarding is/can be fantastic - but this is the 21st century and it should not be experienced as children experienced it in the 19th century.

School is also the other side of the country from me - and I have my own children/job etc, so absolutely no way I would be able to drop in and visit (would take 7 hours to drive there).

She's 16, has her own horse at the school and seems blissfully happy. In an emergency I would move heaven and earth to help her, but I was very clear that I'm not round the corner and couldn't pop in.

Was a bit surprised the boarding staff have never emailed or written or called but parents didn't seem too concerned. I speak to her mum pretty often so I'm not completely out of the loop.

@AmazingGrace2009

I can only comment on our experience at Roedean, we wanted a school that was big enough to provide DD with the activities which bring her joy in the performing arts so a school with a good sized orchestra, choirs, productions, dance, drama and opportunities to perform with like minded girls, which is what Roedean offers. In smaller schools there is less of a critical mass of girls with shared interests. DD has a wide circle of friends - those who are supportive of everyone’s interests and the competitive nature between boarding houses (music, sport, drama, dance, Xmas decs!) and her friends who share the same interests as her. In a big school where there are super sporty girls there is also less of a chance of being made to play a competitive sport to make up the numbers!

Pastoral care is excellent with small tutor groups, head of year, pastoral managers and boarding staff. DD gets all the attention and focus needed to excel academically and in the areas of co-Curricular passion.

A smaller school would not have suited us but I think you need to know what you want from the school and the things which are important to life as smaller schools are right for some girls. I’d say go and visit but not necessarily an open day, we got a lot from the tour by a couple of pupils and really got a feel for the school seeing class sizes, teaching activities, hearing orchestra/performance rehearsals etc. And DD knew that she would fit into that environment and there were role models and girls to aspire to. It was important that she wasn’t in an environment where she would feel singled out as “one who is really good at X” and there were others she would identify with.

I have a daughter at one of the schools listed - medium sized. I prefer the smaller sized school, but that is just for her. I think she would have been lost in a bigger school. It really depends on your daughters, but I do feel it is a closer knit community. Every school has its pros and cons. A larger school automatically gives you a bigger selection of friends for example!

Stowe has had day pupils for years and years now. Definitely not a new development.

Full boarding for girls is just a tiny minority of schools I think. However there are lots that have overseas girls and plenty of weekend events so no-one is bored. I think a wider search, and having guardians, gives a much wider range of schools.

My son went to Kirkham grammar up here near Preston for the sixth form and that is mixed . Seemed a happy kind of place if that's any use to you ?

Queen Anne’s is not a full boarding school. Many many day girls and a lot of weekly boarders.

Queen Anne's School in Caversham seems like it may fit many of your requirements. It has a lovely ethos and lots of activities, and is academic but not a hothouse. 1 hour from most parts of London (walk to station/train/tube etc or drive). It would be easy walking distance to the Catholic church.

Sherborne girls always used to let Catholic girls go to mass in town (in lieu of the school Sunday service - we were all very jealous as it was a good excuse for a wander around town). But everyone had to attend the formal Abbey services which were monthly. But I appreciate my information is at lest a decade out of date!