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Original poster

Any recommendations on some 16+ coed boarding schools?

37 replies

Corgi1234 · 19/08/2021 20:21

Hello all,
My DD is planning on changing into a new school to start her sixth form because she absolutely hated her current school. Unfortunately I am not able to attend open days and neither can my DD as she is an international student and we don't live in the UK, so it would be very helpful to hear some opinions and recommendations from other parents who has their kids in these schools. Smile
DD and I have found a few schools that we quite liked:
Westminster
Brighton
Wellington
Oundle
Epsom
City of London Freemen's
Charterhouse

DD is academically decent but she doesn't really excel in anything else. She is also quite active and plans on doing Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths for her A Levels, so she's kinda a STEM kid. She will also be a full boarder.

Moreover, Oundle and Wellington require DD to complete a UKiset examination since her first language isn't English. So im not quite sure whether that is worth it.

Thank you so much in advance Grin

OP posts:
Skatingpark97 · 19/08/2021 21:20

I would consider getting some external help from an agent who can meet your dd and understand what she wants from a school that she isn't getting from her current school - probably a new set of friends etc.
It's tough going into a 6th form at a school like Epsom where some of the girls have been together since they were aged 11 and so many of the dc are day students.
6th form isn't have long if you take into account the last term being just exams.

Original poster
Corgi1234 · 19/08/2021 21:00

@blossomgates no sorry. I don't think DD can apply to state schools since she is not UK resident and she doesn't have a UK passport.

OP posts:
Blossomgates · 19/08/2021 20:56

Have you though of other places in the country. State boarding...Ripon Grammar. Cost is just the boarding fees, as education is LA provided.

Www.Ripon grammar.co.uk.

LIZS · 19/08/2021 20:55

Hurtwood house?

LemonRoses · 19/08/2021 20:52

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cheeseismydownfall · 19/08/2021 20:51

Oakham?

Original poster
Corgi1234 · 19/08/2021 20:42

@Skatingpark97

Would you be able to indicate if her current school is single sex or mixed and where in the U.K. she is currently based and spends her half terms etc.

What has attracted you to Westminster as it's very difficult to get into, ie is she a confident out going dd who would be fine being in the minority as a boarder and not day pupil?

DD is currently studying in Queen Ethelburga's near York. It's a coed school and she spends her half terms in either derby or portsmouth but she would like to go to a school near london.

DD and I are attracted to Westminster because of the geographical location and also of the impressive A level results. Unfortunately, DD is a rather weird and shy child and is very unconfident so I would say the chances of her getting into westminster are slim Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Corgi1234 · 19/08/2021 20:37

@LemonRoses That's wonderful news to hear about Wellington Smile . Do you mind telling me what year did your kids join Wellington (just for reference)? And also why does charterhouse put you off? Is the head of sixth really terrible?

OP posts:
LIZS · 19/08/2021 20:31

CLFs, Westminster and Brighton are highly academic. Charterhouse is not yet fully coed.

Skatingpark97 · 19/08/2021 20:29

Would you be able to indicate if her current school is single sex or mixed and where in the U.K. she is currently based and spends her half terms etc.

What has attracted you to Westminster as it's very difficult to get into, ie is she a confident out going dd who would be fine being in the minority as a boarder and not day pupil?

LemonRoses · 19/08/2021 20:28

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LemonRoses · 19/08/2021 20:27

Ours loved Wellington, despite joining late. Great fun, lots of encouragement for individuality, good academics but not sole focus. Not snobby at all. The IB at Wellington suited ours.

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