Sixth form boarding- mixed

I don’t fully understand why new girls are not integrated into existing boarding houses. It does make for poor integration with existing pupils. DD2 wanted a co Ed for 6th form but eventually chose a girls’ school because it taught the subjects she wanted very well. So the boys on site had to wait! In fact I would always go for subject expertise and leave the boy distraction to later!

I’m not sure if Stowe separates out new girls but their reputation is pretty good now. Marlborough has been difficult to get into for years. It’s no doubt a great school but you have to decide how many applications you are prepared to make.

I still say Marlborough as a great 6th form option for girls. Instead of going into a separate house for new 6th formers as others do eg Rugby, most girls join an existing boy’s house for 6th form. They get the benefit of being a new cohort together but with existing boys to help them settle and show them around. There is an incredible amount on offer and social events organised every weekend by the school for 6th formers. Marlborough is however increasingly popular and hard to get into.

Our second choice would have been Wellington or Rugby. Both were discounted as new girls were put in a separate house and friends felt their DDs were always a bit of an outsider to the main school.

Not all schools have a big intake at 6th form. Oundle told us that there would be only one or two places basically to replace leavers.

Bromsgrove is a nice all round school but its half day and half boarding so has less of a traditional boarding school feel. The boarding houses are very international with most of the UK students in the day houses. They don’t have exeats which is hard if your DD just wants a long weekend at home.

PM me if you want more information as your DD sounds a lot like mine was.

Bromsgrove School is mixed all the way through with a good number of boarders and a big intake into 6th form. They have single sex houses and a mixed house just for 6th formers, which some prefer as it's more like uni. Lots of international boarders, too, which I see as a positive. IB and A-level, good for academics but not a hot house, also great for sport, music, art etc. Great all-rounder school.

Finborough is lovely and has quite a big intake at sixth form and I believe Felsted does too.

@Zodlebud
That would make a lot more sense.

We felt that being separated at Uppingham as “newbies” wasn’t a good idea when we looked. It wasn’t a nice boarding house and promoted “them and us” in our view. It felt second best.

@TizerorFizz It is correct that they are building a sixth form flat (as well as the coffee shop). The information supplied to parents implies that it is more of a “taster” experience for the girls as opposed to somewhere they stay for the entire academic year.

Uppingham has 30-35 new girls join in the sixth form each year and they have their own boarding house.

Colchester Royal Grammar School takes girls in the sixth form and has boarders. It is a state school, so no tuition fees.
www.crgs.co.uk/137/boarding-information

Winchester 6th form admissions are now open to girls, but they won't have boarding available for a few years as I understand it (will build a new girls house). If it is of interest I'd still make enquiries though. Bearing in mind being part of the first cohort wouldn't be suited to everyone.

Brentwood school. Takes good number at 6th form. Follow diamond method till GCSE and then becomes fully co ed.

Interesting! I’m quite surprised they are doing as much as they are. Not really needed in my view but given the fees, it looks good!

The new sixth form centre at Q is delayed. They had problems with the contractor.

Sorry! Q blurb.

The Q. Kirby says a coffee shop. Not totally managing everything.

I would say almost every boarding school will have a sizable new intake for 6th form. Go with the one that takes your fancy.

It’s expensive because the days are long! Day girls are “day boarders”. However it’s weekly boarding in the main. Fewer go home in the 6th form but it still empties out. I have experience of a 6th form with independent cooking required in a 6th form bungalow. It is a major detractor from studying. Ordering food, cooking it, washing up is a faff and DD didn’t particularly enjoy it. I know Q and I’m surprised they are doing this. Most patents can teach pre university skills.

My DD wanted to board for Sixth Form and sounds similar in profile to yours. She joined Brighton College knowing no one and has absolutely loved it. There is a large intake at Sixth Form so plenty in the same boat but the school integrates new and existing pupils from Day 1. Very impressed.

My daughter's best friend is at Queenswood and my daughter got in, but we chose a different school (mainly for financial reasons as Queenswood is insanely expensive!). From what I hear, it's lovely though, but beware of very long days! They start at 8:15 and even though my daughter's friend lives very close to the school, she is never home before 7pm

Queenswood is girls only and sixth form, and about 40% are new students entering sixth form. So she wouldn't be the only new girl.

Lots of leadership opportunities, lots of co-curricular.

They're setting up a sixth form flat as well, where they can stay in separate accommodation with other sixth formers and manage the flat themselves (with guidance from stagg obviously) or they have to manage bills, food etc.
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Christs Hospital usually take quite a few new pupils at 6th form - its also full boarding so you know that your daughter isn't going to be hanging around on her own whilst most pupils are at home at the weekend which is often a problem in schools with weekly boarding.

Sevenoaks has a big 6th form intake

Westminster

Charterhouse, until this year was boys only and mixed at 6th form. They now have girls in yr 9 but will be a few years until its fully co-ed. They will still have a considerable girl intake at 6th form for a few more years.
Wellington and Marlborough are also good options

Westminster (weekly boarding) is one that still only takes girls in the sixth form.

MissMe Ah I thought that wasn't for a few years yet!! I stand corrected.