Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Boarding schools for average pupils?

37 replies

thelastallosaurus · 14/12/2021 12:24

Boarding schools for average children? Dd has dyslexia but copes well. She is sociable and outgoing and wants to go to boarding school but not an ultra competative school as she would not thrive there. She would probably ideally like somewhere that is strong in the arts (theatre and fine art and design.) She is also a keen horse rider and would need to be able to accomodate her riding lessons somehow. We live in the midlands but would be happy to move to be nearer to her school.

Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 15/12/2021 09:48

Millfield has a great dyslexia department (it was actually set up as a school for dyslexics), obviously lots of sport and a fabulous art department.
Westonbirt School is lovely, my friend took her horse there.

SinoohXaenaHide · 15/12/2021 09:46

She sounds like a perfect fit for Sidcot School www.sidcot.org.uk/

MrPickles73 · 15/12/2021 09:42

Bedales and Bryanston both good suggestions

Mummy195 · 15/12/2021 07:27

Bryanston has a great arts department.

DoThePropeller · 15/12/2021 02:39

St.Theresa’s in Surrey worth a look, quite small, broad curriculum including strong arts and an equestrian facility onsite.

Pinklaptopz · 15/12/2021 00:38

Bedales

londonmummy1966 · 14/12/2021 23:50

Wells Cathedral School - very arty as it has a specialist music intake so appreciates there's more to life than a string of As. Usually has a couple of big productions a year and offers Art, History of Art and Photography at A level. Is about 50% boarder and day pupils but most boarders are full rather than weekly so she wouldn't be rattling around on her own at the weekends.

A bit more academic but not that much - Christs Hospital in Sussex has amazing facilities (a theatre based on the Globe) and again does a couple of big productions a year. Lots of extra curriculars and is pretty well all boarding and baording is all full (ie no weekly boarders).

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/12/2021 20:22

Royal Russell?

MrPickles73 · 14/12/2021 20:21

Milton Abbey? Malvern College?

ImJustNotMeAnymore · 14/12/2021 18:49

Stover in Devon sounds as though it would be a good fit.

sadpapercourtesan · 14/12/2021 14:59

Abbotsholme School in Staffordshire. Small, friendly, progressive, into "educating the whole person", and has a farm and riding stables on site. Lots of outdoor education and enrichment.

sunshineclouds24 · 14/12/2021 14:57

Heathfield springs to mind but I think you would have quite a lot of choice and may not have to move house.