Wycombe A, Downe, Wellington, also need less competitive option?

I really don’t think in this climate Downe House are going to turn girls down with lower cat scores looking at the girls in our school who have been offered places. A strong 110+ would prob still interview. Most schools are in precarious financial times thanks to this lovely ‘class bashing’ government. Having been through the system, ISEB scores are key but so is the personality fit and the top boarding schools such as wellington, Marlborough & Charterhouse who also do additional exams on interview day “if” your child is accepted for interview. Interview is normally a mix of ISEB and reports from the school with a few other things - admin teams are very generous in sharing their criteria. That said, Marlborough interview most children - but don’t tell until afterwards they expect very high scores. This means a lot of children go through an interview process they haven’t a chance in heavens name of getting as they would have been knocked out before on scores. Year 6 is a very stressful year. Very glad to have it behind us - although youngest DC still has it all ahead of them.

Wellington is selective though not to the same degree as Wycombe Abbey. Not sure about Downe House. I would have thought 128 is high enough for all 3 though. A lot of the Year 8 children at Eagle House who are not academic enough to move on to Wellington choose Bradfield as an alternative.

Berkhamsted offers ad hoc flexi boarding in Y7 and Y8 and only allows weekly and full boarding from Y9. They have approximately 80 boarders across the whole school and those are weighted more heavily towards sixth formers.

It’s a great school but a good option for someone looking for a boarding school it’s not. Given the three schools the OP has mentioned then they are looking at weekly boarding as an absolute minimum and ideally from Y7.

Neither Haileybury nor Stowe are anywhere near the same league academically as WA or DH but they are only an hour from High Wycombe and seen as less academic (which is what the OP has asked for). I know children at both and are doing extremely well. I strongly believe that gut reaction and “fit” is a much better measure of school suitability than league tables or results.

We loved WA for our daughters but made the decision that the boarding was too full on and would impact too heavily on family life. They have actually done extremely well at another boarding school (which doesn’t have Saturday school) and have really benefited from being the top of the year academically. It’s all the other “stuff” you get from boarding that makes the difference. Take out the academics and both Haileybury and Stowe also do this exceptionally well.

I think the OP is interested in WA but it’s competitive. Most parents need a back up or two. Most decent schools really can educate most DC. Schools have sets and there’s usually enough bright ones for a top set. I would say Rugby wasn’t quite WA in terms of getting in. However it’s 13. So is Stowe. Haileybury is y7. Y9 entry requires a different prep.

No skin in the game as my kids go to a different school but she asked for boarding options and Berko offers flexi-boarding. But, you're right, it's not a full boarding school in the sense of Eton or Harrow and may be more international student focused. My friend's son finds the same issue boarding at Whitgift.

Personally I'd be going for Wycombe Abbey as it's outstanding (and in a different league to Stowe and Haileybury) but that wasn't the question asked.

Ofsted actively discourages 3 year GCSEs at state schools except in science, as they emphasise the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum. I agree that Stowe seems to do well for the less bright ones, but I don't think it's really got more academic in recent years and I wouldn't send an academic DC there.

Berkhamsted is most definitely NOT a boarding school. It is predominantly a day school with a small minority boarding…….. the great majority of whom are Chinese.

Berkhamsted is not known for boarding.I would not choose it over Stowe.

The thing about boarding is a wide curriculum. Not a narrowed down one. The grammars here do 2 year gcse courses and it’s still gold standard. Bradfield also might suit but we found it uninspiring when dd considered it for 6th form.

I presume you want boarding so how about Berkhamsted? I'd pick Haileybury over Stowe (although their grounds are amazing).

I think the OP is looking for a school in the Berkshire/ West Berkshire area.

There is Bradfield? DH taught there 20 years ago when it was just going co-ed and really enjoyed it.

@doglover90 Doing GCSEs over three years is becoming increasingly common at state schools too.

Arguably does it really matter how it is achieved so long as grades are higher? It’s not a WA / DH selective school where girls can revise the night before and come out with a string of 11 grade 9s at GCSE. The students at Stowe are more likely to be those who need to work at a slower pace but are still capable of great academic results.

I think that the introduction of day boarders has also helped bolster results.

I personally would choose Haileybury over Stowe, but they are both less competitive options in the general area that the OP described.

I know someone whose DD goes to Stowe and I'm sceptical about how they've achieved their improved GCSE results - for example, GCSE courses that should take 2 years being delivered over 3. It's a narrowing of the curriculum that may lead to better grades but ultimately does it prepare students for further study?

Canford and Clifton definitely empty out.

Stiwe is very rural. I know it well. WA and CLC have got the town around them. DH is also rural and I also think you need to think about co Ed.

Lots of boarding schools are effectively weekly boarding now, except for overseas pupils. Many parents look close enough to home to facilitate this. If you were prepared for this, you could look at Queenswood too.

I think your big decision is a new prep for 2 years or senior from 11. Girls schools are 11, but many very good co Ed are 13.

Canford, King's Bruton or Clifton College?

Sherborne Girls is full boarding and doesn't empty out at weekends.

Haileybury would be a great “backup” option. Very highly regarded and has a strong contingent of full and weekly boarders. Many do come home after Saturday sport though so if you are only looking at full boarding then might not work.

I would discount Heathfield based on what you have said. It’s tiny and there has been a real shift towards day and weekly boarders in the last few years.

13+ schools I would consider are Teddies (Oxford) and increasingly, Stowe. Stowe is shaking off it’s reputation as a school you go to if you can’t get in anywhere else - it’s becoming increasingly popular.

Regarding going with friends, doesn’t always happen! Look at Godstowe destinations. Virtually none from your current school so I don’t see the difference really. My DDs went to boarding without friends but made them quickly. Not sure what you think about Bruton, Bedales and St Mary’s Calne. Or Sherborne or CLC. Not sure how many boarders they actually have at some schools now.

Sherborne?

@blondiemoose
I have an alternative suggestion. Would you consider Godstowe at High Wycombe. They are a prep with the best track record of getting girls into great boarding schools at 13. Are you looking at 11 entry? If so, see if you can move to a prep that understands boarding and has first class relationships with very many schools. It means you get the guidance you need and dd can board for 2 years there.

Many great schools like Rugby still have admission at 13. So waiting gives you wider choice with co Ed.

CAT of 128 in theory is strong enough. Wycombe will be the hardest.

Downe House and Wycombe are getting more competitive now because a lot more London girls are applying as alternativeS to the top London girl's secondaries - especially as they have gone flexi for the weekends.

This has made it harder to get a place just based on the academic level fitting.

So I do think perhaps another backup may be wise.

Woldingham?

St George's Ascot sprang to mind for me too @2reefsin30knots

Also possibly on your list to consider:
Heathfield
Canford
Bryanston
Seaford

Just be mindful Downe is very popular with kids from Chelsea and west London.