Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

Help me to find school options for my yr6 son - moon on a stick time

41 replies

RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 18/09/2023 20:43

I'm looking for potential secondary schools for my son to expand the current list. Criteria are quite specific:

Berks/Bucks/Surrey/West London/Oxon;
He's in year 6 so I've left it too late for some registrations;
Year 9 entry, ideally with no assessment or assessment in year 7/8 to give him more time to get the hang of testing and take the pressure off but initial tests in year 6 would be ok;
Day or Flexi boarding;
Boys or mixed;
SEN friendly as he's autistic;
Under £9k a term.

He is not at all sporty. He's clever, top set for most things but doesn't cope too well with tests, and maths hasn't clicked with him yet. He is outgoing. He likes reading, singing, acting, debating, and would really enjoy CCF. A school that's able to handle a boy with a spiky academic profile and one who's likely to come into his own as a teen would be ideal. Somewhere he'd be happy.

He's currently registered at one ISEB school and I'm going to register soon with two that have their own tests. There's also a decent comprehensive nearby in case none of that works out.

I'd love some new ideas to explore.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 07/07/2024 21:26

RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 11:32

I get the impression he wouldn't pass the test for Reading Bluecoat (I feel like it's more academic than Luckley?) but it is on my radar.

Show quote history

I've recently heard that Bluecoats have reduced their year 9 intake so it's pretty much year 7 entry or nothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 07/07/2024 21:22

I will apply for Claire's Court. We won't try for Shiplake as it's simply too expensive but we did like it very much. I haven't looked properly at St Gabriel's (I couldn't go to the open day in the end). He does now have a place at the ISEB school we applied for but that would be with a bursary and is dependent on common entrance so back ups are needed.

OP posts:
LiveOutLoudRose · 27/06/2024 01:29

OP any update - how did you get on at Shiplake, Claire’s Court and St Gabriel’s?

Whatsblueandflies · 24/02/2024 14:01

Don’t give up on Halliford. Email admissions and make it clear to them that you would take the place if offered. The schools do expect you to show an interest when you are on the WL and the parents that check in regularly on movement will be offered a space ahead of those that don’t

Aparecium · 24/02/2024 13:44

Have you looked at Holme Grange? No CCF AFAIK, but I think it probably ticks all your other requirements.

modgepodge · 24/02/2024 13:20

RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 11:32

I get the impression he wouldn't pass the test for Reading Bluecoat (I feel like it's more academic than Luckley?) but it is on my radar.

Show quote history

yes it probably is a bit more academic than Luckley to be fair. Though lots of the academic schools have started taking a broader range of pupils in the past few years due to falling numbers - Luckley seems to be an anomaly in that it seems to be going the other way.

Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 11:34

MrsMitford3 · 24/02/2024 10:58

Also here to suggest reaching out to Pangbourne-
ticks a lot of your boxes

Claire's Ct and Shiplake both very sporty

Pangbourne is out of my price range, sadly. It does look brilliant.

OP posts:
Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 11:32

modgepodge · 24/02/2024 11:16

I know of a child who didn’t get a place at Luckley last year. It was a surprise - as you imply, generally they don’t turn many down and in this area most of the private schools have places at the moment.

Claires court might well suit. What about Reading Bluecoat?

Show quote history

I get the impression he wouldn't pass the test for Reading Bluecoat (I feel like it's more academic than Luckley?) but it is on my radar.

OP posts:
LoveSandbanks · 24/02/2024 11:27

What about More House in Frensham, Surrey? Predominantly a dyslexia school but I know they take a lot of asd pupils. They offer day or boarding. Considered it for two of mine but one is too autistic/class sizes too big and the other wouldn’t thrive in a boys only school.

modgepodge · 24/02/2024 11:16

RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 10:50

Update:

He's been wait-listed at Luckley and Halliford for year 9 entry. The email from Luckley said they were sorry for the disappointment; the one from Halliford said to please tell him how well he'd done to get on the list. It was an interesting comparison and I wonder if Luckley don't usually have enough applicants to operate a waiting list.

I've got open days booked at Claire's Court, St. Gabriel's and Shiplake but I think Shiplake is out as it's just too expensive.

I've never done this before so I'm enormously grateful for all of the advice and suggestions.

I know of a child who didn’t get a place at Luckley last year. It was a surprise - as you imply, generally they don’t turn many down and in this area most of the private schools have places at the moment.

Claires court might well suit. What about Reading Bluecoat?

WASZPy · 24/02/2024 11:10

I also think it would be worth contacting Pangbourne. I'd be very surprised if they can fill up without considering late candidates. My DH deals with admissions for a boarding school and although ISEB is in Y6, most years they are still considering candidates who contact them in Y8 for Y9 entry.

MrsMitford3 · 24/02/2024 10:58

Also here to suggest reaching out to Pangbourne-
ticks a lot of your boxes

Claire's Ct and Shiplake both very sporty

Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 10:55

MintJulia · 06/11/2023 19:43

Rookwood in Andover might work, although it's a bit further south.

Good results, small enough to be calm and a good solution for a bright autistic child. Friendly
Day & flexi-boarding
Intake in years 7 & 9
I think it's in budget too

It looks lovely but it's well over an hour's drive.

OP posts:
Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 24/02/2024 10:50

Update:

He's been wait-listed at Luckley and Halliford for year 9 entry. The email from Luckley said they were sorry for the disappointment; the one from Halliford said to please tell him how well he'd done to get on the list. It was an interesting comparison and I wonder if Luckley don't usually have enough applicants to operate a waiting list.

I've got open days booked at Claire's Court, St. Gabriel's and Shiplake but I think Shiplake is out as it's just too expensive.

I've never done this before so I'm enormously grateful for all of the advice and suggestions.

OP posts:
MintJulia · 06/11/2023 19:43

Rookwood in Andover might work, although it's a bit further south.

Good results, small enough to be calm and a good solution for a bright autistic child. Friendly
Day & flexi-boarding
Intake in years 7 & 9
I think it's in budget too

Giraffe62 · 06/11/2023 19:13

It might be worth checking options with Pangbourne to see if they would take a late registration. It fits a lot of your requirements. They promote their sport heavily as its a selling point for many families but also have a good number of 'non sporty' boys who thrive.

theworldiswarmingup · 06/11/2023 13:53

Bruern Abbey Senior School?

TeaandHobnobs · 06/11/2023 13:38

To join after Y7, entrance is via the “Late Transfer Procedure”, which is a school-specific assessment - not the 11+.
https://www.rgshw.com/page/?title=Late+Transfer+Testing&pid=538

Late Transfer Testing

https://www.rgshw.com/page/?title=Late+Transfer+Testing&pid=538

Soverytiredtoday · 05/11/2023 22:37

Cranford School in S Oxon might suit except it is really year 7 entry. But they have always taken kids at other entry points. They do enjoy sport but very much sport for all and plenty of non sporty boys seem to get on OK and enjoy music, drama etc. No CCF though.

Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 05/11/2023 22:06

sashh · 05/11/2023 07:12

OK this is a completely 'out there' suggestion but what about the Brit school?

https://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk/page/?title=Core+Curriculum&pid=1034

THey do a range of GCSEs alongside the performing arts.

You might not be in catchment but £9K could pay for a lot of taxis.

We're not in catchment and it starts in year 10, so we'd still need to find a school for year 9. It's definitely one to keep in mind in case he goes further down the theatre path in future - thanks for the suggestion!

OP posts:
Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 05/11/2023 16:40

Ah, Bloxham is very far for us. I'm hoping to find somewhere within 30-40 minutes drive or an easy train journey.

OP posts:
Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 05/11/2023 16:39

We've missed the registration date for Pangbourne. I'll look at Bloxham.

OP posts:
RedPanda2022 · 05/11/2023 13:31

Pangbourne
bloxham

Original poster
RaisedOnADietofBrokenBiscuitsOh · 05/11/2023 09:57

TeaandHobnobs · 05/11/2023 08:53

Luckley would be my first thought.

A slightly out-there suggestion, but what about a boarding place at RGS High Wycombe (state grammar)? Ok they don’t have a Y9 “intake” but I’m fairly sure the boarding house isn’t full in all years.
Singing / CCF / reading all big things there. They are big on rugby but don’t expect every boy to be into sport (my DS will play in games lessons but no more than that, and that’s fine - he’s more into music).
Supportive SEN department, and staff all warm and approachable.

Edited

He's registered for Luckley and we think it looks like a great fit. Again, we're nervous about the entrance tests, which he'll be doing soon.

For RGS High Wycombe, I assume he would have had to have taken the 11+?

OP posts:
Curioushorse · 05/11/2023 09:24

Hullo! No, I don't have kids at Luckley- but I'm a teacher in the local area.

It's nurturing and offers all the things you've said you're looking for. It's hard to tell with autistic kids, because their needs are so individual, but it also has the advantage of being smaller and quiet. Sometimes that alone is beneficial for autistic kids.

I rate Shiplake as well.