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Original poster

state boarding school

31 replies

greekmumkay · 04/12/2024 09:32

Considering sending our year 9 son to a state boarding school (living abroad currently) - the hot list is (1) Steyning Grammar School, (2) Cranbrook School, (3) royal alexandra & albert school/gatton park and (4) Wymondham College. Each school has pros and cons, so asking if anyone out there has opinions of these schools, especially if they also know about the boarding aspect! My current favourite on academic terms is Wymondham, but it might be a rather big jump socially as our current school is a lot less formal than Wymondham...Steyning seems very friendly, and the other two are somewhere in between the two extremes. Help me please mums!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
greekmumkay · 06/12/2024 10:09

thanks. we aren;t terribly interested in ponies, but the piano aspect is attractive, even if its not our main focus. Sounds like you didn't follow-up and send your child(ren) there after the open day - can I ask if there was something that turned you off the school?

OP posts:
XelaM · 06/12/2024 07:33

Royal Alexandra & Albert is absolutely beautiful - incredible grounds and it even has a riding school and ponies. I have been to an open day and was very impressed. It also seems very friendly

Original poster
greekmumkay · 06/12/2024 07:31

yes, I am aware of which are selective (Cranbrook, proper grammar school) and which are not (the other three, including Steyning which is no longer a grammar school despite its name). It seems that selectivity is not the only criteria for academic success, as the school with the best academic performance is not the grammar school. Location is not relevant in our case as our child will be joining as an international boarder, so the only issue there is proximity to an airport. Do you have personal experience in any of the four schools I mentioned? We are now getting offers come in, so we need to get nearer to a decision, eek.

OP posts:
LadyLapsang · 05/12/2024 22:42

Cranbrook is a grammar, which is reflected in the academic results. Steyning, despite the name, isn’t. Will you be returning to the UK? Just thinking it may make sense to chose somewhere near where you have a home.

Original poster
greekmumkay · 05/12/2024 16:34

yes, I've checked there are places.

OP posts:
MarchingFrogs · 05/12/2024 11:46

Have all the schools actually got a place available?