Recommendations for private senior school Essex/Suffolk

My daughter has been accepted into St Jos and RHS. Would love to know more about what you've heard about St Jos if possible (happy to DM) and why you're happy with RHS. She'll be a boarder as we live overseas but may return at some point and she'll be a day.

We are hoping to send our daughter to RHS in September (my daughter was previously at the lower school of the one I suspect your DD is at - we moved her to local primary, but know it well). I know of another parent from that school who moved her DD recently to RHS in year 10. We've looked at loads of schools for year 7 and have only applied to RHS in the end. That's not to say others weren't good or great, for the right child, but the facilities, pastoral and good results without hot housing were key factors for us. Our daughter similarly loves cooking and also art - the facilities and staff there for these subjects blew me away compared to others. Yes. It's been sold recently, but from the research I've done, the outfit seem good and a lot of schools are going that way. I see it as a positive. There's an open day coming up so suggest you go to that and get a feel for it.

Like others gave said, I'd def go to a few, if only to benchmark them. They are all so different. Also interrogate the finances - not all are as strong as they may appear. There's a lot of competition for pupils atm.

Ipswich High School was recently sold too but has really good pastoral care - my daughter really loves it there (Yr9) and food and most extracurriculars are covered in the fees so it works out significantly cheaper than most of the other schools in the area. My youngest is in Year 4 and she loves the prep school too, although I think the Senior School has the more compelling offering.

I think the enrichments (extra curriculars) are the best part though, she does a cooking enrichments herself which is nice.

I agree with usedtobe though - you really need to visit the Schools to see which you'd enjoy the most.

Yes, and this kind of arrangement will be increasingly common. The sale has secured the future of the school, so needs to be seen as a positive thing.

I don't have any personal experience of either; however RHS was sold in October 2025.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2knww89jx3o

Oh - and having just re-read your post, I should say that the history teaching is amazing - some of the best teachers I've ever known!

I have very good experience of RHS, which often gets a bit of a bad press from people who don't know it. The site is stunning, with good facilties. It has quite a different demographic from Ipswich, as it's much less academically selective - but that's not to say that able pupils don't do well there. The teaching is excellent - teachers are extremely committed and often go the extra mile. I'd say pastoral care is very good and pupils can tap into support at various levels. For the right pupil, it's an incredible place but it may not suit everyone. I'd highly recommend a visit.
Recenty I've heard less positive things about St Jo's.
I think what I would say is that all independent schools in the area are struggling a bit for numbers, as there are a lot of them, so visiting and getting a feel for a place is very important.

I have sons and my personal experience is from a while ago.
Ipswich has been co-ed for years, Pastoral care was supportive , and bullying/bitchiness was tacked firmly. It is sporty and does performing arts but many pupils don’t do either, although one of my sons regrets not being more involved with productions.
I think Ipswich High became co-ed quite recently.
Both Ipswich and St Joseph’s run buses from Colchester. I think Ipswich High does as well.
From Colchester Felsted is also an option.
If you want co-ed and you are in Colchester, had you considered Colchester High School?
My other comment is that if she is currently year 9, some schools start GCSE syllabus in year 9, so this could be an issue.

Have you looked at Culford near Bury St Edmunds? My friend has a daughter there and the pastoral care is outstanding. They are known for being sporty but seem to have a big range of other activities too. Academics are good but not pushy.

What is she into, and what are your prioirites?
Many of the schools you might be looking at have quite different identities and strengths, so it's important to work out what might be a good fit for your daughter.