What are the “Best” Girls Boarding Schools

[Dilemoth]

Yes, I know “best” is subjective based on the child but I’m curious to know what peoples opinions are and what they think are the best schools.

Looking into boarding for DD right now and have recently seen lots of girls heading off to Wycombbe Abbey, Downe House, and St.Mary’s Ascot especially. I know other schools like CLC and Benenden have also been popular but haven’t heard of as many girls going in recent years. However, we do live in London for context and I know some are further.

I think you've covered the heavy hitters pretty much OP but you can probably add Sherborne Girls. There's also St Mary's Calne, St George’s Ascot and Heathfield all of which I hear good things about.

@Dilemoth , so few dd go to boarding school now days esp if you are London based that you have named many of the best single sex ones in the U.K. I would add in Queenswood, Tudor Hall and Roedean but they aren't necessarily the best. You can Google the complete list in the U.K., it isn't that long esp if you take out schools that empty out at weekends.

I think many would call Wycommbe Abbey the best academically, however I think the ones you’ve listed OP are all pretty top as well.

Ive heard that there are more international pupils at schools such as CLC
and Roedean, don't know to what extent this is, but could possibly be a reason more families are going for smaller schools such as St.Mary’s Ascot?!

Interesting to know, will have to take a look at those mentioned above.

DD is very into riding at the moment so if anyone has any recommendations for that it would be very welcomed as well!

Equestrian is quite big St Marys Calne

But to be fair all the top girls boarding have equestrian. My daughter is at CLC and many of her friends ride. We have many friends at St Mary's Ascot (catholic btw) and Wycombe who also ride.

We are London based and my daughter is at CLC. I think you are correct though that's it's not as popular with London families as the three closer "top" schools - Wycombe/Downe/Ascot

We have a place in the Cotswolds so it works fine for us. They do run a London bus to Hammersmith for exeats and breaks. It drops at the Novotel in W6.

@DilettanteMum I also quite like the feel of CLC from just what I’ve seen and heard so far, but slightly worried about the distance being further. Do you make trips out often to see your DD for sports, plays, concerts or is it understood that you can’t come all the time?

Benenden have equestrian success so I would assume they have facilities . Mayfield , have good equestrian facilities but it is a catholic school if that bothers you ( East Sussex )

Stonar has always been the horsey school in my mind but I might be out of date there!

We also have a house in The Cotswolds so it's often more of a local drive for us. I think it's too far from London for daily trips for matches etc... so definitely consider that.

What I like about CLC is the high value add on academic achievement but with a strong sense of balance and pastoral care. I also love that it's a part of the city rather than a rural campus.

And not all parents show up for concerts etc so I don't think there is a massive disappointment factor from the girls if you can't make everything.

The train isn't bad from London if you did need to pop out for an event. I would prefer that to the drive.

@DilettanteMum Thank you, I was wondering about the disappointment factor not being a huge deal as distance is probably the biggest factor with CLC. I do like the city campus as you said, feels more real.

Wycombe Abbey- Most academic, attracts a lot of the London day school set because of this. You’ll see a good mix of middle and upper class families here. A few international students.

Downe House- Mixture of city and country families, some of which have houses in both areas. More sporty and attracts nice families, a few international students as well.

St.Mary’s Ascot- More academic, small school, a lot of boarders, very British. I think you’ll see a lot of non-flashy wealthy families here.

There’s also St.Mary’s Calne which is farther from London but is big for equestrian and country families. You’ll probably see more local families rather than those from London.

Heathfield is also a small school that’s good for Equestrian, would have to ask about boarding though as I know they’ve gone through high and low numbers.

Benenden is in a different area from the others but also attracts wealthy London families. Gets good results I believe and well regarded.

Tudor Hall also has a good reputation don’t know much about it though, more country families probably.

I personally wouldn’t add schools like CLC or Roedean anymore because they have so many international students which I feel would be hard for those living locally or in London.

Sad news from Wycombe Abbey today.

I wouldn’t discredit Roedean and CLC completely but they do have a lot of international students these days. I believe Roedean is trying to lower these number and have been able to get more British pupils at their school. They are both such beautiful schools with rich histories hopefully they are able to balance their international numbers soon.

Yes, @sailingsunshine , saw that too very sad news. If it’s what I think it is I think that will definitely hit the school hard as it already has a reputation of being a bit pushy academically. Prayers for the family.

Very sad from WA. And only a few years since the other pupil died by drug overdose.

St Swithuns is meant to be good and I believe does have some equestrian provision - 6 of their girls recently did very well in a national eventing competition.

Would you consider co Ed? Many traditional boys schools now admit girls. My DD's rejected all girls.

Just saw the news from Wycombe Abbey, very very sad. Such sad news from schools recently it seems especially with Epsom College not long ago. I do worry that Wycombe Abbey may be too competitive as I hear the work load is immense, but they do get great results. I’m not so sure if it’s worth it though if there are other great schools out there who may not top the league charts but provide a more well-rounded education.

Thank you everyone for all the advice on schools I think we’re going to try to take a look at Downe House, CLC, St.Mary’s Ascot and maybe St.Mary’s Calne. Also Beneden and Heathfield possibly.

@gogohmm Yes, I’ve thought a bit about coed too, Wellington seems to be another popular destination with girls from DDs school so might check it out. Any other good recommendations? I know Marlborough is also quite popular but it’s further from London.

I really feel for the girl from Wycombe Abbey with her parents being so far away most of the time. It would make me hesitant to send a DD further away, probably want to choose a relatively close boarding school so you can pop in and see her fairly often. CLC, Sherborne Girls, St.Mary’s Calne may be a bit far from London for weekly drives.

There's an article from the Wycombe girl's father in the Times this weekend. Desperately sad but doesn't sound like academic pressure was to blame but more to do with neurodiversity. It's still a concern, but not from the hothousing angle people normally associate with Wycombe.

Hi and @Dilemoth @Mumdogs my DD has been at Tudor Hall for the last 7 years, definitely not all country girls, the majority from London actually. We've found it a very supportive and caring environment, but with great results and very pleased DD has been accepted for Warwick.

I would think boarding in general would be very challenging for any child with autism, regardless of academics. The lack of alone time can feel relentless, although granted some schools allow separate rooms (not WA though until right at the end). I can't see how an autistic child who masks around others is expected to get any down time there.