Sixth Form | Mumsnet

jeaux90 · 2023-09-15T16:40:32+00:00

Hi All. Got the really bad news today that the lovely school my daughter flexi boards at is merging with another all girls. Culture wise this is like chalk and cheese. She is currently in year 10 so whilst they have promised no disruption for the GCSE programme it's left me pondering A-level options. We are in Oxfordshire, and want to hear of any recommendations for good places she can do weekly boarding that aren't too far out of the area. Preferably all girls, but what's most important is she needs good pastoral care etc as she has ADHD. The new school they are merging with is more of an academic hothouse and this is not what I want for her.

DilettanteMum · 16/09/2023 16:37

Wychwood?

dinglydanglygooglygangly · 16/09/2023 21:46

I am aware of the two schools that are merging and I agree they're chalk and cheese. For what it's worth, I moved my daughter from the hot house school at yr 9... she'd been through the upper years of the prep but really didn't gel with the senior school - too pushy, aggressive girls etc
She moved to one of the schools outside of Oxford itself - much less of a hot house environment, countryside based, day,weekly, flexi and full boarding. She couldn't be happier, did really well in her GCSEs and is now happily embarking on the first few weeks of 6th form with a great group of kids.

Original poster

jeaux90 · 17/09/2023 15:28

@dinglydanglygooglygangly this is what all the parents are worried about. Most of us picked it for its intimate, individual based approach and of course it's gorgeous grounds and facilities. 10/12 in a class is perfect for my DD. Do you mind me asking which school your DD went to?

I'm keeping mine at Rye until after GCSE but I'm definitely moving her after that.

@DilettanteMum I did originally consider wychwood but there was something that didn't quite gel with me in terms of my DD and her personality.

OP posts:

dinglydanglygooglygangly · 17/09/2023 15:30

jeaux90 · 17/09/2023 15:28

@dinglydanglygooglygangly this is what all the parents are worried about. Most of us picked it for its intimate, individual based approach and of course it's gorgeous grounds and facilities. 10/12 in a class is perfect for my DD. Do you mind me asking which school your DD went to?

I'm keeping mine at Rye until after GCSE but I'm definitely moving her after that.

@DilettanteMum I did originally consider wychwood but there was something that didn't quite gel with me in terms of my DD and her personality.

I moved my daughter to The Oratory in Woodcote

Giraffe62 · 17/09/2023 16:10

If you don't mind switching to Co ed (which may be more acceptable to you for sixth form) I would definitely look at Pangbourne College, Shiplake or The Oratory which are probably more in line with the ethos at Rye, particularly so for a child with SEND/ADHD

vinoandbrie · 17/09/2023 18:41

Does this school have a new / interim head? I’m so sorry this is happening. What a shame for the girls.

dinglydanglygooglygangly · 17/09/2023 20:27

Giraffe62 · 17/09/2023 16:10

If you don't mind switching to Co ed (which may be more acceptable to you for sixth form) I would definitely look at Pangbourne College, Shiplake or The Oratory which are probably more in line with the ethos at Rye, particularly so for a child with SEND/ADHD

If you are looking at Co-ed, The Oratory is closest in ethos. It's a small school, catholic ethos (although 60% kids non catholic including my 2 kids) small classes, fantastic pastoral and extra - curricular. Academic kids still achieve highly but room for all and all sorts of achievements are celebrated. Art is fantastic, Small class sizes etc. generally really nice kids and parents too. Shiplake (in my opinion based on my friend's kids experiences and regular matches) seems more alpha male and pangbourne seems more formal and much much bigger.

tennissquare · 17/09/2023 22:47

vinoandbrie · 17/09/2023 18:41

Does this school have a new / interim head? I’m so sorry this is happening. What a shame for the girls.

There is a thread on Rye closing in the Education section with the FAQ posted.

Original poster

jeaux90 · 18/09/2023 15:06

Rye isn't closing its merging. Rye grounds will become the prep school. It's heartbreaking. It will be swallowed up by the Headington hot house.

Thanks for the suggestions you've given me some really positive information to start with.

OP posts:

Giraffe62 · 18/09/2023 15:11

That's interesting DinglyDangly. The Oratory has had it's problems in the past and was historically very alpha male but I am hearing more positive things recently. Glad that's born out by your experience. I wouldn't write off Pangbourne because of the perceived formality and 'traditions' etc. There is a warm welcome and incredibly close knit family feel underneath it all. It is definitely worth a look.

dinglydanglygooglygangly · 18/09/2023 15:45

Giraffe62 · 18/09/2023 15:11

That's interesting DinglyDangly. The Oratory has had it's problems in the past and was historically very alpha male but I am hearing more positive things recently. Glad that's born out by your experience. I wouldn't write off Pangbourne because of the perceived formality and 'traditions' etc. There is a warm welcome and incredibly close knit family feel underneath it all. It is definitely worth a look.

Yes it's interesting how school reputations shift. I'd read a lot of the previous views of the Oratory before we looked but I don't recognise any of it from our experience. My daughter joined as one of the first cohort of girls when it went Co- ed and I can honestly say she's like a different child - happy, confident, secure. She's just gone into sixth form. I also moved my sport- mad son from a boys "hothouse" prep and he is also thriving for completely different reasons. They seem to find a way to cater for different kids. When we looked pangbourne seemed very "big" even though I know it's not many more pupils and the military tradition put my daughter off slightly, but I have a few friends with kids who seem very happy there, and the kids all seem to know each other locally.