Alternatives to UWC Atlantic College

[Waffleswithcheese]

Starting to look at options for sixth form boarding for DS. He loves the look of UWC, and I think it would be a perfect fit for him. But conscious that entry is very competitive, and would like some good back-up alternatives.

He's currently doing IB Middle Years Programme in an international school overseas, so preferred option is a school that does IBDP, but we wouldn't rule out A Levels at the right school. He's bright (equivalent of GCSE 8s / 9s across most subjects), skewed more towards Maths / sciences, but also with a bit of a creative bend.

I don't think a super-traditional public school would suit him - he's spent most of his life in fairly down to earth international schools with no uniform / chapel etc. He's a bit quirky and active in lots of extra curricular activities (but basketball rather than rugby, and drums with a rock band rather than school orchestra).

Looking for a full boarding option (we will be overseas), ideally with a big new contingent at sixth form. Either state (we're eligible for boarding places) or private.

Any ideas very welcome!

Are you leaning towards slightly more liberal but still recognisably traditional British school like Bryanston or Bedales? Or an international school like ACS Cobham? Or there are the very alternative schools: Summerhill, Brockwood Park

And since it's just 6th form you're thinking of, how about truly out of the box: ThinkGlobal School (https://thinkglobalschool.org/)

I should say more about my thought process to suggesting the above - I know you like UWC but don't say if it's because it's a boarding school in the UK, it's very international, or it's a bit alternative. So depending on which of those factors is driving your like of UWC will probably send you down a different path of deciding what is a good backup/alternative.

The private alternative would be Sevenoaks School - big on basketball, big Sixth Form intake. However, potentially as competitive to get in. No chapel, basic uniform.

Hockerill Anglo European College - great state alternative! Not sure how many full boarders though, last time I checked for family was almost 50/50. I think you should look into it though.

@Xiaoxiong good questions! Definitely leaning towards something a little more liberal (more in the sense of treating sixth formers more like young adults than children), but Summerhill too out there for us.

Drawn to UWC for a variety of reasons: diversity of intake; focus on activism and making a difference in the world as much as the academics; international outlook. I think their approach to the IBDP looks really innovative (but not wacky) - looks like an excellent education for the 21st Century. My son thinks it looks like a lot of fun - and I would have loved to go there at his age.

Interesting that you mention ACS Cobham. Out of our price range for boarding, but we were looking at possibility of ACS Egham as a day school when we eventually move back for one of our other children - feels like it would be a good fit.

Will take a look at Bryanston and Bedales - I don't know much about them.

The Think Global school looks really interesting! Almost tempted, but I think in reality we probably need something a little more connected to a recognised qualification.

Thanks @Araminta1003 - that's really helpful. Both Sevenoaks and Hockerill were vaguely on my radar, so will take a closer look. Sevenoaks sounds perhaps a little less traditional than I had assumed (which is a plus for us).

@Waffleswithcheese - Which has a great recent write-up on Sevenoaks School. Sounds perfect for your DS as an alternative to UWC. I assume the school fees are similar, but not sure!
https://whichschooladvisor.com/uk/school-review/sevenoaks-school

It is basically the best co-ed international school for self driven kids of all types and it is in the South East for all the airports. But obviously it does not just have a 6th form intake so a slightly different feel to UWC.

Have you looked at Taunton School, Somerset, South West England

• direct train to London 2hr 15mins

I had family connections there & it always had a good reputation for an all-round education & excellent pastoral care (this was a while ago, so maybe worth checking out recent reviews/experience)

No advice on alternatives but just wanted to say that my DS attends a UWC college, although not Atlantic, and just loves it there. Fingers crossed your DS gets a place.

@Araminta1003 thanks for the review link for Sevenoaks. Looks very interesting as an alternative although, as you say, probably at least as competitive to get in! Will definitely look into it more.

@Bluffetybluff will also look at Taunton School - thanks!

@Katieweasel good to hear that your DS is loving the UWC experience! We're keeping our fingers crossed that our DS gets a place, as I think it would be a great school for him. But also trying to get too excited about it at this point / come up with good alternatives so that it's not a crushing disappointment if he doesn't get in!

If you can afford it look at UWC global scholars programme.

It if not as tough for selection as going through the National Committee.

www.uwc.org/gsp

Thanks @marcopront . I thought that was probably the case (and we will almost certainly go this route), but couldn't see any admissions stats to back that up. The school website seems deliberately opaque on that point.

I don't have a good sense of exactly how difficult it is to get in on the Global Scholars Programme. Would be good to know if we're looking at 10% likelihood (so better have a really solid back-up), 50/50 chance, or 80% (ie in with a decent shot if meet all the criteria)… For no reason other than to help us adjust expectations 😁

@Waffleswithcheese

I think the problem is it does depend. I think the National Committees have now said how many places they want at each UWC and so they have an idea of how many places are available.

We take very few GSP students and this year we have a large cohort that moved up from MYP (I'm at a different UWC). We can only take the students we have beds for.
I think Atlantic take more than us through GSP. If they have space and your child fits the criteria I think there is a high chance of a place.

@marcopront

That's really interesting - thank you. I will get in touch with the admissions team at Atlantic College soon to see what they say about number of places on the GSP.