shrewsbury school

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opinions on shrewsbury school? I've heard some rumours that its dropped a bit in terms of academic performance especially last year? looking for a more academic boarding school

Do you send your dc there? Would love to understand why people don't think its academically strong.

Did u send to Shrewsbury? How is it?

The school is way too big to ever feel competitive. Everyone is on their own journey there. no two pupils have the same timetable and sets are very mixed (2 groups of five parallel sets at gcse where set 3 are just as likely to get all A s as the top sets. )
the only pupils who get the letter are ones who have been messing around. It’s just not a school for children who like to push boundaries. No one is down for it. Not pupils. Not teachers. It causes disruption. Every child is on their own path and the ethos at the school is work hard /play hard - and if you’re messing around on the fringes then you’ll get verbal chats first, then written formal letter if attitude is still being disruptive. It’s collaborative with tutors and parents to try and get things back on track. No school likes to lose pupils afterall.
It might be one pupil in a year group , it could be 10. No one knows who gets the letters unless pupils want to say they have. Most are frank about getting the letter - it’s not a death sentence. I’d say 90% of recipients turn their game around and thrive at A level.
but for some, they are more suited to more expressive schools. My friend’s child left and went to Hurtwood House for example.
it’s a kind school where pupils strive but are rarely competitive academically. That’s not the vibe at all. I just asked my dc and got a wrinkled nose at the question of academic competitiveness, like I’d just said it was curried Brussel sprouts for supper . Just a big fat no to that concept.

Would u say 16+ is excessively difficult to get in? Missed the boat on 13+ but still feeling the pull to Shrewsbury because of the pastoral reputation. I know oubdle has an excellent one as well. Fomo!!!

Yes 16+ is much much harder to get in. Generally need to be a high flyer in either academic or sport or music or whatever but that said , they are opening a new girls house in a year or two so there will be more spots opening up for girls at least.
housemasters get some say at 16+ so tour some houses and if one appeals, get chummy with the hsm and see if they can pull some strings !
im sure all these schools are great and whether it’s Oundle or Shrewsbury or somewhere similar, your child will have a blast.

Seems like it's going to be a huge school.

Yes Oundle is big. But 12 boarding houses with about 60 in each where you take your meals etc so the units are small. My dc have loved having large year groups as you can always find your tribe within such a big melting pot. Also peer pressure completely disseminated in a large pool of people. No one can dominate.