6th form boarding - suggestions

[EskimoTwist]

I’m looking for suggestions for a boarding school for 6th form.

requirements:

full boarding
girls only
good sports, particularly hockey
Excellent provision for dyslexia
not super selective due to above
preferably within 2 hours of London

would love suggestions on schools that would both suit and be likely to have availability.

Lots of options! Roedean, St Mary’s Ascot, Calne?

Sherborne?

Thanks - all those are already on my long list, so good to know I’m on the right track.

I’m a bit concerned about the entrance process, and a lower 6th entry without having a strong academic background - are any likely to be better/worse options?

my older DS was considering 6th form boarding a few years back and I talked to a couple of schools (super selective academic- which suited him) and they left me with the impression that it was virtually impossible to get a place for 6th form. It’s worried me. (Ultimately he decided to stay in his day school in the country we live - hence no real experience)

Tudor Hall and Sherborne girls would suit.

Roedean, Calne, CLC, St Swithuns, Benenden. These are selective schools. Competitive. Ditto SMAS.

Given the current climate with VAT and fees, most schools will be happy to take on a Sixth Form starter if they are the right fit for the school.

Ah this is fair. None of the selective schools will be advertising this of course but honestly give it a go (if she will fit that environment).

Good to know thanks for the feedback.

She’s probably a solid B student, with maybe the odd A, rather than an A/A*. She works hard but exam stress gets the better of her. I don’t know how that translates to selective/competitive.

without the pressure of a broad curriculum and in small classes I think she could do well in A levels.

Sherborne Girls sounds like a great fit. But I would try the others. I believe the atmosphere can also lift you up if it's not too much. Certainly did for me at Oundle. I turned up deeply uninspired intellectually from my prep school and was in bottom set. The experience was a breeze at Oundle as my peers were inspiring and there was a good culture. Good luck

It’s a very different prospect from getting into the likes of Eton/Winchester at 16, four or five years ago.
Any girls boarding school today is going to welcome you with open arms if you can pay the fees.

Probably a bit over two hours from London, but have a look at Moreton Hall in Shropshire. It’s Sixth form has a good reputation and I don’t think it’s super selective.

Also consider the subjects she is planning to take // some schools are more science focused than humanities or language etc. for some reason in girls schools there are sometimes huge favourite subjects and she could end up in a class with v few people doing it if the school is not very large.

I think a number of these schools will be keen to offer your daughter a place. She may not be getting the highest grades but she is getting very good grades. Take a look at the Sunday Times league tables or their own websites and see what their averages were last year.
My main concern would be to ask a lot of questions about how many girls will be taking the subjects your DD is interested in. A lot of these schools would typically run A level courses for niche subjects with just 3 or 4 students but, with VAT, I think those days may be over for some schools.

Definitely worth you looking at Mayfield Girls in East Sussex. It’s a very happy school with a fantastic new Head.

@EskimoTwist did you decide on a place for your DD? If not I have suggestions but don't want to be unhelpful if you're already set on somewhere else.😊

Try St George's, Ascot.