milton abbey

[abitrag568u]

Hi everyone,
We're currently looking at options for DS (Year 10) for Year 11 entry. He's currently at a private school in oxford . He is very talented in rugby and football and plays at a high county/regional level.
Academically, he's... well, he's solid. Not flying, not struggling. He's probably upper end of average, comfortably getting 6s and 7s at GCSE mocks, but nowhere near the 8/9s that seem to be standard at the more selective schools.
Would Milton abbey be a choice, we would be moving for financial reasons to dorset and we would save 9,500 pounds more, as we are battling financially due to the VAT

Why on earth would you consider moving a child half way through GCSEs? Most schools won’t accept year 11 starters for good reason. Can you delay the move for a year? Or look for a school that would take him to repeat year 10?

Milton Abbey has leaned very heavily into supporting SEN to the extent that they are borderline not a mainstream school. Also not strong in sport so I think he'd find it very frustrating tbh. What I would be inclined to do in your position is eke it out till end of year 11 and then go state for 6th form.

@abitrag568u, you’ve already posted about Sherborne and the replies all say it’s virtually impossible to swap schools between years 10 and 11 within both the state and private sectors in England because of the way each school teaches the GCSEs curriculum in a different order. Until you speak to a registrar and find a school with a year 11 entry point there is no point posting on MN. Your best bet is to work out a long term payment plan for your dc to remain in year 11 and move him to a state sixth form for A levels.

I would eek out year 11 where you are.

A school near us closed last year (due to vat) and the kids had to move including mid GCSE.

This has been messy and some of them not stayed in the first school they moved to so moved twice. The bulk went to the same school where they are having special catch up glasses. The one in DDs class is scoring a fail in most subjects currently. I really wouldn't move mid GCSEs.

Completely agree with everything you’ve said!

If you’re looking at Milton Abbey for a sporty child, it’s probably not the best option.
I believe It's also a very small school about 200/250 pupils which would worry me.

You are obviously are considering your options because you also posted this on 2 other threads inc Pangbourne College, days apart.

The general consensus has been moving. Your child in year 11 would be incredibly unwise but of course we do know that these things happen for lots of different reasons, if you’re able to keep him where he is that might be your best option and maybe significantly cheaper than moving to Dorset.

You mentioned your based in Oxfordshire have you had a look at Abingdon Boys.