Rugby School - pros and cons at sixth form for Strong Stem Student

[iyaT]

Got a string stem daughter predicted nine 9s and two 8s at GCSE. Rugby School was value for money for us and she and I liked how down to earth tehy are compared to many south east and london schools. However we are struggling to hear any real pros and cons - we want to know more of teh cons to really know what we are getting into. Her favourite subjects are maths futher maths and physics, she is also into music and doesnt mind some sports.

Not much recently on Rugby school on Mums net so would love current feedbacks!

Hi

It’s a good school but you’ve specifically asked for cons. My info is 2 to 3 years old so needs updating

• Food quality and quantity. Look into this. In the past it was questionable in the sense that it was average at best. But that was coming from boy pupils who go need to eat a lot. Pupils were going to supermarket each week to buy extra food and also once per week were allowed takeaways

• mobile phone usage walking between lessons in 6th form was off the charts. Very very relaxed policy

• no bed time for sixth formers. They can stay up as late as they like

Thank you - this is infact very useful to know, I appreciate the feedback

We are current parents and perhaps I can help with a quick download of my thoughts.

• You are spot on that it is very down to earth compared to other schools. Free from much of the social drama and OTT-ness that we saw in other schools. We have a boy there already and two girls heading there soon.
• kids are genuinely polite, responsible, independent and kind. They gain quiet confidence. Very high levels of respect from pupils to staff and from staff to pupils.
• We know lots of strong Oxbridge level maths students who are thriving and stretched. But it isn’t a specialist maths school. Music is truly excellent. Have you had a meeting with a maths teacher or asked about specific results?
• Food, for us, is excellent. Have you eaten in house yet as part of your visit? There are small kitchens in-house for snacks, fruit always available, a tuck shop, breakfast, 2x in-house snacks such as toasties, 2 course lunch and a dinner every day. No one goes hungry. Second helpings are allowed. A trip to Asda is common as an outing but not as everyone is starving
• in-house dining was essential for us. It does vary by house but ask for a visit and have lunch in-house. Sit on a table of girls and ask them questions, they’ll be honest.
• Food is also responsive. Kids asked for more protein at breakfast so eggs were added every day in response.
• Having a very strong house system means you need to connect with the house mistress. I assume you’re looking at Stanley.
• Phone policy works for us, not relaxed at all in younger years but easing as they get older. Similar to other schools we looked at. There could be issues but not in our house that I’m aware of.

I’m sure you’re looking at many good school options and your daughter will do well in all of them.

If you have questions ask for another visit but my advice is always to follow your gut instinct as you know what’s best for your child.

Thank you @ParisianLady this is very helpful. My child has eaten there during her sixth form entry and enjoyed the food :-) Thanks for responding, its been a challenge to get updated comments on Rugby school. I havent had a chance to speak to anyone from the Maths department but its very reassuring to hear there are lots of strong Oxbridge level maths students who are thriving and stretched. What we liked about Rugby was the balanced 360 outlook -which correctly reflects the reality of the world we live in. I just dont see on their social media much on the academic side of school, but there is alot on the super curricular, so was wondering

I’d say the academics are strong, but not a hot house. Bright kids are identified, stretched and challenged, and I’d confidently say that they get the best out of all the children.

The entry requirements are as rigorous as other schools we went to, and actually Rugby has more steps and assessments than others although those assessments are admittedly not only academic. I personally like that they are assessing for fit, approach, personality as much as academics but that it isn’t for everyone.

Two of my kids are very bright and I fully expect them to do very well there. The top set streaming is strong. But I would honestly expect them to do very well at any school they went to. The teaching is excellent and engaged.

My other child is more middle of the road, naturally more B than A grade, and I suspect she might actually get more from the school than the others who would do well anyway. I have full confidence she will achieve better grades here than at other schools from their approach.

They do publish results on their website if you can hunt them down and when we compared them to other schools we were looking at it was comparable or better. But we have deliberately avoided the academic hot house environment schools, who clearly they will get naturally better results as they are more selective.

It is in a school’s interest to be good grades, I wouldn’t expect any slacking, but it’s also in their interest to have happy children who thrive. To me Rugby strikes that balance but there are many other schools who would do the same and for those who are strongly motivated by academics more than other things, they might want a different approach. Success at Rugby isn’t just in academic form, which isn’t for everyone.

Hope that makes sense, I’m trying to be as balanced as I can 🙂

It’s a nice balanced school turning out great kids. It’s not particularly academic but bright children tend to do well anywhere, as they tend to be motivated wherever they go to school.
Kiki n an existing cohort of girls at 6th form brings hefty challenges that are the same at any school. Girls make strong bonds at 13 and it can be hard to crack existing strong friendship groups at 16+. Not specific to rugby - any school accepting new girls at 16 would have similar concerns.