Marlborough, Kings College- other co-eds with Lax and / or sailing?

[11plusconfused]

Despite my handle I'm not posting on 11 plus but 16 plus now.
My daughter is keen on a co-ed 6th form and boarding despite having been single sex day school until now. She has seen Brighton College, Kings at Canterbury and Marlbourgh. She is a keen sailor so we thought RHS a good option but I think not academic enough. She isnt super academic compared tgo her peers in school now but does go to a bit of a London hot house right now (top 20 school) so its all relative. I expect her GCSEs will come out in the 7-9 range with the exception of 1 or 2 weak subjects. I think she will still need some structure and some pushing. She also plays lax which not many mixed schools do. Are there any other schools I should be considering and does anyone have thoughts on those three? I loved Brighton but I think I will rule out as too acadmic and doenst play any of her sports. Does anyone know if they ever get the chance to leave campus on weeknights if organsied pick up and drop off an planned taxi. She is a very active senior cadet and they have a unit close by. I know a lot of schools do CCF but its not the same. I never went to boarding school so I have no clue!

Uppingham is mixed and I think the girls play lax.

Canford? CCF seems to be a big deal and academically very good without being a hot house. New Sixth Form facilities came on line this year and look amazing. Don't think they do lacrosse, and no sailing team but super close to the coast so wonder if they might facilitate? Worth an ask, maybe? Weekly boarding not an option but there seems to be some flexibility around the occasional weekend at home.

Are you set on private? St George's Harpenden has an excellent LAX programme and boarding

Have you looked at Wellington? I believe they do both sports.

Not necessarily I thought private was the only option. V interesting.

I will take a look thanks

Don't rule out RHS because of academics. While it's not academically selective, there are many able children who do very well there. Teaching is fantastic, and able children are certainly pushed and stretched, and achieve excellent results. And the sailing opportunities and standards are incredible.

Do you have a child there? Would be great to hear more. She was actually really keen on there at one point as she is a good sailor and wanted the opportunity to sail very regularly. She met a few kids from there when she was racing against them at a Cadets event. They were all amazing.

She then had a rethink after that and I think she worried that she wouldn’t be a good enough sailor. Whilst she sails every week and gets involved in club racing locally, she wouldn’t have had nearly the same exposure as the kids who have been there since Y7/Y9 etc and are racing several times a week. I think she got scared that it might take the fun out of something that she really enjoys if she suddenly feels a bit useless compared to some of the more elite kids. From what she understands, it’s a bit more chilled at Kings college and more about the fun and Fitness than the elite training.
she might be overthinking it though. I expect they have more levels at RHS.

I don't have a child there now, but I do have recent personal experience. My son was academically able and left with fantastic A level results (A star, A, A) as did many of his peers. He had the best time there, and thrived in so many ways. He wasn’t a sailor, but I know loads who are, and who chose the school for that reason. I think it's an incredible school, and I'd really recommend a visit.

And yes, I'm pretty sure there are all levels of sailors - but again, a visit would answer that question.

Thanks so much. Many of the applicatinons due this week so its been a bit of a scramble.

Atlantic College - lots of sailing but no lax.

Definitely Sevenoaks! amazing sailing provision, CCF, and should meet all academic requirements too. no Lax though that i am aware of.

I was literally about to recommend Royal Hospital School because of the sailing but noted your concern on academics. I certainly wouldn't rule out RHS on this basis. Results are strong for a broadly non selective school and I know people this year who've chosen it over local grammars and the infamously high performing Ipswich School because of the breadth of opportunities, superb pastoral support and to avoid a more hot house environment. They definitely stretch most able and get a lot out of those who need a push.

Sport is strong but doesn't do lax unfortunately as no one to play in this neck if the woods! CCF in school very active though and of course huge in sailing. That said don't be scared by perception of them all being amazing. My neighbours son did it as a PE/Games option just because he enjoyed it - not to race seriously.

Sixth form very vibrant with lots of boarders and new sixth form centre. May be worth a look and asking questions to satisfy yourself on academics if it ticks lots of other boxes.