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Education

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Original poster

boarding school for square peg 14 year old boy

15 replies

annie2004 · 09/02/2011 11:25

can anyone please recommend a boarding school for a friends son who is always getting into trouble but doesn't seem to care about the consequences this brings. He is bright but seems to be on a completely different and self destructive wavelength. thank you.

OP posts:

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/02/2011 11:47

The problem is he could take those problems to a boarding school!

Sorry. Don't know whereabouts you are looking for?

Original poster

annie2004 · 09/02/2011 11:52

actually she is happy to look anywhere in england but believes she needs a strict school because if you give him an inch he will take a mile, but also a school that will bring out the best in him. any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:

FloreatEtonia · 09/02/2011 12:21

Hilton College in RSA - the RSA schools are amazing for discipline!

onimolap · 09/02/2011 12:36

I don't know the school personally, but I remember being very impressed when I read thus about the Royal Alexandra and Albert School.

There may be other options in the state boarding system too: Duke of Yorks Royal Military Academy is now also open to civilian families (but you would need to be happy with the ethos). Here's a link to the state boarding schools' association site which signposts you to more information.

propatria · 09/02/2011 12:38

One of my godsons grandfathers was sent to Hilton during the war to "escape the Nazis" oh the irony...

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/02/2011 12:41

Is he is year 9? He will have to sit an entrance exam if the school is a good one, and then be organising GCSE options.

belledechocchipcookie · 09/02/2011 12:44

this is a lovely school, even has it's own farm.

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 09/02/2011 12:56

Does he WANT to go to boarding school? Because if he doesn't, I'm not sure it's going to help his issues.

sue52 · 09/02/2011 13:24

Be aware that boarding schools take references from previous schools, so make sure he has explanations ready for past behavior if necessary.

mary21 · 09/02/2011 16:50

It might be worth looking at the human scale education website. The school i was thinking of was sans in Devon but its only a day school. A school where the students set the rules might stop him wanting to kick back at them. Another approach might be somewhere like Gordonstoun with lots of outdoor activity

LIZS · 10/02/2011 08:41

Has he ever been assessed for SEN ? RAAS is nice but has made a concerted effort to move away from taking "troubled" kids in recent years.

moonshineandmists · 10/02/2011 11:00

I would also suggest that she considers SEN issues and perhaps seeking advice from CAMHS. Not sure what you mean by self-destructive but they can help with therapies/parenting etc.

There are Quaker boarding schools which have a very supportive ethos, e.g St Christopher.

Gooftroop · 10/02/2011 12:28

Try Gabbitas, Quintessential Education, or Good Schools Guide Advice Service.

Original poster

annie2004 · 10/02/2011 16:56

hi all and thanks so much for all the suggestions so far.

No problems with regards to SEN issues

if anyone else has a recommendation I would be very happy to do some research

OP posts:

applesandcider · 12/02/2011 00:31

Maybe your friend should consider a school that encourages square pegs! Frensham Heights and Bedales come to mind.

My DS attends a boarding school as a flexi-boarder (3 to 4 nights a week). He is most definitely a square peg (a creative, but slightly prima donnaish, musician) but is able to cope with the tight regime of boarding knowing he has the opportunity to kick off when he gets home. Best of both worlds IMO.

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