Anyone from Mowden Hall or RGS schools in the Newcastle area?

[Moiraine610]

Hello,

Apologies in advance for the VERY long explanation below before I ask any questions. I am new to this and didn't know how much background to put to make things clear :^$

We are thinking of sending our DD to Mowden Hall (near Stocksfield) school. We have been to visit a couple of times and like the early years set up. The children look very happy and involved, the premises and facilities are fantastic and what we saw of the classes was very good. However we are a bit worried about when she eventually would need to move to preparatory as from then is very much geared up towards boarding, which we will not consider. That means Saturday classes, which would in turn mean we wouldn't get much time with her. We are also worried that they only go up to 13 yo, which means we would need to look for another school from then on, with very limited availability in the area and a lot of competition for those few spaces. We are also a little bit worried that the school seems very focused on sports and extra-curricular activities and cannot find much information anywhere about academic performance.

Our preferred alternative is Royal Grammar School (RGS), but it doesn't receive children until 7 yo, so don't know what to do to help prepare her for the entrance assessment to ensure (as much as possible) that she would get in at the time.

We also applied for Dame Allan's, but after several follow ups, at this (very late) stage they still say they don't know if they are going to have any spaces available for reception class in September (?!)

So two main question threads:

1. Anyone with children in or alumni of RGS, what is the best way to help prepare our DD for the entrance assessment to maximise her chances of getting in? Any school for early years that tends to get more children accepted in RGS?

2. Anyone with children in or alumni from Mowden Hall, how are academics, pastoral, etc. throughout, beyond early years? Which schools do the children tend to go to after they become 13? Would it be a good preparation for the entrance exams for RGS?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

I know Mowden, it is wonderfully nurturing and whilst at this stage you are understandably completely against boarding, I would advise you not to rule it out. The children love it. My nephew does a few nights (weekdays only) at Mowden but is otherwise a day boy, my nieces both did a mix of day and boarding.
Highly recommend Mowden for being a great all round school to prepare children for their senior schools, wherever that maybe. Newcastle School for Girls is a very good day school but quite towny and academic, very different from Mowden - country prep.

Wondering what you decided? Mowden would suit a self-motivated bright girl very well. Art Dept encourages those who are already arty. Music Dept encourages those who are already musical. No professional sports coaching, apart from swimming, unless you are prepared to pay extra for it. You are right that they focus on the 'fun' extras which they stress are character-building, and are not very rigorous academically. None of it helped by rapid staff turn over. Had two children there, one bright who was not stretched and one not-bright who was not supported, both were underestimated. Mowden has sent children to Public Schools around the country (Uppingham, Oundle, Glenalmond, Ampleforth, Shrewsbury, Sedbergh etc) rather than to local Day Schools but that is starting to change. Preparation is currently parent-led as Common Entrance is what they teach to and not Year 6 or Year 7 entrance examinations.

I agree with snoozy2straws, Mowden is very nurturing, and although it is a prep school and you would have to look for a school for 13+ it is possible to gain access into the Newcastle day schools after Mowden. When I first looked round RGS the Head there mentioned how well rounded the children were that had joined RGS from Mowden. We did consider sending our children to RGS from age 7, but really wanted a nurturing environment in their younger years (i.e Year 4 onwards, after primary) as RGS is very academic and I felt like I wanted a good balance of both nurturing and academics . Our children didn't struggle with the entrance exam, and Mowden helped prepare them. Some of their friends went further afield to Sedbergh, Oundle and even Eton. For me Mowden is a really good blend of nurturing/academic/confidence building. It's hard to make the right choice, but I think you have to pick what is best for your child, as they are all different!