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Education

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Original poster

Boarding sixth forms

18 replies

burtonk · 05/09/2018 09:38

Hi, my dd is interested in going to a boarding school for her a levels. Does anyone know of any good boarding sixths that only have year12-13, and not a school attached as she thinks this will be easier to make friends and integrate. Location isn’t the biggest issue, but we’d prefer if it was within an hour or two of the West Midlands. She’s never been to a boarding school before, but she likes a good, strong sense of community. Thanks

OP posts:

Michaelahpurple · 05/09/2018 10:20

I haven't heard of such a thing - I suspect it wouldn't work economically , but perhaps Mumsnet will price me wrong!

ifonly4 · 05/09/2018 10:43

She'll easily meet friends in house, as well as classes and clubs. My DD has four friends inhouse, two in house next door and one in a house further. They're also friends with some of the boys and all support eachother, ie go to eachothers plays, concerts etc.

Miladymilord · 05/09/2018 10:46

I think hurt wood house is just a 6th form?

It sounds a bit odd, you won't get to be a prefect or anything, or work with the little ones (dd1 enjoyed helping with netball for the year 7s)

TwoOddSocks · 05/09/2018 12:34

I agree with others that there will be very few schools with only 6th form boarding and most will probably be catering to foreign students using it to leapfrog into UK universities - I wouldn't limit my choice to only these schools.

If she starts in 6th form in a good boarding school there will inevitably be quite a few new students although obviously the majority will know each other already.

wurzelburga · 05/09/2018 13:35

Peter Symonds in Winchester is probably one of the best sixth form colleges in UK. State boarding so reasonably priced. Not in Midlands though.

Concord College Shrewsbury also hugley successful. Large proportion of international students. Private £££££.

Some more traditional schools take significant numbers at sixth form. Some have a house dedicated to new students. I think Sevenoaks do this for example. Others will have a separate sixth form house. But a good school will integrate newcomers very successfully regardless.

wurzelburga · 05/09/2018 18:13

Actually Concord is 13 -19 but big 6th form intake.

This list might help. Not sure about the rankings but quite a useful list.

www.best-schools.co.uk/uk-school-league-tables/sixth-form-colleges/

Dancingdreamer · 05/09/2018 18:18

Rugby have a dedicated house for 6th form girls so easy to make friends. I have heard though that this makes it harder for the new girls to integrate into the school. Marlborough also put 6th form girls into boys houses so they get the best of both worlds: new girls are together but with an established group of boys who know the school.

MrsRespoDad · 05/09/2018 18:22

What's the pregnancy rate at Marlborough?

Michaelahpurple · 05/09/2018 22:25

Mixed boarding houses have become relatively common, perhaps surprisingly. I believe Westminster do this too

Moanella · 05/09/2018 22:31

I know a few alumni of Atlantic College. All speak very positively of the experience. A little bit different to your usual private school.
www.atlanticcollege.org

Papergirl1968 · 05/09/2018 22:32

Oldswinford Hospital School, a state boarding school near Stourbridge, admits girls to sixth form only at the moment.
It has a great reputation and exam results, and a friend’s son is very happy there although only boards occasionally.

Ariclock · 05/09/2018 22:35

From googling it seems that there are lots of boarding schools in the West Midlands. Could you just look for one that has a reputation for having a good community feel?

Xiaoxiong · 05/09/2018 23:17

Surely the next best thing is to go to a traditionally all-boys boarding school that now takes girls in the 6th form. All the girls will be new together.

Xiaoxiong · 05/09/2018 23:26

Sorry didn't finish my post!! Maybe look at schools like Charterhouse, Stowe, Shrewsbury...

Korvalscat · 06/09/2018 00:23

Cardiff Sixth Form College. According to its website it has been top of the Independant School league tables since 2010.

VanillaSugary · 06/09/2018 06:59

Uppingham has a girls only boarding house just for new sixth formers.

mumwah · 06/09/2018 07:54

Bromsgrove School is in the Midlands and it has a mixed Sixth Form only boarding house for over 100 pupils where 99% were new. Different areas for sleeping of course but mixed common and dining rooms

Dancingdreamer · 07/09/2018 16:46

Lol MrsRespo. Not heard of any pregnancies at Marlborough. There is an alarm that sounds if the girls or boys try to get into the wrong side of the house!

Papergirl - Old Swinford only takes day girls I believe.

Mumwah - I forgot Bromsgrove. I think the 6th form boarding house is mainly international students. But the boarding houses are very lovely and the school has a nice vibe.

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