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Original poster

Bootham School, York

14 replies

Starmummy · 07/01/2008 13:13

Does anyone have information about this school? Ds desperately wants to go and I am not sure he is academically at the level they would "appear" to need. He is the "invisible child" and I would love for him to be in an environment where he has the chance to flourish and not slide under the radar. However, not at the cost of him struggling continually to achieve, stretching is good, as are high standards but consistent failure, no. So I really need as much info as poss before I approach the school.

Thanks.

OP posts:
TheodoresMummy · 07/01/2008 17:10

Bumping for you.

Someone on here does have a child at this school and is happy with it IIRC, but can't remember who...

Ubergeekian · 07/01/2008 19:50

My partner was working at Bootham when we met, and I ran a staff development course for Quaker school teachers a couple of years ago and met some more Bootham people there. That's the limit of my knowledge but ...

... I think it's a lovely school. They seem to be really good at treating children as individuals, and at nurturing slightly odd or eccentric children who would not fit in elsewhere but who flourish there. Relations with staff are relaxed but not sloppy and the facilities seem excellent.

Don't hesitate - ring them up, have a chat, go and see them. I'm sure you'll get a very friendly welcome, and I am also sure that they will be very honest with you about your whether it would suit your son.

For what it's worth, although His Nibs is only two, we are already hoping to send him to Bootham for the sixth form at least.

Incidentally, if you were thinking of boarding, it might be worth looking at the other Quaker schools - Friends' (Saffron Walden), Ackworth (Pontefract), Leighton Park (Reading), Sidcot (zomewhere in Zummerset) and Sibford (Banbury). (The Mount in York is girls only).

Original poster
Starmummy · 08/01/2008 02:53

Thank you.

We live abroad, so I want to be looking at the right schools (in the opinion of ds and I)before I start calling. I have seen Ackworth, (although some years ago now) Ds would have gone to the pre prep if he hadnt got in at the v highly rated local (to where we lived)state school. I just really loved the calm ethos of the whole place and I guess that Bootham is similar. The other schools are a bit too far as I want Ds to be near family and friends for the weekends/exeats. As I am working I'm not sure how often I could get back for things like sports day etc, so def need him to be near everyone.
I'm finding all this a bit much at the moment, never in a million years did I think I would ever countenance sending DS away! He on the other hand is very excited, the thought of sport and like minded people.

OP posts:
Loshad · 08/01/2008 15:18

I never get the impression that bootham is an academic hothouse, and all the quaker schools encourage an accepting attitude so think it's unlikley that your Ds would not be an acceptable standard for them - i've friends with children at both ackworth and bootham and they have children with a variety of academic prowess. Mine are at a different local independent school so no personal knowledge but based on the gist I get from my friends cannot think they would let any child slip under the radar, or constantly fail.

hoxtonchick · 08/01/2008 19:45

i went to bootham from 86-93. it's a really lovely school, i had a fabulous time there & wish we lived nearer as i would certainly send my children there.

i was pretty academic & was very well supported, got good grades & went to oxbridge (as did quite a few people in my year). my brother was 2 years younger, not as academic but had an equally enjoyable time (he went elsewhere for a levels). it's a small school & very friendly. good pastoral care. i'm not a quaker and in fact most pupils & staff weren't when i was there, but the ethos pervades the school in a very positive way.

when i was there, there were far fewer boarders than day pupils, not sure what the balance is now. also lots of overseas pupils.

go for it!

Loshad · 09/01/2008 12:52

eerm - independent boys, soon to be mixed, about 20 miles from Bootham

NorthernLurker · 09/01/2008 14:52

Loshad - I know! Didn't know they were taking girls all the way through soon though

hattyyellow · 09/01/2008 14:56

Have you considered Cundall Manor? (About half an hour from York if you want him to be near family). Has had very good reviews from friends with kids there and very good on pastoral care/smaller classes...

Or Ampleforth? (Are you RC?) Great at encouraging pupils...

hoxtonchick · 09/01/2008 21:33

ah, am not local any more loshad so don't know. will ask my mum!

Ubergeekian · 10/01/2008 07:46

hoxtonchick You didn't board in Rowntree did you, by any chance?

hoxtonchick · 10/01/2008 15:46

no, i was a day pupil. girls boarding only started when i was in college I, and was only for college I & II then.

Ubergeekian · 10/01/2008 17:05

Ah. You won't be on the "Rowntree House Boarders 1991-2 and 1992-3" photographs we found while tidying up last week then!

hoxtonchick · 10/01/2008 17:31

ha ha, no, but i'd know them. i might know your partner too!

Loshad · 10/01/2008 19:35

hoxtonchick - do you need more clues

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