Senior Private school needed or agency help

[RoxyMilo]

I am desperately in need of a pastorally good senior school (year 9). We were at an amazing prep school and currently at a private school which has no sense of community, no sense of pride and my child is so lonely as they all knew each other from the junior school. The school have been told and don't care. Is it possible to find a private senior school which is pastorally amazing and where there is that family feeling or am I looking for something that doesn't exist. Definitely not Uppingham, Oakham, Stamford or Oundle. 2 hours from those schools would be amazing but for the perfect and right school maybe further. Shiplake don't do Latin so is a no ! Happy to consider an agency but not Gabbitas as they were so condescending !! Thank you !!**

Assuming you are looking at boarding options and you don't specify the gender of your child: not necessarily geographically optimal but:
Pangbourne
Cranleigh
Lord Wandsworth
Luckley House
Sherbourne
St Edward's
Seaford College

Are in the peterborough ish area?

Probably quite a long way, but Bedales. What an amazing school! Not sure about latin, but don't let this put you off as if it really matters they'd probably accommodate your child. (And I agree Latin is important, but how many years do you really need?)

Thank you.
We were messed around chronically by Lord Wandsworth sadly and Pangbourne are full.

I did consider Bedales but I'm sure they were full when we asked.

Not far at all

Weekly boarding yes and we would like a co Ed school :)

If you can get over the messing around Lord Wandsworth sounds like exactly what you are looking for

We went through interviews with them and then despite us chasing repeatedly from July they didn't bother responding leaving us hanging !

Would Rugby work for you?

https://www.rugbyschool.co.uk/life/

Rugby is full boarding so won’t suit the OP who wants weekly . Also quite tight knit after Bilton Grange feeder prep.
For something ultra pastoral you are probably looking at a non competitive environment type school. Maybe not so academic and not obsessed with sports which can both engender a less cosy atmosphere. I’d go south where there are lots of schools and people come to these from a wide selection of feeders.
You do sound like you have an unusual amount of bad luck in school choices.

We loved Rugby but they didn't offer us a place sadly.

Where did your child's prep school friends go? Could your DC not follow a group of them?

If Shiplake is a good fit other than Latin, could you find some other way for DC to access Latin? A holiday tutor?

Where did the prep school friends go that would be the most obvious choice? Year 9 is tough socially. If a school has a large intake from one feeder school or they start from
year 7 it’s probably going to be tricky. If they’re finding school tough it might be better to send them to a day school so they come home to you and get away from school?

Is Latin a subject your son/daughter is really enjoying at the moment and would like to continue to GCSE or perhaps further?

King's College in Taunton has good pastoral care and has a lovely friendly feel too it

The usual. Rugby, Uppingham, Oundle and Oakham!

Yes adores it and wants to do GCSE. Got a* for Common Entrance.

This is a day school and I think that's the issue. There is no community spirit here for us.

Felsted?

How far can you cast your net geographically, RM?

St Peter's York

I did ask about Felstead in June but they couldnt/wouldn't fit us in to get a space for September. Do you have any experience? Is it a good community? Thank you

I'd like to be able to support so no more than 2 hours but now I just want the right place

We've had some terrible bad luck, you aren't wrong !