Shrewsbury Girls High or Wrekin College

[Cockerpoo2]

Which school is more suitable for a shy girl going into Year 7

Both are really good schools. However, I have been told there is a teacher at Shrewsbury High who was involved in a bullying scandal and swearing at children when she was their coach in the Pony Club. Not sure I'd want to take the chance of my DD being in her company.

Have a look around both, and maybe ask Shrewsbury about this. They might be able to put you at ease.

Thanks for the reply, that’s a bit worrying I was bullied by a teacher as a child and I can still remember the utter helplessness I felt being bullied by someone with power over you. I think we will visit Wrekin

Apparently a parent has removed their child because of this teacher, they didn’t feel safe having them in the same building as their DD

This was the BBC article

This is absolutely true. The child was one of the children the teacher is not allowed to be around, but the child wanted to do an A level in that teachers Subject. The poor parents had to move the child because of this.

I would go & look around with your child & see where she feels most comfortable. Both have a totally different atmosphere & of course only one is mixed. Shrewsbury is also more academic than Wrekin. Though there are a real mix of academic & other pupils.
There's also the potential to board in Wrekin if required.

'concerns of self-harming' is extremely worrying for any parent if that coach might end up teaching your child.

I agree with @Cantonet. Have a look around both and ask questions. You'll get a feeling which might be the best fit for DD, and also about the school and the teachers.

Adcote or Moreton Hall are other local options.

https://www.adcoteschool.co.uk/

https://moretonhall.org/

I’ve friends with children at Wrekin and they all highly recommend it. Particularly strong in the music department they say

These are really helpful suggestions we hadn’t thought about Moreton Hall or Adcote. Will look at both

Any recommendations in the state sector anyone?

I've only ever heard good things about Wrekin. Lots of friends children have attended and all had very positive experiences.

State schools: Not sure how they're holding up, but noticed that Adam's Grammar in Newport have started accepting girls from Y7 this academic year - my nephews all fantastic experiences there, albeit the last one left 6 years ago now.

That’s really helpful thank you, will look at Adam’s too, just checked their results and they are very good!

Isn't there quite a strict geographical criteria for getting into Adam's?
There certainly used to be.

@Cantonet In my experience there is a fair bit of wriggle room - I know of children living in Wolverhampton who have been accepted (and not by use of a second address - although I have known of that too!).

Adams used to be 30 in Newport, 30 outside. There are buses from Telford, Wolverhampton and Market Drayton and I don't think they are as fussed about the catchment anymore.

Newport Girls' High
https://www.nghs.org.uk/

Ellesmere College (not state though)
https://www.ellesmere.com/

What sort of primary school is your DD at currently and where abouts do you live? Trying to judge the potential commute!

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/education/2023/12/01/two-shropshire-schools-come-out-on-top-in-the-times-guide-to-high-achieving-schools/

Newport and Shrewsbury both doable, Ellesmere a bit far. Anyone know why Adam’s Ofsted rating dropped to Good from Outstanding?

Only what is said in the report.

I know some boys that go there. Their SEN department have always been woeful in offering support or applying to the Ed psych for a diagnosis. My friend has had to go privately and now her son is medicated, school have said what a difference it has made.

When the girls first arrived in the sixth form there was a long teething period. I'd be wary of sending my DD there in Year 7 until it has settled down.

I’ve been told Adam’s is excellent, if you can get in! Their extra curricular stuff is supposed to be good as well as their obviously good academic record. People describe it as a free private school. Newport Girls can I think be a bit pressured.

It will be interesting to see how many Year 7 girls join Adams in September, given that they already have the option of Newport Girls.

The admission stats for the current academic year show that 38 children came from the 35 priority primary schools and 81 got in from out of area.

@Bumpinthenight I’d heard the pastoral care wasn’t great in the boarding house - but obviously this wouldn’t apply to a girl. Hadn’t realised the SEN was also weak Academically they do very well and boys I’ve spoken to seem to be proud of their school, but I suppose it’s very selective so easy to do well academically

That's the problem with the boys I know that have been there and are currently there. Managed in primary school with various coping strategies with no SEN highlighted, but then with the expectations of secondary they have floundered without TA support or close friends to cover for them. Adams was rubbish at admitting that there may be SEN at play and blamed the boys' behaviour. They had no idea how to deal with them.

That’s not good@Bumpinthenight

There are some great advice and suggestions here. Maybe just leave Shrewsbury High out then. With good other options available, I wouldn't want to risk my child being put in a class/house with that bullying coach/teacher, even more so if your DD is at all sensitive.

There was a drop in Shrewsbury Girls GCSE A/A star rates this year too. Any ideas why @Mrr1970