Girls Boarding: 11+ or 13+ Entry

[Houseisgood]

Daughter is currently at a prep school that goes up to 13 where she currently flexi/weekly boards. We’ve started the senior school search and are looking primarily at girls schools.

Most girls schools seem to have their main entry point at 11+ and then a smaller intake at 13+.
I think it would make more sense for DD to join with the majority of other girls at 11+ due to friendships, settling in, etc.

However, we really love the prep school DD is at right now and wouldn’t mind keeping her there until 13. They also don’t do as much for girls who leave at 11 compared to all leavers at 13, not a huge deal but I feel that is something DD might feel she missed out on. Although there are girls who leave at 11+ every year though so DD wouldn’t be the only one. There would also be a difference in the boarding situation as DD would be a full boarder at the schools we’re currently looking at.

Any advice or experience with this? Or I also saw some schools allow 11+ candidates to defer until 13+ which could be a possibility?

[tennissquare]

@Houseisgood , try searching and posting in the boarding school section of Education.

[minipie]

If the majority join the senior school at 11 I would start her at 11.

[Legoninjago1]

I see why you're hesitating if she's happy at the prep, but as someone who came in late to a girls boarding environment, I'd always start at the beginning with everyone else. It can be tricky coming into an environment where friendship groups have been established for some time and there are 2 years of shared experiences behind them.

[Nevermindtheteacaps]

I'd look for a day school or at least remain weekly not full boarding! Teen girls need ALOT of emotional support from parents and breaks from the intensity of being around each other.

[BaleOfHay]

My school was main entry at 11 with a few girls joining at 12 and 13. Much easier to be part of the main crowd at 11

[Gladespade]

@Nevermindtheteacaps

I'd look for a day school or at least remain weekly not full boarding! Teen girls need ALOT of emotional support from parents and breaks from the intensity of being around each other.

Gosh yes, a thousand times this. Full boarding with just girls, absolutely no way.

[MrPickles73]

Our daughter moved at 13 to a coed day school after prep school. The boys assimilated quickly and happily. For the girls it was a nightmare for a term. Certainly if you are boarding I would join at 11+ when most girls start.
DS1 is going to move for yr 7 and weekly board. The majority start in yr 7. We weren't impressed with yr8 at our prep school - mostly residential trips and a play which took a whole term so tbh sadly we don't feel he's missing out..

[DibbleDooDah]

Definitely move her at 11 if that’s when most of the girls join. Even Wycombe Abbey and Downe House have their main entry points at 11, although DH does have a very reasonable size intake at 13.

At my DDs school, the majority who join at 13 are international students, predominantly Chinese. They are lovely girls but tend to stick together. You literally have one year to settle and find your tribe before you start your GCSE course.

Only stay to 13 if you are considering schools that literally start at 13 like the big coed boarding schools.