Schools with pupils from 3 - 18

[TeddyBare]

Do any of you have dcs at schools where they offer primary to 6th form? We're just starting to think about schools (much too early I hope but most of my mum friends have older dcs, so they're talking about it already).
What are the advantages? Does the school have a large "family" feeling rather than being just a place for children / teenagers? Are there many whole school activities and do your teenagers take part? Is it useful to have the continuation? My dcs are only going to be 14 months apart so being in the same place won't make much difference for the school run.
I'm worried it might end up being very insular and closed. What are the disadvantages? Do people usually send their dc for the whole time or pop in and out for some sections? I wonder if changing school at 11 / 13 is an advantage as it's a fresh start and the expectations are different plus you get a new influx of classmates.
The schools we're thinking about are the German school in Richmond (my dh is German) and Hampton Court House in Surrey if anyone has any specific knowledge.

My children are at a 5 - 18 in Scotland and it is wonderful.My DD was the youngest to join the pipe band last year and the 18 year olds looked after her like little mothers.

My dd has also coppied what they are wearing which is quite a prepy look but I am delighted as it is not tarty.

They also look up to them.The prefects help out in the prep school with reading and playground duties.

They have 3 seperate schools within the campus but the transitions are smooth as they also use the whole campus.

We are delighted with our decision.

I have not got a first hand experience but it sounds like a nice option. As long as the chosen school performs well, it would be peace of mind. Unless you have already done so, I'd suggest you have a look at the Ofsted reports of the two schools you mentioned.

I went to a school that was for 8-18. Worse thing about it the kids you don't like at 8 are still there at 18! No incentive for comparable, although 18 better than those that stop at 16, as at least with 18 they are trying to get you into Uni rather than at 16 where some are just aiming for local FE college.

Schools that finish at 11 are aiming for grammar schools and privates starting at that age. This may be positive or negative dependent on your view point.

Schools that finish at 13 are aiming for common entrance, again this can be negative or positive experience.

Yes, 4-18 at dc's school. There are pros & cons I think. Dd (14) has just announced she wants to change as she's become a bit bored with the same school for so long (but not unhappy there). They get about 50% new children join at 11 and more at 13 and 16 (& also a good percentage of new children at 7 too), so not really too insular.

My DD is in a co ed school 3-18.She loves it and the teachers know children who have finished the school 10 years ago quite well and they return for their annual dinner every year. A good family atmosphere which we all love. She is only 9 so from others experience it is a good school.

DD is at a 3 -18 school in year 1. This may or may not be where she stays I will re-examine at 11 and 16 to make sure it is still the right school for her.
The benefits:
DD goes to school on the bus and has a range of friends in all years. The older girls on the bus are lovely and are responsible for delivering DD to her classroom.
DD has specialist teachers for PE, drama, music, art, modern dance, IT, DT, french and mandarin.
At christmas the nativity is in a proper theatre with lights and everything.
DD has spoken three times in whole school assembly infront of over 600 people and has no fear of public speaking due to this early exposure.
When it rains and is too wet for them to go out and play girls from the senior school come down and play and read for the little ones (all supervised by teachers).
The disadvantages (things that took me by surprise):-
At 6 DD knows who 'Scouting for girls' and 'Lady Gaga' are (though fortunatly not all the words!!) plus as I discovered at a wedding reception last week all the dance moves!!
'OMG' appeared in our house very early and had to be stoppped.

Hmm - I went to a 7-18 girls school and ended up desperate to change schools for the sixth form for a fresh start after 9 years there. I felt I had changed/developed as a person but was still perceived by my peers as I had been when I was younger so I was almost a different person outside school (and one I was much happier with). I really benefited from the change of school and would be wary of 3-18 schools for my dcs but it will depend on the schools and the individual children.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. As I said, it's not something we're thinking about a lot atm, but you've given me something to keep in mind. If we do go for one of these schools I think we'll try to get hold of a breakdown of how many pupils are in each year group to see when they join / leave, to see how much change there will be. Do schools usually give out this info? It sounds lovely for primary at least and re-evaluate further through the school.

When DD started pre-school a couple of years ago in a 3-18 school I breathed a sigh of relief that I would NEVER, EVER have to make the "which school" decision again. For DS1 this school is his 4th High school (he'd been to 2 different primaries) and for DS2 it's his third primary. It's nice to have the option of going straight through, even if you don't take it.

We are moving from central London to kent soon, and considering a 3-18 school. I like the idea of my DCs being at the same school all the way through, plus no hassles having to go through the secondary school admissions procedures! Since we'll be moving them from the school they've been at since nursery (they are now 6 and 8) I don't want them to have another move in a few years time.

Having said that, the school in question doesn't do as well at senior level as it does for primary so we'll keep an open mind!

One thing which I had thought about - does having older girls around encourage 9-13 year olds to stop being little girls and behave like little teenagers earlier? I haven't really been to the school much and I don't know any dds in this age group to see if they seem "old" for their age.