'Academically able' course at local private school - any experiences?

[Sticklebug]

My DD (10) has been selected to go on a weeks course for 'academically able' children at the local private boys school. She is the only child from her school going and convinced that it will be only boys (it won't) and so is not too keen. She likes the idea of doing 'hard maths' and lots of science for a week, but the boy thing is causing a problem - she is in a class at the moment with some particularly disruptive boys os is not a fan!!

Has anyone any experience of these courses and any advise to help her look forward to it rather than dread it?

My son did one of these last year when he was in Year 6. He loved it. 4 x Saturday mornings. Very inspiring and not like doing school maths at all. And it was 50:50 boys and girls even though it was a boys school where he did the course. Hope she goes as she will really enjoy it.

And tell her tht the boys who will be on the course will NOT be the disruptive ones. They will be the hardworking clever ones who want to learn .....

I don't have any experience of such courses, but it sounds to me like a perfect opportunity to meet some boys that also enjoy hard maths and science! For what it's worth, DD1's best friends are both boys, who are both very good at maths and science, and the three of them enjoy an enthusiastic and healthy level of competition. I should think it will be a very refreshing change from her normal experience.

Thanks, my DD'd 2 best friends until year 4 were boys and then both left her school to go to a private school. Since then she has not made any new friends who are boys -but suspect that it because the majority in her class are pretty immature and also she has hit the age where new friendships with boys are hard. She is still v good friends with the other 2 out of school.

We had the schedule through today and it looks great - a full school week of science, maths (GCSE level work!), classical studies etc - but intersperced with music and drama workshops and sports she has not tried before like fencing. She is now really excited about it, although has just twigged that she will miss the last week of term and therefore the end of term party etc....

Can I ask where these course are and for what age group?

This is organised by a local private boys school (I suspect that they have some sort of commitment to working with the local community) and it is for year 5 children in schools in the county. The school nominates up to 3 children to be considered for the course. Not sure what the criteria for deciding who to put forward was.

I'd suggest you either have the teacher talk to her about it. She may well believe her teacher more than you - after all mums always say it'll be ok :) Her teacher should be able to give her more information and reassurance that other girls will be there. Also help your daughter see it will be a chance to meet like minded girls from other area schools.

It's not a boys school in Surrey, is it? It sounds remarkably like the one DS was chosen to go on. He had a whale of a time (and went on to the school itself at secondary level). In fact I think I know one girl who is going this year - I think they do aim for a 50/50 split.

As I recall, all the kids seemed to get on well, boys and girls, and the extension activities were amazing.

Yes it is in Surrey. DD usually makes friends pretty easily so I am hoping that she will settle in fine. She has found out who in year 6 went last year and spoken to one of the girls so is feeling v positive about it now! She has not, however, worked out that she will miss sports day, end of year party, school play and the other stuff that they do in the last week of term!

Also, we had the detailed schedule through and she is looking forward to Spanish and classical studies!!

They are a great opportunity - nothing to worry about at all. The school use them as 'outreach' and also as a genuine attempt to pass on some skills and knowledge for able kids who will really get something out of it.

Good for her and I hope she enjoys it!