Suffolk independent schools

[Kirstyg82]

Hi,
We’re looking at moving to Suffolk early next year and currently researching schools. We want a non-selective for our 10 year old so that really limits our options. We have Brandiston Hall on the list but just wanted to see if anyone had any info or opinion as I can’t find much online at all? It seems like such a small school which concerns me slightly, but the others just aren’t right for him. We are also looking for our 6 year old, but he is very academic and able, but obviously we will be wanting to send them somewhere together until 13+. Thanks in advance

I don't live in Suffolk but know the area. Brandeston Hall is the feeder prep to Framlingham College which is a great mixed boarding and day school - one of the top schools in East Anglia.
Have you looked at Woodbridge School?

I hadn't heard of Brandiston Hall, St Josephs College goes through to 18 and is non-selective.

Sorry bloody autocorrect - it’s Barnardiston Hall! My 10 year old is of average academic ability so only really looking at non-selectives. He loves art, reading and is a pretty good cross country runner. He’s always a ‘could achieve more’ in English & Maths but often makes silly mistakes so I just couldn’t count on his passing entrance exams.
Woodbridge looks like a fantastic school though - would probably be perfect for my 6 year old!

I haven’t heard of St Joseph’s so will look that up, thank you.

It looks very small and you have got the problem of where to go next. If you are moving towards Haverhill could you move to Cambridgeshire or Bury St Edmonds instead? Otherwise if you are able to get to Woodbridge it's an all through school so no need to change.

Sorry just realised I did look at St Joseph’s, and they seem to have the 11+ type assessments for year 7 so must have discounted it

Ipswich School goes from nursery to 18, there is an entrance exam for the Serior School but an average child should be able to pass .Mainly day,but some boarding, Art , Music and drama are outstanding and they like cross country ( and Hockey!)

Or have you looked at Culford?

We’re currently in Essex and have a place for him at a non-selective for September to start in year 6 at a through (pretty small) school, but ideally would like to move into Suffolk for some land. Would have loved around Woodbridge or Southwold but schools are not allowing it so looking around Long Melford/Lavenham due to the only 2 non-selectives being close to there and we don’t want to move Haverhill way....

Sorry, pressed send too soon.
Orwell Park?
I wouldn't discount schools with assessment at 11 or 13. I think most independent schools have some form of assessment

Oh really? The big independents in Essex I just know are too high pressured for my 10 year old and the entrance exams are pretty intense for seniors. At the ‘broadly’ non selective (their words!) he has a place at, they said he achieved an average score and that was for entrance into year 5. I’m just worried about moving and risking him not getting in to anywhere!
We didn’t do any tutoring or prep for it as it was a last minute cancellation.
Just to mention he is currently in a good village state junior school.

I don't think Woodbridge school is pressurised.

Ok, that’s good to know thank you.

Yes you’re right, the entrance assessments just stress me out as really we’d need a school that is happy with ‘average’ results on the English/maths tests.

Finborough?

@limberlost

Finborough?

Do you know how academic/selective it is please?

It might be worth going for a chat with the Head at one of the schools you think might be difficult to get into,if you like the lookout.you might be reassured.
t

Why are you not considering Saint Felix in Southwold? It’s a non selective school - most of the assessment is done at a taster day in an informal way. Due to its location demand isn’t super high.

It sounds like you are convinced he’s going to struggle to get in anywhere and discounting schools without finding out more. Unless he has SEN then a lot of these more rural schools are more about ability to pay than acing an entrance exam.

Woodbridge

@Zodlebud

Why are you not considering Saint Felix in Southwold? It’s a non selective school - most of the assessment is done at a taster day in an informal way. Due to its location demand isn’t super high.

It sounds like you are convinced he’s going to struggle to get in anywhere and discounting schools without finding out more. Unless he has SEN then a lot of these more rural schools are more about ability to pay than acing an entrance exam.

I think because he obviously struggles with assessments as he just about passed the entrance tests for the not overly selective he has a place at in September. They don’t take SEN children, but just not as selective as most.

He isn’t SEN, just average in English & Maths (struggles with spelling but a good reader).

If we were looking at prep for him then I don’t think i’d be as concerned, but the secondary age admissions for most of these schools (from what I’ve found out - incl. Saint Felix?) seem to be lot more selective in this age range.
I just don’t want to make the move then find ourselves without a school.
I’m not discounting state, I just personally feel that he would benefit from the smaller classes and a personal feel at some of the independents.

Sorry if I’m coming across as negative, i don’t mean to be, it’s just a bit of a stressful situation due to Covid & not being able to visit the schools for the foreseeable and get some insight.

Thanks all your suggestions. I’ve actually just spoke to admissions at Saint Felix & Woodbridge and had two great conversations. Turns out you’re all right and neither seem super selective or pressure pot type schools.
Yes they have entrance exams but it just seems pretty standard and not the be all and end all of receiving a place. Good news for us and gives us a few more options.
I’ll be in touch with the other suggestions too. Thanks all

I only know a little about Saint Felix from a few years ago when we looked at it before considering a move but it was definitely non selective and had a very warm family sort of atmosphere. The fact they have boarders makes it a bit more buzzy - lots going on outside the classroom as well as in it. The school also seemed to put as much pride and emphasis on those who had skills seen outside the classroom too which was lovely. GCSE and A-levels results are really good considering it's non selective and it was definitely not a hot house.

When we viewed it it was exactly the sort of school you are describing so was wondering why you had discounted it. Good Luck!!

That’s great, thanks so much for the info. Sounds like a lovely school and as it’s a through school we wouldn’t have to worry about common entrance.
The lady in admissions sounded really positive and I was honest about his academic ability.

I think I’ve discounted Culford & Orwell Park as fees a little out of our price range!! 😳

Must be really hard if you can’t visit. Don’t envy you.

From what I remember, it’s not a “fancy” school with slick gleaming buildings. It’s well maintained but looked a little dated in places. It has all the facilities you would expect though. The kids seemed, well, like kids. It was ok to have a hair out of place and the children seemed really happy.

It wouldn’t be a first choice school for an academic child perhaps, but I think it’s very honest and up front about what sort of child goes there.

Like I said, it has been a couple of years since we visited and it was only an open day. It just gave off a good vibe (unless you’re after an academic hot house of course and then you’d be running to the hills!).

Maybe start a new post with the school names in it and you might get some more up to date and knowledgeable info.

If you’re looking at Lavenham, have you not considered Old Buckenham Hall? It’s not selective but a very good school and very close.

How did you get on OP? I'm in the same position now, looking at these schools for September and trying to decide between Framlingham and Woodbridge. My two children are both average or slightly below average in their current non selective school, but both have dyslexia so may have more problems as they continue on. So far I've managed to learn that there is no exam for children moving up from Woodbridge prep to the senior school, and that Framlingham prep (Brandeston Hall) is soon going to put an end to the common entrance exam at 13 for entry into Framlingham college- so both will be just assessing them as they go and both seem pretty positive it would be only exceptionally tough SEN that might mean a child would not progress up. Woodbridge hinted that they would advise parents of those struggling badly to look at Framlingham instead! Would be interested to know how you got on with your decision?

Hi Celesteville,

Sorry I’ve only just seen your message recently!

Did you decide on a school for September?

So far we’ve visited Finborough (really liked but ideally would rather be the other side of Suffolk) and St Felix. Brilliant school, not really selective and super honest and upfront about what to expect. Because of its location it’s not oversubscribed so no worry of not getting a place.
My only concern is how small it is. Very few children in each year group.

I’ve spoken to Woodbridge prep & senior and it seems no problem getting in for prep, but senior a little trickier if not coming up from prep. Which my eldest won’t be as going straight into year 7. We’re going to visit in September but honestly I just don’t know as it is a formal entrance exam so honestly not sure my son would pass 😬.
I really like the school and that more choice for friendship groups/meeting like minded children, but just a worry with the exam.

I’ve not even looked at Framlingham as honestly thought it was pretty selective for senior?