Benenden insights?

[ThisSunnyAzureFish]

Hi,
We had previously considered Sevenoaks (as DD could be a day pupil) but it seems increasingly likely this may be too much of a stretch academically. Our prep have suggested Hurst but we would prefer single sex if considering boarding. Does anyone have any recent insights into Benenden under the new head? Our daughter would prefer not to be too far from TW so she can come home at weekends/ we can see matches etc. Is it a bit easier to get into than Sevenoaks admissions wise? On the tour they said they had informal English assessments are these really informal or just essay exams in the guise of an English lesson? DD is weaker in English. Does anyone have any experience of starting at 13 vs 11? We are at a 13 prep but haven't been impressed with recent teaching (new head and a bit too alternative for us) so not opposed to moving at 11. However our feelings on boarding at 11 are mixed (if she went to hurst she wouldn't board until 13).

Bump

Unable to help on Benenden but if you are unsure about boarding what about Radnor House Sevenoaks. (If you are in the Sevenoaks area)

Any further insights? The alternative would be to potentially to go as a day pupil from yr 7 (but long journey from tw although they have buses now) and board from 13. How have day girls integrated as this is a new thing? Is this working or socially are they on the edge? DD is quite friendly and sporty so tends to make friends but does most of the bonding occur in the boarding house? Friendships are just so important for girls that I really want to get this right.

Benenden seems pastorally quite strong and comes across as nurturing which appeals as she is rather kind but gentle (frankly I think somewhere like Hurst would crush her slightly as boisterous and loud just doesn't suit her ). She works very hard, loves art and sport, is rather kind and empathetic but her friendship group is definitely all girls despite being st a coed prep. She isn't a trend setter or thankfully into social media etc yet. Benenden also seems strong in Maths and Science which are her significant strengths. My worry is given her disposition boarding at 11 seems a bit too young for her as I think she perhaps needs to grow into being a teen a bit more. So I suppose the question is take a leap at 11 and board as socially this would be the best and the school seems a good fit, keep her home until 13 and board then , have a longer journey and stay a day pupil (more likely if she then decided boarding wasn't for her at all) or look at local alternatives. So far the only schools she seems to like the vibes of are Sevenoaks and mayfield (also a trek). She quite likes schools that seem focussed and quiet in class and have lots of sport and art for co-curricular. She has mild SEN dyslexia/weaker auditory processing so smaller quieter classes are a plus.

Have you made your choice yet? Did your daughter get an offer? Benenden is definitely our first choice!

A vote here for Mayfield if you’ve not yet made a choice. My DD sounds very similar to yours and has thrived at Mayfield. We’re a year in and she has had excellent pastoral support and learning support for her dyslexia and slower auditory processing and has come on leaps and bounds. A cliche but she’s a completely different girl to the shy, lacking in confidence girl who started. She’s a day girl and gets the minibus every day and has done the odd bit of occasional boarding when events have finished late for example.

I don't think there is much in it between Sevenoaks and Benenden tbh - both are highly academic and may need top entrance exam scores in Maths and English as they have a higher than average CATs score criteria I think. We did the entrance for Benenden and went to several events there and it is not openly hugely supportive of SEN (dd dyslexic and, we have since discovered, autistic). Have you asked them specifically about this? If you look at the govt website you can see the section which specifies what % of pupils have SEN (seems to be the only bit they fill in properly for private schools, ignore the rest) so you can usually spot the more nurturing ones with the higher % who are better set up for SEN support.

Mayfield is a good call, also Woldingham and Burgess Hill.

I'd be very happy to help! I know all of these schools well and have visited recently. Benenden, Sevenoaks, Hurst and Mayfield are all very different and have their own identities. Sevenoaks is the most academically selective by quite a way and your DD would need to be academically independent to thrive there. Drop me a PM!