Ipswich High School

[mork1206]

Hi all, my DS is currently Year 5 and am considering this school for Year 7. I know it was previously more girls than boys, just wondering if anyone knows if this is still the case, and also any general thoughts and experiences. I can't find much recent info. He is very sporty and creative, so we are interested by the range of clubs on offer. He would not know anyone going there and can have anxiety so keen for him to make friends and for the transition help and pastoral care to be strong. Thanks in advance.

I know IHS a little, but not very well, and I know other schools in the area too. I have heard rumours (I don't know how true) that boys are leaving IHS becase there are low numbers of boys in some years - which of course is a self-fulfilling prophecy! That said, I've known of many pupils who have been very happy there - but they have all been girls, so I can't comment much on the experience of boys. I don't know, but I would guess that boys' sporting opportunites are slightly limited.
I think I would say that there are a lot of private schools in the area, all struggling to some extent with numbers. It's not unlikely that one or more will close in the next year or two. So, I think in your position I'd be visiting a number of schools, and applying to more than one so that my eggs weren't all in one basket.

Many thanks for your very helpful reply, really appreciated. I had only looked into this school so far but you raise some great points about the need to look at others too. Thank you so much!

Would you consider Ipswich school instead? I have heard that IHS has more girls, also not great academically. There’s also Royal Hospital school.

Royal Hospital School student numbers are seriously down on what they used to be - and the school was bought by Inspired Learning Group last year so I would look into that closely if you’re thinking of sending your son there.
I know several students who have moved from Ipswich High School to Ipswich School in the last few years and I suspect IHS might be struggling for numbers too. There’s also St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, traditionally it is less academic than the other Ipswich private school, but I’m not sure if that still applies.
My personal preference would be Ipswich School btw.

All private schools in the area are struggling (to some extent) with numbers - even the ones that you wouldn't think would be. They are all quite different, and offer very different experiences, suiting different types of children. Ipswich is more academic - but I've also known of very able children who do well at IHS and RHS. I'd say Ipswich is perhaps more pressured academically, and the site is quite cramped. RHS and IHS have much more space. RHS suits all-rounders who like to be busy with all sorts of things, and music is fab, art is good too. Tradition is also big at RHS. So - it depends what you're looking for. I'd really recommend visiting a few to get a feel.

We are also looking at senior schools in the same area. Does anyone know what Woodbridge School is like?

All schools are struggling a bit now and having to adapt - even the top public schools are joining groups or going co ed. I worried initially but id tie myself in knots worrying and possibly overlook a good school for our dd just because of something that may not happen.

We went to loads of schools in and out of the area, state and private. FWIW, and everyone will see something different, Ipswich School felt very academic/sporty and not hugely creative when we looked. I think it remains popular but not for everyone. Perfect for some but not our daughter who is more creative and fairly average academically. St Jos felt very sporty and seemed heavily skewed to rugby (and as a result, boys). Told us a lot about it despite having a girl who's never played. RHS and IHS are definitely broader with lots of cocuriccular. RHS had edge for us as pastoral seems genuinely strong, fab art and music which are not sidelined but not to say IHS didn't impress. Our DD starts at RHS in September. Their year 7 intake this year is largest in a while as I understand (including some from IHS prep) I was worried about foreign ownership of IHS and it's numbers, but had good facilities and I had to draw a line somewhere after so many schools! I went on parent feedback too from friends - everyone at RHS liked it. We were also keen on Framingham but would be boarding day 1. Woodbridge was nice but didn't warrant long journey for us - only school my husband and I disagreed on. I liked it's breadth and arts but my husband found it clinical and too machine like.

That's my halfpenneth 🤣