What is Sunderland High School like?

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Does anybody have any experience of this school?

Also, does anybody have any experience of any of the private schools in Newcastle?

The schools in Newcastle such as Central High / RGS are far better than Sunderland High. It's an ok school in terms of facilities and teaching but bizarrely my best friends children have developed awful accents whilst there. There aren't many good schools to choose from in Sunderland having said that. St.Anthonys/Aidans/Roberts are the best.

I've heard that RGS is extremely difficult to get into.

Emmanuel college is halfway between Newcastle and Sunderland I believe (although I could be wrong, am not native and my geography is appalling) and has a fabulous reputation. It is a CofE school but the ethos doesn't seem too religious IYSWIM?

Emmanuel College only takes children from Gateshead. We live in North Durham.

Durham School is extremely expensive. Grindon Hall School is applying for free school status, so I doubt he'd get in to there. Argyle House only goes up to age 16.

I don't know very much about the private schools in Newcastle.

It's very difficult to get into DJ. We don't live in their catchment area. ds1 was lucky to get into St Leonards. He only managed to get in there because DJ has been rebuilt and extra places created.

that's okay

Have you considered Dame Allans in Newcastle? Im(h)o its a fabulous school which represents the best of both worlds. Single sex education yrs7-11 (but both boys and girls schools on the same site), coeducational sixth form. It maintains that small school friendly/family feeling, yet has a large school outlook and gets good academic results. My experience is that I used to work there so possibly slightly biased , but is definitely worth a look.

RGS much better than sunderland high. what sex are the dcs you are looking for a place for: if girls then durham high school, or dame allens

Durham High School if you're looking for girls?

I don't think RGS is that hard to get into. I used to teach in Northumberland and several of our children got into RGS just by taking a set of tests in school. They were bright kids but not outstanding.

Barnard Castle too far? Pollam Hall in Darlington?

It's for a boy.

Barnard Castle and Darlington would be too far.

Apparently, Argyle House in Sunderland gets good results. It only goes up to 16 though.

I've looked at the Dame Allan's website and it looks good too.

I've heard that RGS is quite pressurised.

He's quite a gentle soul, we want a decent school, but don't want him thrown into something he wouldn't be able to cope with ifyswim.

Why cant he go to St Leonards with your ds1 will he not get a sibling link?