Box Hill School

[absolutmum]

Hello, does anyone have any experience of this school. Just starting to look for a school for DS and liked the look of their web site! DS can be a bit strange at times! We think he has some minor sensory/auditory processing issues (mid way through diagnosis) and we need a school that will help him manage his difficulties.

Have heard that their numbers have been declining of late. Other options for you might be Seaford College if you live around the West Sussex/Surrey border or Ewell Castle if more towards Epsom way.

Thanks, LIZS. Seaford is too far from us. I've heard very positive things about Ewell Castle, but I'm not keen on the single sex route for him. Box Hill have an open day soo, so we'll go and have a look.

Difficult... Box Hill is clearly right for some kids, but we looked around and came to the conclusion it wasn't right for us/DS1.

Not particularly academic, but focusses on bringing out children's talents in other areas - drama/ music/ sport etc.

We know several families with children there. All the kids have gone there 'for a reason' - usually struggling a bit with a traditional academic approach, many have some form of special needs/ behavioural issues/ dyslexia etc.

I wasn't massively impressed by what I saw when I was there - not very inspirational - tired-looking - lacking in energy/ enthusiasm, BUT we were looking for DS1 who is very academic/ ambitious etc, so it just wasn't the right school for him....

You also need to be sure that you're OK with the IB in senior school - it doesn't seem as widely accepted as first thought for some uni courses etc?

We came to the conclusion that our local state school was probably at leats as good as Box Hill, so probably not worth paying....

A good friend's DD went to Box Hill aged 14 having been hideously bullied at her very successful/academic school. She was a nervous, introverted, unhappy girl. 4 years later she emerged, with 4 A Grade A levels, a happy, confident, delightful young lady who is now flourishing at university. From what my friend and her DD says the pastoral care is superb and the school has a real ethos of friendship/fellowship. Clearly, like all schools, it has it's strengths and weaknesses but I would certainly say it is probably worth a visit.

I second what Norma and ILGC say - it is a very caring place, not really for the academic hotshots, but the kids I know who go there love it and are flourishing. From what you say about your DS, definitely worth a look.

Thanks everyone. We're going to the open day in October to have a look. From what has been said, it sounds perfect for my DS.

My son is in year 13 now having joined in year 7. I would definitely recommend looking round. We have been very happy with the school in every aspect. It is lovely to have small classes and a school still small enough for everybody to be known. It really is a great place and the IB has been a very positive experience for us.

This is not a good school for girls. Boys far out number the girls. The girls games are poor and it is academically very weak too. Dunottar School in Reigate is a better choice if you looking for a non-competitive mixed school.

I was going to go to the open day for my DD. She's very shy, fairly academic but sporty too. I like the idea of co-ed but all the others around here are very academic and I am against the hot-housing atmosphere (just not right for my DD who is prone to get anxious). All I hear about Box Hill is that 'it's not very academic'. But we would like something in between that gets the best out of every child.
We are being drawn to some of the local girls schools, even though we would prefer co-ed....