DS not enjoying school and am thinking of moving him, where to though?

[PutThatCatOutNow]

DS is currently at the local school and is really not enjoying himself. He's in year seven at the moment so we were wondering, do you know of any boarding schools with good pastoral care which are likely to have an intake at year 8? Our local private school is Yarm School so that is also a possibility. We're considering full boarding as well so could go to most areas in the country as long as they are on a good train route. He's musial and is into drama so we want to take that into consideration, too.

This isn't an independent vs state thing, if there was another state school in the area then we would look into it, but there aren't any with places. I don't know that he wouldn't get bullied and I like to think that if he was at boarding school and was being bullied he would call me straight away.
I think we're going to have a look at Barnard Castle and maybe the York schools. Does anyone know anything about them?

I agree, it isn't.

But seeker does raise interesting points. People I know who went to boarding school either loved it or hated it and bullying seemed to be the main reason.

Bullying is everywhere and its how a school deals with it that matters most.

Very close to the top of your check list, I would guess!

Would it be worth having another go qt getting his current school to tackle it? Even if he is going to move, it would be good if he left from a position os strength, if you see what I mean, rather than feeling he's been driven to it. What have yountried to get the school to address the situation?

Have you considered Teeside High? I appreciate it's not boarding, but if Yarm school is 'close' then so is Teeside high.

I looked around it for my DS and loved it there.

I also looked around Barnard Castle, wasn't impressed to be honest. Was a bit shabby IMHO

We're currently trying to get the school to put DS in another form, Seeker, but they are being very uncooperative :( My main worry is that the school have a very weak anti bullying policy and any future incidents won't be treated well either. Jajas, I don't see what other options we have tbh.
Harmims, we've looked around Teesside High and Red House but weren't massively impressed with either. This was with DD however, so it's worth a look with DS.
Thanks for all of your messages, they're really appreciated.

THS would be worth an hour or two of your time (IMHO) to take a look around WRT to your DS.

I have several friends who have actually moved their DD's AWAY from THS as (apparently) it can be quite bitchy for girls (it's a predominantly girl school) but for the more sensitive boy, I think it could actually be a possibility.

I have a similar DS myself (albeit younger than yours).

What about Ampleforth? They are very highly rated for pastoral care?

If you are considering Edinburgh, then think about Loretto School. It is just east of Edinburgh, is all-age (so has a Y8), and almost full boarding (but flexible). It really is one of those schools that ticks all the boxes.

Stoneyhurst also good IMO. Have lots of friends with kids there.

PTCON - I have PM'd you x

Thanks again for all of the messages. On our list to look around is Ampleforth, THS, Red House and Bootham. Any knowledge of the schools would be greatfully recieved.

Cundall Manor could be another option. You can weekly board but not fully board and it is near Thirsk so is close to you (I assume!). It's just opened an upper school too so now goes up to 16.

agree with above few posters re schools,
avoid Sedburgh at all costs if your ds is a bit sensitive/has been bullied.
I don't get the impression that Yarm is an exam factory but could be wrong about that. Barney, St Petes, Bootham and Cundall Manor all good options. Only knowledge of Ampleforth is from my own generation and that wouldn't be a recommendation!

Could I also throw Giggleswick into the mix. Plenty of full boarders. Great music and drama departments and very good pastorally.

Giggleswick is an option although their results are very poor (in fact worse than DS's state comp), do you know the reason for this?

It is not a highly selective academic school. It has a real mix of abilities. They focus on the child reaching their potential.

Just thought it ticked all the boxes re what you stated you were looking for. It is still about a 70%\30% mix co-ed with the boys being predominant.

Their ethos is very good. Worth a look I would think.

Will take a look, I was just curious to see if their was a specific reason.

The head says that " whether your children came out as plumbers or politicians, what counted was that they?d had a great time."

They tend to treat children as individuals. If your child is happy, they will flourish anyway. The school hasn't creamed off the top 10%. It works with the child to be the best it can be.

I think if it's a non competitive, more relaxed atmosphere you want, I would probably take Barney and St Peter's off the list. However, like Giggleswick Bootham and Ackworth are non selective and I believe Ampleforth is only a bit selective. These three schools also have exam results in the top 80's -90% if that's what you're after. Although do remember that results aren't a clear measure of a school's success.

I don't think moving him to a boarding school would help, He might get picked on and bullied there and he wouldn't be able to get away from it after school as he's be sleeping there. I would speak to his currant school and make sure they address the issues before taking a drastic step of moving him to a boarding school.

You need to start a new thread around entitled York schools are there are many knowledgeable MNers on this subject. For non-competitive & strong on music/drama I am hearing good things about Pocklington.

iseenodust, at the moment we aren't narrowing down to just York schools, there are also others in the area that we are considering.

Title thread schools within 90 mins of Yarm then?

I would second Cundall Manor. It has a bus service up to the Tontine and is very good at finding something for every child to shine at (another MN poster said "very Enid Blyton"). It is currently recruiting for a new head with a view to developing the Upper School (years 9-11) which has only been going for about 5 years. The results seem pretty good though considering it is non selective. Only weekly boarding though.

Only reports I have from Ampleforth are more about the ability of children there to party rather than their academics...