Boarding schools within 150 mile radius of Sunderland

[choirmum]

Our DD is very able (has skipped a school year) and we're thinking about her next school at 13. She's currently 10 but boarding 15 miles from home as she's a cathedral chorister. She says she'd like to board again at her next school and we have no doubt she'd handle this so we've started to have a think about it, realising that there's plenty of time for her to change her mind! Ideally, we'd like to look at places within a distance from home which would allow us to get to an occasional performance/sports fixture, and to make exeat weekends manageable. Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences to share? We don't really mind co-ed or single sex (I'm a bit worried about potential cattiness in an all girl environment but that's probably unfair). As I said, she's very bright so a challenging academic environment is very important but she very much enjoys music and sport (B team standard currently). We have a couple of excellent day schools in mind but don't want to discount boarding as an option. Importantly, she'd need a decent scholarship (probably academic) as we wouldn't qualify for bursary support but couldn't pay full boarding fees.

What about Durham School?

Or St Peter's in York

Have you thought about Fettes in Edinburgh- they do the IB and A levels so not the Scottish curriculum. Scholarships give 5-10% then rest is means tested but they have a good bursary scheme.

Durham is close enough to be a day school for us, but we're not keen.
I did wonder about St Peters and will look into it some more.
We know a few people at Fettes but wouldn't qualify for financial help so can't afford it!
Does anyone know anything about Ashville College in Harrogate?

Wouldn't bother boarding at Ashville, it's ok as a day school if handy, but not really good enough imo to bother with the boarding. Would second St Pete's, or consider Barney.
RGS is excellent though and presumably within easy enough reach as a day school.

Ripon Grammar?
Starting to do entry at 13 as well as 11.State school so you would only have to pay for the boarding fees, the tuition would be free.She would have to take and pass the 13+

I like the sound of Ripon Grammar but wouldn't we need to be in the catchment area? Suspect it will be hugely over-subscribed.

I think you need to be in catchment for a day place, not necessarily for a boarding place.
From their website:

Admission in September 2012
117 new pupils admitted to the First Form (Year 7) in September 2012

Of these 107 day pupils and 10 boarders.

Of the 117 pupils:

85 from the catchment area of the school and
32 from outside the catchment area.

I would have thought boarding would be a nicer experience if most people boarded?

What about Ampleforth? I would imagine they do decent music scholarships due to the church connection.

Or St Bees?

My dd has just started at Sedbergh as a boarder and I have been so impressed even after this short time. She has a lovely set of friends - girls and boys- classes are streamed so academic standard is high. Sport and music are also high standards - quite a few music scholars and sports scholars. The two new headmasters (second year I think) are really driving the school. Pastoral care is also high. From being nervous about leaving her I am now very happy. Best thing to do is visit some schools and see how you and your dd feel about them. Good luck :-)

I agree that boarding would be better if most pupils board - much more of a community. I like Ampleforth and know someone there but their scholarships are honorary and carry no fee reduction, so we couldn't afford it.

Where do others go from her school? Asking for the advice of her current school would be my first port of call. Especially with choristers, there is usually a well-trodden path of 'next schools'.

I think York would be your best bet for boarding - easily commutable and lots of very good schools. I would imagine that if scholarships are available they wouldn't necessarily be widely advertised so it's worth ringing up admissions to see what's available at any school you apply to.

I would agree that it's worth ringing schools to talk about scholarships/ bursay criteria.

Ampleforth, for example, must have buckets of money- it's such an old foundation. Why don't you ring them and talk about your situation? It might be a no-go but you don't know unless you ask. Don't take the publicised figures for gospel.