Boarding school for 12 year old DD within about an hour of London

[MrsSchadenfreude]

where she can hopefully weekly board. And where we can get her in at fairly short notice (I am looking at this September) and which isn't super selective, as she is bright enough but not stellar. Either single sex or mixed, not fussed, though suspect she might prefer mixed. Haileybury? Roedean? Queenswood?

[Schmedz]

Royal Russell School in Croydon?

[swpurple]

Marymount International School near Kingston Upon thames, Surrey.Well rounded girls.

[Petrasmumma]

Heathfield in Ascot looks nice on paper. It isn't super selective and they will have spaces.Don't be tempted. We have several friends with wide experience of boarding education who got sucked in for their DDs and regret it bitterly.

[CointreauVersial]

How about a state boarding school?

Royal Alexander & Albert in Reigate.

It is well-regarded and very oversubscribed for a day place, but more likely to have spare places for boarding.

[CointreauVersial]

Gah! Royal AlexanDRA & Albert

[Leeds2]

Woldingham.

[Kenlee]

I choose priorsfield for ny daughter.

1. Pastarol care is excellent
   
2. The school is not an academic hot house
   
3. Despite it not being a hot house the girls gets results.
   
4. I was in London last week and sat in my car in Godalming looking at the behaviour of the girls and they seemed happy but not boisterous.
   
5. The back room staff are excellent very efficient. Allaying any fears that in an emergency they could not cope.

[BlackMogul]

Queenswood is likely to have places but art is hopeless. Heathfield is likely to have places and takes art seriously.

[GRW]

My daughter's friend is at Pipers Corner near High Wycombe, and is happy there. It's all girls and they have day places and boarding.

[ThenWeTakeBerlin]

I've heard excellent things about Tudor Hall in Banbury, but that might be a little too far?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Thanks! Front runner is currently St Chris in Letchworth - strong on art and a similar ethos to the school she'll be leaving. Currently looking at others, too, before making a final decision. She has indicated a strong preference for mixed, rather than girls only.

[Happymum22]

Look at Priors Field School. i mentioned it on another thread with a poster looking for a similar school as my good friend's DD is there and loves it.
It is less than an hour from London. Great if you want a less-selective environment. Boarding is fab too.

[Happymum22]

Oh just saw your last post. Priors field is all girls, but worth a look.

[Happymum22]

Oh gosh I really am not awake today! I have already commented on this post, sorry!

[lazymum99]

I was just about to suggest st Chris when I read you post. DS2 boarded there for 4 years. Came back to London for 6th form. Very strong on art an drama. Very good pastoral care. He was extremely happy there and in fact drove up to Letchworth last night to visit friends. They take in any year as long as space. A good mix of academic abilities. PM me if you won't specific info.

[jgjgjg]

Royal Russell in South Croydon

[Mutteroo]

Bede's has fantastic art facilities. Good School's guide award winners, wonderful teaching staff etc. New boarding houses, co-ed, 40% girls, 40% boarding. Only issue is the senior school starts from year 9 & the prep school is in Eastbourne, a good 1.5hrs (minimum) from London.

Whatever you choose I wish you and your DD the best of luck. If we lived nearer to St Christopher's, it would have been a top contender for us also.

[HoneyandRum]

Worth school in Sussex is lovely, great pastoral care, strong in music and art.

[michaelrB]

Have a look at Ashford School in Kent - just 37min from St Pancras. Weekly boarding if that's what you are after.

[Glowworm3]

Check out Leighton Park in Reading, fab day and weekly boarding. 25 mins train journey from Paddington to Reading (I used to commute!). My daughter did fabulously well here, and son going well with the IB. Quaker school so has a brilliant atmosphere and ethos and pastoral care. Good luck!

[helencw77]

Hi, I don't know if you've already decided but Heathfield in Ascot would definitely be worth looking, very arty, very small, normally places (particularly in years 7 and 8), not selective - but does very well in exams etc - and very friendly. I worked in the pastoral team for six years and know it well (but am naturally biased !)

[everythingido]

Is there any update on these schools? I am looking to move my daughter from a co-ed environment at Xmas (year 8). She hasn't enjoyed her current co-ed environment due to disruptive and sometimes aggressive behaviour of some of the boys (although she was in a co-ed junior school before with no problems) and we are thinking about moving her to a girls school instead. We would be looking in the surrey/Berkshire area. Boarding isn't out of the question. Any experience of (or views on) moving from Co-ed to all girls would be helpful.

[Eastpoint]

I suggest you start a new thread