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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Bootham School, York

4 replies

paulagil · 21/10/2013 10:03

I am seriously considering sending my DD to board at Bootham School next year. It is eye-wateringly expensive but I think she will fit right in and will do very well there. I have researched the school and been round on an Open Morning and I am impressed by the ethos, the atmosphere and the Headmaster.

Are there any current Bootham mums/dads out there who can reassure me that blowing all that money on my DD's A levels is the right thing to do? In my heart I know it is. But do you feel it has been worth the cost? The accountant's POV would be to bank the money and use it on university living costs and then to help pay for her internships/house deposit but ........

Thoughts please - they will be much appreciated.

OP posts:
justinkent · 22/10/2013 22:48

Hi there. I have to say I am a bit biased. I went to Bootham and as we moved back to Yorkshire, our 4 x boys went/are going there too. it's changed an awful lot of course, but it has always had the children's spirit at the core of everything. Clearly doing well with the exams etc is important but what you pay for is the rest of it; the confidence, the feistiness, the self-belief (but rarely arrogant), the fight to defend their opinion and individuality - all great virtues in later life, be it Uni, work or general grounding in life. The best ad is the kids themselves - they look at you in the eyes when talking - they are just very balanced and level I guess. Let me know if you have any specific questions... good luck, Justin

redmapleleaves · 23/10/2013 22:05

Hi we visited two years ago and like you were highly impressed with the school, pupils, teachers, atmosphere & the Head. Loved it. Best of 6 school visits for all of us. Our DD was younger (to enter year 9) and we were living abroad, and what in the end made us choose differently were the number of full boarders. I'd guess this expands by sixth form, but in DD's year there were only two other girl boarders there every weekend, which I thought was rather bleak if you know you will be there because your parents are abroad. Do check this out in detail before you decide. Schools blur the figures by adding in those staying for odd nights, but that has a big impact on continuity/community for those who are there all (or most of) the time.

Original poster
paulagil · 29/10/2013 11:15

Thanks for the replies x Justin, I will DM you over the next week or two if that's OK.

OP posts:
Original poster
paulagil · 29/10/2013 11:15

PS she would be a weekly boarder so weekends aren't an issue x

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