Comprehensive or weekly boarding?

[Merlinthefatcat1]

I have an 11 year old Year 7 who started at an independent day school in September (after being at a small, low-key, local prep school since nursery age). However, due to a job change, will have to move him at Christmas either to a local comprehensive or to weekly boarding at a well regarded independent school.

The comprehensive (which is quite rough) has recently started a 'pathway 1' route within it for the top 30/32 students in the year group (about top 12% of year group) and has said that my son is of the ability to join that class. However, its still a rough comprehensive with lots of problems (staff absences, cover teachers) and the tendency to fail to stretch the most able is entrenched - hence the new try with this 'pathway 1' idea.

When he went to visit/take the tests for Pathway 1 they didn't know he was coming and the pastoral lady (with lots of piercings said to him 'I bet you wonder what the F is going on!' So you can see the level we are dealing with. However it is very close to our house and is free and the new headmaster is very keen for the school to improve.

The weekly boarding would stretch us to the limit financially and we would also miss our son but as we both work full time it would give him a structured timetable which we can't. I have thought and thought about these two options and I can't decide what would be the best way forward. Has anyone any ideas?

We both attended rough comprehensives in East London in the early 1980s and they were hopeless!

'wouldn't send the undergardener's dog to a school wherein staff uses the F word to student"

It would depend a lot on the context, wouldn't it?

I agree about any member of staff using the F words in front of a child. it unacceptable don't send him there regardless of how much they are trying to improve the results.

There is a third way - State boarding instead of Independent boarding. Much cheaper.

Thanks to all for your helpful comments. I think the weight of opinion - is with my husband - i.e. go for the boarding. I think this is what we will do. I spoke to son today and he said he was relieved to hear that had been the decision - he had really liked the boarding house, with all the other children - just wished he could take his best friend from his existing school with him - which made me very sad. But I do know that children move on quickly and they can keep in touch as long as they want to - especially these days with emails and the dreaded facebook etc. (not that he has an account at the moment!). Thanks again to all - long working hours and moving away from family has meant that I'm rather short of shoulders to cry on/people to talk to these days.

Don't be sad - they all say that. He really does sound like the type of boy who will thrive.

Is this an "all the way through to 18" school or are you looking towards CE?

Hi there SthingMustBeScaringThemAway, I am sorry I didn't see your last comment. It's an all-through school, well pretty much, the entrance exams for the senior school are seen as 'transfer exams' apparently. That was one of the advantages - as long as he gets on well there he can stay until 18. We will be keeping a close eye on any good alternatives though at 13+!