Wycombe Abbey vs co-ed boarding

[Laxmama]

DH and I visited Wycombe Abbey with dd1 recently; dd adored it. She is 9, this is the first senior school she has seen and I could tell that, as we were shown around the junior boarding house, she was already picturing herself padding around in her slippers in that cosy, all-girls-together environment.

I too think that dd (in her current skin) could be very happy there - as far as I can tell she is academic, well rounded and confident enough to benefit from all that the school has to offer and I'm sure she would thrive - but for 7 years?

I could not fault the running of the school or the passion of those of the senior teaching staff whom we met but, for all the positives I hear about single sex education - fewer distractions and boosted self confidence resulting in better grades - I can't help but wonder if single sex, full boarding is a step too far? I came away from the school excited by academic zing and we-can-be-anything-we-want-to-be spirit of the girls but spending just an afternoon there left me feeling a little claustrophobic on DD's behalf at the idea of her spending 7 years there, in the same all-girl peer group...

An upper 5th girl mentioned that 20 girls will be leaving for co-ed 6th form. I'm sure there are myriad reasons for this (and the figure may not be correct) but, at face value, it doesn't appear to testify to a positive educational experience.

I boarded but have no experience of single sex education and would be very happy to have my prejudices quashed. Are there any current Wycombe parents out there who might share their DDs' experiences of the school? Why did you choose it over co-ed boarding? Are there any parents who specifically chose co-ed boarding over Wycombe Abbey (or any all-girls' boarding school) and regret it?

I know that we'll have to go with whatever we & DD feel most comfortable with; just interested to hear any experiences of parents who've been here and made this decision.

Sorry - just read the full post. I see you are already considering moving to another prep school for 11-13.

Yes - we've narrowed our focus to a couple of prep schools to potentially take dd from 11-13. We'd always presumed that she would want to go on to DS's co-ed boarding school at 13 so this is what we were expecting to do. There is also a 13+ intake at WA (and I presume at most other girls' schools) but I think if dd sets her heart on a girls' school, she'll want to be in from the start...

Very best of luck laxmama with whatever you decide. Happy to answer by pm if you have any queries further down the line.

Laxmama instead if moving your DD just for 2 years to another prep school I would follow her inclination (if she still prefers WA or another girls' school) and move her at 11. Nothing wrong with her choosing to look around for sixth form if at that time she wants to change. Alternatively she could always transfer from WA or CLC at 13 to a coed school if it did n't work out (unlikely).

Yes, I think that would also be my inclination, summer, if she decides that WA or whichever other girls' boarding is what she wants (and if they want her!). I think she would be served better by being able to start with the majority of other new-starters. I'm sure that as we're starting the decision making groundwork in good time, dd should have a very good idea of where she'd like to be come the deadline for applications. Needless to say we have registered/ will be registering for everywhere we think might be a possibility.

Thanks, Honesty - I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions during the process - that would be great.

Bit late to this OP, just wanted to add two points which I don't think have been covered previously-Daughter is at WA, it is an exceptional school with incredibly hard working staff. Firstly that one of the things we really like is that the girls are not pitted against each other academically. No class positions, rankings, etc. Each girl's grades are tracked for effort and attainment,but only ourselves and DD get that info. Has worked brilliantly for my bright but by no means stellar girl. Secondly, I think it is much harder to get in at 13 than 11. Our DD went at 13 and of about 30 only a handful got in via CE, everyone else sat the academic scholarship. Our prep school were told not to send her for the WA assessment day if she was borderline as v oversubscribed, so listen to your prep school's advice. Hope all that helps with your decision OP, and best wishes to you and your DD. Pm me if I can help further.