Ok, so we live abroad in the carribean now but probably not for ever. Our eldest daughter is in year 5 at an International school now.
We are in a position to be able to send her to a private boarding school in the UK if that is what she would like. We have discussed it with her. She says she would like to but probably prefer to go at 13 than 11 as that feels too soon.
Now how to pick a school. I would like it to be quite near where we used to live ( Wiltshire) as we would probably settle there again if we moved back and might get a small flat somewhere as a base. Also we have lots of family and friends in Oxfordshire and Hampshire for her to visit on expats etc. I would be in a position to come over and see her quite a bit too.
She is very bright, capable and interested academically. She is not traditionally sporty. She lives music, plays couple of instruments. Loves science, art. Very into drama. She is confident and mature for her age but she does suffer from anxiety in competitive and exam situations. Gets herself in a real little pickle. For that reason I don't want to send her anywhere too hothousey as anyway I am pretty confident she will do ok academically anywhere as she enjoys that side of school.
So how to choose a school? I don't know much about them as didn't come from that background myself. My husband went to a public school but was boys. So I thought I would ask the ladies of Mumsnet, who are always brimming with knowledge and advice. Don't mind if girls school or mixed really, and she says she doesn't mind, can see advantages of both.
So hit me with some ideas and recommendations.... Also there must be a review website. Also need to know how we should prepare her for the entrance exams from over here!
Many thanks in advance. Never thought we would be in a position to be able to do this for our kids, so chuffed that we are but don't really know where to start.
Hope you are not all going to say should have out her. Name down at birth, as clearly too late for that!