Frensham Heights - yr 9 entry

[Moid1]

Hi, anyone have experience of Frensham Heights. Looking to move my DS1 there for year 9.

much seems to be made of the fact that they don't wear uniform, call teachers by their first names and don't give out reward 'certificates'etc.
Daughter of a friend went there and found it didn't suit her.
Entrance exams for year 9 are held in the January of the students Year 8, and I think you have to have registered with them by the November (but could be wrong)
Would suggest going to an open day or visiting because friends have said it can seem slightly alternative.

Why didn't it suit there daughter?

She found it way too unstructured as had come from a prep school where there were definite rewards and sanctions, said she felt the teachers just shrugged if you didn't fit in with unstructured bit straight away and found the girls very bitchy as she was short and dumpy rather than the tall willowy type. If its 3 years since you've been there then you definitely need to visit. Did you know that there are only around 40 boys from age 11-18 which seema very small and the same roughly of girls (its an all though school from 3-18)
Have you contacted any other schools in the area?

Thanks, that's great to know. Only 40 boys, that is much to small.

oops! read the wrong bit of information!
around 40 boy boarders and 215 day boys from age 3-18. around 500 students in total from age 3 - 18 so would be worth asking how many in the upper years.
Have a look at the independent schools council website, sorry for giving duff info!

It's very much a school for creatives is my impression, suits some, but not all. Does your son have a strength in art or drama etc?

It's not difficult to get a place, I've only known one child from my school not offered a place in their year group, and that child was offered a place in the year below.