Wycombe Abbey - help me get to the bottom of it all!

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We are seriously considering WA 11+ entry for our DD who loves the school. It has been described to me as "competitive", "pressurised", "not much fun", "junior house a bit Lord of the Flies" by various people including those with DD there. We were shown round by confident, intelligent, delightful girls and our DD was really taken by the campus and the girls she met.

We were also told "everyone goes home at the weekend unless you're from overseas". They have a few closed weekends, but otherwise this does not sound like full boarding and surely creates a "them and us" with the overseas vs non overseas pupils.

Our DD is outgoing, an all rounder, solid academically as opposed to genius. She's a real do-er, and has siblings at boarding school and really wants to go herself.

If you have a DD there, what is your experience - warts and all?!

Thanks.

anyone?

Very many boarding schools are now more or less weekly boarding schools. My DDs were at another girls' boarding school but I know Wycombe Abbey quite well. To be perfectly honest, there is a division between overseas and home based girls when the boarding is reduced to weekly. It does not go as far as "in schools vs out of school" though because each set of pupils understands their position and there is no animosity. The full boarders from overseas get better value for money though! I think proper full boarding schools can do so much more if the girls are in school, but parents do not seem to want it. Practically, it means that overseas girls mix in lessons but not so much socially. Overseas girls can always be invited home by you. Sports matches are probably on Saturday mornings but I think it is very difficult to find a girls' boarding school where going home for the majority of weekends is not the norm.

Our school changed dramatically when everyone started going home, and not for the best. However, parents do not like to be criticised for sending their children boarding; parents are available at weekends and send their children to boarding schools that are easily accessible to home; they want a baby-sitting service during the week and are prepared to pay top dollar for it; many girls start at 11,not 13, hence home life is considered more important; the girls can regularly see friends from home who may be at day schools, eg in London. Unfortunately, even closed weekends were not supported by quite a lot of parents so activities such as House Music, House Drama, even Sports Day were difficult to plan and execute because girls did not turn up! Some parents viewed any weekend in school to be an intrusion and a nuisance when planning their weekend.

Heathfield at Ascot is, perhaps, more old fashioned boarding.

We were at WA at the weekend too and would love some current parents to clarify this. The website states (copied and pasted):
"Should they wish, girls may go out most Sundays, subject to School committments - Chapel, play rehearsals etc (there are also three 'closed' weekends each term when all girls are in School). Saturday afternoon after sport is an alternative option."
Matches would be Saturday afternoon so girls who live near enough and are not sporty could be out for most of the weekend.
Three closed weekends per term does not sound like many. Would love more info.

My DD is loving it and thriving. There is no division at all with overseas girls. They have guardians here anyway so can stay with them if there is a short or long leave. Closed weekends are def closed. Everyone stays in to do activities/socialise. No Sat morning sport MMM Wycombe girls have lessons till lunchtime. SStoker, vast majority of girls are at school Sat, lessons till lunch anyway, then home for the day Sunday, back by Chapel. After sports matches girls have time to have a meal with their parents if they come and watch. Basically as you can tell it's complicated, but it works for us!!!! You soon get into the swing of it.

Thank you for your replies. We didn't go last weekend but had questions from a previous visit. So the message seems to be that most people leave on a Sunday and come back in the evening for Chapel, except on closed weekends when everyone stays. This confirms that there is definitely a weekly boarding feeling to the place, although they look like they put on great activities for those that do stay.

Does the same thing happen at CLC or would people describe that as more full boarding for all, except the day girls?

Slummiemummie - What sort of girl do you think thrives at WA? Do many girls leave after GCSE?.

Coolas - glad you had a great time!!

Milly - thanks for your insight.

A friend's daughter is there (she's British) and she stays on frequently, is very happy, and I understand she has huge numbers of international friends.

Thanks LB - our DD really liked the look of all the weekend activities they put on...I got the impression she was keen to do those, rather than come home and help me and DH wash up sunday lunch!!

Hi I wouldn't say most leave on Sundays, it depends on the girl and how close by parents are. Many girls are involved in activities and stay in. It's def full boarding, very full on, long days, Sat school and wall to wall extras. Half term and short leaves are times when all leave to relax and have a break. A few leave after GCSEs, a variety of reasons, financial etc. London girls sometimes want day school. Some look around and then choose to stay. I would say suits academically able, willing to get involved, motivated girls who will enjoy living in a community. The new Head is impressive too.

Thanks Slummie - just what I wanted to hear. I liked the new Head. We'll just have to see if DD gets in - they definitely get their choice of girls given the popularity and demand for places.

Good luck!

Thanks Slummie, that's really helpful. It really looks to be an amazing school and totally agree about the Head.

Does anyone know a tutor that can help a child prepare for Wycombe Abbey 11+. A friend of mine is looking for a tutor as her child is coming from abroad for the test.