6th Form boarding school for Italian academic girl

[Italianmama67]

Hello everyone!
My DD (15 in Dec) would like to study in England for her 6th Form, from Sept. 2016. She's very academic (always very top grades in all subjects), sporty (for pleasure), she likes music (she plays the guitar and sings in a rock band) and art. Active and enthousiastic. She can speak English very fluently, maybe needs to improve the written language.

I hope you can give us some good advice. Already read many threads about this topic, but I'm really confused. She comes from the Italian school system which differs from yours... more subjects, traditional way of teaching and studying and different syllabuses.

We're looking for

• a really full boarding co-ed school
• an academic school, but not too rigid, where she can learn and flourish
• a place with a limited number of EAL (she really WANTS to learn English as a native speaker!!!)
• a place where she can enjoy music and sport for pleasure (for everyone, not only for the excellence)
• don't know wether IB or A-Ls, maybe IB
• with good transport links (she would come home for holidays, mid terms...)
• excellent pastoral care

I really thank you for all the info. you'll give us!

Yes, her written English is a thing to consider,,,,Also the fact that you translate from Latin to English, not to Italian!

Ops! posted twice!

You can search my username on here and see I always recommend Oakham. Excellent school for all rounders. Pushes the academic side but also sport, music, drama etc. Not the most academic school by far but a large intake each year me if you want more info

"She isn't studying IB. She's attending a school strong in maths and sciences (Sciences and Physics) and in humanities (Italian, Latin, English, History, Histoy of art, Geography). And she doesn't know what to study at uni. But she's fascinated by your schooling system and the way students learn, interacting, debating, enjoying what they do....."

OP sounds like you have described Oundle exactly as it is....perfect fit! And very English!

Thank you Sharpkat and Pepperpot! I'll search old threads and ask you some questions.

Do have a look at Oakham. 6th formers can choose IB or A level route, and the school gets excellent results in both. Lots of music (all sorts) and drama - own theatre. Very sporty, pastoral care excellent. A direct train service from Stansted airport too. It's half boarding, half day, but a large school so lots there at weekends, and many day students choose to go in at weekends because so much is going on.
www.oakham.rutland.sch.uk/

I read very interesting things about Oakham! And also of Canford. Are they similar?

King's Canterbury is an excellent school for all-rounders. They take a lot of new pupils, especially girls, at sixth form, and there is a good mix of British and international students.

The sport and music are excellent. don't know if they do IB, though - they didn't when I had direct experience of it, but that was a few years ago. There's a well-run 'carousel' system, though, that allows pupils to try subjects they're not formall studying.

I cannot on Canford vs Oakham. I only went to one school . If I ever had children and I live nowhere near Oakham now I would send them there without thinking. Happy to answer any questions.

;)) Sharpkat, why do you love Oakham? This might help me to have a better vision.
BadgerB give me your opinions too, please. Ethos, atmosphere....

Italianmama -my DD went to Oakham for 6th form (or in Oakham-speak, 6th and 7th form). She had been at day school before and was not sure if she would enjoy boarding, but was prepared to try.

She loved it! Previously a non-sporty girl, she took up two new sports (fives and rifle-shooting!), got involved in theatre productions and choir, and made some close friends who I think will be friends for life. She said she wished she had gone there earlier, at 11 or 13. There is a wide choice of A levels - my DD was in a class of only 3 for A level Italian, so courses are not cancelled if only a few are taking them. She did well enough to get into her first choice university for the course she wanted.

I know nothing about Canford, sorry. Maybe you could get a prospectus from each, then make some visits?

Hi ItalianMama,

Not much to add to the info about the schools on the thread (the only one I know is Kings Rochester, where I took a group of Italians for a summer school this year!) but just wanted to say that, guessing that your daughter is Liceo Scientifico (?) from the subjects- I don't think she would have any problem academically or from a writing English point of view, by the time she gets to 4th/5th year.

I have a lot of students (Liceo Classico mainly) who are interested in spending their 4th yr in the UK, it seems to be the "in thing" at the moment, I'll ask them where their parents are looking! At the moment though they are in 2nd yr. I think the only ones who have started seriously looking, are going to go with EF or MLA and let them find the schools.

Just to throw a totally different type of school into the mix what about Atlantic College. Definitely good on debate and outdoor pursuits, gets students into the top Universities.

Hello! If she has an average of 8-9 she will be absolutely fine for entrance exams - it will be more a case of familiarising herself with the exam technique. Written English is perhaps more of a concern (I went to a good liceo scientifico, had 10 in English, and I would not have been able To write an a level style of essay at they stage). However, schools with an international intake should make allowances for that - just call them up and ask.

Trying Atlantic college is a possibility, but you will have to apply via the Italian committee of the Collegi del mondo unito. Very competitive, but if you are the right person, a fab experience (I am an alumna). Be advised that you will not be able to choose the destination. If you win one of the Italian scholarships, you may be sent to any of their schools (from Canada to China).the plus side is that scholarships are generous so you would save a lot of money.

I would also try Headington school in oxford. I know a couple of fairly academic girls (but not stellar) from a average scientifico in the middle of nowhere who went there and thrived, ending up at Imperial college.

BadgetB, thank you! Personally experience can be very useful! When I have a more definite vision I'll visit some schools for sure! I like those which involve all their students in activities, sport and music, not only the most talented.

Dranksangriainthepark, you know The Italian schooling system very well! Yes my dd is in Liceo scientifico, 2nd y. as well. I'm glad to hear that academically she would be ok. And she learns very quickly.
I know going abroad for a year is popular, but then quite a few really go. The US and Australia are favourite places, as they cost much less and are more exotic. For Britain there is a more complicated process. EF, Wep, Intercultura and other agencies don't let you choose the schools, you have to accept what you are offered. The schools mentioned here and the other good ones are not included. They say students should enjoy the cultural experience as a whole, which can be true, but it's not what we were looking for. We 'd like an 'academic challenge'(stimulating, not forced) , with great involvement(head and heart) and sth which can help her realise her dreams, whatever might be, not only 'going abroad'.
Your suggestions, therefore, are very welcome! Thanks!

Mummytime, Atlantic Coll. is on my list! But only 10-15 st.s are taken from Italy every year and you cannot choose the school, as you apply to UWC, so they can send you anywhere! Besides, interviews here are held in spring, so, on the one hand, if you aren't accepted you'll be out of everything, on the other, if you pass you will have already paid one term and more to another school... I think she will try anyway! Do you have any direct links? Thanks!

Oh oh... I'm just a bit tooooo long! Sorry!

NewLondoner, sorry! I' ve just seen your post! And thanks! How did you manage to enter?!? Is it true that you should have already done a lot of voluntary service and something connected to the 'mission'? My dd's concern is that she wouldn't learn English as well as she went to a more 'Brit' environment.... I know, she's rather 'nitpicking' (is it the right word?!?),hairsplitting...The experience would be unique with so many students from around the world! And the spirit seems to be really ethic. I think it could also give you good links for your future career.
What about sport and music?
I've got the impression that Bedales might be a similar experience. Am I wrong?

NewLondoner, I'm also happy to hear that my dd's dream may be fulfilled! She is in a very demanding school in the North of Italy and her average is really high.She's taking her First Cert. in Dec and then goes on preparing for the Adv. or Ielts,not decided yet. She has to familiarise with UKISET tests and with the schools entrance exams. A LOT to do!!!! But she's really determined!

Sorry ...-she's taking her First....

You state you're looking for full boarding then my advise having now spent 10+ years with children in the boarding sector and who like you wants full boarding my advise is find a school where the vast majority have to full board and where there are no weekly/flexi boarders because if there are then at the best nearly all will go home on Saturday PM and not come back to school till Sunday late or even Monday morning. A small number of day children, max 20% is actually less of an issue because they will usually be expected to do the same hours as the full boarders just go home to sleep.
Bedales is definitely a weekly boarding school, a friend works at Charterhouse she tells me it's a weekly boarding school she gets Sunday as her day off, Bradfield is also a weekly boarding school, a mum I know with a DC there loves it but she hadn't realised it was a weekly boarding school and this is her only complaint. Frankly most mentioned above are not proper full boarding schools. There is a reason for this full boarding is basically no longer popular with parents.
Sevenoaks does have lots of day children I know 8 who've been there or are there all were day children and I thought a friend said they choose it because there was no Saturday school (I could be wrong). There are lots children from abroad but check the numbers very carefully schools can be economical with the truth cagey about the exact number of full boarders. Marlborough is a big school and the vast majority full board, it does the IB, I've heard their orchestra, it's very impressive and it offers a very broad curriculum. On the other hand most of the parents are very smart and for me it's very petty and contrary to what many think very far from being liberal. But thar doesn't mean it's not a good school for many. Kings Canterbury again mainly full boarders we know lots there, many different personalities including some incredible musicians all bar one love it, Canterbury is a very nice safe city as well, ?ideal for a an older teenager. Uppingham is full boarding, very traditional parents, gets a bad press on here but the parents we know with DC's there talk very highly of it. Oakham always gets a good press on here, a big school but check the number of full boarders versus weekly flexi boarders, Oundle is another big school has had mixed reviews on here again check numbers, Rugby I believe is also mainly full boarders, more down to earth than some and again is well liked on here. I personally don't like Stowe I know plenty of others who feel the same, very impressive building grounds etc but that doesn't make a school good! It's also not overly selective. Similar academic standard to Stowe and in my opinion a much nicer is St Edwards Oxford mainly full boarders and a small group of day children. It provides a very broad curriculum apparently the standard of music is high.
Hope this helps.

You could also consider Christ's Hospital full boarding and it has a reputation for being very musical. It's has a mixed intake as it has a generous bursary policy but wants to attract more paying students. It's very good for Gatwick which might be handy for you. Not for me as it has IMO a completely ridiculous uniform and lots of meaningless ritual which I can't abide. But very popular with many.

My DD has just applied to UWC in the UK. We visited Atlantic College and it is amazing. We are going through the difficult bit of having to apply to other places while we wait to see if she even has an interview. We are also looking at A'levels for most places, so its a bit like looking in two languages.

Oh and they pretty much just speak English (at least at Atlantic College) so I wouldn't worry, her English would improve rapidly - I met students who arrived with slightly "shakey" English, and it had improved massively (to seemingly near fluency) in 7 weeks.

Many thanks HappyGardening, really exhaustive! And of great help!I was considering Kings Canterbury,excellent academics, excellent pastoral care, music of all kings (rock bands as well), sporty... But houses are distributed all around the town. I'not worried about that, I was only wondering if this could affect in a negative way the general atmosphere. And no IB...
I'd like to know, if you don't mind, why you don't like Stowe. It's not on the league tables, if I'm not wrong, and I can't have a clear idea. And also Oundle is a bit blurred in my mind. It's excellent in all its aspects but I have sth missing. Maybe too much pressure? Is it positively stimulating? Fun? Mallory Tower style?I read its academic side is outstanding, is it? Pastoral care? I thank you!
MummyTime, I cross my fingers! I hope your DD will be offered a place!:)

Oh HappyGardening...I absolutely want to know about the peculiar rituals of the school!!! I can't miss it!

Oh Christ's Hospital is a very different school. I know/have known several ex pupils, they all tend to be a bit "quirky" and my DD would hate it, but others do love it. I suggest a quick google search just to get a flavour.