Sixth Form Choice - Benenden or St. Swithun's

[Thankfulone]

We are having a hard time choosing between Benenden and St Swithun's for our DD to study Sixth Form and would be grateful for views and opinions about the 2 schools.

We are a family from Hong Kong and it will be the first time that DD is leaving home to study abroad. DD is an academic girl, a self starter and have a strong sense of responsibility. She is of the quieter type though I would not term her as too much of an introvert. She aspires to go to medical school.

We want her to be in a school where she will be happy and will thrive. On the other hand, we want her to be in a suitably academic school, as obviously she would need very good grades in order to be able to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.

As a mother, I have huge concerns that we are not making the right choice for our DD. Any opinions and views are most welcomed.

St Swithuns drive girls to placements/medical appointments etc as required. There is no issue with being outside the city centre.

St Swithuns has a stronger science department at the moment. For me, there would be enough full boarders (around 60 in the sixth form overall, and another 60 or so weekly boarders) at St Swithuns but if that issue is the deal breaker then choose Benenden.

The registrars of both schools would, I'm sure, be happy to answer specific queries such as how they arrange for work placements for prospective medical students.

I went to SS. In sixth form, we definitely walked into town after school! We all used to go and drink at the slug and lettuce. However, we would also car share as people passed their driving tests.

I personally dislike the school, but it is a much better option for sixth form only (I would NEVER send a young girl their). Certainly can't fault the academics: of my group of friends (in a year of 70), 2 are medical doctors, I have a phd, another has a masters from ucl, and the other is a lawyer. Whether the school is always successful at producing happy people is another question. But that's for a pm. And as it is a decade since we left, may no longer be an issue.

Why would you not send a young girl there? And do you have any thoughts as to whether SS is different/worse than other academic girls boarding schools? Do you feel that SS has changed under the new head (she would claim it has) or do you not know her?

I hope it has improved under the new head. If you'd like the info, pm me, but it was under the old head's regime that the stuff happened so it may all be history. Having said that, one of my mum's friends was at the school 55 years ago and similar problems existed back then!

My feeling is that a teen is more fully formed in her health, confidence and personality at 16 whereas, in an 11 yo, there is a lot more raw material that could be affected.

DD has two former primary friends there (now in 6th form) and I gather that it has not been the most pleasant or ladylike of atmospheres between them and their new friends in earlier years. Parents getting involved - school not too bothered. Not sure when the Head changed but it is a school that seems to have a perennial reputation for 'issues' whatever era you hear about. DSis has friend in her 40s who is still dealing with her St S demons!

Two of my gym friends pulled their daughters out, one after two terms, the other after one.
I thought my school was catty till I heard about what goes on up there - even assuming exaggeration and conflation.

Benenden with saturday am school.

St S is a great school but predominantly weekly/local boarders.
New head at benenden is really lovely as well as being v impressive.

I am sure that you have already made your decision but as a mother with a daughter at Benenden I wanted to add my few words. I know nothing about St Swithuns so I cannot compare them! My daughter has loved the full boarding at Benenden. Her brother is a weekly boarder and she cannot understand how he wants to come home every weekend ( I love the fact that he does!) In the sixth form the girls are given more weekends out but they all have lessons on Saturday morning and many of them have sports commitments. There are plenty of overseas pupils and a look on the portal for the travel arrangements shows the almost military efficiency they have to have!
There are fast trains to London and coaches at exeats and half term. There are some spectacularly bright girls and many that are average. They are all catered for. And on the subject of catering, the Benenden food is some of the best school food I have come across.

Have fun choosing. There are plenty of great schools out there.

Otto, you mentioned there are plenty of overseas pupils. Do you know where they come from and how many overseas pupils in each form? Is your daughter still studying in Benenden? Please share more with us.

Dear Thankfulone,
I'm currently searching for a good boarding school for my girl. Sounds like my daughter and yours is very similar in personality. Appreciate if you could share your daughter's final choice and experience!
Many thanks!

The above poster is rubishing St S on another thread. Clearly there is an issue between her and the school, so its always best to find out if a school is for you or not. However, many girls' boarding schools have large numbers of overseas pupils. It is how they keep open, quite frankly. It is also how many get excellent results. However, I think it is very unfair to rubbish the results of the overseas girls. St S is not particularly selective and if some pupils achieve highly, I cannot see why the others cannot do the same if they possess the same attributes.