Bedales 6th form

[homebythesea]

Any views on Bedales 6th form for a not particularly academic but hard working girl, into drama, quite sociable but needs a degree of nurturing and encouragement? Looking at boarding although we don't live very far away because I think she needs to (gently) edge away from home so whatever her next steps are won't be such a massive shock to the system!

As many on here know I'm vehemently opposed to ridiculous uniform and meaningless ritual the overly formal and traditional but I agree with suggestion above that you look at Eastbourne, I've never been there but over the years I've heard good things about it the nicest boy ever at my DS's old prep went there or what about Bradfield that's in your area and is weekly boarding it has an reputation for being nurturing. Or there's Shiplake they take girls in the 6th form that's supposed to be very nurturing or Bethany friends sent their DS their they were slightly frankly underwhelmed but again it's meant to be nurturing.
I don't think you should just be drawn to Bedales by the fact that teachers are called by their first names and there's no uniform although it is a general indication of ethos I think you need to look beyond this as I said as I said as a hopeless liberal eccentric you would have thought it would have our name on it but I was rather unmoved by it all.

Fair enough Homebythesea! Has a beautiful stage/theatre though!!

Ship lake looks lovely, but fails on the compulsory sport frint. This is not part of the deal as far as DD is concerned! I'm aware the requirements are quite specific!

We have friends with a DD at Bradfield and they have had a great experience there. However the academic requirements for entry (papers in Maths and English plus at least 6 B's at GCSE incl at least C in maths) may well be a bit of a stretch (esp the maths aspect). Might be worth discussing this with them. We've found a varying attitude to the possibility that maths GCSE might need to be retaken from schools and colleges- some are totally set up for this, others not so much.

What about Bryanston or Frensham Heights , still have the liberal vibe but without the Bedales hype

Definitely going to look at Frensham as I know some current pupils who report back very positively

Again, Bryanston requires an A at GCSE for chose AS subjects which is higher than some others mentioned here.

Your DD doesn't want compulsory sport? She's going to struggle some sort of compulsory sport is a massive part of boarding life most boarding schools want pupils of most ages to do some sort of sport Tues PM Thurs PM and Sat PM often in the 6th form it's not the standard ruby/rowing/netball/hockey stuff it might "fitness training" i.e. Showing your face in the gym for ten minutes, swimming or squash none of which is taken too seriously just a matter of turning up for 20 minutes making a token gesture then going. Also low exam entry requirement for 6th form could be difficult as many are less selective at yr 9 but up their requirements substantially at yr 12 often taking bright children from abroad who've spent the last 16 years improving their English primarily because they're trying to improve their position in the league tables.

Fitness/dance type things all good, netball and hockey etc no thanks! I appreciate what you say about academic entry requirements- which is why we need to consider the less obvious options that offer more than an academic focus. As far as I can tell so far (and its early days yet!) it's places like Bedales, Frenshsm and Hurtwood which will fit the bill as opposed to the 6th form of a more trad public school

DD2 weekly boards at St Chris, and we're very happy with it. We're in South London, and she's usually home around 5.30 on a Friday. Where in Surrey are you? There are reasonably fast trains from St Pancras to East Croydon, which is a hub, so the journey might not be that onerous.

There doesn't seem to be any competitiveness re clothes, it's a happy school, from what I can see, and not pretentious in the least. DD2 has a good group of friends, mixed ages, both sexes and settled in quickly.

mrs S is your DD in the 6th form?

Home - no, she's not, but can't wait until she is! The sixth formers have their own boarding house in the grounds.

Have a look here

My DD joined Bedales in the Sixth Form and loved it. There were plenty of other new sixth formers, and she made friends with them and kids who'd been through all the Bedales' schools. She also made friends from other years, some of this due to mixed age dorms, and some of it due to the number of drama productions she was in.

My DD didn't experience any bullying. When she thought that a younger girl was being bullied she took it to her housemistress, and it was dealt with swiftly.

It's a myth to say that pupils at Bedales are left to their own devices academically. There was absolutely loads of academic support, and I she left with three As. I found her teachers massively supportive, and her own personal tutor was always contactable. She was guided through UCAS applications, and helped to find the right university for her.

I'd say go and visit. I loved the place from my first contact with them, and visiting cemented this. If your DD is into drama I think she would love Bedales. The performances they put on amazing, and the standard of acting superb.

However, the thing I valued most about Bedales is that they treated my DD as an individual, and she thrived in this atmosphere. She made friends for life there, and has a bond with the school that will last forever.

delking thank you so much for your input- exactly what I was after! Can I ask re the dorms, how many girls to a room and what ages are they? Can't quite get my head round how it works?

Her first dorm was six girls. Two from sixth form, two from block five or four and two from block three (I think). Dorms are mixed up each term, and after that they chose who they dormed with, but again mixed across years. The older ones looked out for the younger ones. I can't remember who she dormed with after that, although the first dorm was the largest one she was in.

There is no house system, so no imposed competition across the school. The community is encouraged to work together for the benefit of the whole community, and I think this is aided by all living together.

Thank you again. That set up seems a good thing in the sense that she wouldn't be stuck with just one other or worse on her own to start off with. But does it not cramp the older girls' style? How do they deal with bed times for the different ages? Do they get some privacy?

Interesting having very mixed years sharing a dorm. Years ago when I was looking at boarding schools for DS2 two houses masters had an older boy, upper sixth, being a "dorm monitor", (this involved sleeping in the dorm) for yr 9's both HM's were new and admitted to being rather uncomfortable with this arrangement and were looking to change it because as they pointed out there is a very big difference both physically and emotionally between an 18 year old and a 13 year old. I think this is a very valid point.

I'm sorry, but I just don't know that level of detail about bedtimes or privacy. If you visit the school you'll get shown round by pupils, and they will be able to fill you in on that kind of day-to-day stuff.

At St Chris they have their own rooms.

Hi, I've been reading your posts with interest, My DD and DS have just left Bedales and I have another DS at Dunhurst, Bedales' Prep School. I'm seven years into the school and seven to go! Really happy to answer any questions.

My elder two started when they were 11 and have absolutely loved it. They each have very different friendship groups and very different strengths. It's been lovely to watch how the school has nurtured them both. It has undoubtably given them both the ability to communicate effectively and warmly with anybody. They don't fear authority and value community and kindness. I do acknowledge that this environment might not work for everybody, it is certainly built on personal responsibility and I've been fortunate that my children have appreciated the 'no unnecessary rules' approach.

Academically, I have had no concerns. My DS is passionate about learning and has done extremely well. In particular, the school encourages student led projects and he was able to set up a fantastic philosophy festival last year, facilities, catering, ticketing for adults and the day cleared for all the six formers to attend. At each stage I was I was deeply impressed that his (boundless) enthusiasm was never met with 'no'. I think the relationship between the teachers and the students is key. Teachers there are real people and first names and no uniforms are surely just like real life? I've seen genuine respect from the pupils. Of course, that also needs to be backed up by parents. My DD is less academic but has had a fantastic time. The teachers have never held back with positive encouragement, she has blossomed and is off to study her degree of choice.

I sent them to the school because I agree with its tenets "Head, Hand, Heart". All three need to be cared for - after all, rounded, happy, engaged adults is all you can hope for as a parent isn't it?

Hi Barney thanks for your insight. Did your older children have many joiners at 6th form and if so were there any issues? Did they board?

Hi, I think 60ish went up from Block 5 and about 40 joined them for 6.1. I remember that there was an induction weekend to encourage bonding. The first term the children didn't get a choice of who they wanted to share dorms with but did after that, once friendships had begun to form. It seemed to work very well and the girls welcomed a change each term. Quite funny that the girls always seemed to have it all worked out and the boys left it to the last minute!

6.1s share dorms with younger children and are 'dorm bosses' with separate girls' and boys' boarding houses. 6.2s have their own flat and alot more freedom. Day students are also given study space in the 6.2 dorms. DD boarded 6.1 and 6.2 and my DS just 6.2.

They loved 6.2 and I'm so glad they boarded - great with university imminent!

Mine were ready for new people to join in 6.1. Generally really positive. They were all beginning to take things pretty seriously by then and the new children had lots to give the school.

Very tribal in my day (1980s) as a girl, if you were good looking or extremely confident with the right clothes (unofficial uniform), you were accepted into the main social clique. If you were shunned by the cool group then you were openly rejected & despised, even by the slightly less cool group who didn't want to associate with you. Cruel verbal derisory comments, mocking sexual advances by boys, hurtful nicknames, nasty name calling all the time. Majority of children smoked in the sand quarry every break time. Many of us have never really recovered from the awful bullying we endured there. Some year groups were better than others - mine was vile. Of course there were lovely children there too, really nice teachers, great art, music, drama, beautiful grounds etc. & for lots of children (the lucky ones accepted by their peers), it was a happy experience. But there was a very nasty subculture of rejection & bullying based on appearance. The staff seemed totally unaware & there was very little supervision or moral guidance. Maybe times have changed but I suspect that the liberal atmosphere may still provide ample opportunity for bullying those poor souls who don't quite match up to the sophistication of the other Bedalians.