International IB schools uk

[BBEA]

Hello,
We are moving from Luxembourg to the UK. My child is 14; coming from the bilingual ( French/English) school. Previously at IB school.
I am looking for academic, challenging IB education, north London/Hertfordshire location.
I would appreciate any advices, I need to find something suitable before summer 2016.

[BBEA]

Exactly, very long week days plus Saturday.
I guess my daughter wouldn't talk to me if I put her into this kind of system, after being in EUrope and having school till 4 pm the latest and often toll 1.30 pm only. This is too big shock for her. Cannot do it.

[BBEA]

I just wonder how much they can learn during those long days and Saturdays?

[BBEA]

MrsSchadenfreude, so happy someone from ACS schools.
This is my huge dilemma - ACS or normal UK schools, my DD is 14 so she has 2 years before GCSE. With very intensive research I could maybe get her a place in the UK system, even private is only 17-18000£ comparing to ACS day student ar 25-25000£.
Do you feel that the school is not worth this money?

[BBEA]

I know they have fantastic facilities but what about academics. Are they push enough to motivate kids or is rather relaxing international environment of rich parents?

[lifeisunjust]

Why don't you just pick a northern London borough well known for its secondary schools, such as Barnet, and just well apply for any place and move as close to the most "successful" ones. There are plenty of private schools in that area too. If you can afford to consider 17k per year school fees, then living in that area won't be financially challenging and if you get a school place at a state secondary, then you win financially

[BBEA]

Lifeisunjust- I may just do that.
I a, visiting again ACS schools in May. But I will start looking at local schools in north London too. Thanks so much.

[SoGodhelpme]

OP, they don't do lessons all day. Most independent schools finish lessons at 4pm everyday. (Except Wednesday when most finish lessons around 1pm followed by games), The rest of the day is spent doing extra curricular activities e.g football, netball, clubs and societies. No school does lessons for all those hours!
Same with Saturday's, lessons usually last till about 12pm followed by matches.

[Blondie1984]

BBEA what is your opinions of the Anglo European School based on?

[Blondie1984]

Actually having re-read some of your comments I'm not sure your daughter would fit in there - if have were to get a place at all

[bojorojo]

I honestly think that your DD will get to know British children. It would be the same if a British child had to go to school in France - you adjust. Actually going to a school is very different to a taster. She may find she has more in common than you, or she, thinks. You could also look at Queenswood near Potters Bar, no Saturday school.

[BBEA]

Dear Blondie1984
One of the first schools I looked at was ANglo European in Ingatestone ( my husband grew up in Essex , so it is local to him). I visited the school and we had few days there. Lovely , very welcoming teachers and admin people, nice and Open minded ambiance.
I felt really well there. But it is not for my child, she is used to 14-16 kids per class. Classes at Anglo were big and discipline very poor. Lots of kids disturbing during the classes and teachers couldn't keep kids motivated.n Also( such a shame but it is true) the rubbish on the floor was everywhere!!!, hygiene at the school very poor and the canteen was just horrible.
However surroundings of the school and the location -AMAZING! One of the nicest villages I saw in the UK.

[BBEA]

Reg anglo - I was impressed by their 16 plus IB program.
But not before that.

[BBEA]

Will check Queenswood. Thank you.

[YellowPrimula]

What about Hockerill Anglo European College which is in Herts not sure what the difference is with Ingatestone but there are definitely a few mumsnet terms with children at Hockerill, if you do a search you might find a thread or two .

[BBEA]

Hockerill is great but no places, need the address in the catchment area otherwise cannot even apply. But the admission told me than even with address they won't take anyone, full classes. Talked to them last week.

[mary21]

We have friends whose DS is at ACS Hillingdon and are happy with it. There is also a new school called New lands College that do myp newlandcollege.co.uk/ Don't know whether Mill hill international /MillHill is worth a look?

[mary21]

Don't know it but here is another www.dwightlondon.org/

[BBEA]

Mary21; I heard about Newlands college. Looks like a really nice school. Not sure how good they are going to be since they just opened. Have you heard anything about the school.?

[Needmoresleep]

"But it is not for my child, she is used to 14-16 kids per class"

Reading between the lines, does your child really want to come to the UK. Moving countries requires a willingness to adapt, and it feels as if you are running around looking for something that is the same as what she has now.

Before looking further I would be tempted to discuss with her what it is about the UK she is most concerned about, and what she sees as the opportunites. Then base your search on that.

Advantages might include the chance to specialise at sixth form by taking A levels or the ability to access world ranked tertiary education, or to becuome used to a diverse student body.

[bojorojo]

Newlands is in Bucks and that is a selective grammar school county. Therefore I would wonder what type of student will be attracted to Newlands? Maybe parents wanting something alternative who are not happy with the local secondary schools? I do not think many parents would prefer it to Dr Challoners High School though, which is just up the road.

I think most established independent schools have longish days but they are not all lessons. There are longer lunchbreaks, lots of clubs and sport and sometimes prep and more clubs in the evening. It is a way of making friends and joining in. You have to think of it as a way of life. Smaller schools with international students and ties with schools from different parts of the world have good pastoral care for international students and are good at integrating them. That is why I suggested Queenswood. They may also have spaces!

[Aftershock15]

Have you looked at Stephen Perse in Cambridge? Does IB at 6th form but fairly small school and no lessons on Saturday (but maybe matches, but these are probably optional). Does have a uniform. Easy commute to Herts.

[AStreetcarNamedBob]

St leonards in Scotland is the IB CURRICULUM and also does boarding. It's a very international school. Would she consider boarding? No Saturday school and the day is 8:45-4pm

[BBEA]

Thank you so much everyone.
I agree with you needmoresleep. I think myself and my daughter we are both looking for the same school as we have now. She adores where she is now and it is so hard to give her something similar or better in the UK to make her excited about schooling again. I really don't want her to feel that be of our work she has to compromise on her education and style of life.
I realised I am looking everywhere for something which doesn't exist.
At the moment, she is at bilingual international school, no uniforms, mix, no Saturday school. Very relaxed and at the same time high academics. At the moment she does English and French as main languages ( native level) plus Spanish and Latin. She studies some subjects already in second and third language. Math department is at extremely high level too. 15 kids per class. No trouble kids at all. Everyone super well behave.
On the top of that she bikes to school 10 mins from home on secure school biking path.
How can I match this in the UK. Where to look? Is it even possible?

[BBEA]

An other question- : do kids commute on the tube in London or this is just purely for work?