co-ed senior school recommendations?

[Tarcoughsky]

Can anyone suggest/recommend a lovely co-ed senior school [preferably day] for ds, entry in Year 9? Looking for somewhere that is strongly academic and challenging, but also creative [drama, music] and excellent pastoral care. In South East preferably. We are self employed and thinking of moving, so the right school is the starting point. Will consider private and state, though as year 9 entry, private may be more likely.

Swerab I don't think that's true, particularly in northern cities!

Or even in the Home Counties - OP doesn't want boarding, but if she did the very antithesis of county set boarding (Summerhill) is in Suffolk.

I think, as far as I know, there are some schools that sort of pride themselves on the country set and some that are bit more diverse even if they are private, surely.

I just looked up Summerhill Lizard, I didn't realise it was still going! Not the place for ds, certainly, he needs lots of structure and guidance, but v interesting place.

My experience of private schools (south west) is that they are full of well-off white children. It's a complete myth that there is any diversity. Maybe the odd full bursary and plenty of Chinese kids.

Try moving somewhere more diverse, swerab. My DS was the only White boy in his class of 16 last year. This year there are 3/16 that are white, of which 2 are WBRI.
DD's year is about 25% white.
The secondary she transfers to in September has about 45% white pupils (many of whom are children of European families here for PHDs/lectureships, rather than WBRI).

Somewhere like Magdalen College School definitely not country set and definitely quite diverse. However, it is single sex until sixth form, and very, very driven - I think it might have suited ds in many ways, though we have missed the entry process for year 9, and I was a bit worried about the pressure load.

Surprised Sevenoaks is not mentioned. Academic and more stockbroker/international than country set. Agree with Kings Canterbury. Christ's Hospital? Again not country set.

Will look up both - thankyou needmoresleep

When are you needing the place? Many year 9 entry independents now pretest in y6/7 and make conditional offers. Their lists can close up to 2 years in advance too. Cranbrook School in Kent is a state day/boarding school with y9 entry and there may be others.

Yes it is a bit imminent, the need to apply. Year 9 in 2018. Have missed some entry processes already.

Despite private schools claiming to be full years in advance there is a lot of movement right up to the August of entry particularly in the home counties where populations are highly mobile. I would talk to the admissions offices. Call regularly and you will find a slot in all but the very over subscribed (London) schools.

Actually The Perse in Cambridge is very diverse in terms of ethnicity and not at all 'country/county set'.

Thanks Meryl.

Will look up the Perse thankyou atbnau.

What is the country set? Upper class people who live in the country?

The Leys in Cambridge may also be worth a look. Methodist origins, so not classically posh.

Sil has been very impressed with Bedes ,Eastbourne direction. Says fantastic pastoral care.

thanks needmoresleep and mary21.

Um, Littelda, I suppose I mean very grand types. Not necessarily country I suppose, but just want somewhere as diverse and grounded as possible.

Tarcoughsky, and if you are trying to interpret The Leys GCSE and A level results (the former seem better) it is worth being aware that there is quite a lot of movement between The Leys, and Hills Road, one of the Country's top performing sixth form colleges, at the start of Yr 12. This does not mean that The Leys does not do well by bright children, but simply that a number of parents take advantage of having a good, and free, alternative at this stage.

Wells Cathedral School in Somerset is a fantastic school, a great balance of the academics and lots of creativity. If specifically for music, it is also one of the UKs five music specialist schools. Also with excellent pastoral care, it is perfectly sized with focus on developing the individual. Entry can be in any year, subject to availability. Beautiful part of the country if location is not an issue for work. DD1 is boarding with scholarship so let me know if I can offer any further guidance. Can't help being biased.

that makes sense needmoresleep, thankyou.

Wells does look attractive CheerLeader! Bit further out than hoped but does look fab. What is the boarding/day ratio do you know?

@Tarcoughsky Sorry didn't see your reply. I couldn't give a precise number, however with 18 houses, boarding numbers are healthy with a strong community and good balance of boys/girls and international students. Day students use houses as their base during the day, so you find increased conversion to flexi-boarding going up the years. Exeat is every 3 weeks with a range of activities over the weekend, in addition to fixtures (everyone plays) and Saturday school from yr 9. Students can also take advantage of free tickets to watch touring performances at their amazing Cedars concert hall. DD1 absolutely loves it! You should book a visit and tour, also check for upcoming open days.