Late Boarding School app DD (yr8) for Sep 17

[Haggismcbaggis]

My DD is in year 8 at a London independent day school. She's had some serious friendship issues in year 7 and year 8. She has asked us to consider boarding schools as an option for year 9 (so in September of this yr)

Aside from the whole issue as to whether boarding school / changing schools at all is an answer to her issues - how likely would any school be to consider her when their lists were closed months / years ago? The entrance exams are either over or incredibly soon.

By way of background, she is at a large academically selective school and is in the top 5% I would say in that school. So we would want her to go to a school that was suitable in that regard I guess (but they would be very sought after).

She's quite sporty, mature for her age, academically high-flying across the board, arty but entirely without musical ability. Any schools (either single sex or co-ed that spring to mind) within a couple of hours of north london - that spring to mind - all ideas gratefully accepted ...

How does it compare with Headington, Oxford High and St Edwards ? Never mind the girls school in Abingdon. The OP wanted a school with strong academics. Fair enough if it is your first choice but no-one will find it in an academic league table!

That's because it's a small school.

But just for your information it is above at least one of the schools you mentioned academically. Also, in terms of value added you could not ask for anymore.

The girls are wonderful, they leave being very rounded women as they have opportunities they wouldn't receive at big school. There is so much on offer I sometimes can't keep up!

All I wanted to do was highlight Wychwood to the OP as maybe a smaller school would suit her better if she is having problems with other girls. A lot of very bright girls come to Wychwood as they can't handle such a large girl environment, and the pressure that this entails.

I also have, in my opinion, a very highly academic girl, who is thriving and more importantly happy.

OP please don't discount it!

King's Ely might be a good fit. It is 1 hour and 10 minutes on a direct train from King's Cross.

Wychwood had 17 girls take A levels in 2016. Vanishingly small so clearly very few girls stay on. It must be ultra claustrophobic ! . Even then, with all that personal attention, 33% were A*-A so not very academic.

Bojo to be fair, St Edwards is hardly 'academic' either is it?

St Edwards was 224th of all schools in the country last year for A level results. 4 places behind supposedly highly academic King Edwards Five Ways in Birmingham. So I think calling it hardly academic is a little unfair. Certainly it is not in the upper league of super academics but it outperforms a number of selective grammar schools.

You might take a look at Mayfield in Sussex. It has a broad intake, but does well by bright girls, especially in maths/science. Lots of other things going on like strong singing, pottery and riding. Catholic, though with a small c.

Would probably suit a girl who thrives in a gentler environment, and is picking up an increasing number of London children who find London day schools too much. Its the sort of place where kindness is appreciated and nurtured.

I meant 'academic' as in very/super academic, that's why I put it in quotes. I'm of the impression that Oxford high is 'very academic', so a little therefore surprised the two schools are being mentioned together.

On another note, please can you name or link me to your data source? I've been looking for a comprehensive list that gives positions for schools but haven't found one in a long time. Nothing to do with this thread, I just want to look up some other schools. Thanks.

There are various tables with rankings, but although interesting, i wouldn't place too much to reliance on them (for example The Telegraph list has some startling omissions, which suggests they must use either weird inclusion strata, weird filters, or both)

The Times is (possibly) the most respected, but it's behind a paywall so cannot be linked.

Oh I totally agree! I'm not using the tables solely to determine the worthiness of schools. I'm just curious where certain schools fall now as I haven't seen a comprehensive list since 2013? when the financial times did theirs. The telegraph one I know omits quite a few and I think it only shows the Top this and the top that.

I wanted to look up e.g Bradfield to see how it's now ranking against others locally also interested in Bedford school.

The Daily Telegraph ranks schools.You can interrogate state school results on the Government's web site. The Oxford Mail gave results and cohort size.

I think St Edwards is a very different school and attracts parents from London. Wychwood is not comparable. St Edwards may not be premier division academic but has many more opportunities than Wychwood. Who really wants a 6th form of 17 pupils?

I found this information on the Times website (but still had to merge two sets of data together as they show independent and state schools separately!). I have analysed lots of data and interestingly there are discrepancies between published results and sometimes even the results the school shows on their own website. I assume some of this difference may be attributable to remarks but not sure this addresses all the discrepancies.

If you decide to visit Cheltenham have a look at Cheltenham College as well. Though I agree it may be a little far for you compared with other suggestions. We've gone from 1.5 hours each way at prep to 1 hour each way now which makes a real difference.

Whilst you want to find somewhere strong on academics, I am guessing the schools that are highly selective at this entry point are less likely to have places still available. I could be wrong though! And you could still be in time for academic scholarship entry for many. Cheltenham College seems really thoughtful about what they do for their academic students though having an overall non-selective entry. St Edwards seems to be on a similar journey aiming higher academically whilst not wanting to lose their breadth and non-selection. Headington - if they have a place - could be a good option and the London coaches stop right next to it; however do try to find out about 6th form if you are considering it, as a couple of years ago I was hearing worrying things about 6th form teaching there - but that's the kind of thing that can change for the better quite quickly. I feel that you don't want to move at year 9 with a plan to move again for 6th form!

I agree that Wychwood is probably too small a school in this context. Though, the main reason for discounting it amongst my acquaintances has been less depth in music which would be irrelevant to your daughter.

Good luck finding somewhere that feels right for you and your daughter, hope it works out.

Queenswood also do door-to-door trasnport

Wellington? It's v selective. There's another thread about it atm.

Hello - have you looked into Westonbirt as is s quite a bit nearer to London than Cheltenham and has a really good rep for being friendly, (+sporty and arty) and has an excellent gifted and talented programme (www.westonbirt.org/gifted-and-talented-children). I'm pretty sure they have supervised coach to London for hols/exeats.

I think you are right that sometimes you can just be unlucky with the group of children. Dd (Y8) felt unpopular in her primary school class. I think it was cool for some of the less nice kids to look down on her. She then moved to high school and has been so much happier socially. Partly because there's a much bigger year group to find like minded friends and partly i just think there are more good natured kids in her class. (Plus her form tutor is quite strict so I think this keeps them in check.) It's so much better. This is a comp so i can't advise on schools, but just wanted to agree that it can sometimes just be luck who you end up with and a change might give your dd a fresh start if you find the right school. Hope you find a school where your dd will be happier. I think if it has got to the point where she is wanting to move then it's the right thing to do.