Which school: Bromsgrove, Solihull, Warwick

[Watchingblueplanet]

My DS has applied for all 3 schools and I would welcome views from current parents at any of these please. My DS is a friendly, all rounder. He is bright but not at the top academically. Which school would help get the best from him? We want somewhere with really good pastoral care as he has a tendency to be anxious.

Warwick generally has a very positive reputation. I have never heard of anyone who dislikes the school (although I am sure that there are some) and whilst getting similar results to Solihull has a gentler admissions standard at 11+. Bromsgrove is a busy international mixed day, weekly and full boarding. Mixed reviews from friends some love it, others think it is not academic enough. Solihull considered the most academic in terms of selection but results don't seem that different to the other 2 to suggest that it is getting the best out of the DCs. Children seem to have great social life there though. all schools big on sport and there is some kudos to being in the rugby team.

Those schools are quite far apart. Are you in commutable distance of all of them? Could your son get to them all independently?

Yes the travelling works. We are in middle of all 3.

We are closer to Solihull but could get to Warwick by train. There is a bus to Bromsgrove we could do but Solihull would definitely be easiest.

You must be quite close to me then. Waves hello! I have PM'd you with more details.

Bromsgrove is definately NOT an international school but it does have some international boarders same as most boarding schools do. Know that Bromsgrove and Solihull v good schools with lots on offer. Have no idea about Warwick.

Ooh, you’re nearby. I’d go for Solihull, I know children who are happy there. Bromsgrove seems very good. Is Kings or KES too far?

What type of child is he? Does he do music? Or drama? Is he sporty?
I have heard that Solihull and Bromsgrove are 'party' schools, because they're mixed! However, the children I know at Warwick are far too young for much of a social life yet...

I have heard that Solihull and Bromsgrove are 'party' schools, because they're mixed!

The Girls school in Warwick is moving out of the town centre down to the Myton Road site, the plan is to open for 2020/21.

Interested to know what people mean by party school. Is that good or bad?

KES and grammar schools are not suitable for my son. He is bright but not academic enough for these schools. He is quite a shy boy who likes sport but doesn't really excel at any one. Not musical - he tried an instrument for a year or two in juniors but the support wasn't really there for music and he didn't want to carry on. I would be keen for him to try again with a different instrument.

Overall I want a kind school for him - both from the teaching and from the other DCs - that will help bring out his potential.

I just mean that the older pupils have a reputation for partying, and I know it's why some families are keener on the single sex schools in the area, but personally I prefer mixed for my children.

I would say not Solihull, if he's neither sporty nor musically inclined. All the children that I know that go there love it.... but they are all v spotty or v musical.
Have you thought about Princethorpe? I have heard v good things about it. It is RC though, and that may be a sticking point for you.

Bromsgrove may suit well too, I know quite a few boys there, all very happy. All the children I know there are day pupils not boarders, but I'm assuming your son would be too.

RGS or Kings? St George’s?

Out of the ones you’ve said, I’d go for Bromsgrove.

Thank you for all the responses. I have just seen that they have announced the new head at Warwick School. Anyone know anything him? Apparently he is ex Westminster School. I wonder if this means that Warwick will become more academic?

I’ve just been posting on another thread and remembered I had started this one some time ago. Just in case anyone is interested, in the end, we chose Bromsgrove for our DS. And so far so good. He has settled very quickly and seems very happy there.