honest current review of Wycombe Abbey /Downe House

[thekidstaxi]

Hi,
I would really like some honest & current reviews of WA & DH please. My dd loves DH, Queen Annes & St Georges but school think she stands a chance at getting into WA. I'd really appreciate some insight to what it's really like for the girls. thanks

anyone?

Does it really matter which £35k a year boarding school you send your DD to.

Its a bit like asking which car should I buy with my £150k budget !

All of the above schools will get your DD an advantage not available to 99% of kids and in to the top table of society...

Above post completely unnecessary.
Assuming you have seen both, and your dd likes them both then maybe put her name down for all of them and wait and see what offers/places come through.
DH and WA are very similar, maybe WA is slightly more academic

All the schools create a pupil totally aloof from society, but hey that's what you want ?
in a nutshell:
Privilege ,Snobbery , Entitlement and admittance to society ...

Letstalk, were you never taught: if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all? I was asking for honest reviews of the schools not of my life choices for for dd's future.
Summerinthecountry, thank you. DD has seen DH & I looked round WA but didn't take her with me. I loved it but was worried by rumer & hearsay. I am taking her to see it soon & will see how she feels after

rumour

Although my DD didn’t go to WA, she went to a nearby prep where lots of the girls went to WA and the Head of DH used to be a Governor so quite a few went to DH too.

I really think the rumours are overstated. There are many schools, co-Ed as well, where pupils are not happy. I have been told of groundsmen finding used condoms in the co-Ed boarding school grounds near me. There will always be something!

All of DDs friends who went to WA were perfectly happy and several had siblings already there. I found parents overwhelmingly supportive of the school. At no school can you control the other children.

When boarding (which I assume you are) I think you have to know your child and understand their needs. Boarding is never just about exam results. If you see happy, chatty girls who are freely willing to tell you about their school and say they are enjoying it, I would be inclined to believe them.

From another thread, WA does not have a Head at the moment. No doubt they will find a wonderful one and I certainly would not put rumour above my own instincts for my own children.

To clarify: as a parent you cannot control who else applies and is admitted to the school. You do have to expect the school to be vigilant and have robust pastoral care for all the girls.

Thanks Bubbles,

Its not the other girls that are of concern, though it is a small factor but the same as in any school. It was more the 'hot house' 'pressure cooker' & 'fodder for the Priory' sound bites that make me worry.

I will obviously go with what feels the best fit for us both but was looking for real, honest, first hand current experience, as so much of what is said is either historical or opinion with little factual evidence.

I'm not too worried about the current head situation, it will be resolved fairly quickly im sure.

I'm reassured to know that many girls are happy & enjoy being there. I will be asking lots of questions next week when we visit.
Thanks for the reply

Hi, did you have any luck with WA? Our daughter is going for the 11+ assessments for both WA and DH this autumn. PP.

thekidstaxi, my DD is currently at WA, going into LV (Year 10). She absolutely loves it, and told us that she definitely made the right choice in going there. The school has wonderful facilities and teachers. As for the school being a 'hothouse', from what I've heard it isn't. I know there is a lot of friendly competition, being the school it is, and this competition extends to sport. The school has a great pastoral team.

Pootlepops18, unfortunately I don't know anything about the 11+ entry as my DD did 13+, but I hope your daughter likes the school when she goes for a visit

I have sent a pm

Not sure if answer is still needed but I attended WA from 2009-2016 and loved every second. I would recommend it to anyone as I had a wonderful time there and have come out with the most amazing qualifications, friends and experiences. It's good to bear in mind it is a highly highly academic environment and the pressure is very high to do as well as the other girls you're living with. Sometimes that pressure was too much for me, but they have amazing support systems there and it hasn't tainted my view of the school as a whole.

I would highly recommend sending your daughter there as a boarder, even from age 11. Whilst one of the day boarders in my year was one of my closest friends, I know she felt left out a lot of her time at school and wishes she boarded.

I am currently in year 9 at St Swithun’s School. My sister is not finding the sixth form at St Swithun’s good and the teachers are not supportive of her aspiration to do medicine. We have applied for WA so I can enter for sixth form. Whilst you were attending WA did any new students join outside of 11+ , 13+ or 16+ ? I am merely wondering if it is possible to enter outside of these entry points.

Went to DH 15-20 years ago (so not current). Had a good time - some of the teachers are still there - which is a good sign.

Given that admission to those schools is competitive and on merit, surely it would be more accurate to say the children attending those schools already have an advantage over other children?