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!!!URGENT!!! Recommendations for UK boarding schools with excellent art results (A-levels)

62 replies

dalbitsori · 20/07/2018 14:45

Can someone recommend me some boarding schools with good fine arts results for A-levels.
Thanksss.

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BubblesBuddy · 23/07/2018 09:51

We looked around Uppingham for DD for 6th form. Art was our focus. The all new girls boarding at Uppingham was the worst in the school and immediately labelled the new girls as a separate body of people. It was never going to work for my DD and it’s certainly not an inclusive way of getting new girls to gel. Avoid if you prefer to mix with all the girls in the 6th form. Looking out on blank walls from some bedrooms was enough for my DD to think it was awful. And the journey home. And no art scene anywhere near!

Op - some of the schools you mention are just dumping you in the country. My DD was at Heathfield. Ta is to the airport are cheap - it’s a few miles! It now has a few day girls but otherwise it’s full boarding. However, no full boarding school keeps 6th formers under lock and key at weekends! They have a pretty free rein. Therefore unless you are happy to be stuck in the school with the other overseas girls, you won’t find huge numbers of 6th formers around. Shrewsbury and Uppingham are just too remote really.

There are several schools mentioned on this thread that do well at art. We looked at several others including Stowe and St Edwards, Oxford. Oxford has a good art scene. Heathfield has very few overseas girls. It means you are not lumped in the “Chinese” or ex pat group. You have very quick access to London and the art dept runs trips there all the time. You can explore whilst you study. I would also consider Brighton because it’s a very arty place. It’s vibrant and fun. Shrewsbury and Uppingham are the polar opposite.

Therefore think about what you really want out of studying here. Art facilities in a school do not necessarily make great artists or mean the schools have the best teachers. Look at the A level results and destinations of the pupils. When DD was at Heathfield they had a fashion designer in residence. Their art department gets the highest results and girls exhibit art regularly in London. You will make the best contacts. It’s all worth considering.

VanCleefArpels · 24/07/2018 12:13

Hurtwood House School excels, loads of expats including Chinese. Very expensive though

dalbitsori · 25/07/2018 15:21

I'm fluent in English since I studied in an international school since year 1 and attended english classes when I was in kindergarten. I'll probably be fine with the environment and hopefully will get along with the students as well. I will be aware of the things that you have mentioned above and will definitely be looking at Uppingham school. Right now, I'm just trying to find more options because my grades vary a lot ( They are not stable, I can easily drop to a C from an A* and that's what concerns me) and some subjects may not be as good at others. Anyways I will work harder in my second year of IGCSEs Grin. Thank you so much for your help, I really learnt a lot.

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dalbitsori · 25/07/2018 15:23

This message is for Vanillasugar :)

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SuitedandBooted · 28/07/2018 16:43

Bedales would be well worth a look, I think, (If your parents are happy with the fees!). You will generally need 50 points to get into the Sixth Form, but there may be room for a little adjustment if you were very close, and your chosen A Levels had good grades.

www.bedales.org.uk/bedales/curriculum/art

Their Art Department is stunning, with dedicated specialists in all the art subjects, and very good preparation for moving on to Degrees.

Dancingdreamer · 29/07/2018 10:35

Bromsgrove has amazing boarding facilities. Most joining at 6th form join a mixed 6th form boarding house but there are occasional places in other boarding houses. The 6th form house is more like a university environment. It is a more flexi-boarding environment but there are no exeats which international students like as there is no need to go to a guardian. Bromsgrove is close to Birmingham which has a good selection of art galleries and it is relatively easy to get to London using public transport. Bromsgrove is also a more forgiving school if academics are not the highest.

dalbitsori · 30/07/2018 10:16

Right now i have to choose between lancing college and Queen Ethelburgas, any suggestions? Btw thanks everyone :)

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VanillaSugar · 30/07/2018 10:37

OMg do NOT go to Ethelburgha's!!!!!

It is a joke school with made up league tables.

It has a dreadful local reputation.

It is in the middle of nowhere. Please please please please please please please do NOT go there!!!!

Lancing is great.

Gruach · 30/07/2018 10:40

Oh dear ...

ABitOTT · 01/08/2018 22:51

My son attended Lancing prep & was all set to go to the senior school & I can confirm their art facilities are outstanding. In the end my son chose to board at Bedes school which also has an amazing art department with a broad choice of artistic choices. I don't know how this compares with Lancing though? What i do know is Bedes art department is award winning & was well led when DS went there. This schòol is also in Sussex & about an hour away from where Lancing is situated.

It depends on the atmosphere that you want, so choose carefully. Bedes is a nondenominational school & has more pupils that are around at weekends. Whereas, Lancing is an Anglican school with compulsary chapel attendance on around 4 Sundays a term, (may be more or less now?) Check how many students head home at weekends because I believe this is what most do? It is a great school though & if your choice is that or Queen Ethelbergas, I would choose Lancing 100%

dalbitsori · 14/08/2018 04:58

What sort of questions should I be looking out for in an interview with the Lancing college interviewer? And btw are there math questions in UKiset and are they difficult?

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