Queen Ethelburga's - opinions please

[MichelleC69]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. My daughter is 15 and in her GCSE year, studying at Leeds Grammar School. She is unhappy there because of the pressure she's under and is desperate to move for A levels. And that's where my problems began....top of her list is Queen Ethelburga's (as a boarder) and I am against it for so many reasons. I think if she feels under pressure now this will only make things worse, in a strange environment and having to make new friends. Plus I don't want my 16 year old away from home all week. Am interested in hearing the opinions of others who may have kids there or have looked at it.

Thanks in advance,
Michelle

cathyandclare
The threats amounted to little - I told MNHQ that my defence would be "opinion" which is permitted
QE went quiet
It was all rather surreal

I have showed my ex all of these comments and he's not having it - he still thinks the sun shines out of them and our daughter can only succeed in life if she does her A levels there. GIVE ME STRENGTH!!

Michelle
Show him the news coverage and the court papers about the former principal
who is still involved with the school
does he REALLY wand his darling daughter there?

For that matter, she is 16
Its kind of up to her is it not ?

How about if it’s snob value you’re DH is after trust me in the dinning rooms coffe shops and mummy’s lunch’s of Belgravia Fulham and Notting Hill no one would confess to sending their DC to QE!!!

Michelle
Please get your DH to listen to happygardening
She is absolutely right.

I went to a vehy posh junior school in Saith Ken and had never ever heard of QE till I joined MN
It is not a high ranking school
so on that basis, send your DD where she will be happy and get good results.

Maybe he's interested in the legal coverage? If he's got entities and suggests adding her as a director or secretary once she turns 18 you'll know his game!

Um, I went there briefly for 6th form- it was a long time ago so I’m not sure how relevant this still is...but I wouldn’t recommend it at all. And I guess I’m fairly new here so don’t know any of the back story (happy to be sued though QE- serve me and I’ll see you in court 😁😝😘)

How can someone sue you if you post on MN? Isn't it meant to be anonymous? How do they know who you are in real life?

indianwoman
Under the Defamation Act, MNHQ were required to provide our true details to their lawyers
or be shut down themselves
Lots of people agreed to have their posts pulled straight away.
Some of us let our details be collected.
As it was QE did nothing (yet)

I live in leeds, send her to Notre Dame, it gets great results and will be a fabulous stepping stone towards University. It's very competitive to get in. My daughter goes to state secondary and I'd rather boil my head than expose her to the nonsense at private schools (sorry I'm sure it's been a challenge for you with your ex) - let her experience real life and a variety of backgrounds and she'll get an "education" that is rounded and will serve her well later in life.

Ta1kinpeace
Does that mean I should be worried about paraphrasing the split school thing that's openly available on their website?
www.qe.org/the-college-or-faculty/

It clearly says that students in the college are focusing on academics (hence why the college results are so good because part of the the ks4/5 cohort is in a separate school)

I know two people that worked there. I wouldn't send my kids there if they paid me the tuition fees.

Please don't let her go there.

I have to say that MNHQ were utterly amazing when it all kicked off ....
Here is the bowlderised thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/a1982279-Queen-Ethelburgas-Harrogate-anyone
I have the full version stored

I suspect that QE learned about Streisland syndrome from it and will not kick off unless we push it too hard

Kids at state 6th forms are still pushing for university and good grades. I've met self declared "gateways girls" before and TBH it seemed all they were trained for was how to be good little wives and bag a good husband

I'll get my coat..........

I worked for them in 2004 and some of what I saw upset me. Little kids boarding who were in floods of tears. Some very bad behaviour from the children towards their horses. Lots of overseas students who didn't have the best attitude towards the scholarship students.

That was ages ago I know and it's probably changed loads. I did have fun working there but was relieved when I left.

To put your mind at rest, I went to an agricultural college at 16 and lived in. Loved it and had a fantastic time. Also came out with great results so don't be too put off by the idea of your daughter boarding.

Worth reading regarding (1) the recent court case (not quite over) and (2) the even more recent Charity Commission takeover of control (including of bank accounts) of two charities affiliated with the school:

www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/commission-investigates-independent-school-charities-over-catalogue-of-concerns.html

Friend's daughter has just moved to St Peters in York for 6th form & is loving it. Further afield Pocklington does very well by individuals and you can board as flexibly as you like eg two nights a week.

After reading all of these comments she is going there over my dead body. He's seen the comments and things it's just 'a few bitter individuals with an axe to grind.' As I already said, he only hears what he wants to.

Going to Roundhay High 6th form open day this weekend (with him unfortunately, who will no doubt sit there sneering at all the commoners) - not my view! As I said, he is the biggest snob on the planet. Went to a state school himself and blames that on all his failings in life. Total bullshit. You make your own good fortune.

If he wants to social climb:

Harrogate Ladies College }
St Peters York }

Closely followed by:

Ashville
Bootham

If he SERIOUSLY wants to social climb and doesn't mind paying for boarding then look at Ampleforth.

We are not bitter. We know our independent schools having researched them extensively for our own children -and/or we have direct experience of them!

Lots of Leeds based children are day pupils at the York schools. Do look at Ashville and HLC though.

Thanks I will

I mean - I am not sure that Ampleforth's track record of safeguarding is anything to draw attention to at the moment...in case your ex is minded to Google.

But in that vein: Sedbergh is the other name to look at. In the village of the same name, Cumbria/Yorks borders.

Barnard Castle is also having a resurgence, accd to the locals. They do Pre-U exams as well.

M, I think she should stay where she is (unless being thrown out for low grades). My daughter considred moving schools at 16 (in London) and I am glad she stayed. It is quite comforting to be with your friends and a harder task to change schools at 16 when you have A level work to manage. Her current school is a very good one. Boarding is not a great idea suddenly at 16 either in my view. We have relatives at her current school (if I have the right one) and they are very happy. It is a good school. Also sixth form is different. She may find she starts to like it more.

No school is perfect -I'm pretty sure it was Sedburgh where two pupils (bf/gf) ran off on holiday using a Dad's credit card. Naturally they were asked to leave IIRC.

Um...yeah. Have you seen word of the Times investigation into Ampleforth? The prep school closed due to the child sexual abuse cover up. Just announced this month.

For a flavour:

inews.co.uk/news/education/sexual-abuse-revelations-could-spell-the-end-for-catholic-eton/