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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Boarding Suggestions for 6th Form Boy

40 replies

Dancingdreamer · 27/03/2019 11:32

My friend will be moving abroad again and is looking for a boarding school in the UK for her DS for 6th form. They are an European family so want a school that’s not too traditionally English and has an international vibe. She wants very strong academics and definitely not a weekend party culture! Her DS is a quieter boy who likes rugby, cricket and golf. I thought about Concord College but I don’t think they offer the sports her DS wants. So I am struggling about where to suggest. Any ideas?

OP posts:

justforareply · 29/03/2019 12:59

I would be looking at full boarding with fixed exeats - they have more going on at weekends than places that have weekly boarders or high proportion of day pupils or exeats not fixed.
Just because concord college always seems to be top of academic boarding tables, it doesn't mean it's the best boarding school. I wouldn't send my DC there. 'Not a party culture'- fine but he's still 16 17 18 and surely needs a bit of fun with peers?
Marlborough has coaches to London airports at exeats/ half terms I believe

Original poster

Dancingdreamer · 29/03/2019 19:22

MullofKintyre - thanks for the state boarding suggestion. Lancaster Royal Grammy seems to tick lots of boxes.

LIZS - Brighton looks a good choice.

BubblesBuddy/NeedsMoreSleep I think she is in the camp of wanting some pace and stretch for her DS. Her reason for boarding is that her experience of international schools is that they just don’t challenge students academically

As for other suggestions, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks look interesting. She is also going to investigate Abingdon and St Paul’s which were not on the radar before. St Edwards might be a good option solid back up option. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

anniehm · 29/03/2019 19:28

Oakham is meant to be good and they certainly do cricket. Uppingham doesn't really have day students (a few local scholarship kids only) but not as sporty I'm told.

BubblesBuddy · 29/03/2019 19:48

Oakham and Uppingham are quite isolated. I love the idea that Rugby and Harrow would not stretch him! Really? Why do people think these schools don’t have bright pupils? They do.

CherryPavlova · 29/03/2019 19:56

Wellington has fabulous sports facilities and good pastoral care. The new master was head of admissions and one key reason we chose the school. He is just lovely and inclusive.
Ours went to the odd 18th party but not that many and not all in London. It certainly wasn’t every weekend as most were during the holidays. Work definitely took priority over parties but there were the occasional really big parties for some.

CherryPavlova · 29/03/2019 19:58

Brighton tends to empty out at weekends but is very popular within Sussex.

AnotherNewt · 29/03/2019 20:02

Are they interested in Yorkshire particularly? Near family or something?

Chickoletta · 29/03/2019 20:03

I've taught in independent schools all my career and would recommend Clifton College in Bristol or Truro School in Cornwall - both are sporty with high academic standards but also have an international vibe in the boarding houses.

I've never been to St Edward's (Teddies) but have a friend who is a housemaster there. It has an amazing reputation.

I personally would be quite wary about Millfield - I've heard some things that would concern me about falling standards of pastoral care there.

Ultimately, your friend and her DS need to visit a few places and see what feels right.

Original poster

Dancingdreamer · 30/03/2019 11:44

BubblesBuddy - agree re Rugby and Harrow. Rugby was one of my first suggestions but just reporting how my friend feels. Queen Ethelburgas came up as my friend knew someone with DC there and recommended the school.

OP posts:

justforareply · 30/03/2019 13:08

Agree completely with chickoletta about millfield from friends experience

Disfordarkchocolate · 30/03/2019 17:08

I know nothing of it but there some threads on here about Queen Ethelburghs it may be worth reading.

AnotherNewt · 31/03/2019 09:37

T might help,with recommendations if you say what parts of the country work best (transport links, easiness for wider family to visit for school events, journey for emergency guardian)

Also what sort of boy is he - interests other than sport? Is non-availability of golf a showstopper, or is it just something nice to have? (the other sports are standard).

As there is one school already on her list, what exactly about it does she like? What didn't she like about nearby school to there such as St Peters of Bootham, that means she isn't considering them?

kaffkooks · 31/03/2019 13:48

If golf is important have they considered St Leonard's school in St Andrews? Mixture of day and boarding pupils and lots of sport.

LeFaye · 31/03/2019 15:41

Dulwich College? It does empty out a lot during weekends but they do a lot to keep the boarders busy, and being a London school, the opportunities for weekend outings are amazing. Great academics, amazing sports.

AnotherNewt · 31/03/2019 17:47

DC certainly offers golf

www.dulwich.org.uk/senior-school/sport/sport-played/golf

(it owns quite a lot of Dulwich, and suspect it owns the land of that golf club)

Fairly traditional school, but very international outlook. Numbers boarding are small, but there are enough of them to have a good community, especially in the sixth form. Worth a look

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