Assessment Day at Marlborough College

[DXBmumof3]

First time posting and I am hoping I can get some assistance here.

We moved to the Middle East last year with 2 DCs and our eldest DD is currently in year 7. We haven’t been happy with the standard of education she’s getting at the international school here so considered boarding at 13+ for her in the UK. We have family in the Swindon and Bristol area but ideally we want her in a co-ed Full boarding school so naturally we gravitated towards Marlborough. We all fell in love after We visited and she’s been really keen. We managed to get her registered just in time and have since been cracking on with the pre-test practice. We’ve received an invitation for the assessment and she’s due to take the pre test next month. It all seems real now and I’m beginning to doubt myself and her and our decisions.

She’s is fairly academic but does need encourage to get started. Very independent and will try anything for the first time but can get bored easily. I’m sure she will be fine at Marlborough but now I have a million questions and hope anyone here with recent experience of the admission process and the school itself can help.

What typically happens at the assessment day?
Are the creative writing tasks challenging? My DD is brilliant at maths but her writing skills are hit and miss.

I also know is a-bit late now but any reassurance regarding the school will be appreciated.

Just to add that we are looking at year 9 entry for 2021.

Can’t talk about 13+ entry as my DD joined in 6th form but can reassure you that an independent DC who will give anything a go should fit perfectly into Marlborough. There is so much on offer both academically and co-curricular that there is something for everyone.

We have two children currently at Marlborough. One is so-so academic (mid-sets) but big on socialising and enjoys sport, and the other is very academic/sporty/musical. They have both loved everything about the school, they feel stretched, and the opportunities the school presents in both in the curriculam and for friendship are cherished. The other kids there are really nice, and we greatly admire the new head (Louise Moelwyn-Hughes), and we are thankful and fortunate that we were able to send our children to Marlborough. I accept that Marlborough does requires a certain robustness in the child, but nothing unusual and nothing that be overstated as there is a massive emphasis on kindness. I would highly recommend the school for everyone unless your child really needs a small, close group education.

My daughter is in year 9 at MC currently. Very, very happy. She's average-good academically, very good at sport and very sociable. It suits her perfectly. She says the food is rubbish though. They certainly cater for the parents well at open days though (pre COVID)

From what I recall, there is a picture that you have to write an essay about in the creative writing task. It was a shipwreck when my daughter did it. Then you discuss the story with the housemistress afterwards. So it's as hard as you make it I guess. She was quite shy in year 7 when she did the interview (less so now) so I was worried about her being quiet, but they were very good at putting her at ease.