Roedean vs CLC

[stassiehuntington]

Hello, I'm currently looking at schools for my DD to join. she is very bright, big on sports and enjoys a bit of drama and we would prefer an all-girls school. I have visited both schools and honestly, I am torn between the two. My DD also loves both but slightly favours Roedean however she is extremely indecisive so she still hasn't decided. I am also aware that Roedean had a bit of an issue a few years back but I've heard it is back to the Roedean it used to be. My DH, however, is not a fan of CLC as he says it has a slight 'chavvy' side to it. At least that is what his sister has told him who went there. Is this true? I also have a DS who goes to Eton college, so my husband would like our DD to go to a school of that sort. We have also looked at WA however we were not fans and the same goes for DH. If anyone has DD's that have gone to either of these schools or knows about them please let me know what they are like.

Downe House has a massive Eton sibling overlap and sounds perfect for your DD.

I would have thought Downe House might suit.

It is a lovely school but didn't stand out to us as much.

Well if at CLC is at all ‘chavvy’ I would avoid it like the plague. Your child deserves so much better what with being bright and sporty and having wealthy parents. Although I live amongst them, I’ve never actually met a chav that was educated at CLC. I’m obviously hanging round with the wrong sort of chav

Just go to the one that gives her the scholarship!

F

@stpeterseducationconsultancy

I think choosing a school can be quite intuitive and when you walk in, it can feel right for you. Our children went to single sex and co-ed Schools. Heads can really affect the culture in a school and the person who shows you round may not reflect the whole school. The house parent and your child’s cohort in the house can be key. Also what % board, -at weekends, % international and how integrated they are. Tutoring system .. lots more that need digging out beyond the marketing. Have you looked at St Mary’s Calne and Benenden?

yes, this is true, to be honest we like the look of Roedean the most so we will probably choose that one.

CLC is definitely more aggressive and competitive than Roedean, it really depends what type of vibe and environment your DD would thrive and enjoy the most. I've visited both schools and attracted by Roedean too.

CLC is far more academic than Rodedean. I am surprised you would even compare the two! CLC is a world class school, Rosedean not so much. In fact I have never heard of it. If I had a ds going to Eton, I would want the academic equivalent for my dd.

It really depends on the character of the child, and your values.

Have you considered co-ed? Marlborough is a great school too.

www.best-schools.co.uk/uk-school-league-tables/list-of-league-tables/top-boarding-schools-by-gcse/

Pigeon - what makes you think that CLC is more academic than Roedean apart from the league table? League table normally show that the school is more selective in their intake, not the quality of their teaching. Roedean has a new headmaster ( well for the last 3-5 years I think) who has really upped the game.

If you haven’t heard of Roedean, then you simply don’t know much about independent boarding schools. So perhaps any advice from you might be misplaced and tables do not tell you everything about a school.

God, avoid the chavs at all costs, op. It's your duty as a mother...

Why are you even asking (unless it's a humble brag) if you have already decided?

And yes, gotta avoid those pesky chavs!

On Roedean - as I am looking at this school as well. Can anyone share their views on the academics there? Standard of teaching? Are you happy with the provision? Is it getting tougher to 'get into' the school now?

With the possible lack of overseas pupils one would think many boarding schools won’t be able to afford to be too choosy. I would honestly go for the schools you actually like and suit your DC. Teachers leave and teaching quality cannot be guaranteed year in year in every subject - regardless of school.

I am not sure you would be welcome in either school if you think 'chav' is an acceptable term.

My daughter is leaving Roedean this summer and moving to Co-Ed independent along with a few other girls in my daughters year. I cannot comment for the other parents.
I like the head, Mr Blond. His talk at the open day swayed us alongside the beautiful redecorated boarding house and the lovely hand picked girls who showed us around. In truth Mr Blond 4 years ago focussed on saving a local prep school in Hove and a school in Eastbourne and was often missing. Turn over of staff has been high at times and the facilities aren’t all that great. Plus with cold conditions on that cliff during autumn and winter my daughter cannot wait to leave. Academic wise, they are selective. Compared to CLC, I’ve no idea how they fare. They offer scholarships to y6 girls from local state schools and girls from state schools into their sixth form and are increasing their local entrants and attracting more London/Surrey parents with weekly boarding and less overseas boarders.
As far as your chavvy comment. Well I’m not sure that Roedean will be the right school for your daughter either. We are talking about teenage girls and no matter where they are educated they are still interested in make up, boys, shortening their skirts etc etc. Perhaps you’d be better off looking at a full boarding only school such as Benenden. No outside distractions at all unless it’s an exceat weekend or a girls brother comes to school to cheer at the Lacrosse match. ( my daughters best friend is at Benenden so I hear a lot about it!)
I don’t regret my daughters 5 years here but with hindsight I wouldn’t choose it again

@Ohwiseone
May I know which Co-Ed school your daughter will be going this Sept?

There is always movement from girls only schools to co/ed after GCSEs. It’s when girls decide for themselves that they want to spend all day with boys. Most don’t leave of course but again you have to find the right school for DD. What suits one doesn’t suit another.

Look at what your DD needs. Most schools can do the academics. What some schools are less good at is inclusivity and belonging.

In my view there are lots of great co Ed boarding schools: in no particular order - Marlborough, Bedales, Rugby, Uppingham, Oundle, Stowe, Millfield, St Edwards, Charterhouse and loads more I’ve missed off.

I just love these threads. They show me how far removed I am from the upper echelons of society . Good luck with the school choices!

So please can anyone with the knowledge of Roedean share their Experiences with the school.
@Ohwiseone - please can you pm me if you can’t post here, why you said “...with hindsight I wouldn’t choose it again”. We are considering this school and there is not much first hand info on the forum. Thank you

Roedean is only the girls Eton, or so I've heard. Leagues tables do not correlate to the standards of the school or how 'world-class' it is which quite frankly Roedean is much more well known. CLC is a lovely school but I did not like the attitudes of the girls I met there. Also from someone that attended there, it's not as 'world-class' as you think.