School for geeky-and-proud DD - Worcs

[Booferama]

Just moved to Worcestershire from Scotland. DD (10) is about to start Year 6. CAF form looming. Any suggestions for a super-friendly indie? Top priority: finding somewhere a geeky girl won't get eaten alive. Local catchment comp seems reasonable. But not great, and also apparently hugely oversubscribed. I need a Plan B and C. And D...breathe...

TIA.

We'll worcestershire is rather large... perhaps you could narrow that down slightly?

Depending where you are, obviously, I'd suggest Warwick. The juniors take girls, so I assume upper do now too. I know several geeky boys there and they're very happy.

Good point. We're just outside Worcester itself, very close to M5 junction, so can be a little flexible with location. Thank you!

Someone suggested King's Worcester and RGS Worcester, but it's so hard to know which attracts a 'geekier' crowd, IYSWIM.

I've never had the impression either are schools for geekier children, not in the least I'm afraid.

Ah, I didn't think so, either! Sporty, yes. Geeky, not so much. Glad it's not just me who picked up on that. Thanks.

Ah, Warwick doesn't take girls - shame. It does look amazing.

Ds went to a Kings prep school, and as a science focussed child it really didn't work for him. He's in yr 11 now at Pershore High (where he has flown), and we've been looking at sixth forms. The results from RGS/Kings really aren't much higher considering the intake.
I don't know what Malvern St James is like overall, but I went to a institute of Physics lecture there and was very impressed with the sixth form girls who were there and their confidence

Oooh, thank you. I like the Pershore area and it looks like they're taking kids from Year 7 now. Plus an autism base in case it transpires there's more to it than just geekiness... (My science-focussed DD went to a prep until Year 3 and then it started to really not work for her, too!) Cheers.

Warwick does have girls: Kings High is the girls.

Also look at Kingsley in Leamington spa

Both girls' schools, unfortunately, but thank you! DD needs co-ed. Her interests are stereotypically 'boyish' and struggles in female-heavy environments.

Solihull school is co-ed
Also maybe look at Bromsgrove

Ok - will do. Thanks for the suggestions - much obliged. Solihull a bit of a trek. I hadn't considered Bromsgrove but will take a closer look.

Was going to suggest Solihull too

Thank you - actually Solihull's only 25 mins away, by car, in theory. Will take a closer look at it.

That section of the M5/42 definitely wouldn’t be 25 mins at 8am in the morning. I second Bromsgrove school - they are pretty sporty but I think the academic side is also good.

I think RGS would be relatively geeky - as far as I’m aware there’s still an 11+ style entrance exam to get in.

Unfortunately Worcs is awkward in terms of secondary school, mostly because they don’t have them unless private!

I really wouldn't recommend the commute from Worcester to Solihull daily! Utter nightmare morning and evening. You might be getting home at 7.
Bromsgrove- I know a number of children there that are happy, but its v boy heavy from what I recall (and that can be challenging if you're new to that) and it isn't particularly geeky unless you're a drama geek or a music geek, perhaps.

If you're by a station, perhaps visit KEHS?
Malvern St James was nice when DD visited (for a geeky outing, not to look round! Languages though, rather than science, I'm afraid I don't know the schools that far south too well).
Is Worcester 20 miles south of Birmingham? (Bit hazy)

Have you looked at Bowbrook House school. It’s a small indie and having had children at RGS, Bowbrook and a state secondary in Worcester I would really recommend it.

It is small, my child’s year had 31 pupils at the end of Yr11, but no one seemed to be excluded socially and there were definitely children I would class as geeky.

There are several bus services from surrounding towns.

Thanks so much, PeasandCucumbers. Will explore Bowbrook...
KingsHeathen, totally hear you re KEHS but she's adamant it needs to be co-ed. Such a shame. Thank you.

louisejxxx - thanks re RGS idea. They certainly have great IT and it's right by Worcester station, isn't it? Added to list...

Mine wanted co-ed too, so I completely understand!

This is completely out of left field, but what about Old Swinford in Stourbridge? They're taking girls into Y7 from sept 2021, so it would be very boy orientated. I know a few boys there, and while it's pretty sporty rather than highly academic, all the extra-curriculars are male interest, shall we say. It's a state boarding school, and pupils can be day pupils, flexi-boarding or full boarding, dependent upon what suits the family circumstances, and of course how far away you live.
It can be hard going to a school that is newly co-ed though- there are often lots of little issues that have been overlooked because they've never cropped up with boys.

Now you're talking, KingsHeathen...this looks RIGHT up her street. 100%. Much obliged.

Awesome

Dodder hill school for girls might be worth a look, too.

Sorry, just saw co ed!

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