Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

Ipswich School or Ipswich high school

16 replies

Kiko18 · 20/09/2021 23:11

Hi there! I’m deciding between Ipswich School and Ipswich High School for my daughter. She’ll be starting nursery next year and I’m hoping for a school that she can be with till sixth form. I’m not from the UK so it’s all very new to me. Would appreciate any advice you have Smile

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 20/09/2021 23:17

Ipswich School, Ipswich High has been taken over by a Chinese hedge fund and has had a lot of staff changes

Original poster
Kiko18 · 20/09/2021 23:24

Thank you! Sounds a bit strange that a Chinese Hedge fund has taken over, makes me a bit nervous about management. I’m guessing the staff changes haven’t been for the better at Ipswich High School? Only thing I’m concerned about is that Ipswich School is very sport focused? If my daughter is not sporty I’m worried if she’ll not be able to fit it.

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 21/09/2021 11:04

Its a way of getting money out of China , they have bought up quite a few independent schools !

Have you thought about Orwell Park (goes up to thirteen but a lovely nursery and pre prep)or Woodbridge or did you want to stay in Ipswich itself ? Personally I think at pre prep level Ipswich is a bit cramped theres not a lot of outdoor space but its a very popular and happy school as far as I know. Another option would be St Josephs .

user1471451327 · 21/09/2021 14:20

My son went to Ipswich School until a couple of years ago. He is not very sporty but they are also strong in music, art, community service (which he did at a special school) etc as well as academic work and a massive range of sports. His school life was very positive. Whilst bit quieter than the most popular kids, he found his crowd . They are also very kind and patient when that is needed and the teachers seem to actively like young people.

Original poster
Kiko18 · 21/09/2021 22:12

@Peaseblossum22 Thank you! I agree, would be lovely to have a school with some green space. Thank you so much for the recommendations, I’ll have a look at Woodbridge and St Joseph’s Smile

They are a little further that Ipswich School but might be able to make it work if the school is worth the commute!

OP posts:
Original poster
Kiko18 · 21/09/2021 22:17

@user1471451327 Thats great, I have it in my head that if she’s not sporty she’ll struggle to fit in in Ipswich school but sounds like it’s all rounded. Relieved to hear the school is kind, that’s so important.

Can I just ask, would my daughter have the chance to take the 11+ to try for a grammar school if she’s in an independent school that is linked with a senior school? Apologies, as mentioned I’m not from the UK so I’m trying to figure this all out. I’m attending Ipswich School’s Open Day on Saturday but I’m not sure if that’s a weird question to ask the school Hmm

OP posts:
Peaseblossum22 · 23/09/2021 07:42

The schools won’t do specific prep for the eleven plus ( I assume you mean the Colchester grammars) but every year there are a few from Woodbridge and Ipswich who take it, no idea about the High School but I assume the same. If you want specific prep for the Grammars you might be better looking at Littlegarth or Oxford House.

user1471451327 · 23/09/2021 11:47

Yes. My son went to primary school so just did both sets of exams (got places at both CRGS and IS but preferred latter). Not uncommon for transfer from Ipswich Prep (the prep part of IS) to CRGS or CCHS.

Original poster
Kiko18 · 24/09/2021 09:49

@Peaseblossum22 Really appreciate your suggestions. I'm currently leaning towards Ipswich School but have arranged visits with Oxford house and Littlegarth next week to have an idea of how well they do in getting kids to a grammar school.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kiko18 · 24/09/2021 10:05

@user1471451327 Ah, that's good to know. Thank you. I'm not sure if my DD can get into a grammar school so am hoping that if I send her to Ipswich School she'll be able to join the senior school if she can't get into a Grammar.

OP posts:
RainingYetAgain · 24/09/2021 15:31

St Joe's is very sports oriented.
My boys went to the senior school at Ipswich and were not sporty. DS2 asked to be taken out of Hockey squad training as he didn't enjoy it, it was no problem. The pastoral support is excellent, house tutors in middle school and 6th form really know their students
The head at Littlegarth has just changed.

Original poster
Kiko18 · 24/09/2021 16:25

@RainingYetAgain Thank you! What are the students like in Ipswich School? I'm hoping bullying isn't an issue!

OP posts:
RainingYetAgain · 24/09/2021 16:57

In our experience, bullying was dealt with very quickly. It wasn't tolerated. The students were supportive of each other and continued to be so when at Uni and after .
It's a while since our boys left but the delightful group of friends have turned into lovely young men.

Original poster
Kiko18 · 26/09/2021 16:11

@RainingYetAgain Oh that's good to know. Thank you! I'm also wondering how students perform in the A levels. Do most get their first choice university? They've mentioned on their site that their students go to mainly Oxbridge or Russell Group, I'm wondering if this really is the case?

OP posts:
RainingYetAgain · 26/09/2021 18:18

I'm not up tp date with A level results really, although I look at their Twitter accounts around results day out of curiosity. They usually seem good.
From my sons's years many of their friends went to Oxbridge and Russell group Unis. Some of the others chose non Russell group as the courses were better, and others went to specialist Art, Drama or Music colleges. One of my DS held his reserve place at a non Russell group as he felt it was a better dept than other places as he had a specific requirement for course content. Russell group isn't the be all and end all .
There were some who had scholarships to University in the US and some one else went to Uni in Holland. Another friend didn't go to Uni and now runs a sucessful IT business that he started while still at school, DS is his accountant.
Its more important to have the right place on the right course that whether its Russell group or Oxbridge.

Original poster
Kiko18 · 08/11/2021 15:33

@RainingYetAgain

I'm not up tp date with A level results really, although I look at their Twitter accounts around results day out of curiosity. They usually seem good. From my sons's years many of their friends went to Oxbridge and Russell group Unis. Some of the others chose non Russell group as the courses were better, and others went to specialist Art, Drama or Music colleges. One of my DS held his reserve place at a non Russell group as he felt it was a better dept than other places as he had a specific requirement for course content. Russell group isn't the be all and end all . There were some who had scholarships to University in the US and some one else went to Uni in Holland. Another friend didn't go to Uni and now runs a sucessful IT business that he started while still at school, DS is his accountant. Its more important to have the right place on the right course that whether its Russell group or Oxbridge.
Thank you so much, this is very useful to know. I've decided to go with Ipswich School. :)
OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page