Questions related to independent schools

[bbright3n]

Hi everyone! This is my first thread in Mumsnet😝! I am a 17 years old girl from Hong Kong, please forgive my terrible English lol.
I have been suffering from depression and have taken a gap year. I wish to apply for an independent school in UK because I believe that HK's educational system did not suits me. The agency I am consulting gives me a list of schools that would consider my application:

1. Farlington School
2. Sherfield School
3. Royal High School Bath
4. The Mount School
5. Taunton School
6. Truro School
7. Prior Field School
8. New Hall School
9. King's Rochester

10. Burgess Hill School 11. Bruton School Girls She told me that among these schools, New Hall School will be ranked at first if academic results and pastoral care takes the most important part, followed by Royal High School Bath, then Farlington School and Truro School. Another UK independent school expert told me he will put Taunton School in the first place if the boarding ratio are taken as the most important part, followed by New Hall School. He also told me that Royal High School Bath is a good school if I don't care their boarding ratio. However, I have heard that New Hall School gives students a lot of pressure and students have to pray in the chapel if the teachers think they are naughty. May I know anything about these schools? Which school do you think is the best one? May I know if there are any other school that is good, accepts 17 years old pupil applying for lower sixth entry too? I am looking for a school that I could try different co-curricular activities and won't mind me challenge the knowledge they taught(idk if all UK schools accepts students challenging them but HK teachers will get angry if I do so ;( I don't want to go to school that only focuses on preparing for A Level exam (although it is important) but focuses on all-rounded development. Thank you sooooo much for spending time reading my terrible writing. I hope you won't mind giving me suggestions I am really confusing now TAT.

ps I have applied to King's Taunton, West Buckland School and Malvern St James and waiting for results.

This sounds like an exciting step for you! The agents in HK will have lots of insight into where HK students go so they are definitely the most helpful here?

I'd like to second the Felsted recommendation -know of lots of happy boarders there!

Also if you want to go to uni in this country then you will need 3 A levels not 2.

best of luck

I know you feel you won’t go back to HK much but you have some very isolated schools here.

My DDs wanted access to a city and a bit more opportunity to go out. I don’t know if these schools meet your criteria regarding A levels, but they do recruit into the 6th form and have better transport links to London.

Look at Queenswood in Brookmans Park, Heathfield in Ascot, St Edwards in Oxford and Charterhouse in Surrey.

@WayDownInTheHole @bellamountain @Madamecastafiore Thank you! I will take a look
@alphasox may I know if all of the catholic schools takes mass and prayers a big part of school life? I am now studying in a catholic school too, I think it is fine for me.
@LIZS I have asked them but they said they are already full :(
@GU24Mum Thank you! I will turn 18 in this September haha. It is ok for me, but this could also be a challenge.

@ChnandlerBong Yessss! There is a Hong Kong page which is similar to UK's mumsnet. But it seems they strongly disagree with asking from agents so I came here to get more information from the locals haha. Btw thank you sooooo much! I will take a look.
@TizerorFizz Thank you ;( May I know which schools are isolated? I will take a look at the schools but Queenswood said they are already full in the coming September(if I didn't get it wrong)
I believe the percentage of the students getting good a level results doesn't mean that I will get good results too hahahaha. May I know the meaning of 'more opportunity to go out'? Does that mean they will have more chance to hang around during holidays or they will have more chance to join different trips held by the school?

@TizerorFizz May I know Haileybury in Hertfordshire is the school you mentioned? I can only find this school via google:(

Yes. Haileybury is in Herts. As schools recruit in January so you are a bit late to this.

Truro is remote. Cornwall has nothing but slow trains! Taunton feels remote, as does Bruton, and nearly all are some way from London. New Hall is Essex I think so some way East of London. Ditto Rochester. Bath is a better place to be I think. Or look at Clifton College in Bristol or Cheltenham College in Cheltenham. They are some way from London but are not rural.

Have any of the other schools got vacancies that I mentioned?

There’s also d’Overbroeks in Oxford. Look at Leighton Park in Reading too.

@bbright3n Are you talking to other girls from HK who have done this? I think it would be good to discuss your plans with current (or recent) boarders if possible, so you can be more informed about the 'pros' and 'cons'.

(I am not a boarding school expert but happened to see your thread!)

You could consider Downe House. They have a large number of girls from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia and I do believe they have an intake in the 6th form. They offer a very ''all round'' education, with plenty of extra-curricular activities & super-curricular academic extensions. My daughter loves it.

My daughter is younger than you but has found they encourage pupils to challenge all aspects of their learning as a part of developing critical thinking skills.

The school is based in Berkshire which is quite rural but Reading and London are easily accessible.

Good luck in your search!

@TizerorFizz Thank you! I will take a look at the schools! Does that mean Bath will be the best place among the schools? I haven't ask all of them yet but Clifton College said they are full already:( I will ask the rest of them after dinner
@Innocenta I mean those parents who have sent their children to UK schools haha. I will try to ask my friends studying in UK. Thank you sooooo much!
@Pinkyxx Thank you! I will take a look at the school!

If you are a free thinker and almost 18, then consider Atlantic College.

www.uwcatlanticexperience.com/about-uwc-atlantic-experience/

@Abuildingwith4wallsandtmrinsid Thank you but I wish to do A level more ;(

HI - Sounds like you are more than ready to try a new adventure! Have you considered Mount St Mary's College? Spaces currently available and would certainly consider you for the subject options that you are looking for. Rural location but very close to Sheffield and also very easy links across the UK due to proximity to M1. Get in touch with [email protected] and they will be very happy to send you some more information.

@Backtoreality1 Thank you for your suggestion! Sorry for the late reply. I will take a look at the school!

The Mount is in York which is a really lovely city, and being a Quaker school has a caring, compassionate ethos. If you are considering co-ed schools, there is also Bootham in York which could be considered The Mount’s ‘twin’ school, which is a little larger and as such might have more boarders around at the weekends for
socialising.

I can’t speak for any of the other schools, but do feel a Quaker school would fit your pastoral needs, and York would make a great city to be based in as a young person.

Yes that's a very good idea

You could try here www.thestudentroom.co.uk/ and see if anyone can comment.