Ipswich high/woodbridge

[Ginfa]

Our son currently in year 8 at a good state school seems to be struggling and worried he will not get to where he wants to go in life. I think covid has had quite a negative impact on his year group and we are thinking of sending him to private school until year 12 just to help him with the constant disruption and supply teacher situation. We really liked ipswich high but are a bit concerned about the boy/girl ratio and rumours about financial issues there and are also looking at Woodbridge school. Does anyone habe any insight or kids there?

[Pegasus12]

We moved our son to IHS at Christmas where he is in Year 9. He loves it and has been very well supported. The extra curricular opportunities are amazing and it is such an uplifting location The boy/girl ratio has not been a problem for him but you are right there are more girls than boys as it is a legacy girls school. The Year 7 intake next year I believe will be nearly 50/50. I have not heard rumours about financial issues (but then I'm not given to listening to rumours). There will be a new headteacher in the course of next year who has an impressive background and intake numbers are, I believe, strong. If you would like to ask anything specific drop me a PM.

[Ginfa]

Thank you for the response. My son has done taster days at both Schools and enjoyer them both but still undecided. Do you happen to know if they play fixtures in sports against other schools and whether they run a language exchange? We were not able to do a full taster at Ipswich high due to exams so it’s difficult to make an informed decision. Great to hear that your son really loves it tho

[Peaseblossum22]

I would be wary of IH but then I have an ethical problem with the ownership model. I do not believe that a Chinese Hedge Find is an appropriate owner for a school. It’s just a way of getting money out of China legally. It’s also on its third head in 5 years I think .

Woodbridge is a lovely school very focused on the ‘whole’ child and co Ed since the 1970s. Very stable and experienced at integrating children from all systems . I know lots who have transferred from the state sector in year 9 . Excellent art, music and drama in particular .

Have you thought of RHS if you are that dude of the bridge ?

[Peaseblossum22]

Sorry ‘side’ not ‘dude’

woodbridge definitely play matches at all the major sports plus some minor such as basketball. The girls play matches at IH so I assume the boys do too although I suspect numbers are a bit of a problem until they build up the boys section.

[Ginfa]

Thanks we are a bit concerned about the change of head and ownership model! Royal hospital school is great but we could not manage school on a Saturday I don’t think! Difficult decision for us really

[usedtobeboss3]

I can highly recommend RHS - lovely site, great facilities, fabulous teaching and pastoral care, excellent sports / art / music, and a unique ethos and context.
Saturday school is tricky to start with, but Y7 and 8 have exeat weekends every 3 weeks, and after that it just becomes part of the routine!

[TizerorFizz]

I think you build your life around Saturday school. You have to fully support the ethos of the school. You do get used to it.

DDs of friends went to IHS and enjoyed it but they left 5 years ago so before any turmoil. I’ve no doubt adding boys is for financial
reasons and keeping siblings together.

[TizerorFizz]

What about Framingham?

[Ginfa]

Framlingham is quite a lot further from where we live - so discounted for that reason. Also thought st Joseph’s lovelt but perhaps not as aligned to my child’s hobbies as the others we are looking at

[Peaseblossum22]

Just noticed that you asked about language exchange , Woodbridge do exchanges to Spain and France including a work experience 6th form one . i happen to know that they are in Salamanca at the moment as a neighbours dd is there. Pre covid they also did exchange visits to China and Japan.

You haven't mentioned Ipswich School

[Ginfa]

We habe discounted ipswich school for various reasons I tbink he would prefer more of an out of town school campus ideally p

[Soma]

@Ginfafriends speak highly of Woodbridge, although there seems to be an issue with drink and low level drugs in Year 9 / 10. But I think it gets better when they settle into sixth. Having said that, our friends' children have managed to resists drugs.
RHS operates very much as a boarding school, with lessons and sport on Saturdays. Drama is supposed to be very good, but the loose a lot of students to Suffolk One at sixth form because it isn't offered at A level. Music is second to none, so is sailing. Unfortunately I don't know about the language provision.

[usedtobeboss3]

Just seen that that you asked specifically about language exchange. RHS doesn't have exchanges, but runs language trips to France and Spain in Y8 (that pretty much everyone goes on), and again in Y11 for GCSE (in normal times - of course these haven't happened for two years). I think for Y12/13 too, but so little has happened 'normally' in recent years that I can't remember. Languages are very well taught, but intetestingly not as popular as they ought to be! My DS is doing an A level MFL, and is in a tiny minority - but is loving it and doing well.

[Soma]

Apologies for the various typos in my message... I meant to say lose not loose.

[Pegasus12]

We chose Ipswich High because having been round the other independent schools in the area we liked the atmosphere, loved the campus, the results were good and we felt it offered that little something different in the Enrichment programme. Our son has certainly embraced the opportunities. He has played a huge range of sports, been on two overseas trips, joined a band and seems to be making good academic progress. We were disappointed the Head is leaving after a short tenure. However so far as I understand it this is due to his personal circumstances and my impression is not one of "turmoil" in any sense, notwithstanding that change. My direct parental experience is of a well organised, well run, happy school. Good luck with your choice, I am sure all the mentioned schools have great things on offer.