Urgent advice needed for year 9 independent school or state school near Luton

[DrJay]

we just got a house in Luton and I'm new to the UK and educational system. Anyone with ideas of which schools (year 9) I should consider for my twins for September 2023 session. I’m Interested in an all round bred children. Academic, ethics, values etc for my boy & girl. I don't intend to separate them so i am looking towards best co-ed school.

Also open to independent boarding schools and happy to also consider good state boarding schools near me. I have done a lot of research and not sure how to proceed because I want the best for my twins.

I will appreciate advice from experienced mums on how I should proceed.

There’s no such thing as a state boarding school.

There is, RGS in High Wycombe is one.

I stand corrected. There can’t be many!

OP are you in Luton now with your children? Have they been offered a school place for this year? If not, they are entitled to a state school place, but it will be in whichever school has places.

You will have more choice with a private school, but the fees are anything from £10k per student per year (a lot more for boarding) plus extras such as uniform, lunches, trips.

Sorry if you know all this but you say you are new to the UK system. Private school, especially boarding school, is a big financial commitment – of course it may be well within your financial scope.

If I were you I would contact the local authority to find out what state schools have places, then assess whether the private school would be worth it for you on that basis.

I don’t know the area, sorry, so have no ideas of specific schools but I am sure some other MN-ers will.

£10k per child in private would be remarkably cheap. £20-25 k in the South-East, £15k in the North-East. Expect fee inflation of 5% + per year and a jump when they start sixth form. Most will be selective in some way and you might struggle to find one with two spaces so whilst you don't intend to separate them, you may have to at least at first.

Hi @DrJay just seen your post on a different thread. Is it only boarding schools you are looking for?

@passport123 indeed, £10 would be cheap; the girls' private school in my town (Midlands) is about £13k per year, but I imagine there may be cheaper options. But I did say from £10k.

@clary yes. My consideration is boarding school because I happen to be a frequent traveler at work. Thanks C

State boarding school, for those doubting their existence. The educational element is funded, like at any other state school; you justice pay the actual 'boarding' costs, therefore the fees are lower than at private boarding schools.

Thanks for the enlightenment. Much appreciated