Wycombe Abbey 11+ versus 13+

[sunsg]

Kindly requesting opinions of those with DDs at WA as to whether starting at 13+ is a good idea. Our daughter has an offer from WA for 11+ but on reflection we have preference to keep DD at a local day school for further two years and then reapply again at 13+. We know that intake at 13+ is very limited but we think DD would benefit from 2 more years at home. DD is happy to go at either 11+ or 13+. Leaving aside the question of whether she get in at 13+ (which we know is harder) what has been the experience of people with girls that started at 13+ at WA. Were they integrated in well by the school and were they able to make friendships quickly? Our DD is very sociable and is a happy, popular and confident girl so we think she will be fine but we have heard stories from other schools (where intake at 13+ is much greater) that it is harder for the 13+ cohort especially in girls boarding schools to feel included and in some cases results in their daughters leaving the school after a couple of terms. Any feedback very much appreciated.

I would go at 11+ unless you have an option to defer. If not then you will compete with perhaps 100 girls for the 20 odd places at 13+.

Also not sure if you are going to be a day girl or boarding.

My personal view is that I believe it is better to start with everyone else in year 7. The only thing I would say is that there is some sort of hierarchy in the school among the students (as in any other school) and so you are the most junior but everyone is actually very kind. Maybe unless you are super timid (seems not from your comment) but you are going to be in the same boat as everyone else. If you join at year 9, sure you might enjoy the senior years at your current school but you would have missed out on a lot of the experiences at Wycombe.

Thanks for messages @cty and @nonheme. We would be looking at boarding. Leaving aside the question of competition for places at 13+ (we're prepared to take that risk), we're keen to hear about the experience of others who started at 13+. Were they integrated in well by the school and were they able to make friendships quickly?

I have a generic question that no doubt I could search for but can't be bothered.

When I was at WA (in the dark ages) the y7 (UpperIII) were in the Junior house, and then they moved to proper houses for y8 (LowerIV). Is that still the situation now the intake is mainly y7 not y9? y7s were pretty separate from the rest of the school too.

If so OP, then making friends in y7 and choosing preferred houses with friends sounds much nicer than going to a house that has a space where friendships have already been formed over 2 years of some kind of boarding, whether day, flexi,, weekly or full.

I'd be tempted to join in y7, but maybe with as little boarding as seems practical, even if increased in y8. Though I don't know how easily you can switch between boarding types.

We were in exactly the same situation 4 years ago. Said no at 11+, then struggled to get in at 13+. Eventually got a place through scholarship route. Much more competitive at 13+.
No issues settling in (but DD comes from a boarding prep). Mixed age group dorms idea is working really well. DD is thriving there, but the school is not for everyone who is academically able. Hothouse reputation is justified. 9 is the only acceptable GCSE result (by girls not by the school), a few girls who got 7 change the school. 11-12 GCSE subjects is a norm as well as 4-5 A-levels. Lots of extra curriculum opportunities, but not enough time to take advantage of all of those.

The saddest of news from WA today. Awful. My DD boards, but not at WA, I am not anti-boarding in any way, but my heart goes out to the dear girl involved.

So sad for the girl and her family.