Wycombe A, Downe, Wellington, also need less competitive option?

[blondiemoose]

Looking for thoughts on if would need to also apply to a less competitive entry wise senior school if applying for Wycombe Abbey, Downe House and Wellington College?

What are the chances of getting non of the three? CAT score around 128.

Could add Charterhouse for example, but conscious also means more entrance exams/assessment days etc.

What does your prep school advise?

Queen Anne's in Caversham
Leighton Park - Reading

Haven't asked prep yet, they don't have much experience. Few go on to board and the staff member responsible is new to the school and the area, so hasn't yet built relationships with the senior schools. They just said let us know where you are thinking of and we'll contact them.

Charter house and Wellington college was ISEB, not sure about next year. So ISEB is one online test so you don’t sit multiple tests for lots of schools but different interview days. Boarding schools give a few days options for this travelling from afar.
Marlborough or Stowe?

@blondiemoose , without detailed prep school support you probably need a range. Can you speak to parents in the current year 6 to see if any dc got offers from these schools, it will give you a benchmark. Otherwise you probably need some external advice to seriously consider Wycombe Abbey even with CAT 128. (Your dd will need the right personality too for WA).

@redrobin75 Thanks, will look into more of a range. You're right she might not be the right type of girl for WA anyway.

By external support do you mean an education consultant or a tutor with experience that could give some insight?

Since your prep doesn’t do a lot of boarding you will have to be more proactive due to their formats, deadlines etc is different to day schools. You don’t want admin to mess up your application. Charterhouse, Wellington, Marlborough have a list of prep schools they used to dealing with. Worth asking if your prep school on list, if not be prepare to be a strong advocate and getting things done from parents side.

@blondiemoose , yes a tutor who can advise. Wycombe Abbey attracts a number of London based dd who are also trying for grammars and London based day schools like St Paul's. They will in some cases have had years of preparation for the tests and interviews.

@blondiemoose What is your reasoning for those three schools? Have you visited them and do they feel right?

Sometimes the child has to fit the school regardless of CAT scores, which is where assessment days and interviews come in. The schools will have a good feel from the day whether a child is a good candidate for the boarding environment.

We haven't visited yet, registered for upcoming open days. These three being considered due to proximity to home, academics, lots going on in terms of music/sport and ethos. Fully aware might not like them when we visit or think they might not suit our child. Was just wanting to get views on if we needed to also visit others as multiple open days need logistics of getting younger siblings looked after for the day etc.

Maybe St George's Ascot as your less competitive choice?

Others on here will be able to fill in the gaps and apologies if you know most of this already but here are some thoughts:

• CAT of 128 is strong so provided the 'pre-tests' go ok you should receive some offers
• what age is your DD? most of those schools use something called 'pre-tests' run by ISEB in yr6 to make their offers. These are aptitude/ability tests in maths, verbal and non verbal (spatial) reasoning. My local prep school prepares pupils thoroughly for these. They have an extra 45min every day in the autumn of yr6.

It is unfortunate that your prep school person is not very aware since that is normally the first port of call. Does the headmaster/mistress or someone have any knowledge? Definitely visit the schools and try to determine what they're like. Is your DD sporty? academic? arty? mid-level all rounder? musical? If you have not already, check on review sites (muddy stilettos comes to mind). Also, ask parents at your school with older children - where do/have they gone? What does your prep school's website say about future schools - where do leavers go?

Pupils at my local prep go to Wellington, Marlborough, Canford, Radley, Charterhouse, St. Swithun's, WinColl, Lord Wandsworth, Bradfield

Just be mindful Downe is very popular with kids from Chelsea and west London.

St George's Ascot sprang to mind for me too @2reefsin30knots

Also possibly on your list to consider:
Heathfield
Canford
Bryanston
Seaford

Woldingham?

Downe House and Wycombe are getting more competitive now because a lot more London girls are applying as alternativeS to the top London girl's secondaries - especially as they have gone flexi for the weekends.

This has made it harder to get a place just based on the academic level fitting.

So I do think perhaps another backup may be wise.

CAT of 128 in theory is strong enough. Wycombe will be the hardest.

@blondiemoose
I have an alternative suggestion. Would you consider Godstowe at High Wycombe. They are a prep with the best track record of getting girls into great boarding schools at 13. Are you looking at 11 entry? If so, see if you can move to a prep that understands boarding and has first class relationships with very many schools. It means you get the guidance you need and dd can board for 2 years there.

Many great schools like Rugby still have admission at 13. So waiting gives you wider choice with co Ed.

Sherborne?

@TizerorFizz
yes would consider Godstowe. Current prep only goes to 11, so were ideally looking at 11+ entry rather than needing to make new friends again after only two years. For 13+ entry would see if there was a feeder prep such as Eagle House for Wellington where they could start to board but not have to start all over again with friendships, or it would be Godstowe and hope a few girls were going to the same school at 13+. In theory we could move her to Godstowe before year 7 with a few nights boarding, but she is very happy at current prep and I don't really want her to board before 11.

Thanks to those who made suggestions. I think St. George's ascot is too small, would be looking for min. 400 students. The others are too far away I think.

Regarding going with friends, doesn’t always happen! Look at Godstowe destinations. Virtually none from your current school so I don’t see the difference really. My DDs went to boarding without friends but made them quickly. Not sure what you think about Bruton, Bedales and St Mary’s Calne. Or Sherborne or CLC. Not sure how many boarders they actually have at some schools now.

Haileybury would be a great “backup” option. Very highly regarded and has a strong contingent of full and weekly boarders. Many do come home after Saturday sport though so if you are only looking at full boarding then might not work.

I would discount Heathfield based on what you have said. It’s tiny and there has been a real shift towards day and weekly boarders in the last few years.

13+ schools I would consider are Teddies (Oxford) and increasingly, Stowe. Stowe is shaking off it’s reputation as a school you go to if you can’t get in anywhere else - it’s becoming increasingly popular.

Sherborne Girls is full boarding and doesn't empty out at weekends.

Canford, King's Bruton or Clifton College?

Canford and Clifton definitely empty out.

Stiwe is very rural. I know it well. WA and CLC have got the town around them. DH is also rural and I also think you need to think about co Ed.

Lots of boarding schools are effectively weekly boarding now, except for overseas pupils. Many parents look close enough to home to facilitate this. If you were prepared for this, you could look at Queenswood too.

I think your big decision is a new prep for 2 years or senior from 11. Girls schools are 11, but many very good co Ed are 13.