The Leys - moving from a junior school

[Coffeeandoverthinking]

Hi,
My family went to The Leys’ Open Day today. My DC is only in Y4 at the moment but I love to plan / overthink 🤣

We really liked the school, but the concept of boarding is only recently one we have decided to entertain, so we chose a school geared up for moving to senior school at y7.

I’d be really grateful if any parents had any insight on:

• what is the y7&8 Leys experience like for the kids? Is it a two year holding pattern until the St Faiths kids join? or is it a good experience on its own merits? How strong is the teaching and sport provision given the tiny intake?
• has anyone done the y9 entry and done 2 years at another senior school first? I can’t decide if this would be more or less disruptive!

TIA!

Have you thought about your DC going to St Faith’s either in Y5 or Y7 or are you geographically too far for a day place? If you need boarding from Y7 (or earlier) the other boarding schools worth considering in this area are King’s Ely or possibly Culford in Suffolk.

Just wondering what you decided to try for. We know a few kids who went from state school in Yr 7 but none that boarded. It’s a tiny intake which isn’t great for friendships.

We know a lot who went from St Faith’s to Leys. Again, not that many of these boarded.

Re sport - if good sports provision with all the facilities you could dream of is your criteria at senior school, then The Leys is a great option. I think they are still good on the academic side, but locally independent school provision for academic kids would be best at one of the Perse named schools.