Hockerill - what's it like?

[Waffleswithcheese]

Looking at sixth form IB boarding options for DS. Hockerill Anglo European looks interesting (and we will aim to visit for an open day in the coming months). But would be great to hear a bit more about what it's actually like.

Their IBDP grade average looks really impressive for a non selective school. But is it an academic hot-house? DS is bright and likely to get good grades. But a super strict or high pressured environment would not be right for him.

Hockerill also looks like it has a real focus on languages. My DS will obviously continue with a language for IBDP, and whilst he enjoys language learning, this is his weakest area (he is definitely more inclined towards the sciences). Is Hockerill a good fit for someone who is likely to take sciences / Maths at Higher Level?

What's the pastoral support and general atmosphere like in sixth form (especially for boarders)? Would it be easy to join in sixth form, or will cliques / friendship groups already be cemented? What is life like as a full boarder? Does the school empty out at weekends?

Sorry - long list of questions, but would really appreciate insights form anyone who knows the school😊

Bumping this in the hope of catching someone with experience of Hockerill 😊

@Waffleswithcheese , have you searched MN because there are lots of threads on Hockerill. The flexi boarding seems to involve very early starts for parents on Monday mornings!

There are also lessons of some kind on Saturday mornings, I believe.
However it is generally considered an excellent school.

I attended and left fluent in both French and Spanish.
We took our language GCSES in year 9 and learnt multiple lessons such as history and geography in our chosen foreign languages.
It was a great school. I loved it and did well there. I didn't board but all boarders seemed happy. This was almost 20 years ago though 😂

And yes we did half days on Saturdays. My mum probably loved it 😂

Thanks for all these replies.

@tennissquare yes, I've done a search, but couldn't find answers to the questions I've got. Most posts were about Yr 7 entry, and I'm conscious that sixth form is really different.

Mostly keen to get a sense of the "feel" of the school - are the great IBDP results a consequence of hothousing / high pressure / regimented discipline (in which case it's not the school for us)? Or something else? Are the kids happy and rounded? Are there any problems with bullying or poor behaviour? In the sixth form, is it super strict or do they treat the students more like young adults / give them a bit more freedom than younger students? What's the science provision like given it's known as a languages / music focused school?

Does anyone know if Saturday school also applies for sixth form? Couldn't find an answer on the school website.

My DS would be doing full boarding (we live overseas), so no issue with an early start on Monday mornings 😅

My dd is a f-t border in Hockerill for sixth form. It’s a great school and she’s very happy there.

Plenty of borders there at weekends. They do have Saturday school which I thought my dd would struggle with, but she’s used to it now and doesn’t mind at all. They have lots of exeat weekends to come home or go to friends houses for a visit, or stay at school.

It’s not a hothouse, we didn’t want that either. Pastoral care is very good. I’m so happy with our choice and would love my younger dc to go but he doesn’t want to board so is coming with us overseas.

Sorry I just realised I spelt boarder wrong! Need more coffee

Thanks @Snowdropsareout - that's all very reassuring. Do you know if there's a decent intake of new students in sixth form (so hopefully not too hard for them to form / break into friendship groups)?

I don’t know exact numbers but yes there were.

They all seem to really like it, I think the fact that they can only do the IB helps as they are all in it together. Strong in sciences lots into med / vet med etc. Lots more freedom in the senior boarding houses have a look at the house status and privileges on the website to get an idea.

@26374hsg thanks for that. Yes, the idea of everyone doing IB together appeals. Good to know that sciences are also strong.

I've just taken a look at the boarding guidance for parents on the website and was a bit alarmed at how regimented it looked, even for the older students (eg daily room and uniform inspection before breakfast, another inspection in the afternoon, Year 12s only allowed into town once or twice a week accompanied and in full uniform etc). But hopefully in practice the Year 12 / 13s are allowed a bit more freedom / scope to start becoming independent? DS (14) currently quite used to navigating a European capital city on his own, so not sure how he would feel about a very restrictive approach. Lots to think about!

@Waffleswithcheese did you end up choosing it?
I've just read some very scary reviews with drugs, sexual assault, rampant vaping mentioned.

@MumonthebrinkX my DS chose another school in the end. But we visited for an open day and were impressed with what we saw - really polite, engaged students and teachers.