Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

State boarding Year 10 entry - which school is best?

41 replies

whoodledoodle · 08/02/2025 03:11

Have NC as details could be identifying.
We are UK citizens living abroad, absolutely have tried to get good education for our DCs where we live and not working out for DD who is currently in Year 10 equivalent.
We are looking to explore state boarding options for her in the UK. We would not be in country, so want a school with significant numbers of boarders and good things to do at weekends. We are OK with any location in the UK - quality of school more important to us than location. DD is OK to go back a year to restart GCSEs if needed or wait another year to the start of A Levels (but prefers to go now and get good GCSEs).
We are of course looking for good academics but the main thing is that we want her to be happy and a good range of extra-curriculars and opportunities. She is not extremely academic so no grammars or selective schools for us.
We are not armed forces or diplomats but UK citizens working abroad for NGO, so I don't think we will get too much priority if schools are oversubscribed or full.
We are currently looking at Wymondham College, but aware we need to look at several options to ensure we make a good choice and understand what is out there.
Two questions: does anyone have direct/recent experience of Wymondham?
Can anyone give feedback on experience of state boarding and recommend schools we should consider?
TIA.

OP posts:
Thebellofstclements · 08/02/2025 05:07

Gordon's in Surrey (great academics, near airport)
Sexey's in Bruton (great academics, good weather, fresh air)

Pipsquiggle · 08/02/2025 07:43

I hear good things about Holyport College, however, not sure how many weekend boarders there are

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/02/2025 07:47

We considered Sexey's for a while, as an alternative to our local school, and because DM lived nearby. Plans and ideas changed due to the lockdown, but I liked what we'd found out about it. I also went to uni with a Sexey's day boy who was very clever!

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 08/02/2025 09:33

Hey that’s helpful thanks. Sexeys is actually close to my parents so it would be a definite plus. Do you know if they have lots of international or weekend boarders?

OP posts:
Original poster
whoodledoodle · 08/02/2025 10:47

Had a look at Gordons. Looks amazing. Will definitely look into it.

OP posts:
LaBee · 08/02/2025 18:36

Gordon's would be my choice. My niece went there and thrived. Mostly boarders.

sageGreen81 · 08/02/2025 18:49

Old Swinford

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 09/02/2025 12:45

We are looking at Gordon's and it looks amazing, thanks for the pointers, but we are worried that they won't have spaces. Does anybody have recent experience of Wymondham?

OP posts:
MoveOnTheCards · 09/02/2025 12:48

Sorry, no suggestions but I’m curious as to how state boarding schools work… do you just pay for the boarding elements? What are the entry criteria as I guess catchments aren’t an issue?

Sounds like a great option for families in your position!

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 09/02/2025 14:04

@MoveOnTheCards we are just learning about it ourselves! As far as we can work out it's state education (which is free) and we have to pay for the boarding. Looks like a lot of the state boarding schools look really good, maybe I'm just dreaming....but we've not visited anywhere yet and don't know anyone who's been to one! That's why we are posting here, to get feedback from those that know! DD is pretty excited though.

OP posts:
BendingSpoons · 09/02/2025 14:15

You will need to ask them about your DD going back a year. State schools are often not very flexible on this. It might help if ahe has a summer birthday but you still might struggle. Yr12 is a much more natural entry point to schools, so might be easier.

LIZS · 09/02/2025 14:30

You do need to do your due diligence as not all are equal. Local one is popular with prep school parents who dc are not suited to selective schools who opt for flexi boarding to secure a place as catchment for day places is limited. However the boarding side is not well regarded by Ofsted and the school can be pretty empty over weekends. Fees can still be significant to cover non education costs.

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 09/02/2025 15:54

Yes I can get why schools would not want her to go back a year. Actually we started looking at it for A levels and a year 12 entry, but the more we looked the more we were seeing advantages in going sooner (both academically and socially).
And yes yes yes to due diligence, I think the actual school we/she choose is really important and it's so hard to choose on the internet. We are going to come to the UK to have a look things go well, but still trying to figure out which ones the good ones are. And as you say, really important for us that she has a good number of students around with her at weekends and a good range of activities both because she can't do home anyway, and also because it feels like a range of activities would be such a good opportunity.
If anyone on the thread has any schools which are either excellent or probably not excellent, would be very happy to get that feedback!

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 09/02/2025 16:05

MoveOnTheCards · 09/02/2025 12:48

Sorry, no suggestions but I’m curious as to how state boarding schools work… do you just pay for the boarding elements? What are the entry criteria as I guess catchments aren’t an issue?

Sounds like a great option for families in your position!

For Gordon’s, you pay even as a day pupil (the day pupil catchment is small) but a lot less than for private education. Essentially, day boarders stay for homework club and join the Saturday activities so that is the basis for the charge.

I would be v surprised if Gordon’s has spaces but your best bet is to call them, OP.

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 09/02/2025 16:18

Thanks @SheilaFentiman , Gordon's looks really amazing on the website, and it does give the impression that it's probably full...have emailed, but will also call them in case we get some incredible good luck....

OP posts:
user1477249785 · 09/02/2025 16:25

OP do you pay tax in the Uk? If not, are these schools available to your daughter? (Genuinely don't know the answer to this but wonder why everyone doesn't do this if they are.)

Rennypie03 · 09/02/2025 20:21

user1477249785 · 09/02/2025 16:25

OP do you pay tax in the Uk? If not, are these schools available to your daughter? (Genuinely don't know the answer to this but wonder why everyone doesn't do this if they are.)

Interesting point, i would like to know more

LIZS · 09/02/2025 20:40

Can your child go to a state boarding school?
As with other state schools, state boarding schools are open to British citizens and anyone with a right of residence in the UK. Since January 2021 UK state boarding schools are no longer open to nationals of other European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Detailed information regarding admissions criteria for applicants from the UK and other countries can be found on schools’ websites. Some state boarding schools, such as Oban High, operate their boarding facilities solely for those pupils who have to travel from nearby islands which don't have their own secondary or 16+ schools.
Some state boarding schools are grammar schools and so academically selective. Some are single sex and most will interview pupils in order to ensure they are suitable candidates for boarding.

Baggyprincess · 09/02/2025 20:40

I know nothing about any of these schools except the new head of Wymondham College, Mrs Arrand- you won’t find better!

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 10/02/2025 02:02

@LIZS for the info.
@Baggyprincess So grateful for this feedback, I had seen they have appointed a new Head and was worried about the impact it will have. We are still waiting to hear back from a few schools about availability of places, but very interested in Wymondham.

OP posts:
FancyNewt · 10/02/2025 02:30

Pretty sure you would have to be living here to access the schools.

Original poster
whoodledoodle · 14/02/2025 05:22

Appreciate everyone's responses. Still keen to hear if anyone has first hand experience of any of the state boarding schools. We are currently looking at Wymondham, Royal Alexandra and Albert, Hockerill, Old Swynford Hospital and the Royal School. And maybe Sexeys. Still checking if they all have spaces.

We definitely can attend the schools, have checked multiple times with each school and also general guidance, they are open to all British passport holders.

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 14/02/2025 06:43

Does she want to do A levels or the IB? Hockerill is quite focussed on languages/IB - or at least it was several years ago

LIZS · 14/02/2025 07:55

RAAS is the one I mentioned before, very few weekend boarders and not particularly strong academics.

Tarahumara · 14/02/2025 08:08

My DC go to Hockerill (but as day pupils) and are very happy there. As SheilaFentiman says, they study the IB rather than A levels.

Swipe left for the next trending thread