Bootham School York

[choirmum]

Anyone have any experience of this school? We're going to the open morning next month without DD as we don't want to raise her hopes too much. It looks fab and the ethos I think would suit DD down to the ground. She'd be a full boarder. However, we really can't afford it but wouldn't qualify for bursary support. Is there a lot of competition for music scholarships and does the Head have any discretion in terms of 'bending the rules' on scholarships for an exceptional academic candidate (academic scholarships are honorary only)? We will ask these questions at the school but just wanted opinions please. I may have to sell an organ or two!!

[NorthernLurker]

No direct experience so I don't know for certain but I suspect that yes it is quite competitive. I absolutely hear what you say about the ethos. I would love to send my girls there but there's three of them and we certainly can't. Good luck

[choirmum]

Thanks. I suspect it will be out of the question hence not saying too much to DD at this point but I think I need to go anyway and see for myself. Maybe I'll hate it!

[fisherpaul]

I heard good things about Bootham as well as St Peter's . Really difficult to choose. Your opinion would be highly appreciated .

[Catherine318]

I was fortunate enough to be able to send both my children (a boy and a girl) to Bootham. It was a difficult decision to make as we were in the catchment area for an excellent state school but I don?t regret our decision for a single moment. They attended from 11 ? 18 and both flexi-boarded for the last couple of years. They enjoyed that time tremendously. They came out with excellent A level results and are now studying their subjects of choice at university. I should add, though, that they gained so much more from Bootham than just good exam results. They are both well-rounded, confident, caring individuals who embraced the Quaker ethos and I do believe they will carry that ethos with them for the rest of their lives. I?m not sure about scholarships etc but if you can sell an organ or two, go for it!

[choirmum]

Thanks Catherine, I have a real gut instinct about this school but honestly think I'm torturing myself! I will go to open day though and ask the relevant questions.

[slippysofa]

I am desperate to send my girl to Bootham for 6th form. I've just posted on another thread (the one about quaker boarding). Yes, the fees are sodding, sodding expensive but I think it will be worth it. DD is currently at a cheaper school and the school is failing her, so she will be moving at 6th form and will be a day boarder. I've heard mixed things: one is that my cousin's wife doesn't like the place as she says they have PSA (public school attitude) but her son is at St Peters and there is tremendous rivalry. She also says that the pupils smoke in the street. However, I've been round a few times and i think the school is relaxed and has kids of mixed backgrounds. I asked a 6th former about whether the kids had lots of money and she said there were a few, but all her clothes were from charity shops and money / flash-the-cash wasn't too much of a problem.

Ask the Head about assisted places as scholarships are more nominal these days. You might not qualify as the sliding scale can sometimes start at £40k salaray which is ridiculous, but have a private chat and see what he can do.

Don't forget, the school roll for independent schools is dropping, ie not as many kids go there, so they will want to fill the places and get some income. Good luck and see you September 2014? xx

[choirmum]

Thanks slippy, it would be Year 9 in 2015 for us (thinking ahead)! I honestly don't think it will be possible but a lot can happen in a couple of years so fingers crossed and start buying the lottery tickets!