Sixth Forms (Private or state)

[lottie4576]

I'm looking to move my DD at sixth form, but I'm in a bit of a dilemma as to what ones to look around as there are so many out there. We would like to have good Music and Sport (hockey especially) but we also want it to be academic (eg. in the top 100 schools in exam results). One of the key reasons for moving is we feel she is seen as a statistic and is not getting the notice she deserves for the amount she does for the school.

If anyone has any ideas of schools that might suit her please comment as we are nearing the Open day period, thanks

[lottie4576]

Sorry, forgot to add! If we went down the state route we would like the school to solely be a sixth form, we understand that we would probably not get the music or the sport there but it would be a possibility to do it outside of school. I think we would prefer to go private though as we would (with the right school) get the music and the sport along with the high academic standards.

[basildonbond]

Where do you live as your local schools would surely be your first option - or is boarding a possibility

[nothingtoseeheremoveon]

Why do you feel she needs to be noticed for what she does for the school? Surely that's an important lesson in life to learn, that the hard work that we do often goes unnoticed. Harsh but true.

[lottie4576]

My DD is at school every saturday and most sundays! She is a Music scholar and ano all-rounder scholar so she has to do a lot of things for the school. The thing that gets me is there are students who done nearly do as much as her and they seem to win prizes for that! Boarding is an option :)

[complexnumber]

(I have replied a couple of times to your IB vs A'level thread)

Have you considered any of the international schools in the UK?

I am thinking of the American Community Schools (ACS) there are 3 of them: Hillingdon, Cobham and Egham (all easily googled). They all follow the IB and the experience of working within an international environment could be of immense benefit for her.

She would also be recognised for her extra curricular activities ( a requirement for the IB)They are certainly not only for Americans. I know the principal for one of them personally and he is an exceptional leader.

[lottie4576]

Thanks complexnumber I will look into some it! Thanks for your reply

[lottie4576]

I am also looking at sending her to another private school (preferably 13+ rather than 11+) has anyone got some ideas for this! This route would be my preferred route to take!

[basildonbond]

I don't think anyone can give you any sensible advice unless you narrow your criteria a bit

Eg geographical location (even of boarding you wouldn't want her to be too far away as that would make it tricky for you to get to matches, concerts etc)

Single sex or co-ed, sporty, musical - what does SHE want her school to offer - and goes she actually want to move or are you just taking umbrage on her behalf - there's no guarantee she'd get noticed any more at a new school ...

[LIZS]

How old is she now ? Agree you need to be more specific as to what you hope for - sporty (which ?), academic, musical , geographical, Sat school , 11+ vs 13+ entry ..... Will she sit CE where she is at present and what does the school advise ?

[lottie4576]

Im looking at schools for sixth form currently about to go into year11. She's very academic predicted almost all a*s at GCSE. Grade 7 and 8 in two musical instruments and got to regionals in hockey, we are looking around the sussex area up to about berkshire. Price could be a factor that could hold us back though! And it must be co-ed as I'm dead against single sex schools.

[Inclusionist]

Wellington maybe? You will get everything laid on to a high standard there and she may well get a scholarship as it is not that academic although they would have you believe that they are .

[Helpyourself]

Be very careful. Lower VI is very full on now. I'd avoid moving her as it can be too much to cope with a new setting socially and academically- there's no gentle lower sixth now with AS exams.

[LIZS]

ah ok so you are looking for Sept 2014. not all schools play hockey so that should eliminate a fair few. Could you start with those she plays against already. The A level tables will be published very soon which will give you an idea of relative academics. Sevenoaks might be worth a look , Epsom, Cranleigh, City of London Freemans ...

[lottie4576]

Yes I have heard that the wellington head is PR obsessed! And that it isnt that academic although it did get good results this year I'm still sceptical about its academic standards! Its also very expensive and offers very little in the way of scholarships is there anymore insight anyone has on wellington? Still want to know some more about other schools!

[lottie4576]

Thanks LIZS I will look into the schools she plays, Epsom would be out of the question as I've heard that it is very poor academically but I'm definitely going to look into the city of london freemans

[LIZS]

There may be a range of ability at Epsom but don't think "very poor" is a true description tbh, or maybe we just know the more successful ones !

[lottie4576]

Yes, I'm only going by what I've heard (not always the best thing to go by) but other mothers have said that academically it's not brilliant. But then again it is what the student makes of it

[Inclusionist]

The education at Wellington is good. DH used to work there- there is a range of ability (from average up) but they do go to the ends of the earth to get the best out of every child. If I didn't dislike Seldon I would very happily send my DS there.

Heard good things about Brighton College. Seldon was there before Wellington so now it's like Wellington but with out him apparently .

[lottie4576]

Anyone else got any ideas for schools that will possibly suit her I need as much help as I can get!

[lottie4576]

Inclusionist, whats the pastoral care like as I know that a number of years ago there were lots of drug problems etc. I also understand that Wellington is eye wateringly expensive so do you know whether they had out scholarships of a fair amount and whether they would, if my DD was at the level needed, give her a scholarship even though she would be joining for the sixth form?!

[Inclusionist]

I've just asked my DH about how many bursaries were around (he left 6 years ago) and he sucked his teeth a bit, but Wellington are keen to boost their academic standards so with your DDs predicted grades he thinks she would probably be offered a means tested bursary. You would have to ring and speak to the Bursar.

The pastoral care is good. In each house the Housemaster and Undertutor both live in (DH was an Undertutor) and there is at least one other member of staff in the House every evening. There are also Matrons in House all day everyday and a good San with a councillor. There will be misdemenours in any boarding school but I would say Wellington have a hard line policy on drink and drugs which minimises the problem effectively. During our time there there was an anonymous report made that a boy had drugs in his room. The police were requested to bring sniffer dogs immediately, the drugs were found and the boy went home that night and did not return. This is a FAR more robust response than we have seen at some other schools we have lived in!!

[Inclusionist]

PS My DH says SWPS! ;-)

[lottie4576]

Inclusionist, the pastoral care sounds pretty good! Sorry I think I am now being a bit thick but what does SWPS mean?!