Queen Ethelburga's College

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YellowBoots

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I was rather debating posting this, but decided to forge ahead anyway! In April or so, Hubby and I are moving up north. I'm not going to post too many details; that would take all night. Let's just say it's because of his job. Now, idiot that he is, he's promised our daughter (who is 9 right now) that she can go to Queen Ethelburga's College (or rather, Chapter House).

We had a huge arguement over this. I'm still furious at him. We can afford it, but money will be tight. Daughter is a lovely young rider. She's very active in PC and hunts. She's thrilled with the idea of going to Chapter House.

I've sent off for the DVD and will be phoning the school for a chat. What I want to know is the stuff that they won't tell me. Is there any bullying? What are the staff like? What are the facilities actually like? I understand that they're building a new Eq centre- is that right? Daughter has a pony of her own, but I'm not sure if he should go with her. How does that work, anyway? Do they have school horses, and what are they like?

Lastly, on DD's request, does anyone have any pics she can have a look at?

Thanks!
 
I have never been there as a student, but it doesn't seem to have the best reputation as a school, or an equestrian facility. But then again, it does have amazing facilities, like a double storey stable block and indoor/outdoor schools etc.

I have always thought of it as an easy way out for rich dumb kids who want to go school with their pony, but I am prepared (and mostly likely will
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) to take some stick for that. Thats just what I know (which admittedly is not much
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) from hearing about the school from other people.

Don't know if you've seen this?

http://www.queenethelburgas.edu/equestrian-school/facilities.html
 
Oh good luck
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Eldest wanted to go. When I worked out the fees, including her taking Little Cob - livery is free, but you have to join the Royal Riding Club or some such thing - I decided that that, times by two, was not on. They've recently spent a fortune on the equestrian side of things, and it looks lovely. Eldest may yet go to sixth form, but that's dependant on many things.

I don't know what that school in particular is like, other than it's changed a lot since it was in Harrogate when I lived there (I won't tell you the then local nickname for it!), but my three nieces begged us not to send our daughters to an all girls school (there are a number of them round here). I'm sure lots of people have a wonderful time, and eldest daughter passed entrance exams for the two we liked, but when we sat down and really discussed our life as a family, it worked out that home education was best for her: she rides during the morning and works afternoon/evening.

Sorry, gone on a bit, it's just we've given that school a lot of thought
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I've only ever heard bad things about the school and the stables...

(this is coming from someone who went to a very similar school on a much smaller level)
 
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My concern is that it is related to the Insurance company that shall not be named!

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Forgot about that!!

Thats why they can afford such good facilities then....
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I'm going to bloody kill him. I really am!

Thank you everyone. Yes, I've just been looking at the site. They say a lot without telling you much, don't they?
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QE is such a good school. My best friend went there, so I have spent quite a bit of time up there.
Staff are wonderful, really great facilities and it is one of the best schools up north. The only problem I found was it was in the sixth form it can get very cliquey, but that is certainly not a problem exclusive to that school and you would struggle to find many other faults with the school!
 
Oh and I'd say that there are FAR better private schools with riding facilities than QE if you and your OH really wanted to go down that route.

Their fees are cheap in comparison though and that speaks volumes to me (I'm not just saying that, spent my entire school education in private schools and you do notice the difference. Not saying ALL cheap ones are bad but you do get an idea of where the money goes).
 
For 15 years now I've been getting those god@Mm Queen Ethelburga's brochures with my Horse and hound magazine every single week. Not to mention them being in my monthly eventing magazine as well. Just what is their problem that makes them need to advertise so much??? Ive always wondered that.

They must be desperate for students, and they give out these so called 'scholarships' to anyone and everyone.

Do any of the respectfull, proper schools like Eton, Radley, St Swithuns, Downe House, Winchester College etc or indeed any normal private schools lower down on the league tables need to advertise so much? no- and if they did, they wouldnt advertise in that fashion not to mention be connected to the most tawdry insurance company that ever existed.

Having said all that, I accept that I may be completly wrong, and that the school may be lovely!!
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For 15 years now I've been getting those god@Mm Queen Ethelburga's brochures with my Horse and hound magazine every single week. Not to mention them being in my monthly eventing magazine as well. Just what is their problem that makes them need to advertise so much??? Ive always wondered that.

They must be desperate for students, and they give out these so called 'scholarships' to anyone and everyone.



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Another one of my thoughts, used to be every week in H&P too. You rarely see decent private schools advertising.
 
Just to add, when we were school hunting, we looked at quite a number and viewed five. The most expensive one reminded me of a dirty comprehensive. One that had a good reputation had labs that were stuck somewhere in the sixties, and another had rooms so small that they could barely fit in the twenty-odd pupils to a class.

If eldest daughter wants to go to sixth form that offers riding, then we'll go and see all the ones that seem suitable and are withing our then price range.

The area you are moving too is stiff with horses and horsey minded people
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I spent a good deal of my childhood and teenage years there.
 
Thanks everyone.
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RosiiePimms, did your friend take a horse with her? Was she there recentely? Trying to get info on what they actually provide is proving to be very hard.
 
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My lodger taught there for three years and doesn't have a good word to say about it...

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Oh dear. What did they teach? What was the problem? Thanks.
 
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Just to add, when we were school hunting, we looked at quite a number and viewed five. The most expensive one reminded me of a dirty comprehensive. One that had a good reputation had labs that were stuck somewhere in the sixties, and another had rooms so small that they could barely fit in the twenty-odd pupils to a class.

If eldest daughter wants to go to sixth form that offers riding, then we'll go and see all the ones that seem suitable and are withing our then price range.

The area you are moving too is stiff with horses and horsey minded people
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I spent a good deal of my childhood and teenage years there.

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Thanks. I've visited York quite a few times and love the area. Which schools did you look at?
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Yes, she left this summer to go to uni at RAC with me. Whereabouts north are you, if you don't mind me asking?
She had her horse there, Karen Dixon was teaching there, not sure if she still does, their facilities- horse wise are very good, although the yard managers are very unforgiving and you get into a very tight routine, which I suppose isn't such a bad thing, you learn to keep things in order.
 
Back in 97 I use to teach in the eq center, I would not send one of my kids (if I had them) there.

Wondful set up, I will give it that but totally run by the wrong person.
 
I went there for from Year 8 to Year 13 (1999-2005) and in that time I saw great many changes and my sister left in 2007.

My year was the first year for the school to become co ed, and the start of many changes. The school went from having about 25 in a year to its now current size of about double that.

I did have a great time there, most the staff were fab and I loved having my horse there and became deputy head girl in my final year. It lead to many different experiences, however I am not sure if I would send any of my children there when the time comes.

Essentially every year there is some form of building work going along, I was the first year to live in all the new boarding houses. There has been a great deal of new buildings which I am not sure I am for as from when I started there the feel and type of school it wants to be has changed. It wants to be good at everything and not specialise really in any one department.

The owner of the school lives on site and is very materialistic, and wants everything to look good.

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have. I dont want to appear to be completely defamatory (sp) about the place as I dont regret going there, but it is very expensive
 
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Yes, she left this summer to go to uni at RAC with me. Whereabouts north are you, if you don't mind me asking?
She had her horse there, Karen Dixon was teaching there, not sure if she still does, their facilities- horse wise are very good, although the yard managers are very unforgiving and you get into a very tight routine, which I suppose isn't such a bad thing, you learn to keep things in order.

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Thanks. I'm down south, but will be moving up north during the spring. Can you tell me more about the yard managers? What exactly do you mean?
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Alittlemonster: due to daughters ages we looked at schools local to here (Derbshrie/Nottinghamshire area). The only school we liked was Repton - friends were very complimentary, but they would have had to board or we would have had to move.

If it were a boy you had, my brother went to Ashville College in Harrogate and he enjoyed it; I also had a couple of boyfriends who went there. Sorry, no use at all!
 
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Have you thought about Queen Margarets?
They have some good equestrian facilities.
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Only I think daughter would have to wait until she was 11?

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Sorry, didn't see your post.
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DD has her heart set on going to QE for some reason.
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Where is QM's and can you tell me more about it please?
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Back in 97 I use to teach in the eq center, I would not send one of my kids (if I had them) there.

Wondful set up, I will give it that but totally run by the wrong person.

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I'll PM you.
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Thanks.
 
Does the horse need to be with her?
A few other good schools up north are Sedbergh School, Ampleforth College, Harrogate Ladie's college, Woodleigh.
 
'20 floodlit grass day paddocks.' (That was on the link pasted earlier) OTT springs to mind. Don't forget you'll be paying for this!

I am sat here now with my mother, if I told her I was posting on this subject she would be laughing so much. I begged and begged her to let me go (many years ago!) I look back and I am so glad I did not. I wonder what I would have turned out like? I agree why do they need to advertise so much.
Your husband has some explaining to do!!
 
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Have you thought about Queen Margarets?
They have some good equestrian facilities.
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Only I think daughter would have to wait until she was 11?

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Sorry, didn't see your post.
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DD has her heart set on going to QE for some reason.
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Where is QM's and can you tell me more about it please?
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QM's is in Escrick, 3 miles south of york.

http://www.queenmargarets.org.uk/welcome/greetings.shtml

They don't say anything about equine facilities on website as they concentrate on academics but they have a great manege, stable block & access to full xc course. It has a very good reputation round here. (our yard is opposite & we use the xc)
 
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Alittlemonster: due to daughters ages we looked at schools local to here (Derbshrie/Nottinghamshire area). The only school we liked was Repton - friends were very complimentary, but they would have had to board or we would have had to move.

If it were a boy you had, my brother went to Ashville College in Harrogate and he enjoyed it; I also had a couple of boyfriends who went there. Sorry, no use at all!

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Thanks.
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Do you think it would be worth looking at Repton for my daughter?
 
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Does the horse need to be with her?
A few other good schools up north are Sedbergh School, Ampleforth College, Harrogate Ladie's college, Woodleigh.

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No. I'd be happy for her not to take him. I have a feeling that not-so-dear-hubby will insist that he does though.
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Thank you for the other schools- do you know what ages they teach?
 
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