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

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

Secondary education

St Edwards Oxford - houses

17 replies

toobusytothink · 29/04/2016 19:44

Thinking of sending ds and dd to St Edwards. Was wondering if anyone knew anything about the houses? Are there certain sporty/musical etc houses? Also we are hoping they are going to relax the rule on allowing kids out for the weekend so they could come home for Saturday night. Does anyone have any insight on this? We would at least like to bring them home on Sunday. Is this allowed? Thanks in advance.

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toobusytothink · 30/04/2016 13:08

Bump ...

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carltonscroop · 30/04/2016 13:27

If you want a school that lets children out for a night or two at the weekend, the. You might be better off looking for one which already offers it.

Because people (eg those working overseas) may have specifically chosen a school which is full boarding and limits other weekend absences specifically because they want a full weekend community for their DC. Do not pin your hopes on schools changing their whole ethos - and risk losing their full boarding families - on your timelines.

toobusytothink · 30/04/2016 13:45

Thanks. Yes I think that is the danger. There seem to be so few true full boarding schools left as a lot of uk parents seem to want that, yet obviously it would alienate the overseas contingent. Are there a lot of overseas children at st Edwards do you know?

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roguedad · 30/04/2016 16:06

Son's school has 3 categories of pupil - day, weekly boarder and full boarder. I am guessing that if you want that facility you need to be at a school that offers "weekly boarder". I suppose there might be separate provision for an exeat for occasional Sundays.

1805 · 30/04/2016 16:09

I think you'd need to ask the school directly regarding the boarding options.

1805 · 30/04/2016 16:10

Sorry - so do you want weekly boarding, or full boarding with occasional sundays or weekends at home?

happygardening · 30/04/2016 16:17

I've PMd you.

toobusytothink · 30/04/2016 20:59

Ideally every Saturday after sport coming home. At least every other weekend. St Edwards is 40 mins away which is why it's perfect but any other suggestions gratefully received. Also considering Radley, Bedford or Wellington. Thx for all comments so far

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1805 · 30/04/2016 21:07

Radley has a very welcoming open door type attitude to parents coming in to see sons, and the boys can come home on a sunday after chapel, and quite a lot of weekends home (sat pm - sun bedtime).
Not co-ed though obviously!!!

toobusytothink · 30/04/2016 21:26

Thx 1805. Have read info and seems very strict saying it would be rare for a boy to go home regularly On a Sunday yet apparently lots of boys do go home every sat till sun evening! I understand you can get extra privese if you ask but are these granted as a matter of course or are they strict in the leave outs. Any info gratefully received

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1805 · 30/04/2016 22:03

We've never had a problem taking him out. The boys have to fulfil any school commitments obviously, so sometimes we've just taken him out for lunch on a sunday rather than go home.
We have been very happy with Radley so far. And it's ok not to be sport mad there too!! PM me if you have any specific questions.

andintothefire · 01/05/2016 19:03

Probably the majority at St Edwards go out on Sundays after chapel. Saturday night visits home are rare (and to be honest they probably won't want to go!)

andintothefire · 01/05/2016 19:04

(They are actually not at school many Saturday nights anyway when you take exeat weekends into account)

toobusytothink · 01/05/2016 20:27

Thx andintothefire. You're right - I think it's more about me than them!! I have another 3 years of them at prep school so lots of time for me to get used to the idea. Do you have any recommendations for houses? Thx

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andintothefire · 01/05/2016 22:20

Houses really depend on the housemaster or housemistress. I would meet as many as you can, and see which ones your children warm to. It's not a school where houses really define somebody, so I think you should just go with your gut instinct for what feels right! It is definitely a great school choice for sporty or arty children who don't just want to be in an academic hothouse, though plenty of pupils do very well academically too.

andintothefire · 01/05/2016 22:23

Ps having said that, I do have a soft spot for Mac's for girls and Tilly's for boys! They are friendly houses in my experience.

toobusytothink · 02/05/2016 07:01

Thx. That's good to hear. It seems at many schools choosing a house is almost more important than choosing the school! Will def go and visit those and good to hear can go and visit lots of different ones. For some reason both dd and ds are adamant they want to be field side but that's only because that was the first one they saw and the hm did such a good job selling it!

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