Eton equivalent for coed?

[lesliexanita]

There was a thread some time back about Eton's equivalent for girls. Some people mentioned Cheltenham, Wycombe abbey etc....I was wondering, what would then be the equivalent for coed boarding schools?
What are some of the most prestigious coed schools?

[BizzyFizzy]

Oundle, Epsom, Loretto, Gordonstoun.....

[WhatTheActualFugg]

I don't think there really is an equivalent. Eton is so stratospherically unique.

But I think Oakham is up there with the best.

[AnotherNewt]

Marlborough, probably

[Needmoresleep]

Westminster sixth form is certainly in the mix.

[lesliexanita]

Would you count Rugby or King's Canterbury?

[EleanorRigby123]

Eton is probably in a league of its own - global brand, full boarding. Maybe Harrow and Winchester as close seconds.
Not sure there are any full boarding coeds - in the sense that there are no day students at all, though Marlborough only has a few.
Those parents with clever, all rounder DS's who could get into the top schools but who want co-ed and full boarding would probably choose from Marlborough, Rugby, King's Canterbury, Oundle, Uppingham, Oakham.
Lots of other good highly academic co-eds eg Brighton College, Sevenoaks but lots of weekly boarders so the ethos is different.

[peteneras]

No Eton equivalent for co-ed - or for that matter, single sex - anywhere on this planet though Eton imitations aplenty.

[MN164]

A thread about what is the "best" school should never be confused with what is the best school for your child. Kids are different.

The idea of searching for "prestige" says it all really.

[peteneras]

But prestige is earned, surely? It is earned over a long period of time in any particular field, be it in academics, sports, music, drama and a host of other things. One of the ways to measure the success that derived from these activities is by looking at the achievements of the school's alumni. In Eton's case, it's continued alumi success is legendary.

[peteneras]

Or do I mean alumni?

[Peregrina]

In Eton's case, it's continued alumi success is legendary. But we will draw a blank on two of the last 4 OE PMs, whose careers have most emphatically ended in failure.

[MN164]

Prestige is earned by the school. If that's what matters to you most, fine.

I challenge the idea that any kid and all kids just need to get into the most prestigious/best school to do well. That can't be true and plainy isn't. There are plenty of sad and difficult stories of kids at all schools that didn't come away happy and fulfilled because the school, no matter how well "rated" just wasn't right for them. Eton is no exception.

Focus on what is right for your kids, not the league tables, the legends, the prestige or Tatler. That's what I'm saying. Maybe Eton is right for your kid, but not all.

[Peregrina]

Is this really a thread about the best school for a child, or a simple query if there is a co-ed equivalent to Eton?

I assume the answer is No, and to a girls' equivalent, because in the main, no one bothered much with the education of girls, so schools weren't set up for them.

[Yawnyawnallday]

Peteneras, pretty sure you don't mean "it's ". Disappears up own backside whille missing point of thread

[sendsummer]

One of the potential problems with certain prestigious schools will be producing a proportion of pupils for whom confidence is disproportionate to competence.
I agree that for academic prestige Westminster sixth form must be at the top for co-eds.

[Yawnyawnallday]

Oh dear. I was referring to myself.

[minifingerz]

"In Eton's case, it's continued alumi success is legendary"

It's amazing how they take ordinary kids from council estates, and turn them into leaders of industry, scientists, members of government and hugely successful actors.

Oh hang on they don't do that.

They take children from the richest and most powerful families in the country, and make sure they entrench their family position at the top of the social tree.

[peteneras]

My apologies Yawnyawnallday, I realised I'd misread your message and immediately requested MNHQ to delete my post with an apology. Once again, I'm sorry.

[peteneras]

How much do you know about Eton to say that, minifingerz? Have you ever been to Eton before?

[Violetsarentalwaysblue]

Is it not rather shallow to judge and school by its alumni?
I guess it depends on what sort of education your want your child to have. I personally have never been interested in a school's alumni be it a "prestigious" school or a bog standard one it's the atmosphere, the attitude of the teachers, the schools approach to education it's beliefs that interests me. I maybe naively think that a child that is happy at school wherever he goes and is receiving an education that challenges and interest him or her will thrive and who knows where that will lead onto? Ok maybe something prestigious like a PM but for me a well rounded happy person is by far the most important outcome, not fame.
OP look for a coed school where you think your DC will be happy and really enjoy just learning rather than somewhere you can boast about round the dinner table with your friends.

[Yawnyawnallday]

Thanks for the apology, pete.

[lesliexanita]

MN164, just to clear it up, I was not searching for a school with the most prestige for my child. I was merely curious what kind of coed schools would be on par with Eton. I too agree that the most prestigious schools may certainly not be the 'best' schools.

[Dancingdreamer]

Why is Wellington not on the list of co-ed schools on a par with Eton?

[EleanorRigby123]

@Dancing:Wellington is fairly academic and theoretically full boarding and day, so no weekly. BUT I understand there is a mass exodus to London after games on Saturday so like BC and Sevenoaks there is a different feel.