Oundle or Uppingham?

[ladyB2004]

Hi there. Have recently looked a Oundle and Uppingham and I'm looking for recent opinion on the schools. I have a boy and a girl and am looking to board them from 13. Oundle seemed very impressive in many ways, and appears to have slightly better results but I have heard stories about it being fairly ruthless. I loved the feel of Uppingham and could see my two there from a pastoral point of view.They are both very bright and talented but sensitive. Having said that, both schools have new-ish heads. Uppingham's head looks like he is on the case as far as results go and Oundle's head looks like she intends to make the school a bit more touchy-feely! Plea for help, please, perhaps from parents of current cohorts. Thanks.

[MalbecMummy]

Sorry - I can't help but am interested to hear answers as Oundle is one of our shortlisted schools!

[Frillyhorseyknickers]

Uppingham, or potentially Oakham over Oundle every time. Oundle is fairly rigid and produces some fairly alternative characters IMO.

[ladyB2004]

Thanks Frilly. Just wondering - what's your connection to Uppingham/Oundle, if you don't mind my asking? Funnily enough, the word 'rigid' has come up before in research of Oundle. I am not sure what it really means though. Malbec - what other schools are you considering? My son is down for a (in)famous boys school but as we have both boy and girl, I am not necessarily swayed by the family tradition...

[Frillyhorseyknickers]

We're fairly local so have many friends and family been to/ currently at both. My husband went to Uppingham and my half sister was on a scholarship at Oundle five years ago - the pastoral care wasn't great and I've heard of their dealing with bullying in a "stiff upper lip" sort of way which means it seems to be survival of the fittest. Reputation wise, Uppingham seems to produce more rounded individuals.

[WineBeforeCake]

Neither, look at Rugby.

They eat in their boarding houses there which is one of the reasons I love it. It helps their pastoral care (already excellent to be fair) and also engenders a real house structure more than canteen style catering.

For my girl particularly, it feels like an amazing “all girls school” inside a big bustling coed school (with all the benefits of that). She has the best of both worlds.

I used to work with the head of Oundle.

[ladyB2004]

Thanks everyone. I understand that they do now eat in house at Uppingham. I will have a look at Rugby, though.

[Hadalifeonce]

Also, have a look at Oakham. There is Stamford, but I'm not sure of the boarding/day split.

[MalbecMummy]

We're looking at Oundle, Oakham and Stamford, in that order.

[MrsDurrellsTwinSister]

Neither. The HM at our Prep has been hard pushing both recently across the school but we were not impressed. Not impressed either with the (in)famous boys schools also being pushed. It depends entirely upon who you and your DCs are and what you all want of course, but we would recommend you look at Malvern and Oakham. Nothing to add about Rugby one way or the other.

[MrsDurrellsTwinSister]

Nothing to add on Stamford either.

[ladyB2004]

Wine - your last line made me chortle - how to say everything without saying anything - thanks. It is such a personal decision so I was expecting plenty of variety! I was hoping to hear more in support of Uppingham. I really liked it when we visited and a friend sent a girl for sixth form there recently (and they have pretty high standards) and couldn't be more complimentary. The new head seems very impressive.

[MalbecMummy]

I've heard Uppingham is fab too. You're right - it's a very personal opinion. So so stressful - I'll be glad when it's all over!

[MalbecMummy]

WineBefore - should I read into what I will about your comment "I used to work with the Head of Oundle"? Feeling concerned!

[ladyB2004]

Malbec - I got the impression when I listened to her that she was interested in ironing out issues that have lead to criticisms but in so doing, I suppose she admitted that they are valid. I asked pupils what they thought of her. They were upset about phone use being curtailed, they said they didn't see much of her and that she had a withering look if you were caught putting a foot wrong!

[WineBeforeCake]

malbec It’s a very personal decision and it may be exactly what you like! Don’t worry. Just go with your gut instinct.

[petrova]

We have had DC at Uppingham for the last 6 years and are very happy with it.
The House system is very strong ( all meals are eaten in House) with House loyalty being equally strong.
We have found pastoral care to be very good - Housemasters/mistresses, House tutors, Matrons all help in supporting your child.
If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me .

[ladyB2004]

Thank you so much Petrova. Have messaged you. x

[MrsDurrellsTwinSister]

I have heard that actually about both the new Heads at Oundle and Uppingham - that they seem impressive. Based on past experience I tend to take that expression with a very large pinch of salt!

[Ttbb]

I have heard that oundle is not very good for purely academic children, it's more geared to all rounders. Have you considered Oakham or repton? Also nnot too far afield.

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

I have a very academic and slightly quirky child at Oundle.

He really likes the head and we’ve liked her with the contact we have had.
I’m not sure what the comment about phone use being curtailed was about. He has plenty of opportunities to use his. I think the rules they have recently implemented are perfectly reasonable for a school. It basically limits them to free time usage and stops them sneaking them to bed to play on all night. Not that different to my children who are at home. We have just had a text conversation though so I know he’s just broken those rules, as I’m sure plenty of them do.

When we were looking we were pointed towards Oundle precisely because of how good they are with very academic children. Isn’t it strange how we all hear different things.

We’ve also found the pastoral care to be very good, something we were worried about in general. Of course this may vary from house to house and even tutor to tutor.

[BriechonCheese]

Watching with interest.
DS was set to go to one of the mentioned schools but talked himself out of it. He is now showing interest again.

[ladyB2004]

I don't disagree with the mobile phone rules - I, like you, think there should definitely be rules - there are at home. Repton is an extra hour for us and I was horrified by the length of the girl's skirts on the website. They had skirts up to their knickers, bare legs and silly shoes. I am not sure my son would get anything done and my daughter is too sensible! I am joking, sort of. The extra hour is the main factor.

[WineBeforeCake]

lady the skirt length at Repton is incredibly disturbing. I was there for a music concert and was utterly shocked 😳

Rugby’s skirts are the exact opposite, but I am afraid it is the ugliest school uniform in the world. Somehow my daughter makes it look good - good knows how.

The girls at Rugby don’t really do that silly stuff with hair and make up either. The standard home clothes are elephant pants and a hoodie 😂

And mobile phones are removed at bed time for a good few years (I think until sixth form?)

Was chatting to someone else today about uppingham though and it does, to excuse the pun, seem to be on the up. It sounds similar.

[GinGarden]

Goodness me what a load of rubbish about Oundle.
Pastoral care excellent. Bullying def not allowed. New head fabulous- kind, caring, sensitive but no-nonse too. Excellent for academics - superb, engaging teachers, plus great LS set up too.
New mobile phone rules are very sensible.
The kids we have met from across all the years are down to earth and levelheaded.
My DS was recently rushed to hospital and I live hours away - staff and communication couldn’t have been better, in-school san care after discharge was fabulous, I need never worry again!
It is ‘cool’ to work hard and the children all help each other.
My DCs love the school - highly recommend Oundle.

[ladyB2004]

Thanks GinGarden - that's good to hear.