Schools in Windsor Ascot or Sunningdale

[Jan17]

Anyone any helpful information on independent schools around Windsor/Ascot/Sunningdale area for a boy and girl. We are considering would prefer schools that would take both up to at least 13 years. Or the boy until 13 and the girl until 18. Does anyone have information on Brigidine or St George's, LVA. I don't understand how Brigidine has such small classes. Doesn't seem to be any parent reviews.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

When we lived in the area we settled on Lambrook (we moved).

I looked round the Brigidine. My tour was during lesson time, but of all the classrooms we walked into in only one were the children actually doing any learning (I am a senior teacher, used to doing learning walks). The Bursar told me that from Nursery onwards the 'boys do football and the girls do ballet' which I was a bit appalled by. There have also been regular rumbles about the finances including a failed bid to become a Free School.

No I know my DS better (he was 3 at the time) I would probably choose St George's Windsor for him because I think the smaller environment would suit him better than Lambrook. We were blown away by Lambrook, but it is rather bold, perhaps to the point of being rather corporate. Amazing, but in retrospect maybe not perfect for my very introverted DS.

No idea what we would have done for Senior.

[Fffion]

If you want your DCs together in prep school, then St George’s Windsor is the only one.

It’s harder to find senior schools for boys. St George’s Weybridge is co-ed and has 11+ and 13+ entries. LVS doesn’t have a great reputation but it is all-through, co-ed and has boarding options.

[Fffion]

How could I forget Bishopsgate on the edge of Windsor Great Park? My own DS’s went there!

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I also liked the look of Bishopsgate, although I never went to look round as it was a bit too far for us.

[Jan17]

Thanks for the information. I will look further into your other options. Out of interest when did you look around Brigidine, I have heard they were bought out. There aren't many options to suit my checklist.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I looked round in 2014. We left the area shortly afterwards so have no info since then. The financial stuff was in the local papers quite a bit prior to that.

[Fffion]

Brigidine is now privately owned by the husband of the bursar.

[Jan17]

Thank you, do you know anything more about Brigidine it seems to have had very good results last year but not sure if its struggling financially not many pupils.

[Fffion]

You seem very curious.

[Jan17]

Only because there is not much information elsewhere and don't want to discount the school. Our son leaves his current school next September and I need to make a decision. Previous threads suggested they had financial problems but they are old threads and it might not be the case now. The other schools have lots of information and blogs on them but this one does tick the boxes for a number of things. Just struggling to understand why they are not filling the school and the fees are very competitive.

[BarbarianMum]

Traditionally Brigidine has always been the preserve of the well heeled but not too bright. The bright children go to independent schools in Slough. It is a long time (25 years) since I had much to do with the school but back then the quality if the science teaching was utterly dire. Lot of emphasis on good handwriting, speaking nicely and elocution though. Oh and religious education.
It must have changed over the years but i would suspect it still has trouble filling places as there are better schools around.

[Fffion]

A lot has happened to Brigidine in 25 years.