Is St Edwards Oxford the right boarding school?

[drinkteaandrelax]

Hi, my daughter is in Year 10 and will be soon choosing her sixth form.

We originally were going to stick to state education, but she is super academic and thrives in a working environment- and suggested boarding school.
My DD wants somewhere full-boarding with many societies and a driven community of students- nice boarding too with good weekend activities.

What are your thoughts on Teddies, and are there any boarding schools alike that you recommend? I'd be very appreciative!

[Legoninjago1]

Gosh there are a fair few that might suit. Being in Yr 10 hopefully she's got time to visit before deciding. Teddies has a great reputation but there's also Marlborough? Wellington? Presume she wants co-ed? Those are well established and academic coed boarding schools. There are many others of course.

[leftandaright]

Choose “full boarding” wisely.
There are full boarding schools where pupils all go home at half term and perhaps one or two exeat weekends per term and that is it - and there are those that offer full boarding alongside weekly boarding so pupils choose to stay in at weekends (or go back with friends for parties ....) .
Any school that gives the option of coming home at weekends often empties out, to a degree, and there is not the same level of comprehensive activities laid on each weekend - as not all children are there so makes planning events a bit pointless.

[drinkteaandrelax]

Well she would like somewhere where students stay at weekends with plenty activities, but will return home some half terms.
We aren't fussed on location, and have schools:

St Edwards
Marven College
Marlborough (not sure)
Christ Hospital

In mind. Have you guys heard anything about these sixth forms, or schools alike?

[Zodlebud]

Winchester College is accepting girls into the sixth form from September 2022 (along with day pupils). It has always been a full boarding school though - could be an interesting one to contact.

I would also look at Oundle and Rugby. Oundle is full boarding. Rugby has day students too but has a separate girls house for new sixth form boarders so they get quite a lot stay in over weekends.

Teddies is a good shout too.

[Legoninjago1]

They're pretty different. What attracts her to Christ's Hospital? What elements is she particularly interested in / good at?

[Zodlebud]

Should say that Oundle does have day students but for those that board (about three quarters) they are full boarding.

[Legoninjago1]

Yes agree with Oundle and Rugby. Uppingham full boarding too I think.

[partyatthepalace]

Christ‘S Hospital is FB and great for an interesting mix, have a couple of friends with kids there who really enjoy it.

Also have friends with kids happy a at Rugby .

[Legoninjago1]

Maybe look at Canford too.

[Notverygrownup]

We know several people who went to Teddies. Most loved it.

It used to be full boarding but last year changed to offer weekly boarding as well. You might want to ask what percentage of students are now full boarding and whether they put them together in one house, or spread them across the site.

[OhOneOhTwoOhThree]

Uppingham is still full boarding and has a sixth form girls' house.

[drinkteaandrelax]

I have had a look at most of your suggestions. We particularly are looking for a full boarding coed school that is very academic but has many societies and opportunities to get involved with.

My DD has taken a liking for Teddies, but I am worried that as it is in Oxford there will be a lot of week boarders, and it will be empty at weekends. Also I have heard there is a range of students with mixed abilities, and I am concerned she won't be in an environment that will push her to the limit.

I personally love Christs Hospital, as it has always been a family favorite, and it isn't really about the money- more about how bright your child is and how much they aspire to learn. We are definitely looking for bursaries and scholarships too, and I believe they are most... charitable at CH.

Also, my DD doesn't like Marlborough, there are rumours of kids taking drugs and drinking, which she is totally opposed to- and apparently they are not pushy with their students. Though I don't know if those sources are reliable.
I do know there are great societies and facilities.

Epsom College is another option, and it is very full on, but I don't know how many boarders there are, and am worried it will be lonely.

It has been really tricky comparing schools, as there are so many pros and cons. I'd love to know what your experience with these schools are, and what you think would be best for my daughter.

[drinkteaandrelax]

@Legoninjago1 - It has always been a family favorite as it is most charitable and about their students skills. Have you any experience about CH?

[drinkteaandrelax]

@Zodlebud is Oundle good?

[Zodlebud]

@drinkteaandrelax Excellent. A big school which might put some people off but in the town so sixth formers have freedom outside school. 15 Oxbridge offers for 2021.

[Legoninjago1]

[quote drinkteaandrelax]@Legoninjago1 - It has always been a family favorite as it is most charitable and about their students skills. Have you any experience about CH?[/quote]
Nope, other than a former boss of mine and 3 uni friends that went there. All loved it, did well and were very loyal to the place.

[drinkteaandrelax]

@Zodlebud I don't think a big school is the best for my DD. I think 1000 students is a bit too much in my opinion. Looking at schools is much harder than I thought!

[Legoninjago1]

It's really is! Particularly with an academic daughter looking for 6th form. The world is probably her oyster!

[Orangesarenottheonlyfruit]

@drinkteaandrelax

Hi, my daughter is in Year 10 and will be soon choosing her sixth form.

We originally were going to stick to state education, but she is super academic and thrives in a working environment- and suggested boarding school.
My DD wants somewhere full-boarding with many societies and a driven community of students- nice boarding too with good weekend activities.

What are your thoughts on Teddies, and are there any boarding schools alike that you recommend? I'd be very appreciative!

We have similar requirements and have settled on Canford. Part of the attraction is the activities at the weekends. It maybe worth a look?

[drinkteaandrelax]

@Orangesarenottheonlyfruit is Canford academic? Does it push its students?

[sskanky]

If she's academic I wouldn't go for Teddies

[drinkteaandrelax]

@sskanky That is what I have heard people say. Teddies is not looking like the right fit for her. What full boarding school would you suggest?

[sskanky]

Cheltenham Ladies?

[drinkteaandrelax]

@sskanky I'd rather she went to a coed boarding school. All girls is a no!

[leftandaright]

Oundle is big but doesn’t feel that way. Day pupils are housed separately. About 250 of them. All the boarders are in their own house where they live and take meals. No weekly boarders (or day pupils) in the boarding houses. Boys have about 60 per house. Girls maybe a bit more.
Oundle is very academic and it’s cool to work hard. (Several get shown the door after GCSE’s if they aren’t towing the line).
With there being so many pupils, there are lots of societies going on. Ask the Admissions for their online school review/magazine which will give a flavour of what goes on. Smaller schools cannot offer quite as much as you need a broad church of pupils to make a go of a wide variety of societies.
They offer up to 100% bursaries based on need but I guess you will need a talented child to qualify (academic or music or whatever ...)
Uppingham similar but it’s not been as academic for a while but making strides to improve this now with more selective entry tests. Rugby similar to Oundle I think.

Broadly, the further away from London and the Home Counties, the less flash schools and their pupils are and probably less competitive to get into and be awarded bursaries!
If a bursary is absolutely essential, then consider a less academic school as if you have a very bright dd, they will be keener to have your dd and award a bursary compared to closer to London where competition is more fierce.