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Original poster

Which is the best boarding school?

40 replies

AnnaGriffiths · 22/03/2014 23:24

My DS and DD (both 15, they're twins) are going to start sixth form boarding in 2015, at the moment we have a horribly long list of schools and are finding it really difficult to choose. We want a schools which offers IB or A levels (not necessarily both) but we aren't so keen on pre-U courses.
DD and DS are both bright and enjoy sports and music. DD also really likes art and DS loves tennis and is very good at it too.
Location isn't very important but I think DD would prefer something in a country setting rather than in a city, DS doesn't care. They want to go to the same school together so it would have to be co-ed.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

OP posts:
RubyLennox · 23/03/2014 13:21

Derektheladyhamster said:
Christs Hospital offers co - ed boarding houses in the upper sixth. It also offers IB (very good results on this) as well as a levels.

To be fair, the IB is still in its early days at CH - they've only had one cohort complete the course so far. And while a few students achieved excellent results, others did less well and fell short of the minimum 36 points required for entry to most Russell Group Universities. For all schools introducing the IB it's a steep learning curve, but if I was choosing for a child aiming to do this course I'd probably look for somewhere with a more established track record.

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 13:06

Marlborough have girls and boys in the same house but in separate corridors or floors (I think) which could be a good set up for DS and DD but they aren't sure about the school itself. We haven't been to see it yet so they might change their minds but I'd like to give them some other suggestions of schools with co-ed boarding.

OP posts:
Oubliette0292 · 23/03/2014 13:05

I think Kimbolton is co-ed. No idea what it is like though. Or DH went to Bradfield (a looong time ago).

derektheladyhamster · 23/03/2014 13:01

Christs Hospital offers co - ed boarding houses in the upper sixth. It also offers IB (very good results on this) as well as a levels.

Lovely grounds in West Sussex, near horsham

Excellent music teaching

Lots of sport

They do pre u in art (I have no idea what this means, but it sounds like you do Grin )

traditions might not suit you though!

Millyblods · 23/03/2014 13:00

To answer literally, Methodist Ladies College, Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Aus. he he!! Sorry but that was the boarding school I went to and loved it. No help to you though ......sorry.

BadgerB · 23/03/2014 12:56

I don't know of any where boys and girls share the accommodation. Possibly the supervision required would daunt most house parents - and annoy 16+ kids. I know that at Oakham 7th formers have separate houses but regularly 'visit' each other. Whenever I've been in the girls sitting room there is usually a boyfriend visiting and the couple cuddled on the sofa.

HRHLadyG · 23/03/2014 12:56

Box Hill School, Surrey.

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 12:50

Thanks, is Marlborough the only one with co-ed boarding? Also (if anyone knows), in a co-ed boarding house how much do the boys and girls in the house interact?
I'm slightly worried that in a boarding house of mostly boys like the ones at Marlborough the girls would not be allowed to interact with the boys much so would end up with only a few friends in their boarding houses. I have no experience with co-ed boarding so I could be totally wrong.

OP posts:
middleclasaonbursary · 23/03/2014 09:06

Marlborough has 6th form girls in boys houses, does both IB and A levels, it's in a very nice country market town, music art sport will be at the very least comparable with all those mentioned above.

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 07:32

Thanks for the suggestions!
DS and DD were wondering if there were any schools with co-ed boarding. I know it's rare but I thought I'd ask anyway. Obviously I don't mean boys and girls sharing rooms but are there any schools where they're in the same house?

OP posts:
goshhhhhh · 23/03/2014 06:46

I would second Oakham.

Jollyb · 23/03/2014 06:28

I agree Sevenoaks might fit your criteria.

CharityCase · 23/03/2014 06:00

Canford?

Bonsoir · 23/03/2014 05:56

Sevenoaks School isn't in a city but I know that plenty of boarders manage to go to London (25 minutes by mainline train) as soon as they have a day off. Great facilities.

BadgerB · 23/03/2014 05:46

Oakham School covers all your DCs would like. Choice of A levels or IB, huge range of sports, excellent music and drama, and the art dept is breath-taking. Academic results super too.
Oakham itself is a small-ish, safe country town with cafes, shops etc and the countryside in easy reach.
Have a look at it!