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Original poster

Finding the right Public School

37 replies

HarrietHongKong · 09/07/2014 09:11

We are from Monaco, so we are not far away from the UK, but I am struggling to find the right public school for our DS and DD.

I am originally from the Far East so I am not that familiar with public schools in the UK. We are looking for a public school for our DS and DD. They would need to board from approx. 13 yo.

The academic status of the school isn't that important, neither of our children are very "academic", but we want our children to enjoy their schooling, and to make good friends, enjoy their social life and have good contacts in the UK and abroad.

I am encouraging both children in polo, so it would be an advantage if polo could be offered. We are happy for their ponies to be moved to the UK from Monaco to help this.

Our children enjoy interacting with lessons and we want the education to be good, but realistically we want our DS to go onto the family firm when he gets older, so getting a straight A outcome is not really important. We are happy for a DD to go to university, but again we cn offer her a job if she wants one later in life. Rather we would prefer the children to make good friends, be educated, develop their polo, enjoy their social life, and have a good mix of people from similar backgrounds.

Can you advise what would be the best schools to look at? We would prefer single sex rather then co-educational.

OP posts:
IndridCold · 09/07/2014 10:22

The Good Schools Guide run an advisory service to help people find the right school. Link here.

happygardening · 09/07/2014 10:20

Not all schools have stables/grazing for children's own polo ponies, many attend local polo clubs and use their ponies. Not all schools with equestrian facilities do polo.
Milfield of course will take their ponies and as everyone has said sounds just what your looking for.
You dont say how old your children are but unless your DS is already registered for Radley he would have to get a place of the Wardens List which his not easy, Eton you have to register before a boy is 10yrs and 6 months. Eton is considered very academic Radley is not far behind.
Frankly is you want "similar backgrounds" to yours looking at that list I would consider Radley Eton Sherbourne Milfield Marlborough and Cheltenham Ladies. Rugby is full boarding but is known to be more "normal" and "down to earth" than those listed above. You are most likely to get children of "similiar backgrounds" in traditional primarily full boarding schools which all the above are. Most of the others listed are either primarily weekly boarding schools (so often more local parents) or schools with a smallish number of full/weekly boarders but day children dominate so again are local.
If the standard of polo matters to you do check it out carefully.

flightdove · 09/07/2014 09:57

Mayfield or Worth

grovel · 09/07/2014 09:56

These schools enter the schools' polo tournament:

Bloxham School
Bradfield College
Cheltenham College
Cheltenham Ladies College
Dauntseys School
Dean Close School
Felsted School
Harrow

Heathfield School
Lord Wandsworth College
Luckley Oakfield
Malvern College
Marlborough College
Millfield School
Pangbourne College
Queens College
Rugby School
Sandhurst School
Sherborne School
Shrewsbury School
Eton College
Radley College

propatria · 09/07/2014 09:55

You sound as if Queen Ethelburga's would be just right for you and your dd.

grovel · 09/07/2014 09:53

Radley has a polo team.

fishybits · 09/07/2014 09:38

Sorry forgot to add that Stonar is for girls.

fishybits · 09/07/2014 09:37

Stonar School near Bath is probably a good one for you to look at.

Single sex from 11-18, excellent equestrian facilities and good pastoral care.

scaevola · 09/07/2014 09:34

Quite a few schools have polo clubs. I don't know which if any let you take own ponies.

Your polo-playing friends should be able to tell you if it is better to be at a school at offers polo, or if it should be a school near a good polo club.

The school that springs to mind is Millfield.

marialuisa · 09/07/2014 09:29

A shame you want single- sex because Millfield would be perfect.

Needmoresleep · 09/07/2014 09:23

Interesting dilemma. You might start here:

www.supa.org.uk/website-pages/senior-schools

atticusclaw · 09/07/2014 09:13

I'm going to assume this is genuine and check that you're talking about them boarding.