Sherborne School(Boys) or Bedford School?

Have you looked at Oundle ....there results are returning back to what they were a few years ago?

Both schools must suffer the same incessant problem!

Redborne's plight is exacerbated by there being a place not a million miles away called Redbourn!

Can't persuade you to spell Redborne correctly at all then?

It's also Sherborne and not Sherbourne.

Sherborne School is full boarding in the true sense. Nobody goes home at weekends unless there is an exeat or special circumstances. This is important for your son.

It's much more selective at A Level than at Common Entrance, yet the results don't really reflect this..

It is a renowned English public school. Bedford is not in the same league. It sounds like this is important to you. They do turn out some lovely 'English gentlemen'.

I would be questioning why the agent is pushing Bedford.

Exam results are important, but they are not the most important factor, especially if you are sending your child to another country. It is also very important that they are happy, that they have a good boarding community and lots going on at weekends and so on.

I don’t know about Bedford, but I gather there is an entrance exam. Sherborne was never very academically selective, so that could well account for much of the discrepancy in exam results.

I have just looked it up and he did. This I did not know!

It says something that I know more that Al Murray went there

Piggywaspushed - didn't Paddy Ashdown go to Bedford School?

My DS is at Bedford Prep, and we expect him to move through into the senior school (we live locally, so he doesn't board). He's happy there. He particularly enjoys the sport (hockey and cricket - he's not so keen on rugby) and music opportunities.

OP,

Bedford school results

Sherborne school results

I know which one i'd choose .

You might find this helpful:

www.bedfordschool.org.uk/upper-school/beyond-bedford/university-destinations/

If he really wants to do medicine then you also need to ask the schools what support they give in finding and supporting voluntary opportunities and work experience , as this can be as relevant as stellar academic results ins securing a place at medical school. A full boarding school may be better geared up for this. In terms of airport access Bedford connects to Gatwick directly by train although the journey takes a while. Check what coaches , taxis etc Sherbourne might arrange, probably via Heathrow. Neither are Eton or Harrow!

Sorry op ...

Sorry Redbourne comes up as auto correct on phone rather than Redborne assume because Redbourne is a place.

I didnt actually comment on which was the better school...I just stated it was up and coming in my opinion - I have friends with daughters in both schools and my fall back would be SW....

Can't persuade you to spell Redborne correctly at all then?

Sam Whit has very good PR and has succeeded in changing its reputation. But it is an absolutely MAMMOTH school, so I am puzzled*. I have lots of experience of both and Redborne is by far the better school. But- hey-I don't think OP wants to send her son to either

*Sam Whit's sixth form is smaller because they offer fewer subjects and quite a few leave at 16 to go elsewhere, amongst few other factors.

There are a high number of girls going the medicine root next year into 6th form at the girls school.....not sure whether the same applies to the boys school....

Piggy I was very impressed with Sam Whit 6th form - very strong 6th form leadership - I think it could be the up and coming school in the area....If my dd was not continuing at BGS it would be my fall back....the high numbers of children in 6th form put me off Redbourne

Yes, I was comparing directly with BMS and BGS! I am sure they have both, over the years, had better A level results than BS. BMS doesn't do IB. I suppose my point was that BS is hardly stellar.

I'm surprised by what you say about Sam Whit!

ps it's RedbOrne

Bedford school is fab! it is not Eton or Harrow and so it will be unfair to compare them. It is a brilliant independent school with its own cache. It gets very very good results (much better than Sherborne!) and the boys are very well mannered. It has a very strong ethos of caring whilst also being a very sporty school, something plenty of the other big names do not seem to manage well. Mental health well being in particular is pushed very strongly.

Although predominantly day, a third of the boys board, and its not just international students, there's a good mix of local boys too. There is a vibrant boarding atmosphere. DS boards weekly but is begging to full board as he misses out on the fun at weekends.

If your boys loves rowing perhaps OP? its one of the few schools that offer rowing as a major sport. You can also opt out of Rugby after 2nd term of year 9.

Piggy - I'm surpised at your comments about Bedford School's A level results - I;ve always believed that the HT schools have out performed any other school in Bedford - certainly when you take into account the IB results they do - in fact Bedford School's IB results are very impressive at an average of 37 points with two boys getting 45 the top mark.

I cant think of any decent schools with A level results in Bedford - the only schools who have decent results are Sharnbrook/ Sam Whit and Redbourne)

They’re really not comparable schools - if you want the traditional English public school experience, then Sherborne is the one to go for.

If you want an urban day school with provision for boarders (many of whom I’d guess will be from overseas) then go for Bedford.

I live in Bedford : I was aware they have had a good run of A level results in the last few years but the top A level results have not always belonged to Bedford School in the town, let alone nationally!

If you really are after some pseudo Eton that turns out pioneers, it's not Bedford School...

My understanding id Turing was miserable at school. But that's a whole other story.