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Original poster

Top 10 co-ed, boys, girls boarding schools in UK

64 replies

MrPickles73 · 21/05/2021 10:43

If money and location were no issue which co-ed, boys and girls private schools do people consider in the top 10 (academically) outside of London?

I am looking for schools for DC (1 boy, 1 girl) for Year 9. We are outside the SE but would consider any location as we could relocate for the right school as we would prefer them to be day pupils.

So for girls I'm guessing top 10 would be WA and CLC and then where?
For boys Winchester, Radley? where else?
And for co-ed I find it really hard to work out...

OP posts:
Soma · 21/05/2021 16:49

This used to be considered one of the most accurate league table for independent schools - www.best-schools.co.uk/

Original poster
MrPickles73 · 21/05/2021 16:48

Zodlebud cost of accommodation in London = prohibitive and also just don't want to.. but happy to move elsewhere.
Boarding schools typically have 'more going on' but don't actually want the children to board. Looking to move circa 15 minutes from the school..
I'm curious which schools people rate for academics.
I totally appreciate families choice will be determined by their child's interests; drama, sports etc.

From the research I've done Rugby does sound good..

OP posts:
OhCrumbsWhereNow · 21/05/2021 16:39

We looked at lots on the lists for DD (wanted full boarding, music/drama was higher up my list than being the absolute top for academics)

Rugby
St Edward's Oxford
King's Canterbury
Uppingham
Oundle
Bedes
Malborough

Particularly liked Rugby and Teddies.

As long as there was a decent cohort getting the stellar academics, I wasn't too worried if they weren't all getting 11 A and 4 A/Oxbridge... especially if the selection criteria were 55% at CE rather than the sort of thing WA or CLC wanted.

Zodlebud · 21/05/2021 16:39

I don’t understand why you are looking for boarding schools if you want them to be day students?

Best all girls school for results is St Paul’s. For boys, Westminster. Why not move to London? Sorry, I’m just not following the logic of wanting a boarding school but then being a day pupil.

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 21/05/2021 16:34

Are you wanting full, flexi or weekly boarding?

Original poster
MrPickles73 · 21/05/2021 13:40

LIZS we're year 6. Most of the schools we are considering have their own exam and don't pretest but I'm aware some pre-test in year 6/7.

OP posts:
LIZS · 21/05/2021 13:34

I'm not clear how old your dc are now but many 13+ entry schools pretest in year 6/7.

Original poster
MrPickles73 · 21/05/2021 13:14

RosieBenenden thank you for their post. Can I ask, DD is quite academic but not a genius, is the level of academic pressure ok? And how is the all girls atmosphere. Any issues with bullying, eating disorders and how are these handled?
I went to an all girls day school and really enjoyed it but not sure in the current world of social media whether its the best option for DD1.

OP posts:
LIZS · 21/05/2021 13:05

Not sure of your criteria. If you have Whitgift why not Trinity. Some of the gdst schools may feature for girls and likes of Guildford High if you include St Cats Bramley. Royal Grammar Guildford for boys? There are academic tables but these are not comprehensive as not all schools feature and it does not reflect IB schools.

RosieBenenden · 21/05/2021 12:23

All my DDs are at CLC - it is totally awesome and makes you appreciate how little state education offers in comparison.

Original poster
MrPickles73 · 21/05/2021 11:28

Ok so for boys (if we take the outside of London criteria loosely) top 10 would include:
Winchester
Eton
Tonbridge
Charterhouse
Harrow
Radley
Whitgift

Co-ed top 10 outside London:
Brighton College
Kings Canterbury
Marlborough
Perse
SEvenOaks?
Wellington?
Oundle?
Bromsgrove?

And for Girls Top 10 outside London:
WA
CLC
Downe House?
St Mary's Ascot?
St Catherine's Guildford?
St Marys Calne
St Swithuns
Benenden
Badminton

OP posts:
LIZS · 21/05/2021 10:56

Also some independent "Grammars" , think there are a few in Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle.

LIZS · 21/05/2021 10:54

Perse might be another coed.

LIZS · 21/05/2021 10:48

Tonbridge
Charterhouse
Harrow

Brighton College
Kings Canterbury
Marlborough

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