If you were choosing between Rugby and Oundle for 2016 entry, which would you choose and why?

[stealthsquiggle]

Just that really - deliberately not being too specific about our own criteria, but wanted as much of a cross section of opinion as possible. Having crossed Winchester off the list after visiting (great for some, I am sure - but not for us and just could not imagine DC1 being happy there), it now looks likely to come down to one of these two...

TIA

Fianccetto - oh yes, the Oundle science block is amazing - but then Rugby has great (albeit not so visually stunning) facilities too, and a very large proportion doing sciences at A level.

Gunz - I think both schools have a nominal CE pass rate, but only to filter out those who really couldn't cope - they both put more emphasis on reference from current head and interview. DS would be going through scholarship exam route for either, so I didn't pay too much attention to what those nominal levels were - sorry.

Oakham is a fantastic school. I am an OO. PM me if you want more details but I would send my kids there without hesitation. The Good Schools Report sums it up perfectly. If you want a well-rounded, well educated, polite and erudite child Oakham is for you.

Thanks Stealth! i had thought Oundle's was around the 70% mark.

we have DD and DS at Rugby - both doing extremely well. DS had place at other top public school but preferred Rugby as it does have day houses

DD and DS both at Rugby and doing very well. No brainer

Chasmedyou maybe new to MN not sure, but this thread is from 2yrs ago! Yes both schools are well acknowledged on MN as being good schools for different reasons as are many others, it's great that your DCs are so happy at Rugb? but that doesn't make Oundle or any other school any lesser of a school or any particular school a 'no brainer'!

Hi, I've got a Son at Oundle boarding. We live in the oundle Uppingham Oakham triangle. All three schools have got a very different vibe. Oakham offers day, half boarding and termly boarding. Uppingham is full boarding and Oundle is mostly full boarding, over 850 children to 250 day children. The day pupils integrate very well with the boarders but inevitably they are more self contained. Tuition is fantastic as is sport. Music too is good but not as inclusive as Uppingham so more pressure is I think put on the few who do play an instrument. All these schools place a huge emphasis on rugby so if your child likes hockey and football and tennis then Repton would be worth looking at.
Pastoral care is very good although Matrons also vary from house to house. We have a lovely new head mistress who seems to be on the ball and very caring. Oundle is hugely academic and although they do take in children who scrape through common entrance, pass mark is around 70% these children are in the minority. Locally it is perceived to be the most academic with Uppingham coming second then Oakham third. The plus for Oakham is the Ib. They are the only local boarding school to offer it and they get very good results. Most parents of Oakham children I know send them there for flexi boarding or sport although sport is slipping there. It is also a lot, lot easier to get into.
We have so far no regrets sending our son to Oundle as a boarder. He is well looked after in every sense. When you pay over £32000 a year you need to feel sure he/she will be stretched. We have no worries on that front. You mentioned rowing, Oundle has a rowing team and sits on a river. Hope this has helped 🤔