Radley / Abingdon

[sloppyjoe]

I think we have made a decision.
However, would people mind sharing with me what their pre-conceptions of 'A Radley Boy" and "An Abingdon Boy" are please? i.e. what type of boy springs to mind when you think about each school?

Friend with DS at Radley would say: vivacious boy, wants to get involved, will take direction, works hard, plays hard, has a go. Doesn't necessarily have to be a sports jock but will be expected to participate, play in fixtures etc

Radley is full boarding whereas Abingdon is mainly day. I would have thought that would be the overriding influence on the decision!

Which did you go for?!

I think we're going to go for Radley, but tbh we're happy with both schools!

Talking about reputation (not necessarily fact for all), Radley more of a straight, lively,sporty boy who may enjoy as an addition the arts, well mannered, not much quirkiness, usually likes being part of a team and would have thrived in a typical sporty prep school, their outlook on life perhaps reflects a little too much the rather narrow strata of British society that send their sons there by putting their names down so early so not much of an international feel.

Abingdon probably less of a type but quite robust..

Of course a lot of generalisation and hearsay

Father & son shooting at Radley & they've built a new real tennis court.

The perception is that Radley is a socially smarter school. Whether that's a pro or a con is down to you.

My DN is at Abingdon & loves it. Sporty, funny,bright, quiet but popular. He's doing well it suits him.

Which one does your son prefer, rather than what YOU like or other people think is best?

He will thrive best in whichever school floats his boat & as they are both good schools it might just be down to which one has better facilities for his particular sport or hobby.

MissMarples, I may be wrong but I don't think sloppyjoe is asking which is the best school but how the boys from each are perceived. Abingdon is a great school but I still think Radley has the edge with their teaching and extracurricular provision, music as well as many of the more traditional sports

Radley - posh - mostly from prep schools

Abingdon - down to earth - a large mix of state and prep

Can't say what sort of boy they produce as not sure you can be so generally sweeping as that.

The two Boys I know at Abingdon often mention Radley.the Radley boys however dont talk about Abingdon.its a very one sided relationship