Recommendations for a CO-ED FULL BOARDING school

[maverick123456]

Hello.
Looking for a suitable co-ed, full boarding school for my DS who is interested in doing A-Levels.

Looking for a few factors:

1. Full boarding. We are overseas, Looking for a school with a lot of activities going on at the weekend; no mass exodus of students.

1. Good academics.

1. Plenty of sport. DS is sporty, enjoys football.

1. Reasonable logistics for getting to airports.

Will appreciate any help/advice.

We've got friends who have/had 4 or maybe 5 DC's at Ampleforth they are nominal RC. They talk highly about the pastoral care, they have a bright child who's done very well, a dyslexic DC who's done well and an on paper not so bright DC who has exceeded all their expectations, there's a eccentric one who benefitted from their excellent pastoral care and is happy and another one I think. (I wouldn't want their school fees bill).
I personally couldn't hack the RC thing but my only other concern would be that it's in the middle of no where I suspect most teenagers like to have a bit more going on around them.

happygardening

A lot of parents like this as the dc get older, then thay know they can't be up to no good As they get older they are allowed to the local pub.
I visited a few times and found the children to be so well behaved and socialised. Not like some other private schools where the children quite often got above themselves.
Just looking at them and their parents made me realise they could out buy us 100 times over in some cases. But the respect they showed my dh as one of their teachers was wonderful. The overseas students used to bow to him and all called him sir.
It is the most beautiful places and if I had the money I wouldn't hesitate.
Unless it has changed the religious aspect was very low key, almost none noticeable.

My DH's best friend went to Ampleforth when it was the "Eton for Catholics". He said the other day that it is now much less religious in outlook and is no different to an Eton or Winchester in insisting on observance. Remember that Eton and Winchester were set up by kings who were Catholic!

It used to be said that "Ampleforth is what Eton was - a school for Catholic gentlemen".

I'm not familiar with these type of schools, but was so impressed at the lack of snobbery. Everybody was treated with the same respect from the cleaners right down to the HT.
I think it is important for gentlemen and of course the ladies next door? to be brought up able to speak to kings and tramps.
OP, please have a look at this school, even if you dismiss it straight away.

Very handy for the M25 www.stedmundscollege.org