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Original poster

Coed Day school recommendations - anywhere in the UK

94 replies

choppings · 21/04/2015 04:48

We're potentially moving to the UK and thus have the opportunity to move anywhere. I'm keen on an independent day school, (is it possible to be day and not day+boarding), with a good name / ethos / academic record etc

I'm doing my research but just wondered if anyone has any 'on the ground' recommendations?

Thank you for your help!

OP posts:

LIZS · 21/04/2015 08:23

Think you need to be more specific as schools can be so variable. What age is the child/ren and what entry point are you looking for, whether you need one for junior/senior or perhaps consider a transfer at 11/13/16, strengths and weaknesses , where you are moving from and what you hope to find, any geographic preferences (family/friends, work, city/rural, inland/coast, North/South etc)

Original poster

choppings · 21/04/2015 11:25

I realise I'm being vague, but intentionally, to a point. I wondered if there were any schools that stood out as being fantastic regardless of location.

To give an example I've looked at Cheltenham College, Magdalen College School, Kings Canterbury and Wellington but the over-riding theme is boarding. Is there no predominantly great co-ed dayschool, whether that be inner London or Somerset / Wales / Suffolk ?

Do you feel being a day student at a boarding school means that you're at a disadvantage?

Many thanks,

OP posts:

lemonhope · 21/04/2015 11:29

I think most decent coed day schools are in London - I may be wrong.

My children go to a school which has both boarding and day. The boarding has grown hugely in popularity - when they started it was 70 day 30 boarding now it is 40 day and 60 boarding. I imagine this is a pattern.

Original poster

choppings · 21/04/2015 11:30

Furthermore, to give an example: Benenden / Queens Gate look possible for girls, and Eton / Winchester look possible for boys - but I love the idea of them being at the same place and always being able to discuss their joint experiences in the future. 2 ds and 2 dd...

Thank you!

OP posts:

lemonhope · 21/04/2015 11:32

Nice idea but I have four children and it was impossible to find one school that fitted them all. Best to send them to the school that suits them rather than enforcing an idea of shared history on them.

ZeroFunDame · 21/04/2015 11:43

My, that's going to be a search!

Are your DC all extremely, competitively bright? The sort of school you're envisioning is likely to be fairly selective - by brains rather than ability to pay. (If you take a look at some of the day school entrance exam threads from earlier this year it appears to be sheer madness ...) So there's no way to guarantee that all four would get into the same school. It's possible but you should store up some alternatives.

There's also the fact that several of the "best" schools will indeed be single sex.

Yes, in the main being a day pupil at a predominantly boarding school will mean you miss out. And vice versa.

lemonhope · 21/04/2015 11:44

yes really top coed day schools here are all super selective

ZeroFunDame · 21/04/2015 11:54

Magdalen College School is a boys' day school btw.

Actually, Oxford would be an excellent place to upon which to focus your search. Wonderful range of independent schools, both town and country based and within very easy reach of London.

Are you really only looking for senior schools?

summerends · 21/04/2015 12:04

Abingdon school with St Helens and Katherine's might be a compromise (single sex but nearby and mixing).
Cambridge is another possibility

Doublethecuddles · 21/04/2015 12:08

Do you want your DC educated in a Scottish or English educational system?

ZeroFunDame · 21/04/2015 12:10

I was just about to suggest Edinburgh!

prepperpig · 21/04/2015 12:10

have a look at the Sunday Times winners of the independent prep school awards for the past few years. That might get you off to a decent start. A couple of them were single sex but are moving from single sex to co-ed at the moment.

How academic are they?

Aberchips · 21/04/2015 12:12

Do you mean decent or prestigious? Seems to me like the two aren't being separated on this thread. What is your definition of good? Academic record - ie being a feeder for Oxbridge? Sports/ Extra curricular?

There are plenty of independent day schools in the north of England as well as London/ SE.

flessan · 21/04/2015 12:13

Perse in Cambridge is excellent academically selective school which is definitely day only and 11-18 (with prep and pre prep before that). Used to be boys only, and a direct grant grammar school, and still has something of that vibe, but has been co-ed now for a few years (suits more sciencey/sporty girls imho) and is very popular with academics/doctors and has excellent bursary system so middle class rather than super posh.

And Cambridge is lovely place to live and easy to get to London

Original poster

choppings · 21/04/2015 12:14

Thank you ladies.

They're all relatively academic, but I'm realistic!

We hadn't considered Scotland. Should we?

Oxford / Cambridge seems preferable. The beginning of a long journey...

They're 12, 11, 10 and 9. Yes, it was madness and yes it's easier now!

OP posts:

ZeroFunDame · 21/04/2015 12:18

Hmm.. If I had unlimited funds and unrestricted choice of location and insisted on day schools I would want to move to a city with a major university presence so we could all take advantage of the museums and galleries and concert halls and scientific institutions that go with them. (It matters slightly less if boarding but even so you don't want to be somewhere dull.)

Original poster

choppings · 21/04/2015 12:32

Hmmm ZeroFunDame... Oxford / Cambridge looking more interesting!

OP posts:

EdithWeston · 21/04/2015 12:32

What sort of school do you want?

There are lots of great schools, but it feels like groping a bit as we guess what your DC are like, and how much the day/weekly boarder/full boarder proportions actually matter.

Oakham might be a possibility (though perhaps too many boarders?) as a good all round school in the middle of the country.

Hoppinggreen · 21/04/2015 12:37

If you fancy living in Yorkshire look at Rishworth near Halfax. Halfway between Leeds and Manchester so decent job prospects not too far away. Located rurally near some lovely villages for you to live in and excellent facilities, space and pastoral care. Cheap too compared to those further south.
It's about 50/50 day and boarder but the Day pupils aren't ts advantaged and get to mix with children who live all ver the world ( good holiday opportunities)!!!

ZeroFunDame · 21/04/2015 12:43

Thing is - you say location doesn't matter - but in fact you'll probably have to decide on London or not London first.

After that - Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Bath/Bristol (know nothing about schools but lovely area), Manchester or Liverpool if you like your culture with a little more grit, Durham maybe? Or Brighton?

It's a lovely thing to think about - in theory.

ZeroFunDame · 21/04/2015 12:45

I suspect job prospects are not on the agenda. I'm imagining the OP as an Internet zillionaire who will convert a barn for a home office.

AuntieStella · 21/04/2015 12:49

"Do you want your DC educated in a Scottish or English educational system?"

Surely, in the independent sector, it's neither?

alteredimage · 21/04/2015 13:16

Sevenoaks.

alteredimage · 21/04/2015 13:17

Brighton College

Doublethecuddles · 21/04/2015 13:19

AuntieStella there is a difference Scottish schools do highers rather then Alevels.

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