Coed Day school recommendations - anywhere in the UK

[choppings]

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!

Marlborough College. Kate Middleton went there. Stowe. Richard Branson went there. Both schools are prestigious and I don't think they're too hard to get in to.

MN is teaching me diplomacy.

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

Why? I presume that independent schools still sit exams?

Some Scottish schools follow the English exam system and some the Scottish so it would matter - university entrance will be different but again, Oxford and Cambridge may not be on the cards and you may instead be looking at Edinburgh or St Andrews etc.

So yes, I would think it makes a difference.

Have a look at Caterham. They are in the top 10 of co-ed in UK. Lovely ethos. Great facilities etc. We really liked it when we looked round and have heard nothing but positive from parents. "Reasonable" fees compared to others

Marlborough which is basically a full boarding school with a few day pupils is I have it on very good authority over subscribed and therefore can afford to be increasingly selective. I accept we're not talking SPS or Eton in terms of difficulty getting in but a place is definitely no longer guaranteed. No one in their right mind would drive from Bath to Marlborough College twice a day.
I wouldn't send my dog to Stowe.
I agree KES does feel like a grammar school which you pay for that put me off it immediately. There are good state schools in Bath why pay for that?

King Edward's Bath parent here. Geek boy Ds loves it, and I'm very pleased with the school.

Also have a dd at the royal high, which she loves.

"I agree KES does feel like a grammar school".

It looks like a state school because they moved to a new campus in the 1970s, but in fact it is a very old established school and I would argue that the quality of teaching is higher than the local state schools.

It's a actually older than Kingswood and the Royal High but doesn't look it. Other schools in Bath have more elaborate buildings and posher accents (boarders tend to be posher ime!) than KES, if that's what you mean about it seeming like a state school.

I think the atmosphere/ethos is like a grammar school and it attracts parents who would send their DC's to a grammar school if there was one available (no criticism intended). A few we used to know at Kingswood seem to be rather smug and seem to have what a I can only describe as delusions of grandeur when it comes to the school if Im being honest but I'm told it's a very caring school.
I agree the a Royal High is a very happy school although not very well resourced compared to the big names like Marlborough but this is reflected in the fees.

A school that fits the bill of being co-ed and solely a day school is St George's College, Weybridge. Can't believe nobody has mentioned it.

Not very convenient for Bath where the OP has said she's going to start looking would makes a twice daily trip to Marlborough look like a walk in the park.

No experience of co-ed day but looking at league tables (which I know are not always the best way to look at schools but can be a start)...
Reigate Grammar - good reputation
Kingston Grammar - good reputation
Perse Upper, cambridge
Alleyn's, Dulwich
Latymer Upper, Hammersmith
Highgate, London
Exeter School
City of London Freemen's, Ashstead
St George's, Weybridge

Would you go for schools where most are day but boarding exists (usually for international students or sixth formers)?

Hurstpierpoint in Sussex
Brighton College
Caterham, Reigate

Or would you go for single sex if it was closely linked (eg did activities with) another single sex school?
e.g.

Guildford High girls and Royal Grammar boys Guildford (both very academic)
Lady Eleanor Holles girls and Hampton boys (again both very academic)
City of London boys and City of London girls
...there are many others

Look at Dwight London for an international education. They have a Dwight New York, Dwight Canada, Dwight Seoul and Dwight Shanghai too!

The Harrodian. Co ed. One DS there and one DD starting Sept.

%65 A* A at GCSE last year - don't publish their results

There are tons of co-ed day schools in London - Alleyn', St Dunstans, Highgate, Harrodian, King Alfred's, Latymer, Kingston Grammar, Ibstock Place. Some more academic than others.

Just laughing at Marlborough is not difficult to get into 900 children sat the pretester in January for September 2016 entry.

Bobisyouraunt - Harrodian don't publish their results for good reason - 65% for a co-ed school is not great.

Hello, you could try the website www.isbi.co.uk where you can search for an independent school and specify whether you want day or boarding. You can also search from loads of criteria to suit your child - around 30 different search options from size and location, to facilities, sports, music, languages offered and random things that your particular child might be looking for. I've found it really helpful. They also have free checklists that you can download to help with shortlisting and visiting schools. Hope this helps

We have friends with DC at Kingswood in Bath and they are all very different and very happy.