most academic prep school in Oxfordshire??

[whatatod0]

No actual need to know this, but I was discussing this with a colleague and we couldn't decide which school has the most academic reputation.
I thought maybe Ab Prep? He thought possibly Moulsford or St Hugh's.
I know there's a few Oxford people on here, so if you can be bothered, I'd be interested to know what you reckon.

In an area with top preforming grammar schools I would be very reluctant to give up the opportunity of a place on a gamble of a place at Winchester/Eton by going to a boarding prep. The only boys I knpw who have gone to these schools ( one to each) took up a place at grammar school and left after year 8. It seems like a more sensible option to me. I don't think their parents would have left grammar school for a lesser public school.

Oxfordshire doesn't have Grammar schools. Whether those in nearby Bucks are 'top performing' is probably debatable. Oxfordshire does have some very good comprehensives, but the people who automatically think in terms of Prep - Eton, possibly don't consider state schools anyway.

Thisthstandtheother - I live in Bucks and a grammar school area. Parents who are trying to get their child through 11 plus and into RGS or Dr Challenors are a totally different group to those looking at common entrance (I have friends in both groups)

We live in Essex which is a Grammar school area.I know of a few boys who went to Grammar school until year 8 and them on to Eton and Tonbridge. This was always the plan for these families , it's probably not the usual route but it does happen. I believe they had to sit a pretest and a different test (not common entrance). Their plan B would have been to stay at Grammar school not take up a place at a less academic Public school.

Our children would have been grammar school candidates had we lived in a grammar school area. Eldest ended up boarding in a prep where some did go to local grammar. We did look at the Birmingham grammars (could have justified moving there) but comparison with what she was going to get elsewhere meant we didn't get to the next step of enquiring about year 9 spaces.

Current NCS scholarship group getting some very pleasing results. I gather there is much less movement lower down the school than there has been in my son's year (he started the last year that the pre-prep wasn't completely full). 2 of them will be boarding at senior school, two others from the year group switched to boarding preps at year 4 and year 6.

From last year I think 3 went to boarding senior schools.

I agree that most who think Prep (esp boarding prep) and then top public school (boarding) don't usually have state grammar on their radar.

These parents take the academics as a given but are looking for much more too - boarding for a start. And its not just about top academics. Not all of these kids are suitable for top schools and although that might be disappointing for some, the pure academics aren't the be all and end all that they often are to parents desperate for super selective state grammars - for whom the state grammar might be highly aspirational and a big step up towards the professions - I'm thinking of many of those seeking the north London superselective grammars. For many of the boarding prep families, a good traditional public school will fit the bill even if its not Eton and the schools take a range of ability so there will be somewhere for each little Jonny. Prep schools do manage expectations and actually boarding prep families are often less obsessed with the % of A star grades than people might think. They take it as a given that those good public schools will squeeze some good results from their kids and all will be well - the level of angst is different...........they know their kids won't be going to the local crap Comp (not saying all Comps are crap) if Eton doesn't work out, which allows a more relaxed approach.

People deliberating between state grammar and independent are much more likely to be considering day schools because of the lower fees. And actually if you exclude the very top superswlectivw grammars (which most kids dontnlive near or wouldnt get into anyway) there are loads and loads of independents with better results than many of the state grammars. There are those parents who pick the independent because they have an offer from both and can afford it easily, and there are those who struggle with fees but pay because their kid didn't make the state grammar - lots of independent day schools have a decent proportion of 11+ rejects in grammar areas - but far less so those schools which are mostly boarding.

There is nothing relaxed about prep schools when it comes to offers for the top schools such as Eton / Winchester / Westminister. Boarding prep school parents and I would imagine day preps are no different are a fiercely competitive lot. The school their son attends is a big part of who they are. Remember all the fuss when Eton changed their rules and it became more like Winchester and Westminster , which have always been extremely academic and so out reach for most. No more father puts your name down at birth and job done ! Some boys end up holding places at a number of top schools while others are on a waiting list or have been rejected altogether.

These big name schools are a global brand ,yes expectations are managed down but there is nothing relaxed about it.

I agree that for Prep schools, their leavers destination list is their bread and butter and a big deal. Apart from a small number of Preps which send large numbers to the top schools, most Preps send to a range.

And I agree that for some families, being at Winchester or Eton is very important. But most would also be happy with a Marlborough experience or Tonbridge or other well known public school - which take a bigger ability range. These alternatives are not the equivalent of the poor local Comp which is the alternative for many state grammar applicants - so easier to be just a but more laid back. Lots of public schools have great track records forgetting g people to good unis, even when they aren't the top academic students. I just think parents see more than the A Level results and want the whole experience of sport, music, boarding for their kjds. And I think that Prep parents are open to the influence of the Prep Head gently guiding and managing expectations - because the alternatives offered are often very good too. Not all Prep children can go to Eton, but very many can go to a very good school and do well.

The whole interview/pretest/CAT score process of applying to the super selective boys boarding schools such as Winchester and Eton is very stressful. Tonbridge is not far behind, the 'stars' at our school often end up with their pick. For the vast majority though expectations have to be lowered to a school which could hardly be described as selective. If you read @Happygardening very knowledgeable posts on here, it's true that the vast majority of senior independent schools struggle to fill their places. Why use an expensive boarding prep unless you know that your boy will be one of the 'stars' , I'm sure girls super selective schools are much the same.

I guess you cannot know your DC will be a 'star' when he starts the Prep at 7. You can hope he will be, but not know for sure. Plus, a number of parents want boarding Prep followed by secondary boarding because that is just what their families always do - the very best would be nice, but if not achievable, one of the other public schools which is far less selective is still what many people want - they simply don't want a day school at Prep or senior level.
Unless your child gets into a Prep which sends the majority to the top handful of schools, you know when you send your son to either the day or boarding prep that most will go to the less selective. People choose preps, boarding or otherwise in this knowledge. They aren't just choosing for academic success but an approach to education and way of life which holds the boarding experience highly.

Completely agree ChocolateWombat.