Rendcomb or Westonbirt

[Muddlingthroughsomehow]

Hi everyone
Would really welcome some advice!
We are trying to decide on an independent school for our 3 year old son to start in reception.
We had pretty much decided on Rendcomb as we love the size, the friendly supportive family atmosphere and the focus on outdoor activities, forest school etc. The only drawback is it is in the opposite direction from our home to where both of us work.
Westonbirt is slightly closer and in the right direction but had initially discounted it as it is only co-ed at junior level. However have just seen that it is planning on becoming fully co-ed from 2019.
Does anyone have any thoughts on / first hand experience of either of them?
We don't want a hot house environment but want him to be stretched academically if he needs it. Also don't want anywhere too snobby!
TIA!

Neither are considered to be academic. A friend of a friend sent her DC’s to Rencombe and was disappointed moved them both to the local state 6th form college and felt teaching etc was better. There’s lots of verygood state primaries in the area have you looked at those? I think I’d wait till my DC was older and you knew what his interests strengths etc before finding a school especially a through school. There are also grammers in that area including a super selective. Or youmight be better looking at a prep in yr 3 you can always go to either for senior or you might be then have others on your radar that are more suitable to your DS.

Thanks happygardening, we have looked at the local state schools and I'm sure that he would do ok at our village school. But we much preferred Rendcomb when we looked at it for many reasons so would rather this didn't turn into another state vs independent debate. The most important thing for us is that he really enjoys school and looks forward to going. I went to one of the super selective grammars you mention and didn't really enjoy at all, nor did I feel it had any interest in me as an individual so I'm not a fan of that route.

Sorry if I mislead you I’m not trying to turn it into a state versus independent debate. DS2 boarder from yr 3 to 13 so I’m not anti independent. But it’s for that reason that I would avoid a through school and even paying until I’m a sure what sort of school would suit my DC this I suggested sending him to a local state primary and waiting till yr 3 and maybe looking at a good prep who will advise you I what would suit your DC.

Ah ok, that is a good point of view. Do you mind me asking, did you notice any difference between the level your dc was working at in year 3 when he joined compared to those who'd been at indie from the start?

It was a prep only rather than a pre prep and prep so most joined in yr 2/3 although those that came from London were usually at a pre prep. He is very good at math so there was no problem there but I suspect his English might have been behind in the very beginning but with a few months he had easily caught up (he’s dyslexic). Most of our local friends who sent their DC’s to the prep had sent their DC’s to small rural village state primaries up till yr 2/3 they took the view that it didn’t matter if they were “behind” the prep was being paid to sort it out.
When your DC is starting school you can’t imagine them at a large school so it’s easy to be attracted by small schools like Rendcombe or Westonbirt but by the time they are 12/13 it’s a different story. Bigger secondary schools offer more choice of subjects, activities friends etc and usually are better resourced because they simply have more money therefore they are more likely To be able to afford to run an A level with only a few taking it. If your child is very bright in a bigger school there’s more likely to be other or similar ilk I believe very bright children need other very bright children. Or if your DC excelled at a particular team sport he’d more like to find other who also excell and form a strong team. Ditto for art drama or an extra curricular whatever his or her interest are. Westonbirt is very small Rendcombe is bigger but not large you may find in 6 yrs time that which ever one you choose now may not suit your DC as a secondary school how much help will they give you with entrance exams etc to a school you think is more suitable or advise on others to consider?
There are a variety of secondary independent schools in that area at quite a few Cheltenham to suit different taste then there’s school around Abingdon and even Oxford if I was you I’d keep my options open at this stage.

Hello,
My son is at Westonbirt prep.
Overall, we have been absolutely delighted with the school. We also looked at Rendcomb (we have friends with children there who love others) but we felt that Westonbirt seemed more dynamic and forward-thinking in its approach.
My son (who moved from a state primary which was not embracing or working with his individuality), is happy and so engaged with everything he is learning. I feel that the school really value the children as individuals and the teaching well-tailored to their needs. I’ve been impressed with the approachability and responsiveness of teaching staff. I value the small ‘family feel’ of the school.
I hope this helps!

P.S. Just re-read your message - Westonbirt also has really good emphasis on outdoor activities with great forest school sessions weekly. Also, a really good mix of parents - not snobby at all.

Hi, if you haven’t made a final decision? my child is at Rendcomb juniors, the forest school is fantastic. All junior school students visit weekly and younger students (nursery and reception) have two sessions per week. More importantly child wants to go to school everyday. I am seeing rapid progress in literacy, vocabulary and numeracy. In terms of extra curricular, child attends ballet, martial arts and tennis weekly all on site. The staff truly care, they have adapted their style to a truly individual approach, very easy with 11 in the class and a full time teaching assistant.