Good co-ed prep schools outside London?

[PeppaFeb]

We live in Bucks but willing to move so potentially Bucks Oxford Herts can all be considered.
I really like Abingdon Prep for its all rounded-ness and still strong in academic. But hesitant about it being boys only.
Any advice gratefully received!x

Manor Lodge in Shenley, Herts. Staff are all lovely, results are great at 11+ and the grounds are fab x

Dragon school Oxford.

Laxton

Chandlings in Oxford is a great all rounder and co-Ed

Lots in Surrey.

Cheam School

It's a few miles into Hampshire, though.

Chesham Prep if you want a good school for Bucks 11+ grammar success. Bit of an exam factory though. York House similar but good mix of independent and state destinations.

Beechwood Park, Radlett Prep, Manor Lodge and maybe Edge Grove for more children staying in the independent sector (good stats for entrance into the North London academic schools).

All through school have a look at Berkhamsted.

What would be wrong with Swanbourne House? Or Ashfield School? Both great schools in Bucks. Also consider Winchester House in Brackley, just over the border in Northants.

Ashfold School that should read.

Thanks so much everyone. I will check these schools out.

Zodle I thought Berkhamsted was boys only?

Bubbles, I visited Ashfold but didn’t like it. Do you have recent experience for Swanbourne? Would be keen to hear especially on academics and pastoral care.

Northants border is a bit far to the other direction for us otherwise I really liked beachborough school. Looked like a very happy school when I visited with strong emphasis on science and arts. Academic wise a little unsure though.

Berkhamsted has the diamond structure. Co-Ed to 11, single sex until 16 then back to co-Ed in sixth form. The boys and girls do a lot of activities together though - trips, plays, orchestras, CCF etc.

People go to Abingdon Prep because they want their sons to go to Abingdon seniors. If you want a prep school that prepares for other senior schools, and particularly that has the option of trying boarding if boarding senior school is a possibility, then Abingdon Prep isn’t suitable. In our neck of the woods (bucks/oxon/berks border), St Andrews (co-ed) and Moulsford (boys only) are proper 13+ preps with optional flexi boarding and scholarship streams. Rupert House now co-ed but day only to 11. Cranford House co-ed and all-through to 18 but day only. In Abingdon the Manor is co-ed to 11.

Friends have children at beachborough - very happy with it (and they have very bright children). Apologies for the second hand information.

Not up to date info on Swanbourne but its in Bucks so go and have a look.

My friends loved Winchester House so if you moved that would work well. The better Bucks schools in south Bucks are single sex and Godstowe and Caldicott stand out. Plus several single sex options around Beaconsfield and Gerard’s Cross plus the Beacon for boys at Chesham Bois. The Gateway and Chesham Prep are co Ed.

You would need to consider what the outcome is that you require. Which senior school and at what age? This should inform choice because some schools prepare for boarding and others for day schools at 11.

Most of the preps in Oxfordshire - on the Bucks side so nearer you - seem to be single sex.
Dragon & chandlings are options. Manor school nr Abingdon now takes boys, as does Rye St Antony but these are schools that run 4-11 rather than 4-13.
Dragon is obviously a 'classic' prep school & Manor very well thought of round here. I know less about the others.
There are two boys in ds' school in oxford who live well into bucks, both of whom have sisters at the girls' schools in Oxford. Logistics must be possible, but I can totally see the attraction for many reasons of co-ed!

Rye is co-ed now?? When did that happen?

Thanks all for the suggestions!
Made a round of phone calls this morning and no place for Chesham Prep, the Beacon, York House and Beechwood Park! The dragon “can’t assist you because you have called too late for September start”.
For secondary destinations, the problem is I haven’t made my mind up yet which makes it even more difficult. More towards non boarding or flexi boarding secondary at the moment and want to see how DS will develop...

Well if you want September it’s very late! Boarding preps are flexible right up to y8. You obviously don’t want Winchester House but it would tick your boxes if you want co Ed. It means DC can try boarding before you/they decide what is best.

Thanks Bubbles. Commute wise Swanbourne is much closer for us so for that purpose Swanbourne seems an easier (although more expensive) choice. It’s very much geared to boarding public schools though.

Brockhurst and zmarlston over the boarder in Berkshire has two single sex schools on the same site and is likely to have places at short notice. Pupils regularly wins academic or other scholarships (2/3 of all leavers this year) to Abingdon School, Radley, Winchester, Harrow, St Ed's, Bradfield, Pangbourne, and for girls mainly to Downe House, but lots of other destinations possible if you prefer. Very strong music, good sports and lots of space. Flexi boarding an option, as well as weekly or full boarding. Or, similarly south of Abongdon, Cheam.

Thanks Nelly I have never heard about this school but it’s indeed an interesting approach. I will take a look at it.

We are really pleased with Swanbourne -2 in Pre prep. Not all the kids end up boarding although plenty do. Amazing grounds and lovely family feel. Grounded parents on the whole. Proximity to MK means it’s an increasingly diverse mix . We love it

That’s great to hear about Swanbourne hdorfman thanks. Do you know what the destinations are like for this year? School website and the registrar when I asked her were very vague. I would like to see the % of leavers to boarding, day seniors and if any grammars.

I’m not sure exactly but defo some leave for grammars. I recollect they posted them internally and they were the usual mix- Bloxham, rugby, Stowe, Bedford schools, oundle, berkhamsted. A real mix as the parents are quite mixed and want different things.