Independent co-eds roughly between Bristol and london?

[KingofDinobots]

We are thinking of relocating to between Bristol and London - flexible on which we’re closer to!

We have two boys (3 and 5) and would be looking at independent co-eds. Not looking for boarding, although I suppose flexi-boarding when they’re older might be helpful.

Any recommendations?

Newbury! 45min either way, pretty much bang on in the middle. Has loads of independent schools: for your boys age: Cheam, Brockhurst, Thorngrove, St Andrew's and St Gabriels are co-ed, then there are boys only: Horris Hill and Elstree. School bus also available to Abingdon prep and the Manor in Abingdon (now co-ed).

Rendcomb, Wycliffe College, Cheltenham College, Dean Close all in Gloucestershire. Bradfield College, Pangbourne and Wellington College in Berks for senior schools. Plenty of first class preps that feed the above schools and some have their own junior schools.

Thank you both :)

Monkton Combe in Bath area?

Clifton College?

Clifton college is the only one of these we’ve already looked at - looks great but I think we’d prefer something more rural really.

I don’t mean rural exactly - but to me Clifton itself is quite busy, we’d like to live somewhere more smaller/more peaceful and I don’t fancy driving the boys in through traffic every day!

Yes traffic a big issue in Clifton certainly. Monkton Combe would certainly fit the more rural criterion. As would Fairfield School in Backwell.

With a search area so big I’m sure you will find lots of lovely options.

Don't live in Newbury for Abingdon Prep -the commute up the a34 is horrendous. If you want gorgeous and rural but still striking distance to oxford I'd try St. Hugh's.

Towards the West there's Beaudesert Park and Pinewood , then heading eastward they start coming thick and fast after Newbury: Cheam, St. Andrew's, Elstree (co-ed from this Sept), Lambrook etc. They seem to get 'shinier' the closer you are to Windsor. , Any thoughts on preferred senior school ? (I know that's an absurd question when the DC are 3 & 5 but it could help narrow the prep choices).

Monkton Combe would fit your rural criteria. But is close enough to easily get into the centre of Bath.
The Paragon is a pre-prep in Bath that normally feeds into Prior Park.
Kingswood is the other side of Bath if you lived at the top of the hill,you wouldn't need to fight traffic.

Friends have sent their children to all three, and all have excellent things to say about them.

Downside in Somerset? Really rural! Also Wells?

Does anyone know if Monkton Combe is very religious. My husband is an atheist and I am open however don't want a school which is heavily Christian... Thank you!!

@TessaA, yes Monkton is very religious. I would think your husband might struggle. As a parent it isn’t rammed down your throat, but the head of both the prep and senior are both practising Christians, and emails are usually finished off with some religious Verse or text. In school there is a very active CU and all assemblies are christian based.

If you didn’t mind looking a bit south.

King’s Bruton
www.kingsbruton.com/
Senior school. About 350 total. Range of GCSEs and BTechs. Flexi boarding provision.
Local prep - Hazelgrove
www.hazlegrove.co.uk/
Or All Hallows’
www.allhallowsschool.co.uk/

Or Millfield. Prep and senior school. Much larger. Again a mix of quals on offer for the seniors.
www.millfieldschool.com

Both schools have excellent SEND provision, including subject specific teachers within learning support. Not all schools have this. They have Creasted status - gold standard within mainstream Ed.

To me it shows a level of commitment to teaching even if your child doesn’t need specific SEND help.