Help! Boarding school drama!

[drinkteaandrelax]

My DD is 15, looking for a full boarding school to spend her sixth form at. She is very academic and thrives in a hard-working environment. A school that is pushy, but also has many societies, co-curriculars and fun weekend activities is a must. We are definitely looking for bursaries and scholarships.

I have been looking with my DD for a week or so, and the four we have cut our list down to is:

Christ's Hospital
Marlborough College
Rugby School
St Edwards Oxford

Which one do you think she would suit best? And what knowledge have you gathered about them all?
The other full boarding schools haven't really appealed to us, but we are still open to ideas. Any information about boarding life at these schools would be much appreciated.

I got similar problems but my DC not academic , just I would say in the middle and not very like games but no athletics, I stack between Oakham and Upingham , tried Bloxham it’s too small , Bedford school didn’t really liked, no time left to think but don’t want to make wrong decision

We are also struggling with secondary school choice - none are ideal - all have pros and cons..

1. Pro - highly academic. Con - mostly international boarders
2. Pro - day school accessible by train Con - not academic and not great ISI report
3. Pro - nurturing and good Oxbridge track record, good chance of decent scholarship Cons - a bit 'cheshire' and would need to weekly board
4. Pro - excellent at the sports the children enjoy, good chance of decent scholarship, Cons - a bit 'lord of the flies', far for daily commute and no weekly boarding
5. Pro - academic and sporty Cons - would need to weekly board / move house (and neighbourhood not great)

and so it goes on - 8 schools on the list.. visits start tomorrow.. and meeting with prep school HT at the end of term to discuss.