Cheltenham independent schools - DAY pupils

[heymamabear]

Hello, does anyone have an experience of Dean Close School or Cheltenham College as a DAY pupil (not a boarder)? Looking at both the prep and senior school.

I’m curious about the schedule for day pupils. What time do day pupils go home? Do day pupils need to attend school on a Saturday morning?

Is there a big divide between day pupils and boarders? Does it lead to exclusion etc?

More info about the Cheltenham independent schools (and others in Gloucestershire) here:
www.soglos.com/children-family/36448/Gloucestershire-independent-schools-guide
There is also St Edwards which has day pupils only.

PS I don't understand what you mean by "exclusion".
In the UK this term can mean being asked to leave a school for bad behaviour etc
In terms of schooling day pupils at boarding schools would probably need to attend school for longer hours than at non boarding schools. There may also be classes and activities on Saturdays that day pupils would be expected to attend.

We moved ds from Dean Close to St Edward’s as we felt being a day pupil in a boarding school put him at a slight disadvantage. We have been happy with our decision. No Saturday school has been a bonus!

Hi @catndogslife Thanks for your comments! By exclusion I simply meant getting left out, eg not being including in a friendship group or left out of an activity because you’re a day pupil not a boarder

Hi @MissyB1 Thanks for the insights into Dean Close. Is it a full school day on a Saturday? And is that for academic subjects or mainly sports? Is it long days during the week for day pupils as well - do you remember the approx start/end times?

Saturday school at Dean Close depends on your age/ year group. It starts in year 6 now I believe, it changed last year (just as we had moved ds out), I think it’s mainly sports based in year 6 and a mix of academic and sports year 7 onwards.

School day starts 8:15 and finishes at either 4:35 or 5:15 depending on year group.

Cheltenham College the day pupils have their own houses. Prior to covid there was loads of mixing; many of my (boarding) daughter's closer friends were day pupils. The restrictions of the last 18 months reduced direct contacts for her at least.

Saturday morning lessons definitely, Saturday afternoon some sports had regular fixtures others much less. Weekday timings also I'm not sure, some evening activities but most occasional rather than regular eg talks.

I don't know a lot about the prep though I don't think boarding numbers there are particularly high.