Prep boarding school

[D4Jamen]

Hello
I am looking for a prep boarding school for my daughter that would enhance her chance in getting to a school like CLC, Cheltenham college, St Mary Calne. I have looked at The oratory prep school, Brockhurst and Marlston,. She is into athlectics. A recommendation of prep school that would get her into a top academic with good athlectic sport would be welcome.

You should consider moving this thread to the boarding school section on MN. From another thread on the section you will see there is very small demand for prep boarding school places for girls. Can you not consider a day prep school? It's not that difficult to get a place at an all girls secondary boarding school (apart from Wycombe Abbey) because demand is small and the schools can't fill all their places with international pupils, they have to have a good balance. If you want mixed secondary it's more competitive.

Yes agree, prep boarding is very unusual now so you might find your dd is boarding when most of her classmates are day pupils. Is there a strong reason for boarding? It’s not essential for admission to boarding at senior level tbh. Because the majority, even those who board at senior level, don’t prep board IYSWIM.

Dragon School, Oxford is probably one of the best boarding options for pushing performance.

The majority of 3-13 traditional prep schools offer boarding, especially the rural ones. But the percentage of boarders tends to be low. We have 10 full boarders, 10 weekly boarders and around 50 flexi (1-2 nighter) boarders. But the school has 300 pupils. Most parents only use full or weekly boarding if it's necessary. Flexi is more like a sleepover.

If you're looking for somewhere with a really large, thriving boarding house you will have to research numbers carefully. Just because the provision is there doesn't mean the numbers are, especially at weekends. Many schools only offer weekly boarding at the most too.

I would prioritise finding a boarding house you like before worrying about the academics. Any well regarded prep school will be able to get an academic child into the academic senior school of their choice. That's what they're for.

The obvious girls' boarding prep is Godstowe - and I think Hanford - but there are other thriving prep boarding schools that are co-ed. Have a look at Windlesham House and Port Regis if location isn't a problem. Also Highfielld and Brookham, Feltonfleet. There are fair few. Don't know about academics and I'm sure a lot are more weekly than full boarding. Check out their most recent ISI reports for actual numbers of proper (ie not flexi) boarders.

Are you after full or weekly boarding? Single sex or co-ed? And geographical preferences? Based on your senior school choices you could consider Beaudesert Park near Stroud. Hanford and Godstowe are the obvious great single sex options, lots of choice if you are open on co-ed, weekly, location etc. Some more detail would help you receive answers that aren't just trying to talk you out of boarding school.

Dragon in oxford - loads of boarders and lots of sport opportunities