Papplewick, Sunningdale, Dragon or Cothill?

[tallmermaid]

Dear all, considering sending DS to one of these schools. Would appreciate opinions on which one's best. In particular, would appreciate in-depth opinion on Papplewick (not seen much on this school on the discussion boards). Would prefer boarding school that does not empy out at weekends. Objective is to try aim for place in E, W or H. Thanks.

I know someone who visited Papplewick recently and was very impressed. Apparently they have quite a few South African teachers and the boys are encouraged to do lots of sport, be outside doing lots of fun stuff. No idea how busy it is at weekends though.

Thanks MollieO. Do you know what the relative merits of Papplewick are, relative to Cothill and vice versa?

Sorry, no idea about Cothill. I've not heard of it so I assume it isn't near Papplewick.

You've chosen big name schools (no problem with that). A less well-known alternative would be Woodcote House if you're really serious about boarding. They're quite capable of preparing boys for any senior schools (CE or scholarship) and have a fantastic full boarding/pastoral ethos. Hard to find nowadays.
My DS did not go to Woodcote but was at a school on the same sports circuit (as were Papplewick and Sunningdale). I loved it every time we went there.

Dragon is 65 per cent. day and enormous compared with Papplewick, Sunningdale etc.. All v good schools

Papplewick is only compulsory boarding from Year 7 and a lot of the boarders are weekly.

Woodcote is in Windlesham (4 miles from Papplewick).