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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

oxford prep schools

21 replies

mummyox · 06/04/2012 14:57

Hi I am considering oxford prep and pre-prep schools for my dc. I was wondering if anyone had any inside info particularly on the following:
magdalen college school
new college school
dragon

especially re which is most academic/ hardest to get into. I've heard NCS is non selective but you need to go at 4, not sure if Dragon is similar?
I'm not really looking for an academic hothouse just somewhere where my bright (ish) ds will be happy.

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boredofironing · 08/04/2012 23:47

MCS = hothothot house
Dragon = posh and v expensive
NCS ????

vixsatis · 10/04/2012 09:04

MCS is an absolute hothouse-may be the right place if you have a v.v. bright and academic boy, not too bothered about sport etc.

My godson is at the Dragon. It has impressive teaching and is a a very energetic place. It is, however, absolutely enormous and I think that those in the middle can get a bit lost.

My son is at Summer Fields- mostly boarding but some day boys. Real spread of abilities: good academic results and good at ensuring that everyone's abilities are recognised (even if it is gardening club). Lots of good wholesome old-fashioned fun. One or two weak patches in the teaching but generally v. good.

grovel · 10/04/2012 09:47

What's the new head at Summer Fields like? Is Robin B-T missed?

vixsatis · 10/04/2012 12:39

Still making his mark; but initial signs are good. He's very responsive and the boys love him. He's been a little less "present" than B-T; but apparently this has been resolved now that he has a nanny to help with his girls. He's also terribly charming.

Original poster

mummyox · 11/04/2012 17:06

Thanks for your replies! Tbh I am not actually that sure how bright my ds is - he's still a toddler really but I know you have to think ahead with schools, especially for those with entry at 4.
I will look up Summerfields but am really only considering day schools so not sure if it will be so much fun for him at a school with lots of boarders.
Grateful for any other views.

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Original poster

mummyox · 11/04/2012 17:08

Btw - does anyone know about entry to MCS at 11 or 13 - do a lot of boys do this? Because perhaps then my ds could go to a less pressured school before then then transfer for secondary.

OP posts:

areyoutheregoditsmemargaret · 12/04/2012 16:14

New College School is an absolutely fantastic school, know several boys who've been very happy there and done very well, scholarships to lots of major public schools, including plenty to MCS

boredofironing · 12/04/2012 20:13

Are you definite that you want a city school? If not, then you also have Cokethorpe and Abingdon within easy distance.

EBDteacher · 12/04/2012 20:57

There is also Chandlings if you only want up to 11+.

Original poster

mummyox · 15/04/2012 12:59

Hi thanks for replies. yes we do think we want a city school due to work and ease of parking / drops offs etc. areyoutheregod.. glad you've actually heard of NCS as seems no one else had! guess maybe just that it's very small compared to MCS(?)

OP posts:

SmallSchoolPrimaryTeacher · 15/04/2012 13:21

As one who teaches in the area, I'm just wondering why you are so set on the private sector. There are some stunning primary schools, both in and out of the city. Some of the city schools, whilst not necessarily fitting the rigid Ofsted criteria for outstanding in terms of raw results, are in the top 10% for value added. The local council members seem to love rubbishing all the city schools in the same breath (as KS1 as an average are very low) without taking into account the amazing results obtained by some individual schools.
(Yes, I used to work in one. Although our KS2 results for Level 4 were not fantastic, due to the constant influx of new children, our results for higher achievers were regularly 50%+ for Level 5, with many scholarships to private secondaries achieved each year. All this for free, with amazing cultural and ethnic mix!)
Don't just look at league tables and Ofsted - go and see for yourself and make up your own mind.

boredofironing · 15/04/2012 15:42

There's also CCCS as well.

I would recommend looking deeply into Dragon - don't get swayed by the amazing facilities. Make sure it would suit your dc.
I know of one family v happy at NCS, and one who had it as a back-up plan should ds have failed to get a place at MCS (he got in!).
Of your list of schools we only looked at Dragon and got scared off! We went more rural in the end.

boredofironing · 15/04/2012 15:43

City school for ease of drop-offs / parking ?????!!!!!!!!!!!

Elibean · 15/04/2012 15:49

My brother went to the Dragon, albeit years and years ago. He is bright but not particularly academic (in his preferences - more creative), and the pastoral care was great at the time. Be nice to hear if its still like that...

He was shy, and sensitive, but still had a good time. It did help that we lived next door, though!

Original poster

mummyox · 15/04/2012 20:41

thanks all for your replies!
Smallschoolteacher.. We're going for private because of the smaller class sizes really. 16 kids in a class average rather than 30 just seems so much nicer for the children imo. We both work hard and this is what we have chosen to spend our money on rather than a bigger house/ fancy holidays etc.
boredofironing yes I'd heard some quite scary things about Dragon as well - probably not what we will go for although a mixed school would have been nice.
My dh has a city centre job with a parking place so that is why city centre is good for drop offs.

OP posts:

areyoutheregoditsmemargaret · 17/04/2012 11:03

If you have a city-centre parking space, I'd def go for NCS and then have all your options open for 11 or 13 plus. It's such a lovely school.

pussycatmum · 23/04/2012 17:54

Anyone shed any more light on Christchurch Cathedral School? Waiting for the prospectus and visiting soon.

anyway · 07/05/2012 17:31

Christ Church Cathedral School has a lovely family atmosphere. A really nurturing school where when they say they care about each child, it's actually true. If your son has any musical potential whatsoever, he will develop it. He will learn good manners. He will probably play in a school sports team even if he's not terribly sporty... and will learn to lose with grace! When they play the Dragon they have to play a Dragon House team, as CCCS is so small. It is mixed-ability, which enabled DS to gradually develop his academic confidence. The flip-side of this is that it wasn't always as academically stretching as it might have been. They get a lot of homework.

Definitely worth visiting.

northgatefirewitch · 10/08/2013 23:33

New College School in the centre of Oxford is absolutely first class. They have a newish Head who is really on the ball and a great leader. Strong links to New College itself provide the boys with the opportunity to learn in an amazing environment. The school is full and has a waiting list which is unusual these days. They get the best out of everyone and gain lots of scholarships to good senior schools. Music is very strong and sport fine. Last inspection awarded NCS 'outstanding' in all areas. School is small enough for all to be treated as individuals but big enough to be a force to be reckoned with. My experience of NCS was excellent.

YasminBD1 · 08/09/2013 22:04

I am a Dad - sorry!

Christ church Cathedral School is wonderful!

Both our sons went to CCCS. The started at age 3 and were there through to age 13. They both were choristers at Worcester College Chapel. The both went on tours with the chapel. They both played cricket for the school in the best setting in all England, on Merton Field!

It's a small family-centred school, and the boys are - in the main - a delight. The teachers are caring and decent people. There is an emphasis on manners and kindness.

I defy anyone not to have tear in their eye and a lump in the throat when, in the Cathedral on Carol service, the boys hit the descant on Hark the Herald Angels!

Take your son for a taster day as a chorister.

Simply wonderful place, history, tradition, England on a June afternoon!

YasminBD1 · 08/09/2013 22:04

I am a Dad - sorry!

Christ church Cathedral School is wonderful!

It's a small family-centred school, and the boys are - in the main - a delight. The teachers are caring and decent people. There is an emphasis on manners and kindness.

I defy anyone not to have tear in their eye and a lump in the throat when, in the Cathedral on Carol service, the boys hit the descant on Hark the Herald Angels!

Take your son for a taster day as a chorister.

Simply wonderful place, history, tradition, England on a June afternoon!

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