co-ed boarding prep schools

[abowley]

Dear all,
We're looking for a good co-ed prep boarding school for our DS. He's a bright and sporty boy and loves playing outdoors. We're thinking in Eton for secondary. Otherwise, I have to say that he doesn't fulfil his potential in a very competitive environment so we'd appreciate so much any advice for a boarding prep that may suit him.

Thank you very much.

Have you looked at Highfield & Brookham or Feltonfleet? Both are co-ed and have boarders. I know that Highfield has some army families who are based overseas and it says that it's sent children to Eton.

Take a look at Maidwell Hall. Wonderful, predominantly full boarding school. Beautiful grounds and warm, nurturing environment! Children go to Eton and other top public schools. Plenty of children with families abroad due to work, forces etc.

@GU24Mum Thanks for the recommendation. Yes, we were looking at Highfield and is one of our current options. About Feltonfleet the problem is that I think that it offers Flexi-boarding and we need full boarding.
Do you have any experience with Highfeld? We'd appreciate so much any experience.

@SunshineMum71 Thanks for the message. Actually Maidwell Hall is one of our top options. Do you have experience with it? If so, it'll be amazing to hear about it.

Currently our list is this one:
Port Regis
Belhaven Hill
Highfield & B School
Maidwell Hall
Brambletye
Cottesmore School
Windlesham House School
Sandroyd School
Abberley Hall
The Elms

www.millfieldschool.com/prep-7-13

Millfield Prep?

@Theyweretheworstoftimes Thank you for sharing another option. Millfield prep is an amazing school and a fantastic option for a sporty child. We didn't think about it like an option because usually the children go to their secondary and we don't really know how high is the academical preparation for other public schools. Please we'd appreciated so much to tell us if we're wrong in thinking that.

I don't know about preparation for Eton. You would need to contact the school and ask them.

They have a a very good secondary school whose ethos is getting the best out of every individual.

Hi
Another one recommending Maidwell Hall . Co-Ed , full boarding ( although more flexibility in youngest years)

Our DC went there and enjoyed it . Be aware their leave outs are frequent ( which is good!) and are long weekends ( or were when our DC were there ) so Friday afternoon to Monday evening .
Our DC had a great time there - we liked the fact that the childhood is important , lots of outside play - den building, tree climbing etc limited screen time but lots of social time . Fabulous preparation for senior boarding schools too . Worth a look

The Oratory, near Reading? Handy for Heathrow.
Don't know much about it other than what's on their website.
Seems to send to good schools other than their own senior school, and it does full co-ed boarding.

Yes, we have had experience of Maidwell. It's a wonderful school. It's a warm, nurturing school that embraces all types of children and teaches them to all live together as one happy community. It's relatively small school but excels at its sport and achieves for whole spectrum of academic ability. It's based on traditional values yet very forward thinking with elements of tech.
Very low staff turn over, food everyone raves about etc etc.
Mine were very very happy there.

The Elms. Unbelievably happy children, stunning setting, cater well for children travelling from abroad..

I am biased having good experiences with my two but recommend King’s in Canterbury - like a coed Eton, wing collars, traditions, Latin and all. The campuses are amazingly historic and the kids are very well looked after, results seem amazing given they’re not as selective as eton etc.

At George's in Windsor? Just over the bridge from Eton! Beautiful town. Lovely setting.

Sandroyd has a fantastic reputation locally. Great all rounder.

I did hear that all year groups are full with waiting lists, but that may have changed with COVID.

I have colleagues and friends with kids at The Dragon in Oxford, some boarding and some day. All seem very happy with it and they send kids to all the major public boarding schools every year.

Agree with posters above that if you want to maximise chances of Eton then target specific preps which people choose primary for entry to specific senior schools - they are mostly boys only. E.g. sunningdale, summerfields, ludgrove, cot hill etc. Someone posted a list further up the thread.

If you're prepared to pay for education surely you can find great private schools in ANY country. I don't see any extra value in the British education when it means sending very young kids abroad to live on their own full time