Pre-prep school around Abingdon/Wallingford

[newtooxon]

Hi. We are moving to the area later this year and are looking for a nurturing school with strong pastoral care and smallish classes for our son to start reception in 2021. Any recommendations? Also what are your thoughts on co-ed vs single sex school for a boy at 4? Thank you!

Can recommend Moulsford. More towards Wallingford although quite a wide catchment including up towards Abingdon. DS has been there since year 3. It’s really an excellent school all round. We were not particularly looking at all boys but it’s been brilliant for DS. Great focus on a very wide range of activities so boys can find what works for them, and HM will say being all boys means they continue to do things as they get to years 6-8 that in other schools become ‘girly’ like choir and drama. Very good sport, lots of music, good academics, art and DT. The pre prep looks great from a distance with a day a week in Forest School etc..

In Abingdon I think the Manor now takes boys all the way through, and friends with kids there are very happy with it. Cranford House (opposite Moulsford) is also going coed and others also very happy there, think it can be very nurturing for the right child but possibly less academic than the Manor or Moulsford? Think you’ve got some good choices - prob best to do some of the virtual tours and see what feels like the best fit?

Thank you so much for your reply, yes I will definitely be doing some of the virtual open days. Such a shame we can't look round them properly at the moment, makes the decision that bit more difficult! We were thinking of a co-ed school as worried an all boys school might be very competitive. Although maybe that's the best environment for a boy, I dont know