Where are the best Prep Schools in South Of England?

[Oldermummy2019]

Dear all.We are lucky that we can work from anywhere.Our Son is just going to reception and we want him to go to a Public/Privately funded prep school.Our requirement is that the schools goes up to 13, has wrap around childcare and flexi boarding after age of 10. Excellent sports and academics. We are happy to move for a nice school. Ideal location should be south of England.Dorset,Hampshire, Sussex. Not too remote.Need cafes and nice gym classes.House wise we like country homes with lots of outside space to grow things. Please let’s not make this about state or private education politics.Please help.

https://www.farlingtonschool.com/2038/co-ed-boarding-in-the-sussex-countryside?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxvHpy-nH8gIVBOvtCh2zFg7eEAAYASAAEgIssDD_BwE

Aldro.

Beaudesert Park near Cirencester might be perfect for you.

You say he's just going to reception - do you need a prep that starts now? Some (but not all) of the best boys' preps start later, so if you're happy to change schools at 7, that opens up more options.

www.cranprep.org/

Hi all, Thank for your suggestions yes happy to change at 7.He is in pre-prep at an all through public school in Bristol but the school has changed a lot since our eldest started.New head, old school teachers leaving etc.Discipline is almost nonexistent. I will read the above and share. The current school is 3 schools in one. Nursery-Pre-prep, prep up to 13 then senior school. I like the system just not this school.

Ah yes I have heard that about Clifton!

The Dragon in Oxford.

OP, have you thought of working your way from senior school back? Where do you want them to end up. You don't state if your eldest is a girl or boy or how old they are, where would they go? Would they be boarding at that point?

So just considering your youngest I would consider the following schools (it's the usual suspects tbh).
The Pilgrims probably has about 40% feeding into WinColl. They have a pre-prep and a lovely House mistress when the time comes for your DS to board. Winchester is lovely town with all the amenities you want, close to London and lovely countryside.

I second Aldro which now accepts girls for any siblings. Your main town will probably be Guilford and there is direct quick lines to London too. Lovely countryside setting. Tends to feed into Charterhouse, just across the river.

Elstree is a low key one, I guess. Now accepts girls too with a forest pre-prep. The headmaster used to co-head Ludgrove. A decent amount into Eton, but they mostly feed into Bradfield which is nearby. Lovely countryside town, easy links to London (infact they have a school bus that goes to London Fridays and comes back Monday mornings - at least they used to, have to check it that still the case).

Then you have the usual Oxfordshire and Berks heavy hitters that feed to Eton, WinColl, Radley etc.
Summerfields
Dragons
Ludgrove
Sunningdale
Papplewick
Horris Hil

Going further to the other places you mentioned, have you looked at
Sherborne Prep
Sandroyd

I hope I have not stuck too much into the usual schools OP, and good luck

Spot on post from @SW1Mums. I was coming back to say some of that but she's covered it all.
Sunningdale is very much boarding though with just a handful of day boys even from Yr 3. Woodcote House also lovely. Papplewick would suit your boarding from 10+ plan.

Ludgrove also all boarders - fortnightly there. No day as far as I know. Starts at Yr 4.

Wow SW1Mums, you have really nailed it.I was thinking Senior School to Wincoll, Sherborne, Wellington or Marlborough although there has been some Rivalry between current school and Marlborough Rugby teams😂My eldest son who is in the Senior School will probably hate me. That said DH prefers Coed than single sex.I went to a girls school and loved it.

Winchester is a nice town, we also visited Salisbury, Sherborne and that area which also seemed nice but I like the accessibility of Winchester. Most of our extended family are in the Greater London area.

I also thought of Cheltenham and Cotswolds but don’t know about schools there although I have been to a few to watch the kids Rugby.Cheltenham College looks nice but don’t know about academics. I promise I will look up each school and report back.Anyone know anything about Hazlegrove and Port Regis?

Eldest son starts GCSE this year so could board or change for A levels.

Please do keep them coming and a huge thank you.I am sure other parents will benefit from our thread.

We have family at Port Regis who love it. Also hear great things from friend at Windlesham House. There's also Lambrook which is coed and feeds to many on your list. I'm more up on preps than seniors really having been round this block recently!

Thank you, Legoninjago1 some good options there.We have narrowed it down to Gloucestershire,Wiltshire,Dorset and Hampshire.
Shortlist to visit
Pilgrims looks lovely but is all boys a good idea at pre age? I prefer is at 13 plus.
Port Regis
Beau dessert Park
Hazlegrove
Sandroyd
Awaiting some feedback on the schools below.If anyone has any experience of them your comments will be most appreciated
The Downs Bristol
Cheltenham college

Beaudesert Park School
Cheltenham College
Dean Close
Wycliffe
Richard Pate
Westonbirt School

Gloucestershire has some very good schools.

Hazlegrove is fabulous - DS was very very happy there. It’s good for all rounders, great music/drama and sport but also gets good results. Pastoral care is amazing. My brothers went there and even with changes of headmasters over the years the lovely ethos remains. Tends to feed into Kings Bruton and Sherborne, but several go on to other schools each year, many on scholarships of one sort or another. Thoroughly recommend it.

Dear Theraindropontherose,

Many thanks for the update.It looks nice on line, I can’t wait to visit.which areas will be good to live in within easy school run to Hazlegrove. We love a house with plenty outside space but not too isolated.
Please help.

Our DD and us have loved her time at Sherborne Prep, fantastic school, great care and attention. Has come on leaps and bounds and thoroughly nurtured. Doing better academically than we expected.

Good luck. We have literally looked at every senior school in the south west!!! Whittled down to Blundells and Wellington.

Hi Fishpig,

Thanks for your assurances on Sherborne prep.Out of interest why Blundells and Wellington and not Sherborne?

Not seen many houses and gym/sports facilities in Sherborne so now looking and Cheltenham and Oxford areas. Any thoughts from anyone regarding independent schools and social scene in the areas mentioned?Please

What about Edgeborough in Surrey?

I will take a look now

Port Regis is just brilliant. My dd was a full boarder and just loved her years there. There is a strong community too- lots of parents getting together for dinner parties etc. She went on to Marlborough which was the perfect follow-up to PR- another wonderful school.

I don’t like the idea of best, as different kids benefit from different types of schools. If you mean, which get the most boys into ‘top’ public boarding schools…

Boarding Oxford area I would look at
Summerfields
Dragon
Cot hill

Maybe CHandlings & st Hughes (less knowledgeable on their destinations)

day school options include new college school (esp if dc even slightly musical) & Christ church cathedral school

St Andrews in Eastbourne

Marlborough House on the boarder of Kent and Sussex might be a good fit.