Anyone know about New College School (Pre-Prep), Oxford?

[TheGentleSeaSnail]

Hello! My DS has been given a place at New College School in Oxford to begin reception this year. He has also been given a place at Summer Fields in Oxford.

I'm tending towards NCS because my son is likely to be the sensitive, academic, musical type rather than sporty. Also it is highly appealing that NCS is entirely non-boarding.

Does anyone know anything about New College School? Are there any problems I should know about? Trying to get the full picture as we will need to move to Oxford to send him here. We're very keen to go down the chorister route if he has the talent, as the musical training and fee reduction are both very appealing.

I know three families whose boys go there and I believe they’re all very happy (including the choristers). They say that everyone knows everyone else (in a lovely way) because it’s so small.

The only thing I would mention is that one of the families found the process of applying to senior schools a bit tricky and didn’t feel that they got a great steer from the Head at NCS as to where would be a good place for their son to look at. It just seemed a bit of a surprise in such a small place where they must know the kids quite well. But I might just have caught them at a frustrated moment - we’ve all had them! - so I don’t know how much weight you should put on that.

Thanks @OpenDayFatigue that's very helpful. I know that NCS do something called PSB (Pre-Senior Baccalaureate) instead of CE. Not sure if this might be an issue when applying to senior schools as it is quite new and possibly not accepted everywhere.

Have you had a look at Christ Church Cathedral School? More options for choristerships (Worcester and Pembroke College choirs for day boys as well as the big one), and the headmaster really knows his stuff when it comes to senior school applications. They send plenty of boys to the most selective boarding schools as well as local day schools. The Head of Pre Prep is fantastic too!

@anotherfinemess1 Christ Church Cathedral School looks wonderful. A couple of off-putting things though are choir commitments during the holidays (I know it's inevitable but I really love a quiet family Christmas) and also it appears no longer to be a boys' school. I think that boys' schools have some unique benefits when it comes to developing confidence and interests, so I'm keen to send my boy to one.

That’s really interesting! The CCCS head has said they’re taking girls because parents want it! People want different things I guess. I can’t imagine they’ll get many girls though, as they’ll have to leave at 7. I’ve heard that Wychwood went co-Ed in September and now have 3 boys.
My DS has just been offered a Christ Church choristership for September, and you’re right about the holidays - they have to spend about a week in school for both Christmas and Easter, though it still means they get 2 weeks off for each, half Yerma, and 2 months in the summer, so it’s not too bad - and there are so many other perks. They’re getting a 2-week free trip to California this year! I can’t wait till my DS gets something like that! If you want lower choir commitment, I do think the Pembroke and Worcester choirs are something special: day boys, university term only, and 1 or 2 services a week. Worcester choir are going on tour to York soon, and Pembroke to Wales. I don’t think many people in Oxford know about those choirs. I was quite keen on putting my son in for Worcester when we first started looking into this but he’s the one who really wants the cathedral and boarding!