Bradfield College

[UNDERTHEACERTREE]

Considering boarding at Bradfield for academic and sporty child. Any current or very recent parents out there who can comment on what they like most/least about the school? Any feedback received with thanks.

Sorry not a current parent but we visited Bradfield a few years ago when we were looking for a boarding school for our DS. We really liked the atmosphere at the school. We liked the idea that the year 9s had a house together. This puts some people off but we felt that this would have meant that our DS would have got to know all his year group rather than just the boys in his house. The only problem is of course how they allocate the places in the Houses for year 10 to year 13. It could end up breaking up friendship groups if decided on before year 9. I am not sure how they do this.
I am not sure whether you are looking at weekly or full boarding. We felt that this was a weekly boarding school. The school put us in touch with current parents and they agreed. They said it had slowly changed from when their DSs had started from mainly a full boarding school to a weekly boarding school with some full boarders now.
You mention that your DS is sporty, you are aware that Bradfield is a football rather than a rugby school. It didn't make a difference to my DS but it might to your DS.
Good luck with your school search.

I was talking to a mum the other day whose DS has just started there I don't think it's desperately sporty their other DS is very sporty and she hadn't sent him there. It's fairly academic but not super selective and as already said not full boarding. Interestingly they too liked the idea that all yr 9 share the same house but now their DS is there are not so convinced apparently their DS is quite mature and has found many are rather immature and he can't wait to move into the mixed yr boarding.
They seemed generally pleased with it.

FWIW, I've always thought of Bradfield as excellent for all-rounders rather than star sportsmen/women, academics.

My observation is based on the children I've seen go there from local preps.

Good all rounder school.

It's not convenient for public transport, so you have to commit to driving up and down the M4 every weekend.

The mum I was talking to said it was very unpretentious which is another reason why they liked liked it chose it.

The year 10 boarding house is notified when they are offered their place (at least I know that is what happened to someone who was offered a place there recently.

My son is in his 5th and final year at Bradfield. For the academic (which he is not) they seem to do fine, two other boys in his house from a year-group of nine have offers from Oxford, and he has an offer for where he wants to go. As long as you're not a rugby or rowing fanatic, Bradfield's sporting facilities are excellent and the matches with good competitive schools.

The first-year house (incredibly luxurious with ensuite bathrooms) seems to work well at the beginning as an induction to boarding, and they share rooms on a rotating basis with pupils who will move on to the same senior house. By the third term they are dying to move on to their senior house, and its more adult atmosphere.

Pastorally, there is variation between the houses but there is a generally high standard, with a focus on getting all age-groups to concern themselves with others' welfare. If you want your child whipped into line with a high level of academic and sporting coercion, Bradfield is not the place for you.

...and I forgot to mention, there is a bus from Broomwood Road every Sunday evening