Marlborough college - could this be a place for securing top academic grades?

[Fashy]

I am sending my daughter and son to Marlborough from this Sep, both joining at same time: both are verry bright academcially, but also do very well in extra-curriculars (but that is a secondary benefit we see). I saw the schools' results, which places them well (eg 55%As in A levels), but not at the top of league tables. Does anyone have any experience or advice, if Marlborough would provide the teaching as well as the environment, as my kids have potential to reach the real top. I am slightly concerned about how 'pushy' the school is, and if the average stuident evnironment would be right. We do have places at top day schools too (eg St Pauls), but unfortinately, have to move out of UK, and hence had to look at boarding options at last minute

I am also concerned abpout discipline at school, particularly to do with relationships, prevalence (if any at all) of smoking/drinking/drugs. I read some previous threads about some lack of discipline, but also read and felt re-assured that the new head seems to be driving better discipline strongly (eg expelled two students a coupel of years ago for sex). Is there a more recent update on how things are in last one year, around this subject?

[Dancingdreamer]

We were very unsure too about committing to boarding and worried about Marlborough particularly because of some of the feedback from a few years ago. She really pushed to see the College although it wasn't on my list of options. I thought that she would go to an excellent local grammar school but in the end it couldn't compare with what Marlborough had to offer.