King Edwards School Bath

[BathingBelle]

Am thinking of relocation, DS y9, DDy10. Both very sociable, play sport at county level, DD on academic scholarship.

They've been at the same indie school since nursery, so not used to change, but both v keen to try a new place.

Is it welcoming? Academic? What are the kids and other parents like? We are used to a very wide social mix, I'd like to keep that exposure if possible.

Are there other places in the area we should consider? They'll be day pupils.

Any experience or thoughts very gratefully received!

TIA

We have friends with a DS there he's been at the school since prep and is now in the senior school. I understand from then that its a fairly academic school although we're not talking Westminster/SPS here by amy stretch of the imagination and sporty, they talk very highly off it.
"We are used to a very wide social mix, I'd like to keep that exposure if possible."
These friends are very conventional are paying for good exam results. Have you ever visited Bath and the surrounding area? Bristol aside its not exactly multi cultural and of course the school has no boarders to broaden the mix, therefore I think you will find that the vast majority of the parents are reasonably well off white and middle class.
KIngswood also in Bath has boarders but only a small % so I suspect you will find the mix slightly more diverse but not significantly. If you want your DS to mix with children living in social housing (on bursaries) aristocrats and the children of Oligarchs and lots of different nationalities I don't think KES (as its known) is the right school for you. At Marlborough you'd get the DC's of Oligarchs and aristocrats but hardly any if any at all living in social housing if these things really matter then perhaps you'd better stay in Lonodn!

"if these things really matter then perhaps you'd better stay in London!"
Meant to add or where ever you live. Sorry OP this comes across as a bit unfriendly didn't mean it to read like this!

The state schools in Bath are generally ok so unless I had very particular reasons and was absolutely minted, I wouldn't bother paying for private. Having said that, there are several independents (KES, Kingswood, Royal High, Prior Park) plus a couple more very close by, so they must have something going for them!

As a rule, the people I know who pay are very well off and/or went to private schools themselves as children.

My nephew went through there, and I've met a number of his friends. Really nice boys, generally well regarded in the area.

Thanks so much for the replies! Actually, I meant not restricted to public school wanker-types. We are far from London at the moment, but higher boarding % means lots of nationalities.

Absolutely no problem with white middle class at all.

We know and love Bath and would probably rent to start with as we gather the travel can be a challenge!

Thanks again, you're all really kind.

Depending whether you needed to be east or wet of bath, good state schools worth looking at are Malmesbury, st Lawrence (bradford on Avin), st Augustines (Trowbridge), or Dauntseys (independent, Lavington)

Thanks, newfairy!