Cheltenham College?

[Yasmin2013]

Daughter's choice but not too sure about its students (heard they are snooty) and their pastoral care.

Any information would be appreciated

I don't have direct experience but didn't want your post to go unanswered.

Our best friends DS went there (he's now at university) and as far as I am aware, only had positive experiences. They are far from snooty and although I can't speak for the majority of students, I don't think this is too much of a problem - seems to be mainly doctors, lawyers kids i.e. middle class professionals rather than the super rich. Like most private schools these days, there are a lot overseas students.
Not sure about the pastoral care, but again I've not heard anything against it.

I worked at Cheltenham College several years ago. I found the students very down to earth- not at all snooty. The staff were the same. Pastoral care was excellent. The tutor groups in the Lower College were small and there was plenty of allocated time to meet with trustees. Things may have changed as there is a hew Headmaster now but from what I have heard it is still a very good school.

Deliberate name change for privacy... after some years on MN I still don't like saying where they go to school!

I have one DC boarding at CC, and the younger one is starting in Sept. We spent a long time looking for the right school for both of them and they are very different children, so the search wasn't an easy one. Elder DC absolutely loves it and will be staying on for VIth form.

There's no doubt in our minds that we made the right choice. It's not snooty at all - far from it! We have always had good communication from the staff if there has ever been a problem; pastoral case has been spot on. New head (not that new anymore, especially as he was DH before) is great, and has done a lot to improve both academic standards and the wider curriculum - appreciates sport, music, art and drama in equal measure. Unlike some schools who have only been co-ed comparatively recently, girls are not seen as the minority and they get stuck into everything just as much as the boys.

Will happily answer any questions via pm if you like.

Hi, I our daughter went to Cheltenham College. She described it as the 'cool school', where people seemed more obsessed with their image than with any kind of work. She was given an exhibition to go there but felt under constant pressure to not seem too eager or interested in her school work. (She's a stunningly attractive tall, leggy blonde which may or may not have some bearing on her situation at school and the people she attracted). A number of her friends left at the same time as her because they, too, were disgruntled by the attitudes of others. One of her friends who came to stay with us got a sports scholarship to go there then started dropping all sports; the last thing you want a teenage girl to do. When I asked her why, she told me it was because they take all the fun out of sports. Strangely I met a woman at a dinner party a week later whose daughter had been there three years previously. She told me the same thing; her daughter dropped out of sports and then ended up with a terrible drug problem that they're still trying to sort out. The school had done little to alert them to the problem so it came as quite a shock. I'm not saying this will be the experience of all children there but we were deeply concerned and were delighted when she asked to leave. She's now in another private school, living at home, and thrilled by her 'amazing teachers'.

A level results not at all impressive, I thought. CLC much higher whether on total points or points per entry, and several comprehensives doing better on total points.

roguedad is right.

So i was there a while ago at the prep and as far as i can tell you or anyone it has the worst bulling problem i have experienced from pupils and teachers alike the school itself is great for people who like sport but anyone who likes anything else is excluded by all and there patrol care is the worst one of friends who had the same name as me was going though a hard time and the school mixed me up with him so i knew everything about him then. I recommend St Edwards oxford for senior and anywhere else for prep.

Okay..personal opinion.. it is an awful school. My child doesn't go there he is at a grammar school locally but every sports match I've encountered involves over confident boys being incredibly rude. I would not pay the fees to have a child who frankly becomes ignorant and rude!