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Secondary education

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Original poster

Which is the best boarding school?

40 replies

AnnaGriffiths · 22/03/2014 23:24

My DS and DD (both 15, they're twins) are going to start sixth form boarding in 2015, at the moment we have a horribly long list of schools and are finding it really difficult to choose. We want a schools which offers IB or A levels (not necessarily both) but we aren't so keen on pre-U courses.
DD and DS are both bright and enjoy sports and music. DD also really likes art and DS loves tennis and is very good at it too.
Location isn't very important but I think DD would prefer something in a country setting rather than in a city, DS doesn't care. They want to go to the same school together so it would have to be co-ed.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

OP posts:
BadgerB · 23/03/2014 05:46

Oakham School covers all your DCs would like. Choice of A levels or IB, huge range of sports, excellent music and drama, and the art dept is breath-taking. Academic results super too.
Oakham itself is a small-ish, safe country town with cafes, shops etc and the countryside in easy reach.
Have a look at it!

Bonsoir · 23/03/2014 05:56

Sevenoaks School isn't in a city but I know that plenty of boarders manage to go to London (25 minutes by mainline train) as soon as they have a day off. Great facilities.

CharityCase · 23/03/2014 06:00

Canford?

Jollyb · 23/03/2014 06:28

I agree Sevenoaks might fit your criteria.

goshhhhhh · 23/03/2014 06:46

I would second Oakham.

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 07:32

Thanks for the suggestions!
DS and DD were wondering if there were any schools with co-ed boarding. I know it's rare but I thought I'd ask anyway. Obviously I don't mean boys and girls sharing rooms but are there any schools where they're in the same house?

OP posts:
middleclasaonbursary · 23/03/2014 09:06

Marlborough has 6th form girls in boys houses, does both IB and A levels, it's in a very nice country market town, music art sport will be at the very least comparable with all those mentioned above.

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 12:50

Thanks, is Marlborough the only one with co-ed boarding? Also (if anyone knows), in a co-ed boarding house how much do the boys and girls in the house interact?
I'm slightly worried that in a boarding house of mostly boys like the ones at Marlborough the girls would not be allowed to interact with the boys much so would end up with only a few friends in their boarding houses. I have no experience with co-ed boarding so I could be totally wrong.

OP posts:
HRHLadyG · 23/03/2014 12:56

Box Hill School, Surrey.

BadgerB · 23/03/2014 12:56

I don't know of any where boys and girls share the accommodation. Possibly the supervision required would daunt most house parents - and annoy 16+ kids. I know that at Oakham 7th formers have separate houses but regularly 'visit' each other. Whenever I've been in the girls sitting room there is usually a boyfriend visiting and the couple cuddled on the sofa.

Millyblods · 23/03/2014 13:00

To answer literally, Methodist Ladies College, Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Aus. he he!! Sorry but that was the boarding school I went to and loved it. No help to you though ......sorry.

derektheladyhamster · 23/03/2014 13:01

Christs Hospital offers co - ed boarding houses in the upper sixth. It also offers IB (very good results on this) as well as a levels.

Lovely grounds in West Sussex, near horsham

Excellent music teaching

Lots of sport

They do pre u in art (I have no idea what this means, but it sounds like you do Grin )

traditions might not suit you though!

Oubliette0292 · 23/03/2014 13:05

I think Kimbolton is co-ed. No idea what it is like though. Or DH went to Bradfield (a looong time ago).

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 13:06

Marlborough have girls and boys in the same house but in separate corridors or floors (I think) which could be a good set up for DS and DD but they aren't sure about the school itself. We haven't been to see it yet so they might change their minds but I'd like to give them some other suggestions of schools with co-ed boarding.

OP posts:
RubyLennox · 23/03/2014 13:21

Derektheladyhamster said:
Christs Hospital offers co - ed boarding houses in the upper sixth. It also offers IB (very good results on this) as well as a levels.

To be fair, the IB is still in its early days at CH - they've only had one cohort complete the course so far. And while a few students achieved excellent results, others did less well and fell short of the minimum 36 points required for entry to most Russell Group Universities. For all schools introducing the IB it's a steep learning curve, but if I was choosing for a child aiming to do this course I'd probably look for somewhere with a more established track record.

Original poster
AnnaGriffiths · 23/03/2014 13:35

Sorry, I somehow missed a load of messages...
RubyLennox, I agree, I think having an established record with the IB is important, it'd be hard for us to judge a school by one years results alone.

OP posts:
elastamum · 23/03/2014 13:37

Repton is co ed boarding in a village setting

Laxmama · 23/03/2014 14:50

Hi Anna - the girls and boys in the mixed houses at Marlborough interact plenty. In fact, girls in the mixed houses will tend to have more interaction with boys as they have breakfast together everyday, supper some days and share all common areas. The result is quite a familial relationship between boys and girls within the house. One perceived benefit of a mixed house for new joiners is that all of the girls in a mixed boarding house will be new in the Lower Sixth.

summerends · 23/03/2014 14:53

Does n't Charterhouse have girls as members of boys boarding houses (although they sleep elsewhere)? They do IB (although I think preU instead of A levels). Why are you against preUs?

reddidi · 23/03/2014 16:01

Bromsgrove has a separate co-ed boarding house for sixth formers and is very good for sport but unlike the rest of the school it is in the town. It's an unusual set-up that might be worth a look.

happygardening · 23/03/2014 16:48

I'm sure there are others with mixed houses for 6 th formers I just can't for the life of me think of them.

I believe in some of the houses at Marlborough you dine in house every day but not necessarily the coed ones. You could look at it from toe sides if you dine in house you definitely interact with the boys, or if you dine in the main dinning hall you see your other friends. Turners (house) has a nice HM and definite takes 6 th form girls and they don't dine in house. I'm not sure OP why you think at a school "like Marlborough" the girls won't be allowed to interact with the boys much? I know they chucked out those two caught having sex but I'm pretty sure normal interaction is allowed. It is coed from yr 9 after all.

happygardening · 23/03/2014 16:50

Personally of my twins were starting the 6 th form at a boarding school I think I separate them. The two years go so quickly you want them to be made to go out and make new friends as quickly as possible.

FrameyMcFrame · 23/03/2014 17:01

Wells Cathedral School, specialises in music?
Hereford Cathedral also good and both coed

Gunznroses · 23/03/2014 17:36

Haileybury College, Hertford. Good IB track record and co-ed (but don't think they have boys and gals in the same dorms!).

Laxmama · 23/03/2014 17:48

You're right HG - forgot about Turner - more an in-college than out-college house (which the other co-eds are) so that one has all eating in the Norwood Hall - best of both worlds with fab HM to boot! All lunches, lessons, school activities with other friends so not sure that out-collegers miss out. Getting very specific here! You should definitely have a good look at both in-college & out-college houses if/when you visit OP.