Independent secondaries in Berkshire/Oxfordshire

[Knownowt]

Hello

I'd be interested in people's views about independent day schools in Berks and Oxon.

My son is academically minded, loves maths and science, not hugely sporty. My daughter is also quite academic but more of an all rounder. Both currently at prep schools in London. We're looking to move in a few years, with a view to commuting from Reading and living Berks/Oxon border (but this is flexible). The Abbey and St Anne's currently on the list for my daughter but I'd love some other ideas. Most of the boys schools I've read up on seem quite hearty/sport-focused, which wouldn't suit my son that well- where would you look at?

Thank you.

Abingdon for your boy and St Helens for your girl both in Abingdon with a co-operative arrangement between them?

Thank you- that's really helpful.

Glad to be of help they ave their open days on the same day in September.

Do you mean Queen Anne's? I haven't heard of St Anne's. The Abbey and Queen Anne's are very different - both in terms of price and what they offer! If she is not particularly academic she may not get into The Abbey but Queen Anne's doesn't have a great reputation for results despite being extremely expensive.

For boys Blue Coat, The Oratory come to mind. Not sure if either of them are particularly academic. There is also Pangbourne College (I don't think that is academic) or Bradfield (not sure about the strengths of it - but pretty expensive, not sure on your budget). I think Reading Boys (state grammar) has a pretty good reputation for boys academically.

Oops, yes- I meant Queen Anne's.

Thank you for the recs- shall have a look.

I was going to suggest Abingdon or Reading Boys for ds, and St Helens out of ease of logistics for dd, or maybe Marlborough???

Abingdon was our choice for a similar boy. The particularly good thing is their "AOB" programme, which gives boys huge control over how they spend their extracurricular time - team sports/individual sports/chess/music…..whatever. Academically very sound too, with a new science centre starting construction.

I would heartily recommend St Helen's. I worked there for years.