Bedford School and St Edward's School, Oxford

[Peace430]

We live outside UK and would like to send our DS to boarding school. Our DS is an all-rounder; he is among the top students in his class and quite sporty. He loves sciences, enjoys drawing & painting and is good at mathematics and individual sports. He may need ESOL/ EAL support for a term. Our friends suggest that we check out on Bedford School/ St Edward's School. Please let me know what you think of Bedford School and St Edward's. Which school would fit better?

We would like to have your view on pastoral care, school life, teaching quality, facilities, college counseling. Any other info about these schools would be welcome.

Thank you.

Visited Bedford school recently and thought it was a lovely school.Very nurturing but still had that air of academia about it. The boys all looked happy and smart as they walked briskly to their lesson. The staff were extremely helpful and the hm we met was very warm. We were also very impressed by the headmaster. We've heard lots of very good things about St Ed's as well and really looking forward to our visit. Their Art looked very impressive but unfortunately they don't offer Art scholarships.

Are you planning a visit to either of them? its best seeing them for yourself to really get a good feel.

What are your criteria for choosing a school?

The two you have mentioned could hardly be more different: one a large single sex school, the other a fairly small co-ed. (Are these simply the two schools known by friends?)

Bedford School has been quietly impressive for decades. But it's not ideal for your purposes.

Firstly, it is primarily a day school. 817 day, 271 boarding. So the ethos and structure will be very strongly slanted in favour of those who do not board. Leaving the boarders with a continual sense of slightly missing out - no matter how much is organised for them.

Secondly - and this is almost more important - Bedford School has the disadvantage of being in Bedford, which some might consider a spectacularly dull town. No one in their right mind, given an entirely free choice (which of course we never have) would opt to spend five years in Bedford when they could be in Oxford.

St Edwards has a great reputation and all of Oxford on its doorstep. The pupils of boarding (and day!) schools in Oxford are in and out of the Ashmolean and Pitt Rivers, the Mathematical Institute and the Sheldonian almost every week. And they could hardly be better placed as regards visiting lecturers. Others will be able to tell you whether St Edward's is in fact full boarding or a place that empties at weekends (which is a crucial difference) but, either way, it's quite small so your DS wouldn't have the largest pool of potential friends in his own year.

To be honest, unless you already have a good knowledge of all the possible schools or a strong regional preference (close to family or friends perhaps) you might be wise to employ an agency to do the sifting for you.

My dd was at St Edwards and was very happy there . She came home most Sundays however ( oh those days of doing a double school run ) - we live an hour away . You really need to visit and find out first hand how many overseas boys there currently are , and picking the right house for your son is crucial . Btw, my daughter had an all- rounder scholarship , which combined music and art, ( there are other combinations eg art and sport ) so this is worth exploring . And being in Oxford is a marvellous place for the pupils !

Thank you to everyone for your view and advice.

Hi, TJsWife, we would love to visit both schools. However, it's not convenient for us to travel at the moment. Please kindly share your view on St Ed's after your visit.

Hi ZerofunDame, there are other schools known by friends; however, they're either too competitive or less academic. Any suggestion on other schools which our DS may fit in? We're not concered about size (since the difference is about 30 pupils per year group), but more on the pastoral care, teaching quality and the school life. We will employ an agency, however, we would also like to hear from parents who know the schools and/or sent their children to these school as well.

Hi gonegrey56, The school seems to place great emphasis on music, arts and drama. What about their science facilities and teaching? Also, would appreciate your view on the houses?

Thanks.

I know Teddies (St Edwards) very well. It's a happy school with very happy children. I don't think it's a small school at all; it has I think now 12 boarding house as ones recently opened and 650+ on it's role, that 130 + in each year, of those in the whole school only about 130-150 are day children the rest are full boarders no weekly flexi boarding. The school doesn't empty out on Saturday night as the children are only allowed home on Sunday. There's an excellent mix of UK and international students. It's does have a mixed ability intake but the bright do very well. There are lots of extra curricular activities, the plays are fantastic and sport is very strong, they were in the final for Henley in 2013/2014, rugby is also very strong and there are lots of teams so something for every player. The pastoral care is generally considered by all the parents we know there to be outstanding. A couple of friends have DC's at St Edwards and other similar schools but say the pastoral care at St Edwards is much better. The grounds are fantastic for a city based school.
I agree about Oxford it's a very nice city with plenty for children and you to do and it has good train links.

OP: As the previous poster says, academic pupils are very well catered for, but one of the school's strengths is in getting the very best results for each pupil. Great new science block and all the facilities you would expect. As far as boys' houses are concerned, I really can't advise as so much changes year by year, but I am confident the admissions staff will give you all guidance you need. But there is no substitute for meeting a prospective Housemaster and seeing if your ds "clicks" with them. I appreciate that this is not easy for you at present, but it should inform your eventual decision making. Pastoral care is exceptional, and my dd was extremely well supported throughout her time there.