Bedford School or Uppingham School?

[CDE00]

We are from overseas. My DS would like to study Yr 10 in UK. He is good at Science, esp Mathematics. He is a member of choir and likes singing very much. He is quite sporty. Location is not concerned. Please advise which school will suit him more. Many thanks.

Year 10 is an awkward year to join a school, as it's hard to get settled whilst in the serious years for GCSE. Have you got offers from both?

I suspect either school would be fine, and will offer everything that your DS wants. Which did he like the 'feel' of best? I know that sounds woolly, but I think that by mid-teens this is about where he believes he will thrive.

What about these two schools led them to being your short list?

Thanks for your advice EdithWeston. You're right. It's better to join in Year 9. But my DS just made up his mind this year. Lucky we've got offer from Bedford and is now on waiting list of Uppingham.

My DS has no preference and both schools are OK to him. From schools' website, both schools seems suit my DS and has good academic result. We would like to have more opinion on how the schools actually are, esp on pastoral care.

Have you or your son visited?

There really is no substitute for going to look yourselves and ask questions as they occur to you based on what you see. Even if inconvenient from overseas, it really is worth making every effort to get there (ideally in term time).

We could only visit the schools in Easter holiday. However, as per schools' advice, they will be in term break too, so not many elements are available to be viewed.

There's a post on this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2336511-Bedford-School-and-St-Edwards-School-Oxford about Bedford School which you might be interested in.

What the school is really like at weekends might be a factor for you.

Thanks AuntieStella. So Uppingham would be better in terms of boarding life, as it is a full boarding school.