Just found out going overseas. Marlborough or other boarding school?

[hobbitparty]

So we just found out we are going overseas for the next 3 - 4 years. Our DS will turn 13 while we're away, so we need to find a boarding school for him, and potentially later our DD. Looking for co-ed, not too far from Heathrow, and easy distance to families that are west/ south, so Marlborough comes up as a potential option. But do any parents have current experience of the school? We would want strong pastoral care, preferably not too 'hair flicky'/image-conscious, but somewhere friendly, that stretches and inspires children, builds their independence and social skills, and (hopefully) puts them on path to a productive and happy future! Not asking too much then. Would Marlborough work? Is there anywhere else Mumsnetters would suggest instead? Both children reasonably bright (middle of top sets), DS enjoys sport, DD art.

Regarding results between Canford and Marlborough, I agree there is relatively little difference. Let's put the results into context. Across both independent and state sector roughly 200 schools achieve 50% of A levels at A/A. About 100 schools have over 60% at A/A and then about 30 of these fall into the over 75% A/A* range. For Marlborough and Canford results last year were as follows:

A level A/A*:
Marlborough ranked 81 − 62.6%
Canford ranked 158 − 52.5%

GCSE A/A*
Marlborough ranked 124 - 74.6%
Canford ranked 164 − 69.4%

Marlborough brings in a lot of bright DCs at 6th form (mainly girls) which I think improves their A level results.

HG - You suggested, since OP's DS would not get into the super selectives that Canford might be a good option. I'm not quoting you. My point is surely there is something in between them that is more academic than Canford but not a super selective like Winchester.

IneedIceCream When it comes to full boarding schools options are a little limited. Rugby and Charthouse have slightly better results mid to high 80% getting A-B, Uppingham are high 70's and St Edwards and Christs (rather surprisingly and if you just look at just A level results) low 70's. Compared with full boarding super selectives; Eton 96% Winchester 92%. Obviously if your just looking at A's and A's then this is when the super selective come into their own as it should be : Uppingham 44%, Christs info doesn't seem to be available, Charterhouse 59% (pre U) 66% A level, Rugby 60%, St Edwards 42%, Eton 80% and Winchester 76%.
Of course these results are complicated by the IB e.g. done by Christ's and St Edwards which is often done by more able pupils and the significantly harder Pre U, some schools offer it only to their brightest pupils or in certain subjects Winchester make everyone do it.
Having said all of this the OP isn't looking for a super selective she looking for a school where she thinks her DC's will do well academically but also develop independence and not start flicking their hair.

According to the Times, here are the IB results for Christ's Hospital for 2016:

Average 36.6. there are no details behind this.

And St Edwards has average of 36.4 for IB and 62.9% A/A* at A level.

I had forgotten OP was looking for full boarding. Yes, that does greatly limit things. From the sample of girls from our prep that have gone to Uppingham, i'd say it is super 'flicky haired'.

Must they go to the same school? I know it's more convenient but are they the same type of person? It's quite possible that a single sex school will be more full boarding type.

Genuinely not judging, honestly. I'm just intrigued.. Would you consider an international school in the country you are moving too?

"St Edwards 63.9% A/A* at A level."
Not sure where you're getting that figure from according to their website its 42%.

Do boys flick hair?

I believe they do.

How do you flick your hair I thought girls favoured long hair isn't that difficult to flick or do I just lack technique and imagination? (Genuine questions)

The longer the better. Its an art HG, its an art.

Yes they do. Imagine Hugh Grant old style hair cut.

DS has just got his hair cut, thank god. It was being flicked all over the place.

HG, needs loadsa conditioner plus Moroccan/argali oil to make ultra shiny and sleek, hair straighteners so every strand fits together, and mutual practice sessions, must be why I can't be arsed....

*argan

at the hair flicking comments. Perhaps it's an 80s hang over thing. Just have a fear of it.

Olivialoves, secondary overseas not possible where we are going. Would hope the boarding period just 1-2 years until we were back in UK. So I suppose in that regard full full boarding less imperative as once back we would want him (and DD) home as much as possible.

Thanks for the results stats - helpful too. Results not be all and end all but would want DC to be amongst a motivated peer group and results might be a proxy for that.

Oundle and King's Canterbury are both full boarding and more academic than Canford and St Edward's. Both would be good for overseas boarders who are middle of top sets.

Yes boys flick hair. I live amongst the boys at a school mentioned on this thread and can definitively vouch for the flicky hair.

Bryanston, Dauntseys? Dd has friends at both and they're doing really well.

My dd was at Marlborough and admittedly she left 3 years ago but she loved her time there. She's not uber cool, not especially academic, just a nice easy going girl and she made loads of friends and was very happy.
The music dept is excellent, the teaching pretty good and we found the pastoral care to be very good (I got quite ill during her time there and the staff bent over backwards)
My friends who still have dc there are very happy with it.

Happygardening - the results came from the Times. I have noticed that results often differ from published school results and between surveys eg Times can be different from Telegraph. I will check if got figure right when get home tonight though.

DS1 was recently marched down to the village hairdresser when his housemaster got fed up with his hair flicking, so boys definitely do flick

Girls appear to face an obligation to have below shoulder length straight smooth hair, with parting. Lots of flicking potential (it is essential with that style if you want neither to wear a hair clip or head sunglasses nor look like Neil from the young Ones - I speak from experience, having hair to my waist , which is a bit ridiculous at my age )